Red Light! Green Light!

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV)

Do you remember Red Light Green Light? I think it’s a universal gym class experience, but I could be wrong. I learned that some parts of the country call “Duck Duck Goose” “Duck Duck Grey Duck” and I’ve never been the same. 

If this isn’t ringing any bells, it’s the game where one person stands across an open space from a larger group of players. This one person yells out “green light” and “red light” at random. Those across the room are free to move after each “green light,” but have to freeze at “red light.” Anyone who can’t come to a complete stop has to go back to the start and try again.

We all have our own strategies and inclinations. Some people try to sprint at the first green light, only to need to return to the beginning again and again as momentum prevents a clean stop. Others take slow, orderly steps and, despite never needing to return to the beginning, still end up across the finish line last.

What does this have to do with anything? This current phase of the pandemic is throwing up all sorts of “green light” and “red light” signals. Dropping cases? Green light! New variants? Red light! Vaccine rollout? Green light! Vaccine shortages? Red light!

What we can do is carefully, methodically, and sometimes frustratingly approach the time when we won’t have to think about COVID-19 anymore in the way we proceed through an intersection with a flashing yellow light. We proceed, slowly, then accelerate through when the coast is clear until we approach the next intersection and repeat the cycle. 

In the meantime, the worship leaders, ushers, greeters, the whole Sunday team and myself are committed to holding in-person worship safely now and in the months to come. If you would like to return but have questions or concerns of your own, please reach out and we will try to address them. In the meantime:

Red light! Green light!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ben
 
Announcements

Welcome Pastor Christopher Stanley to Flemington UMC this July 1

Flemington UMC is excited to welcome Pastor Chris to our church this Summer! The Flemington UMC Transition Team is preparing to welcome him well. For now, here is a short biography he shared with the Conference with his appointment announcement:

Chris Stanley has served in various ministry roles ranging from homeless ministry in Houston, to overseeing youth and camping ministries in upstate New York, to pastoring churches in GNJ. He received a M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2019. Chris is passionate about teaching, finding ways of growing in discipleship together, and learning what effective holistic ministry looks like in our own day and age. He enjoys reading, watching good movies, and following the Los Angeles Clippers. He has the awesome privilege and honor of being married to his best friend, Rachel.

Easter Flower Sales

For those coming to worship in person this week, you’ll find a bulletin insert with information on how to purchase Easter flowers this year. If you’re not comfortable returning to the building just yet, you can place an order with Gretchen in the office over phone and mail or drop off payment. Call (908)782-1070 with any questions.

Continuing Coffee Hour Over Zoom
Laura Newton will host a weekly time of conversation and connection at 11:30 am after our worship service each week. Login available at 11:15am or conclusion of worship, whichever is later.

Here is a link to that time –

https://zoom.us/j/97755587686?pwd=NVdETlJhTmZncmpCdi85UUJOanJLUT09

If you have questions or need help, you can ask Pastor Ben or Laura. Don’t be shy, you are missed and a part of this church family, too!

New Upper Rooms are Available in the Church Office

The new Upper Room Daily Devotionals are also available now. If you’d like to pick yours up, Gretchen is in the church office from 9am-noon Tuesday – Friday each week. Please call ahead so she can set whatever you are picking up out for you.

Staying Connected
You will find every newsletter, worship service, devotional, and additional material posted to our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/FlemingtonUnitedMethodist/

Even if you don’t use Facebook, you can access everything we have there. If you do have a Facebook account, “like” to follow our page and be notified when new things are posted or when videos are about to go live so you don’t miss anything.

Coffee Hour is a time of sharing after Sunday morning worship hosted by Laura Newton at approximately 11:30am. All are welcome!

If you have any difficulties accessing any of those links, please reply to this message or call the church office at (908)782-1070 and we will get you connected right away.