Skip to main content
Category

Intersections

Cold Spring Church has been at the crossroads of our community for more than 300 years, and Intersections is our blog of engaging ideas designed to get you connected to what matters to you!

2020-08-16 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

2020-08-16 Worship Online

Worship Guide (v1) for August 16, 2020

Readings August 16, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for August 16, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for August 16, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Worship and Message theme:

A horizontal view of the Cape May NJ lighthouse against a deep blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

Joy is this week’s worship theme. Through the weariness, uncertainty, and pain in our COVID-19 world, and ordinary life experiences, we can receive Jesus’ joy! From the joy of a family reunion when Joseph greeted his long lost brothers as told in Genesis, to our Psalm reading about unity, and the Gospel that captures the joy when Jesus heals the sick daughter of an uninvited lunchtime guest, there is joy in God’s presence. Joy was Jesus’ focus as he endured the cross. Joy is our experience as we trust in God. Without joy, we lack strength to live the abundant life. If you don’t have joy, Jesus will meet you right where you are and lift you up. Without joy in Christ, whether in-person, online, or out in the world, the church is empty of spiritual life. Discover joy this week as we worship online.

Restricted In-Person Worship To Resume September 20:

We anticipate that a restricted 30-minute in-person worship will resume on September 20. We are designing a hybrid worship experience to enjoy either online or in-person, whichever venue you feel most comfortable in. For the safety of our in-person worshippers, mask or face coverings and physical distancing protocols will be followed. Also, for the safety of everyone, there will be no congregational singing. Our online participants can enjoy the live 30-minute service that begins at 10:40 AM, preceded and followed by several music videos with lyrics. More details will follow.

Music Preview:

Our worship begins with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, a resounding tune based on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. One morning, casually sitting down to breakfast, hymn writer Henry Van Dyke handed a text to the president of Williams College and said, “Here is a hymn for you. The Berkshire Mountains were my inspiration. It must be sung to Beethoven’s ‘Hymn to Joy.’” Our second selection is The Blessing inspired by the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:23-27. This song has been sung online simultaneously with the aim of spreading hope and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-08-09 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

2020-08-09 Worship Online

Worship Guide (v1) for August 9, 2020

Readings August 9, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for August 9, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for August 9, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Worship and Message theme:

What kinds of storms do you face? Recently, Tropical Storm Isaias devastated parts of our region. Tragic explosions rocked Beirut. COVID-19 deaths and cases are rising. Storms are dangerous. We always ask God to calm the storms. There are other storms we face, too. Emotional storms. Economic storms. Spiritual storms. Storms can also look like chaos, confusion, and complexity. Though God does not calm every storm, Jesus can calm us in every storm. This week, who will you invite into your “boat” when you’re stuck in the storms you face? Find out how Jesus is ready to enter the boat of your life, your family, your community, your church, and future. It’s time to experience calm in the storm.

Music Preview:

Worship begins with a powerful hymn of praise titled Raise A Hallelujah, a song of prayer for all those affected by COVID-19. It was written by Jonathan & Melissa Helser in 2013 as they prayed for a friend’s critically ill child. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) is a 2013 song by Australian worship group, Hillsong United that tells the story of today’s Gospel lesson. Oceans was the #1 Christian song of the last decade on the Billboard music Hot Christian Songs Chart. We close the service with a well-loved Fanny Crosby hymn written in 1872, To God Be The Glory, first Introduced at a London Crusade in 1954 by Billy Graham.

2020-08-02 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

2020-08-02 Worship Online

Worship Guide (v1) for August 2, 2020

Readings August 2, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for August 2, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for August 2, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Today, you are invited to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

If you’d like to participate, ready yourself with the elements. The bread can be of your choosing. For the cup, you may use grape juice or wine, or use water, remembering that Christ is the Living Water for all. See video.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Worship and Message theme:

Hello.

Thank you for taking time to read this edition of Connections! You will find useful resources for Sunday’s worship online as we give thanks for God’s abundant blessings in our COVID-19 pandemic world. Our text this week recalls the only miracle of Jesus that is included in all four Gospels when a huge crowd was extravagantly fed. Does God meet your needs? Are you experiencing Jesus’ compassion? What do you have to offer Jesus for him to bless and use to feed others? Maybe you’re experiencing compassion fatigue. As God meets our needs, there’s even more God wants to do!

