celebration – Church of the Servant King

Upson Downs 7-4-2020

Dear friends, I just realized it’s been a while since I updated this post. I find myself often experiencing different aspects of grief that seem to drain motivation for certain endeavors. Nevertheless, I proclaim that God is good.

Since May 25th, my last submission, I observed what would have been my 47th wedding anniversary with brothers and sisters, recalling too many wonderful memories to count, sharing joy and sorrow with my church family. Later,we also celebrated Father’s Day, remembering our last Father’s Day in the hospital with Rich, enjoying (?) takeout pizza in less than perfect circumstances. This year, as we celebrated Rich in absentia, we received many words of love and care from far off places from those who had experienced Rich as a father and friend. And we honored the dads (and expectant dads) who take seriously the responsibility of being Godly fathers. We are graciously blessed.

The teachers here gratefully finished the weirdest school year in memory, adapting to remote teaching and missing daily face-to-face encounters with our students. Some of us adjusted considerably better than others (like me!) Although we don’t know what the future holds, we confidently affirm who holds our future. For that we should be abundantly thankful.

June has brought nationwide, even worldwide turmoil. Knowing that His Church must engage the world boldly and graciously, we have struggled with how best to respond. We know that God is a God of unity and reconciliation, always proclaiming that Jesus tore down the dividing walls; we must not rebuild them. This is a tough sea to navigate, knowing the way is strewn with many obstacles. At times those obstacles seem insurmountable, but we serve a mighty God.

We participated in one peaceful protest, a walk for peace, with New Mount Calvary MBC which took place in downtown Los Angeles, coordinated with the mayor and LAPD. Even then we were trying to balance the need for safety in the midst of Coronavirus, protecting our most vulnerable, yet also striving to be peacemakers in the Kingdom.

We also know that we are engaged daily in spiritual warfare. That may seem confusing to some reading this, but we believe that only with the weapons of the Spirit will the battle be won; we cannot rely on politics to save us.

We had a new experience attending New Mount Calvary’s first drive-in gathered worship. We were thankful that Jack was asked to speak words of peace at that occasion. It was a poignant reminder of our first attempts at reconciliation in 1992, and our gracious welcome from Pastor Lonnie Dawson. We thank God for the many ways we are able to continue our partnership to the present. That’s the Spirit!

May you all have a great long holiday weekend, praying for the God of peace to triumph in these days of challenge.

Best Regards,
Regan Read

Easter greetings

We have been celebrating this sacred season, and anticipating Jesus’ triumph over the grave. “Death, where is your victory? Death where is your sting?” We are carefully trying to observe social distancing, gathering outside and in smaller groups to remember and honor our Lord in the torment, silence, and darkness before the great vindication.

We have met in smaller groups to prepare ourselves for Easter. On Wednesday some of us met to read The Women of Easter and imagine ourselves in the times surrounding and following Jesus’ last days on earth, and then his resurrection. Also, some watched the Gospel of Mark.

We found ourselves helped in our reflections, preparing our hearts for the most important event in Christian history. On Friday night, several events happened: a Good Friday service which some participated in, a Seder event, remembering, rehearsing, and learning about great and ancient wisdom from our ancestors, the Jews.

We must never forget that Our Lord was a Jew and no doubt celebrated many seders in his life. Others reflected upon Good Friday, considering death, guilt, and the “best laid plans.” We were all edified. Some watched The Passion of the Christ remembering that however brutal and violent the portrayal, it was surely much less than what our Lord actually suffered on our behalf.

On Saturday we gathered to prepare for our Easter celebration and feast. While strictly observing stay-at-home restrictions these past two weeks, we managed to create a real Easter feast: roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, green bean casserole, and homemade challah bread from our provisions on hand.

We are truly blessed. And we even get dessert! May we NEVER forget to give thanks for God’s gracious bounty. We wish you all good health, joy, life abundant, and victory through Christ. He is risen indeed.