Monday Devotion from Pastor Barbara Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. [1] Exodus 16:4 Dear Church, Does anybody else feel like we’ve been sheltered in place for many weeks now? Only two, really. It began at midnight, March 16^th here in the Bay Area. I’m beginning to wonder how those Israelites did it. How they survived 40 years – years! – wandering in the desert. It makes the time we’ll be spending seem short by comparison. We have a timeline, it is tenuous, but at least it isn’t a 40 year timeline! At first, did those people of God think it would only be a matter of weeks? Frankly, I don’t want to go there, but I can feel the desperation rising up in me when I do let myself wonder just how long this will actually be…. Yet they made it, the whole forty years, as an intact community, still thriving and growing, in spite of the limitations they were facing. Those wanderers became a blessing to the whole world, just like God promised to Abraham and Sarah. So how did they do it? Remember the manna. Those Israelites got what they needed each day, day by day by day for forty years. They had God and they had each other and God’s faithfulness was a constant in an uncertain world. They made it because, each day, they had what they needed. And so do we. I’m so grateful to have a ringside seat to 21^st century manna – every day! You all have risen up to be there for each other and for the communities we live in. I know that folks who can shop are reaching out and shopping for those who cannot leave home. I know that folks are working in essential jobs to allow all of us to continue to have food and supplies, delivery services, hardware store, gas stations, and incredible medical care in spite of terrible shortages. I know that people with extra masks have donated them, along with money for food banks, and worked at the food banks, and helped others find transportation, and first responders are caring for birthday kids, and people are providing amazing worship opportunities, and bears in their windows, and reaching out to shut ins, and – the list goes on and on! You are a manna blessing!! One of the best manna blessings I’ve seen and experienced is how we pray for each other. For example, I was blessed to hear that someone who has been struggling to sleep well has begun praying for everyone in those dark hours of the night. Prayer has allowed them to fall back to sleep, resting in the presence of God. I feel those prayers. Whatever we feel, despair or hope, or anything in between, know that not only is God with you, someone is praying for you, too. Awesome. So, know that I, too, pray for you and know that God holds you! Take good care and let’s share with each other the needs you see around you, or that you need help with, and let us connect folks together, so we can be manna blessings to each other! In Christ, Pastor Barbara [1] Harper Bibles. NRSV Bible (Kindle Locations 3083-3084). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Monday Devotion from Pastor Barbara Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. [1] Exodus 16:4 Dear Church, Does anybody else feel like we’ve been sheltered in place for many weeks now? Only two, really. It began at midnight, March 16^th here in the Bay Area. I’m beginning to wonder how those Israelites did it. How they survived 40 years – years! – wandering in the desert. It makes the time we’ll be spending seem short by comparison. We have a timeline, it is tenuous, but at least it isn’t a 40 year timeline! At first, did those people of God think it would only be a matter of weeks? Frankly, I don’t want to go there, but I can feel the desperation rising up in me when I do let myself wonder just how long this will actually be…. Yet they made it, the whole forty years, as an intact community, still thriving and growing, in spite of the limitations they were facing. Those wanderers became a blessing to the whole world, just like God promised to Abraham and Sarah. So how did they do it? Remember the manna. Those Israelites got what they needed each day, day by day by day for forty years. They had God and they had each other and God’s faithfulness was a constant in an uncertain world. They made it because, each day, they had what they needed. And so do we. I’m so grateful to have a ringside seat to 21^st century manna – every day! You all have risen up to be there for each other and for the communities we live in. I know that folks who can shop are reaching out and shopping for those who cannot leave home. I know that folks are working in essential jobs to allow all of us to continue to have food and supplies, delivery services, hardware store, gas stations, and incredible medical care in spite of terrible shortages. I know that people with extra masks have donated them, along with money for food banks, and worked at the food banks, and helped others find transportation, and first responders are caring for birthday kids, and people are providing amazing worship opportunities, and bears in their windows, and reaching out to shut ins, and – the list goes on and on! You are a manna blessing!! One of the best manna blessings I’ve seen and experienced is how we pray for each other. For example, I was blessed to hear that someone who has been struggling to sleep well has begun praying for everyone in those dark hours of the night. Prayer has allowed them to fall back to sleep, resting in the presence of God. I feel those prayers. Whatever we feel, despair or hope, or anything in between, know that not only is God with you, someone is praying for you, too. Awesome. So, know that I, too, pray for you and know that God holds you! Take good care and let’s share with each other the needs you see around you, or that you need help with, and let us connect folks together, so we can be manna blessings to each other! In Christ, Pastor Barbara [1] Harper Bibles. NRSV Bible (Kindle Locations 3083-3084). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Dear Church!   Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Phil 1:2   Day 3 of the “Shelter in Place.”   On Monday, at 7 p.m. our bell choir director, Dot, began a text with “Ready! 1, 2, 3, 4; 2, 2, 3, 4!”  Soon we were all “virtually” chiming in during our bell choir practice time.  What fun!  We received virtual hugs and cries of “Wait, wait, I’m not ready!!! and “Miss you 2, 2, 3, 4!”  As we were all laughing at 9 different phones, I thought, as I have many times, what a wonderful community of people we have at Holy Redeemer!     On Tuesday, as we struggled to have our Church Council Meeting by Conference call, I was again struck by the good humor and grace of the people of this place.  The fact that we couldn’t hear Penny, but we could hear the intermittent sound of a waterfall didn’t stop us from enjoying each other’s company and discussing the business of the church!   So, as we are all in this boat together – and apart! – I am heartened by your faith and your determination to take care of each other and continue to share God’s love and grace with all we encounter.  You know, Jesus spent a lot of time in a boat and is with us in ours!     In the meantime, if someone comes into your mind, please consider calling them, FaceTiming, Skyping, or sending a text or email.  We are all pretty isolated and it could make someone’s day.  And when you talk with others, please check and see if they have a need.  Let’s see if, as a church we can rise up to help meet each others needs in this difficult and scary time.   I’ll be a clearing house for those who’d like to help or have a need (what else am I going to do at home?) so let me know and I’ll share my list with others as appropriate.   Be sure to look for our Worship Post as we all join in from where we are.  Now you take care and be safe as we pray for each other and our world!   Love in Christ,