Music Preview:

We will enjoy new Countdown music titled Praise Is Rising. Worship begins with a traditional hymn, I Stand Amazed, How Marvelous, followed by a favorite, I Need Thee Every Hour. We return to our communion hymn, All Who Are Thirsty as we gather at the Lord’s Table. Worship Online concludes with the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:23-27 put to music in the The Blessing. This song has been sung online simultaneously with the aim of spreading hope and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

2020-07-26 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Worship Guide (v1) for July 26, 2020

Readings July 26, 2020

Notes to Share for July 26, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for July 26, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for July 26, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Re-Discovered Treasures Photo Op!

While staying at home, what forgotten treasures, keepsakes, other items have you re-discovered? Maybe after Summer-cleaning, rearranging, or re-modeling you came across something of value, a forgotten treasure! Share a photo on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Message Preview:

Hello.

When have you felt God’s love even in the midst of a really difficult time? How was God’s love made real to you? Like archeologists of the holy, this week’s Scripture readings from Matthew 13 and Romans 8 will help us excavate our spiritual landscapes for things of worth and resources that help us re-discover God’s presence in our COVID-19 experience. 

God’s mercies are new every morning, even COVID-19 mornings. We can re-discover what is truly valuable: people, relationships, creation, beauty, mercy, truth, kindness, joy, love, faith. All things, God says, work together for the good. “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good” (Romans 8:28). What good can possibly come from something so atrocious and painful as a world pandemic? We can re-discover that God is in the business of turning sadness to joy. We can re-discover spiritual wellness, and the intersection of faith and science. We can re-discover that church is not an indoor place but an outdoor activity of God’s people. We can re-discover Jesus’ (and our) ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. We can re-discover the mandate of caring for others. We can re-discover home.

I hope to see you Sunday for Worship Online when we Re-Discover God’s Goodness in a COVID-19 World.

Pastor Kevin

Music Preview:

Our worship includes our weekly musical selections offered by Jayne McDonough at our grand piano and a beautiful solo by the Rev. Larry Moyer. We will also enjoy two other inspiring hymns, Graves Into Gardens, and It Is Well With My Soul (When Peace Like A River).

In March 2020, artists Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, and Tiffany Hammer of Elevation Music wrote Graves Into Gardens in response to our COVID-19 pandemic world that is causing unimaginable pain, anxiety, and fear with its spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and social traumas. God accepts and loves us just as we are and delivers treasures of resources to discover. Let’s sing the fantastic news that God turns our graves into gardens, bones into armies, and overwhelming seas into highways of hope. Only God can do that!

Our second hymn, It Is Well With My Soul (When Peace Like A River) offers comfort when things go horribly wrong. In 1873, Horatio Spafford sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to a vacation in France, planning to join them later. Tragically, of his family, only his wife survived. Taking the next boat over, as he passed the spot where the ship went down, he began to write, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll,” drawing comfort and assurance from Christ in times of physical and spiritual crisis, offering us hope today. His friend Philip Bliss composed the tune that will lift our spirits.

2020-07-19 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Last Week’s Service July 12,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for July 19, 2020

Readings July 19, 2020

Notes to Share for July 19, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for July 19, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for July 19, 2020

 

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Photo-Op for Everyone!

How does your garden grow? Share a photo of your indoor or outdoor gardens. What types of fruits, vegetables, or herbs have you grown during the Pandemic. Post your photos on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, send via Facebook Messenger, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Hello friends,

Last week, we re-discovered the joy of planting seeds. We were delighted that many shared photos of their outside and countertop gardens from herbs to vegetables to beautiful flowers. One person shared their garden of garlic! Remember, the joy is in the planting!

But, we can become impatient and disappointed when we don’t see growth or an immediate return on our planting effortss. We think its our God-given job to judge whether what we see is a weed or plant. Unilaterally we emotionally, spiritually, physically, or metaphorically take out, prune, sort, even burn what we’ve judged unworthy. Even though it seems counter-intuitive to let everything in the garden grow up together, there will be a harvest. Its not our garden. Its God’s garden and God does the sorting.

