7/19/2020 Sunday’s Sermon by Nick Perez
Behold the Blood ~ Click, Clack, Clang…and Crinkle
Of all the things I miss from pre-COVID-19 worship, I think the thing I miss most is the noises during communion. Did you ever notice them? Can you remember them? The metallic click as each member breaks the bread. The plastic clack as the thimble of grape juice is returned to the tray. Even the unexpected clang of metal on metal as the lid of a tray strikes the tray itself as the bread or cups are uncovered. These are the ordinary noises of the expression of our faith. Once upon a time, these were the ordinary noises of the expression of our faith. For several weeks during our in-person meetings, these sounds were replaced by the crinkling of the plastic of the individual communion kits.
Remember when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain His “face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light” (Matthew 17.2), “intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9.3). Notice how His majesty is described using mundane things: laundry and sunshine. But words fail to truly capture just how glorious it really was and is to see Christ in His glory. In a similar way, the ordinary and common elements of the Lord’s Supper fail to capture the majesty of what they represent. The physical elements of bread and fruit of the vine are representative of other greater physical elements – the body and blood of Jesus.
Typically the admixture of sacred and secular is condemned with just cause; the condemnation is of something sinful. However, what God has consecrated let no person condemn. In this case, the everyday elements of crackers and grape juice (yes, even the Styrofoam like wafer circle and the grape juice
which tastes as though it is past the best-by date in those individual serving kits) have been set apart for sanctified service among the saved. There is something unique when the divine meets the ordinary when majesty and mundane intersect in our holy devotion. Our clicks, clacks, and clangs (and even the
crinkle-crinkle of plastic) are the sounds of the church at supper – celebrating our King, commemorating His life, and examining our own lives. It is the noise of mundane faithfulness exulting in the majesty of worship as ordinary objects take on extraordinary meaning. ~Nick Perez
Fairmont Park Church of Christ (Midland, TX)
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*Children’s resources now available
The Christian Chronicle
The Christian Chronicle has compiled a list of Churches of
Christ nationwide who offer live streaming services.
https://christianchronicle.org/churches-of-christ-offeringlivestream-worship/
“Let the Bible Speak” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/LetTheBibleSpeak
Praise & Worship Sunday Mornings – 10:45 am
- We are complying with state and county guidelines
- Sunday morning worship is now open, and still online
- Sunday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Junior Worship canceled until further notice
- Wednesday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Potlucks canceled until further notice
- Food Pantry by appointment only
- Travelers Motel – food service only
- Shower Shuttle canceled until further notice
- Recommendations – Those who are over 60 or have underlying health conditions are encouraged to stay home.
- Guidelines – If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Contact Info for our Shut-Ins
- Jewel Cherry, 2117 Bridgewood Way, Modesto, CA 95355
- Nadine Greff, Vintage Faire, 3620 Dale Rd, Rm. 25, Modesto, CA 95356
- Mary Ellen Heinrich, Casa de Modesto, 1745 Eldena Way, Room 906, Modesto, 95350
- Betty McGoldrick, 13754 Jasper St., Lathrop, CA 95330
- Russ Ortloff, 511 East D Street, Oakdale, CA 95361
Evelyn Wood, Bethel Assisted Living, 2345 Scenic Ave., Apt. 323, Modesto 95355
***Please submit additions, corrections & updates to the office.
NOTE: Our Shut-ins are not allowed visitors at this time. Please take the time to send them a card or note of encouragement if you can.
Recent Prayer Requests
Nick Perez & Family – mourning the loss of relative Frank Prince
Caleb Collins – going to rehab soon
Paula Meler – hand pain; aunt Beverly recovering from surgery & having memory issues; mom, Lee Boydstun, recovering from surgery
Buddy Gray – having heart palpitations; friend, Dee Rambo, recovering from surgery
William Smith – friend Regina Christopher diagnosed with pre-cancer
Monte Wohnhas – recovering from ankle surgery
Glenn Graham – hospitalized with blood pressure issues
Andrea Bailey – mourning the loss of her mother
Sharon Corley – sister-in-law Jan will begin chemo for B cell lymphoma
Michael Brown – coworker Ethan awaiting biopsy results
Linda Shadden – 18-month-old grandson, Perry, recovering from emergency lower intestinal surgery
Jack Hairston – recovering from cataract surgery
Carey Higginbotham – brother-in-law Jeremy recovering from spinal surgery, has cancer throughout his body, given 7-12 months to live
Shirley Poulter – mourning the loss of nephew Charlie Bateman
Diaz Family – mourning the loss of Gabe’s father
Terry McEnery – strength, courage & direction from God; daughter Katie Lynn has relapsed in her addiction & is in rehab
Vickie Laguna – mom, Georgia Springer’s dementia is progressing
Melissa Shook – Kenny Knox undergoing cancer treatment; nephew Dustin mourning loss of friend Leonard
Modesto Gospel Mission – 22 cases of COVID-19
Jean Wallers – hospitalized with COVID-19
Joan Lankford – son Scott recovering from hip replacement surgery
Alicia Root – Brenna is considering baptism
Kari Laguna – recovering from surgery for a broken leg
Leadership / Civil Unrest / Essential Workers / Unemployed
Health Care Workers
Tonya Barnard, RT
Debbie Cree, RN
Krista Gray, RN
Rick Kelley, PA
Rose Kelley, PA
Ellen Tostado, Medical Lab Technician
Tamara Wallers, RN
Betty Weldon, RN
Joan Wohnhas, surgical sterilization
Dawn Young, RN (Shower Shuttle Volunteer)
Christie, RN (daughter of John & Patty Ford)
Loved Ones with Cancer
Tonya Barnard’s grandma
Deb Barnes
Marianne Durso
Josh Leslie’s grandmother
Gabriel Hall’s father
Terry McEnery’s uncle Ed
Elene Patton’s father
Clementina Robles
Clementina Robles’ brother Joe
Jody Thompson’s son-in-law
Sheila Walls
Continue to Pray for Improved Health & Strength:
Danny Allsup
Tonya Barnard
Mary Benitez
Chris Brocco
Jim Calibro
Charlie Cook
Sherry Day
Darlene Evans
Mary Ellen Heinrich
Vickie Laguna
Carole Long
Russ Ortloff
Lee Walls’ sister Doris
Sheila Walls’ sister Margo
Darlene Wengel
