news – Church of the Servant King

Life in the body of Christ

April 5, 2020

We are socially distancing while continuing our Bible studies in Matthew. Jose filled in for Scott while he was gone and is now leading us as we unpack God’s word together. With Jose we get not only sound Biblical teaching, but mini concerts as well.

We just finished Matthew 16, asking ourselves the fateful question, “Lord, what do I still lack?” As we excavate the treasure of God’s word, we unearth realities that confront us with the reality of self. Thus we find ourselves lacking many things such as: humility, courage, faith, trust, reconciliation to name but a few.

We acknowledge that God’s discipline, in the form of uncomfortable truths, is “sorrowful not joyful” for the moment, but oh so necessary for growth.

The kids have had an easier time adjusting to “distance learning” than some of us have had adapting to working from home since that has been their custom all along. TJ is learning about sound waves and finding resonance and vibration especially interesting. Jonathan is studying the Cold War, and has found Lord of the Flies “interesting’…just wait until he finishes it! Tristyn is reading The Man in the Iron Mask, and discovering adventure and new ideas. Connor likes finding areas of polygons in Math and is enjoying reading The Secret Garden. Amelia learned about the Pilgrims and is finding out about icebergs. Thank you Lord for k12!

Life continues rich, full, and abundant despite the quarantine. We are a creative bunch, finding ways to work, serve, struggle and celebrate the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We pray for our world, our country, our neighbors, our congregation, our homes, our families in the midst of this worldwide catastrophe. We strive to lean on the “everlasting arms” of Jesus our Lord, seeking to live in His words as He calms the storm “Peace, be still.”

Upson Downs

Life in the Body of Christ

Jeremiah busy helping with some projects

Like everyone else, we are practicing social distancing while still trying to maintain “the unity of the Spirit” in our body. We count ourselves as most fortunate since we are stuck together here, helping each other, and serving each other in myriad ways.

The younger members shop, while those at home cook and tend to children. We are able to support those working from home due to efficient planning and help from Jack McCorkel. Those who are out of work are finding opportunities to tackle some of those projects which are further down on our to-do list.

Going through Rich’s things is bittersweet of course. It always brings a rush of memories and not a few tears, but is also a wonderful reminder of his far-reaching thoughtfulness and prodigious library which will be available for generations to come. We are finding more occasions to hang out, pray together and study together. We have become more thoughtful about meal planning, and more forward-thinking about our provisions, being careful but not panicked.

The children seem to be adjusting well to having more adults around, with more occasions to read, do puzzles, play games, or watch Sherlock Holmes together. When we “go out” to lunch, it’s usually next door. But we know we are incomparably blessed to have each other, emphasized even more so when many are truly alone and terrified.

We are striving to be of service to our neighborhood as well as to one another, and are currently pursuing the possibility of getting a Red Cross bloodmobile to come in order to donate much needed blood. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of three new babies, one at the end of April. There is uncertainty about what the situation will be in the hospitals when the time for delivery comes, but we are trying to remain optimistic about that.

Jeremiah has been invaluable with his skill and willingness to tackle big projects. He will be going back to Portland soon, but we hope not too soon! Our neighbor Leslie is home from college indefinitely, and she has been is pitching wherever she is needed. “Half-pint,” as she is nicknamed, has been a HUGE help. God is good.

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