In a culture in which we constantly accuse, condemn, complain, sort and label, value or discard, Jesus’ message is radical (literally, down to the roots). What is that person wearing? What accent do they have? When with that person shape up? What is the color of their skin? What kind of house do they live in? What are they driving and what does their bumper sticker say? What church do they attend or not? What news network do they watch? So by our “weeding” we bluntly tell God, “I’m going to pull up the weeds. You’re welcome!” Its God’s garden and God does the sorting.

Our assessments and assumptions are often completely wrong and when we act on them, they are often utterly destructive to the entire ecosystem and will alienate us from one another and at worst kill each other.

This week, let’s agree to stop pulling weeds. Let’s take joy in planting seeds that will grow and nurture others. Its God’s garden. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

2020-07-12 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Last Week’s Service July 05,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for July 12, 2020

Readings July 12, 2020

Notes to Share for July 12, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for July 12, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for July 12, 2020

 

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Photo-Op for Everyone!

What seeds have you planted? Share a photo of your indoor or outdoor gardens. What types of fruits, vegetables, or herbs have you grown during the Pandemic. Post your photos on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, send via Facebook Messenger, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Hi friends,

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this week’s issue of Connections. As loving, thoughtful neighbors, we continue safe physical distancing, wear our masks, and wash our hands. My message this week is about the Great Gospel Give-Away. We find Jesus in a boat telling a huge beach crowd the story of the sower of the seeds. Jesus reminds us not to worry about the harvest we see around us, and not be picky and only plant seeds of hope where we think the receiver is worthy. The rocks and thorns and birds, the weather, the natural disasters, the convergence of historical events, COVID-19, are out of our control. We must not hoard the blessings but cheerfully give to all. Everywhere. Thank you for being a Good News-sower. Let’s keep sowing, regardless of all the circumstances inhospitable to the harvest. God gives the increase. Keep sowing! Give the Good News Gospel away!

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

Our Session Leadership Team (2020)

By Intersections, Newsletters

A Session is the leadership team for a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation, a denomination that Cold Spring Presbyterian Church has been a member of since, well, before the denomination was formed! The Session is comprised of nine (9) women and men who are Ruling elders elected by the congregation to terms of service. The Session Meeting gathers monthly with the Transformation Pastor, Dr. Kevin Yoho, who serves as the Session Moderator. The Session is responsible for the spiritual vitality of its members and listening to the Spirit of God and the voice of the congregation to best serve the community of Greater Cape May, New Jersey in the name of Jesus Christ.

2020 Session Team Leadership

Beverly Mate, Fred Ferrari, Kevin Beare, Lenore Bowne, Marjorie Wetherill, Martin Bowne, Norris Clark, and Tom Imperato. As of March 2020, there is one vacancy on the session. Our elders are structured to serve on one of six (6) ministry teams. Speak with them to share your ideas, concerns, joys, learn more, and please, consider joining a team that interests you.

Restructuring Session Teams to Better Achieve Our Mission

The Session has been faithfully meeting via Zoom since March. In May 2020, the session restructured the teams to better achieve our mission together. Below are the team names and the elders who serve on them. Contact information for our session members can be found on our staff and leadership contact page.

