Greetings Everyone
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As I mentioned in church on Sunday, I have spent the first two weeks in Whitefish a bit baffled by the weather. Rain, sun, clammy cold, bursts of warmth: it can be all four seasons in one day, which has made it really hard to figure out how to mow my yard. If you walk by my house, you’ll notice the “layered” nature of my lawn as I struggle to keep up with the always-present moisture of the grass. (Please don’t judge!)
For the past month I’ve been reading Ivan Doig. In his novels, set in the fictional Two Medicine country somewhere close to here, the weather is practically a main character. The dry heat of fire season, the rolling storms of spring, the indifferent coldness of winter snow. In his books, the shifting Montana winds shapes the land and writes their whims onto the faces of those who live here. In Doig’s homeland, the big sky is always larger than you are and always up to some sort of mischief.
All this musing about weather has found its way into my sermons this month, which probably explains why I compared the Holy Spirit to the snow-eating chinooks that flow down the backside of mountains.
Thinking about the weather seems like one sure way to think about the glory of God, especially in a corner of the world where the weather is bigger than us. Just as we learn to adjust to the vagaries of the clouds in Montana, so we learn patience in our walk with God. As we mature in Christ, we learn to not overreact to the storms and the perfect afternoons. We learn to trust in God regardless of the forecast and even, on a good day, to rejoice in the changing of the seasons in our lives.
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At the beginning of the Book of James, the author writes that the testing of our faith produces patience, and that this patience produces maturity. As I get older, I really see the wisdom in this. One of the gifts of faith is the gift of patience, and that patience is often earned through endurance in stormy times. Just like everyone who lives in Montana, a person with a mature faith knows better than to overreact to every change in the weather. For despite the shifting clouds, God remains. I pray that the Spirit might develop this kind of patient faith in all of us!
This Sunday we will continue exploring the elements of worship by thinking about bread and contemplating why God cares so much about who we eat with. We will also celebrate communion together. And don’t forget that the adult Sunday School is meeting once again at 9:00 am to discuss Romans 13.
Peace,
Pastor Raully
News & Events
Sunday, June 2nd
9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study in the Chapel
10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
Monday, June 3rd
7:00 p.m. Choir Practice
Tuesday, June 4th
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast
Thursday, June 6th
7:00 p.m. “The Chosen” watch party
Sunday, June 9th
10:00 am Worship Service
Check out the Events Calendar for more upcoming events.
We will be studying Pricilla Shirer’s Armor of God:
Study Guide available online.
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The Fellowship Committee will be hosting a Spring “POT luck” luncheon on Sunday, June 9th shortly following our church service. The committee will be furnishing fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, and Hawaiian rolls. Please bring your favorite side dish and/or dessert to share with the congregation. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.
Thank You and come hungry!
The Fellowship Committee
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Glacier Camp Clean Up!
Join us at Glacier Camp on beautiful Flathead Lake for the annual clean up.
Saturday, June 15th
Please see Susan Tate or call the office for more info.
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Community Outreach
Whitefish Care & Rehab is looking for donations of personal care items. When a new resident comes into the facility they are provided with standard items. It will be a beautiful collaboration if residents also see a basket filled with items donated by the community that demonstrates they are thought of and cared for.
We are looking for the following travel sized items and hope to make 10 baskets in total.
Items to donate
-Small wooden basket
-Shampoo -Dove
– Conditioner- Dove
-Lotion- Dove
-Deodorant- Dove
-Lip balm
-Toothbrush & Toothpaste
-Activity books like sudoku and crosswords
-Snacks- Protein bars, soft cereal bars, mixed nuts (salt free),
-Water bottle
-Juice box
You may drop off donated items in the church office or look for the Whitefish Care & Rehab box in Fellowship Hall.