8/14 Goode Thoughts - Crepuscular Rays
Have you ever heard of that term? Crepuscular Rays? You may not have heard of the term but you have definitely seen them. Here were some a few days ago at Glenwood Gardens
And yes that is Scout being quite the majestic doggo with the rays behind her. There’s a whole science behind how these rays form, but I find them to be so beautiful and mesmerizing. I have heard them called Sun Rays, Glory Rays, God Rays…whatever term works. But I think the reason I love them so much is that they reveal something that we can’t see otherwise. We are able to see light itself illuminated when normally we don’t see that at all. That’s part of what I feel about what it is to live as a person of faith in this world – we are here to help others see what is already there (the working of God, the movement of the Spirit, the presence of Jesus) but may not be obvious. This Sunday at Pleasant Run (and the following two Sundays at Greenhills and then Northwest), we’re going to be centering on a story that is a lot like that – the story of the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus with two of his followers. Take a read of it prior to Sunday starting with Luke 24:13 and maybe make an intentional practice the days following about being intentional to see the work of God AND to share what you see with others. (See what I did there? YES…AND)
A Tree to Grow With ResoundingJoy – We have a tree out front of the Northwest building that will sadly need to come down. No matter the reason, I’m always a little sad when a tree has to come down. But…here’s what the RJC Session just approved. On September 7, we are going to plant a new one in its place and see how it grows alongside us. Just as we have our three congregations ending one season of their lives at the end of August but entering into the rebirth of something new, we’re going to do that with this tree. So, the tree will be delivered by the 7th and we will plant it that morning!
How can you help? I am so glad you asked! Over the next three weeks, can you donate $20 (or whatever amount you’d like) to offset the cost of purchasing the tree as well as the delivery of it? There will be baskets at each congregation each of the next three weeks to collect. You can also give online at https://resoundingjoy.church/give - just as you go through the one-time gift option, make a note at the end (there’s a place to do so) that it is for the RJC Tree Fund!
How can you help? I am so glad you asked! Over the next three weeks, can you donate $20 (or whatever amount you’d like) to offset the cost of purchasing the tree as well as the delivery of it? There will be baskets at each congregation each of the next three weeks to collect. You can also give online at https://resoundingjoy.church/give - just as you go through the one-time gift option, make a note at the end (there’s a place to do so) that it is for the RJC Tree Fund!
Our New Logo – At the end of this blog you’ll see the designs for our new logo – one that is the “big logo” and one that is more of an “icon” type of logo. Our new communications director, Michele Wright, designed these with also some inspiration from Samantha Jasper in a design she shared with folks as well. I also shared about the meaning of the logos at the end of my sermon on Sunday so if you missed that, you can find it online at: https://resoundingjoy.church/media
Worship September 7 and Following –I shared this last week but can’t hurt to remind… worship services on Sunday for ResoundingJoy Church will be at 10:30am! You’re welcome to show up at 10 and spend time with the Sunday Bible study or just getting to know others but worship will begin at 10:30.
New Sign - We have two companies working on designs and quotes for the new sign and we will hopefully have a firm design and schedule set in the coming weeks!
Plan of Union – The Sessions of the three congregations will be reviewing the full draft of the plan of union in the next week or so and hopefully will have that finished to go to Presbytery later this month!
Finances – The new bank has been settled and the team is working on a firm schedule and process of how finances will be managed not only only when the GH and PR buildings sell but more so when all is together! Lee Sanders will be serving as the treasurer for RJC for the first year!
Giving and Generosity – Like we shared last week, we will be having a new online giving portal as a part of our website and our app. This will be fully active by the end of August once our new bank account is set up and we can start making transactions through this system. If you give through your bank through online bill pay systems, please update your information to start having checks mailed to ResoundingJoy Church, 8735 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Expansive Ephesians Bible Study – I have completed the content of the Bible study and am working on the ways that it will be posted on the website and I anticipate that it will be ready to go by the last week in August. I would also be very interested if people wanted to get together to do the study in person as well! Let me know!
Wednesdays with Ed – Our next three Wednesdays with Ed will be at the respective church buildings. This coming Wednesday (8/20) will be at Pleasant Run. You’ll have the opportunity to also meet the officially called Church Dog, Scout! (Did you know that Lisa Allgood made a call document for Scout as church dog too and it was approved by the Commission on Ministry? True story!) 12-2 on the 20th! Feel free to bring some dog treats!
Schedule Stuff – Just wanted to let you all know that we are moving into “back to college” mode for our kids. I’ll be taking our son Zach back to Wooster on Monday, August 18th and then I’ll be flying to Boston after worship on 8/31 to help Eldra move into her new dorm at Tufts in Boston. Amy will be taking Zoë back to Georgia the weekend of August 17th. In addition, I am planning on attending several conferences during the Fall that focus on outreach and new ways of reaching out to the world. One is a PCUSA conference in New Jersey in early October and the other is with a group known as NEXT Church in November. That will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both are mid-week events and I’ll be back for Sundays.
Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Pastor Ed
Worship September 7 and Following –I shared this last week but can’t hurt to remind… worship services on Sunday for ResoundingJoy Church will be at 10:30am! You’re welcome to show up at 10 and spend time with the Sunday Bible study or just getting to know others but worship will begin at 10:30.
New Sign - We have two companies working on designs and quotes for the new sign and we will hopefully have a firm design and schedule set in the coming weeks!
Plan of Union – The Sessions of the three congregations will be reviewing the full draft of the plan of union in the next week or so and hopefully will have that finished to go to Presbytery later this month!
Finances – The new bank has been settled and the team is working on a firm schedule and process of how finances will be managed not only only when the GH and PR buildings sell but more so when all is together! Lee Sanders will be serving as the treasurer for RJC for the first year!
Giving and Generosity – Like we shared last week, we will be having a new online giving portal as a part of our website and our app. This will be fully active by the end of August once our new bank account is set up and we can start making transactions through this system. If you give through your bank through online bill pay systems, please update your information to start having checks mailed to ResoundingJoy Church, 8735 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Expansive Ephesians Bible Study – I have completed the content of the Bible study and am working on the ways that it will be posted on the website and I anticipate that it will be ready to go by the last week in August. I would also be very interested if people wanted to get together to do the study in person as well! Let me know!
Wednesdays with Ed – Our next three Wednesdays with Ed will be at the respective church buildings. This coming Wednesday (8/20) will be at Pleasant Run. You’ll have the opportunity to also meet the officially called Church Dog, Scout! (Did you know that Lisa Allgood made a call document for Scout as church dog too and it was approved by the Commission on Ministry? True story!) 12-2 on the 20th! Feel free to bring some dog treats!
Schedule Stuff – Just wanted to let you all know that we are moving into “back to college” mode for our kids. I’ll be taking our son Zach back to Wooster on Monday, August 18th and then I’ll be flying to Boston after worship on 8/31 to help Eldra move into her new dorm at Tufts in Boston. Amy will be taking Zoë back to Georgia the weekend of August 17th. In addition, I am planning on attending several conferences during the Fall that focus on outreach and new ways of reaching out to the world. One is a PCUSA conference in New Jersey in early October and the other is with a group known as NEXT Church in November. That will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both are mid-week events and I’ll be back for Sundays.
Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Pastor Ed
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