    • Finance and Personnel Team (Tom Imperato with Beverly Mate). The mission of the Finance and Personnel Team is to facilitate accountability of the Church’s funds and other assets and provide financial information to enable decision-making that will ensure the Church’s financial sustainability and to ensure Church employees have the training and tools to perform their job, are held accountable for achieving the goals of the Church, and are compensated appropriately for their efforts.
    • Worship and Music Team (Marty Bowne with Lenore Bowne) The mission of the Worship and Music Team collaborates with the Pastor and the Organist/Music Director to enable meaningful worship in the preaching of the Word of God, the administration of the Sacraments, and celebration with music. Through meditation on the Word of God, and subsequent application to their lives, the members of our congregation will be better equipped to serve God and the community.
    • (NEW) Cemetery and Grounds Team (Fred Ferrari with Tom Imperato). The mission of the Cemetery and Grounds Team is to improve the beauty, accessibility, care, usefulness, and maintenance of our entire campus including cemetery-specific structures such as the field office, garage, and mausoleum, roads, parking lots; promote cemetery services, develop cemetery use guidelines, rules, operating procedures, review and recommend cemetery services prices, review monthly and annual reports such as required by the New Jersey Cemetery Board, and other responsibilities assigned by the session from time to time.
    • (NEW) Facilities Team (Kevin Beare): The mission of the Facilities Team is to improve the beauty, accessibility, usefulness, efficiency, care and maintenance of our buildings and structures, both interior and exterior, (including Price Hall (rental policies and processes), Red Brick Church, and manse, but excluding cemetery-specific structures).
    • (New) Congregational Life Team (Marge Wetherill with Lenore Bowne) The mission of the Congregational Life Team is to provide church fellowship events during the year to celebrate our life together as one church family. The Team serves as a liaison for groups within the church to offer a variety of year-round fellowship events to foster Christian unity and love among the congregation.
    • (New) Community Life Team (Norris Clerk). The mission of the Community Life Team is to identify opportunities for positive community engagement and increased involvement and service by promoting and creating welcoming experiences, mission activities, concerts, and programs like Cold Spring Suppers.

The Top Ten Session Responsibilities include:

  1. Mission of the church (working with the congregation, inspiring the congregation, and equipping the congregation to achieve the vision and mission of Cold Spring Presbyterian Church)
  2. Worship (providing regular, spiritually energizing and equipping, experiences)
  3. Transformation (learning and growing in community-directed ministry)
  4. Evangelism (sharing the Good News about Jesus)
  5. Community (serving the community of Cape May)
  6. Education (providing learning experiences for all ages)
  7. Stewardship (promoting the joyful participation of our time, energy, and attention to support God’s work)
  8. Finance (setting the annual budget, financial review and accountability, and investing resources)
  9. Administration (works with the pastor to pro five supervision and training to all staff)
  10. Higher Governing Bodies and Ecumenical Relationships (regularly participating in the regional ministry of West Jersey Presbytery, the national ministry of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), and local ecumenical partners)

Additional session leadership resources are discussed in the, The Presbyterian Trustee, A Guide, (Geneva Press, 2004).

 

2020-07-05 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Last Week’s Service June 28,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for July 05, 2020

Readings July 05, 2020

Notes to Share for July 05, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for July 05, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for July 05, 2020

 

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Photo-Op for Everyone!

How did you celebrate your 4th of July? Share a photo of you in Red, White and Blue or a photo of a family gathering for a BBQ while watching the fireworks. Post your photos on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, send via Facebook Messenger, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Hello.

This week, we celebrate more than Independence Day, our Interdependence Day. Christ proclaims freedom for all! And until all are free, none are free. Spiritual freedom. Emotional freedom. Physical freedom. Mental freedom. Freedom to enjoy the abundant life in Christ, sins forgiven, hope restored. Let’s stand for something that means everything. Freedom to follow Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God. Independence Day can be a fun weekend, and a perfect time to think about its origins.

Most of us will be celebrating the Fourth of July, Independence Day. Enjoying safe-distancing and wearing masks at cookouts are musts as we enjoy gatherings with family. What do you have planned? Lower Township is limiting the in-person enjoyment of its annual fireworks display by live-streaming the event.

What did you learn in school about the first Independence Day? I recall hearing about the revolutionary drama, courageous freedom-fighters raising their fists at the oppressor. It wasn’t until many years later, and I realized that while Independence Day proclaimed freedom across the land, not every American was free. Landholders had power. Slaves weren’t free. Women couldn’t vote. Independence Day can’t just be about “my” independence at the expense of others. In the Gospel this week, we hear Jesus’ words to those who are weary and overburdened. He says All. Come. Rest. But he also says, “learn of me,” which means, “be my disciples!” What does a disciple, a student-follower, do? Well, for one thing, they follow and model the master. What did Jesus do? Jesus stood for children. Jesus stood for those considered unlovable. Jesus stood for those who could not stand, those who were sick, he healed them. Jesus heard the prayers of the faint and the faint at heart and forgave them. Jesus healed those who were different, those who were abused. Jesus stood for everyone from every nation and welcomed them to a life of abundance, and secured them a safe place to pray.

