There is room in the first four pews on Sunday morning for you if you would like more space between yourself and others. We can also open up the two doors by the organ on one side and the piano on the other for you to come to worship and not take the hallway. Let me know Sunday morning if you’d like the doors open. We will get through this together, as it is a blessing to worship corporately.

Check out what’s happening on our facebook and YouTube pages and our website which has the sermon recorded weekly.

There is an apologetics conference coming up October 1-2 at Knox Reformed Presbyterian Church located at 4883 Southard Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23116

One of the speakers is an apologist that Tom Jamara has been listening to for a while, Eli Ayala (his YouTube channel is “Revealed Apologetics”). Anthony Rogers has a channel and hosts debates with Muslims.

This might be really good, since the LDS are building a huge “church” on Staples Mill Rd, we will see more opportunities to witness to them, but you have to know how to internally critique their worldview. Same with JW and Islam.

Tom and Ginger will be attending.

Tickets are available at the following link which you can copy and paste into your browser:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apologetics-conference-tickets-162441664391?aff=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&utm_medium=email&ref=eemailordconf&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent

AFGHANISTAN REFUGEE NEEDS

From Caroline Grube: We were told that the response has been overwhelming. They are very grateful for the outpouring of love and concern. BUT we need to stop donations except very specific items. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT OR ORDERED OR CHOSEN SPECIFIC DONATIONS (scarves, small men’s pants, boy’s pants and size 7-9 men’s shoes), please drop off at my home in Bishop’s Park…7803 Longtail Lane, Mechanicsville. Leave on my porch. You have been so generous with monetary donations and we are using those funds to purchase priority items. Please CEASE MONETARY DONATIONS.
I will use any funds already given to me but I need to evaluate what is next.
I am blessed to serve as your hands in meeting this need. Churches and volunteers are doing what governmental agencies could not do. The Lord is in the midst of this!!

Friends,

Pat Phelps’ viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 31 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Woody’s Funeral Home, located at 9271 Shady Grove Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Woody’s with interment at 3:00 p.m. at Washington Memorial, 6217 Memorial Dr, Sandston, VA 23150. There will be a reception on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. here at the church. Friends who can, are asked to contribute finger-food items (small sandwiches, salads, fruit, veggies, cheese plates, finger desserts, etc.) You can drop off food between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. by coming to the Pastor’s side door at the church. Let’s bless this dear and long-time church family. If you have any questions about Pat’s reception, please contact Shirley Hare.

A memorial service for Mike White will be on Thursday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

Caroline Grube shared yesterday about the Afghan refugees at Ft. Lee. On the spot, $1,346 was donated to this relief effort. If you would like to donate to this cause, donations can be sent to 7803 Longtail Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Caroline’s phone number is (703) 283-8215.

The March For Life in Richmond takes place at the Capitol Building on Friday, September 17th at Noon. Tom Jamara is going. To get started, you’ll want to sign up individually go to https://p2a.co/CKul51Q

Friends,

We’ve seen a surge in Covid cases recently, which should remind us to be safe in crowds. Don’t come to church if you’re sick. Watch the service online. You’re welcome to wear a mask if you are more comfortable doing so. If you prefer a little space between yourself and the next person, there’s room in the first four pews.

My thinking is, we are all adults and can decide for ourselves what we will do. What’s most important is that we love and accept each other, even if we have differences and not allow Satan to cause disunity.

I do believe it’s crucial that we gather together and worship as one Body (Hebrews 11:25.) Let’s continue to pray that Covid will be defeated, also knowing that we have lived with respiratory illnesses for Millenia and might with this one, too.

Pastor Ed
pastoredvinson@gmail.com

Friends,

I was going to share this yesterday in my sermon, but at the last minute decided to share it through my email. I don’t know the source.

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah’s Ark…

1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Please keep Nicole Langston (Asst. Director of the Day School) and her family in your prayers. Nicole’s father was called home over the weekend.

Please also keep Laura Seal, Phyllis Young’s niece, in prayer as she’s having surgery this morning.

Friends,

Cathy and I will be at Yearly Meeting Thursday through next Tuesday. It will be good to see my dad & Cathy’s Mom and Sister, plus the Pastors of Eastern Region. George Sutton & Pastor Dave Householder are also going up to Canton as Delegates. Pray for safety in travel and that we will be strengthened in the Lord.

Pastor Ed

Continue to pray for revival.  America has experienced them before and we sure do need one now.  Greg Laurie lists a few lessons from previous revivals.

1. Come to church with a sense of expectancy.
2. Worship was passionate & heartfelt.
3. There was a hunger for the Word of God.
4. They believed Jesus was coming back.
5. They invited people to Church & to know Christ.

Here’s another one that I know is crucial:

6. It was bathed in prayer.

Richard Meadors is asking if anyone has a large car trailer so he can tow the 2013 Church van to his shop to fix the damage that the vandals did to it.  Otherwise, he will have to have it towed.  Contact Richard if you have a trailer at (804) 496-9821.

Congratulations to Eric & Emily McKinley on the birth of their daughter, Brianna Grace.  We rejoice with them for this addition to their family!

Friends,

You are probably hearing and reading more about UFO’s recently, especially the 60 Minutes Special.  UFO’s or UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon) have existed in popular culture (movies & books) for decades, but the Government has been strangely silent or purposely keeping the issue quiet.  Not now.  Why now?  What’s their agenda now?

We’ll find out soon.  Next month, the Department of Defense & Pentagon are required to give a report on UFO’s.  A former Assistant Secretary of Defense leaked radar of UFO’s to the New York Times in 2017.  This proof forced their hand.

Most Americans believe in UFO’s, they just don’t know what they are.  Lots of famous and important people have testified to seeing “something.”  People like former President Jimmy Carter, Astronauts, Navy pilots, Harvard astrophysicist Ari Loeb and Paul Hellyer, the former Defense Minister of Canada.  There’s Roswell in New Mexico, The Rendlesham Forest incident in England and the Phoenix Lights occurrence.  The evidence is overflowing for “something.”  But what is it?

The first word is the most important word in UFO sightings.  “Unidentified.”  That doesn’t necessarily mean aliens.  It could be a natural phenomenon or man-made objects like hot air balloons or missiles or drones.  Most sightings are this.  Could it be a spaceship from a distant galaxy?  In my opinion, unlikely.  Could it be advanced technology by our Government?  A government psyops?

My theory & personal belief is that it is demonic.  Ephesians 2:2 – “in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air…”  Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  In Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel has a vision that looks like a UFO!

Someday, if there is an alien “disclosure,” be very suspicious & cautious.  Don’t be gullible.  Don’t fall for deception.  I believe it is fallen angels.  Feel free to dialogue with me on this.

Pastor Ed

Friends,

Jacob Waldron penned this piece called “Church Is Hard.” I’m sure there is something you can relate to.

Church is hard.

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire way to the worship service.

Church is hard for the single mom next to couples holding hands and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after church.

Church is hard for the church leader with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous husband.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God will bring them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

Yet underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where Jesus resides.

So even on the hard days at church—the days when I’m at odds with a friend; when I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again; when I’ve walked in, bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face; when I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung; when I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away; I’ll remember.  He has never failed to meet me there.

I am so glad for Hanover Evangelical Friends Church! You make this a place I look forward to coming to.

Pastor Ed