Cold Spring Presbyterian Church has stood for freedom since 1714, think about it, that’s five decades before the Declaration of Independence was written. You may have memorized it as I did, especially this excerpt: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. And we are called to fight for freedom, for others, because we are interdependent as a nation of regions, neighbors, guests, and strangers, too. We are interdependent as members of the community of faith, the Body of Christ.

What rights will you exercise this week as you hear Jesus’ invitation: All. Come. Rest. Stand?

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

2020-06-28 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Last Week’s Service June 21,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for June 28, 2020

Readings June 28, 2020

Notes to Share for June 28, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for June 28, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for June 28, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Photo-Op for Everyone!

Post your photos on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, send via Facebook Messenger, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Complete The Circuit of God’s Love

Hello friends,

Hospitality is a core value of the Gospel, and of our mission at Cold Spring Church. Hospitality is extending care and authentic welcome to guests, visitors, and strangers. As we continue to discern a new reality in our Covid-19 pandemic world, we have extended hospitality to others through acts of kindness, given donations of food and money, and countless other ways. Our nation needs a blessing that will come when we stand with and for those who have been abused, those who have been denied justice, been subject to violence, whose freedoms have been neglected. This week, we will learn about the “prophet’s reward” recorded in Matthew 10 when Jesus urged his listeners not only to be generous in hospitality, giving even a cup of water to a child, but to receive the ministry and gifts of others, others who may be different than us, think differently than we do, and who may invite us to reconsider our assumptions and reset our expectations. We will hear from Amos the prophet who makes God’s shares what God is looking for us to express in our hospitality. When we complete the circuit of God’s love, giving and receiving what Jesus sends us, we will receive the prophet’s reward, a blessing of peace and hope. And we all need that!

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

2020-06-21 Third Sunday after Pentecost Worship Online Resources

By Intersections, Sermons

Last Week’s Service June 14,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for June 21, 2020

Readings June 21, 2020

Notes to Share for June 21, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for June 21, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for June 21, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

Photo-Op for Everyone!

Who are you? Take a photo of something that might help describe who you are, what you’re like, or what you like! We are more than our ID card might include. Share a photo, drawing, or poem about YOU. Post your photos on Facebook, and tag coldspringchurch, send via Facebook Messenger, or email.

Share Your Experience!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Get Your Life Right Side Up!

Hi friend.

Does your life feel a bit upside down? Normal is gone. (I know we don’t like to hear this, but this can be a good thing. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 5:17. See what I mean?) Adapting, re-aligning, and gaining new resources are essential skills now more than ever. This week get your life right side up with a message that just might transform you in fantastic ways. Get ready for the Jesus Paradox!

Many of us identify with the gentle Jesus, the welcoming, peacemaking Jesus. We easily picture Jesus with kids on his lap. We like his expressions of compassion and acts of healing. Jesus paid attention to those no one else did. We love seeing Jesus’ laughter and humor, and we marvel at his wisdom. But there is another side of Jesus’ emotional life that we don’t often talk about, let alone reflect on, and that’s Jesus’ anger. Here are a few examples of what I mean. Jesus cursed a fig tree (lots of leaves, no fruit), overturned temple tables (unjust money exchanging and denying all people access to a place of prayer). But the most elevated expression of anger was reserved for anyone who mistreated a child (tie a stone around their neck and drown them in the sea!).

This week we will consider Matthew 10:24-39 (with a backstory about Issac and Ismael from Genesis 21) when Jesus tells us “not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” and how he has come “not to bring peace, but a sword” which will turn family members against one another. Then comes the hardest part of the Jesus paradox: “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Where have you come from (identity) and where are you going (destiny) are best understood in Jesus’ incarnation (God becoming a human to live among us) and Jesus’ justice (humans to become like Jesus in how we treat one another). Jesus rejects patriarchy. Jesus rejects sexism. Jesus rejects ageism. Jesus rejects nationalism. Jesus rejects racism. How is this possible? Because Jesus affirms our baptism as members of his body (Rom. 6). Our identity and destiny are not limited to our DNA or family, or other identifiers, but in a relationship with Christ and with one another.

Don’t settle for upside living! Together, let’s begin to get right side up at Cold Spring Church.

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin