NewsletterColver Presbyterian Church
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Now finally, all of you should be like-minded, and live-in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward others. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another. Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly, nor insult those who insult you, but instead, respond by speaking a blessing over them—because a blessing is what God promised to give you. 1 Peter 3:8-9
Dear Christians in Colver Presbyterian Church,
It is April! A month in which we undertake many changes and welcome sunshine, and we are renewed and rejuvenated! The old saying is right-: “April showers bring May flowers.” April is the month of new beginnings. We start to clean our clutters, clear our yards, and wash our winter attire so that everything that we put into storage is fresh and purified. Not only in America where we emerge from snow and a dreary season, but even in Ethiopia with 13 months of sunshine, April is a special month. At this time, farmers start cultivating and will soon sow seeds and hope for an abundant harvest. In the lowland of Gambella, Ethiopia, the rainy season begins, and the weather starts to cool down. A new season begins, and life goes on.
What makes this April different is the fact that we are now hopeful in the fight against COVID-19. I am confident that many of you have now received the first or both vaccinations. As your pastor, I encourage you to get your shots if you're eligible. While we trust in God’s protection, we should also have faith in our scientists as God works through them to make the vaccine possible. I am glad that many of you are taking this step. It makes us happy to see many of you back in the pews and participating actively in our journey as believers and one community of faith. This too, is part of our rejuvenation and new beginning!
Also, Apay and I would love to thank you all for being part of our new beginning as well. This is because in this month we will have a new addition to our family, a little girl, about whom one of our friends said, “Surprise!” Though we are still exploring names, we are leaning toward calling her, “BeenyJwøk”— meaning “His Goodness.”
It is, indeed, God’s goodness that we are here with you and having a new baby in Pennsylvania, after we had decided not to have another. It is only God’s goodness when Apay and I look back to our lives and how God has brought us this far from poor tiny African villages and through life struggles. God’s goodness has led us to this loving, kind, generous, embracing, and likeminded Christian community of yours. From our two Churches to the school district, we have been welcomed and loved. God is good, and it's indeed a privilege to be enfolded in God’s Goodness. THANK YOU!
Also, as we emerged from the Lenten season, we reach the climax of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He was arrested, wrongly judged, and crucified. Yet, beyond comprehension, Christ was raised from the dead and claimed victory over death. On Easter morning, we celebrate victory, claim a new beginning and new life through Jesus Christ. Scriptures testify that the intended purpose of the Feasts of the Old Testament that the Jewish people celebrated for one thousand five hundred years have now been fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
Through the death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has brought a new meaning to life and given us a new commandment of love. God who foreknew and called us, has also destined us in order to fulfill in us His desired and designed purpose, which is “to share the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:28-29). God has called us to walk in the newness of life. Christ was mistreated, suffered, but loved his enemies and forgave them. He leaves us an example to follow in His steps.
The religious leaders once asked Jesus who their neighbor might be after trying to defend their expertise in the law. Jesus’ answer reflects a selfless love toward others (Luke 10: 25-37). Contrary to the current trend of hate in our country, I encourage you to continue to love, live in harmony, and speak blessings, rather than ill toward others. Our prayers and sympathy are with the victims and the families of the past two shooting incidents in Georgia and Colorado. Let us pray for healing for our country and ask that our “righteousness” surpass that of unbelievers because we have been called to be children of the heavenly Father.
During our Good Friday service, we will practice a symbol of SOLEMN REPROACH OF THE CROSS. We will have a wooden cross and will offer you nails, or you can bring nails of your own. Everyone will stick a nail on the cross until we are all participated in the nailing service. As we hear the hummer and clinking nails, we will be reminded the reproach and excruciating crucifixion of Jesus. This practice will motivate us as we go home, knowing that we are part in the crucifixion of Jesus, yet are called to keep following Jesus' example.
Therefore, friends, “...don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds" (Galatians, 6:9 TPT). But let us keep our light of faith and love shining despite any changes in our cultural norms, that all may see God through us and glorify Him as loving Father of all!
May Christ rise in you anew and may He make his dwelling in your hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. May you be encouraged, strengthened, and the Holy Spirit sanctify you and keep you from falling now and unto eternity. Amen
Christ is Risen!
Pastor Owar
Dear Christians in Colver Presbyterian Church,
It is April! A month in which we undertake many changes and welcome sunshine, and we are renewed and rejuvenated! The old saying is right-: “April showers bring May flowers.” April is the month of new beginnings. We start to clean our clutters, clear our yards, and wash our winter attire so that everything that we put into storage is fresh and purified. Not only in America where we emerge from snow and a dreary season, but even in Ethiopia with 13 months of sunshine, April is a special month. At this time, farmers start cultivating and will soon sow seeds and hope for an abundant harvest. In the lowland of Gambella, Ethiopia, the rainy season begins, and the weather starts to cool down. A new season begins, and life goes on.
What makes this April different is the fact that we are now hopeful in the fight against COVID-19. I am confident that many of you have now received the first or both vaccinations. As your pastor, I encourage you to get your shots if you're eligible. While we trust in God’s protection, we should also have faith in our scientists as God works through them to make the vaccine possible. I am glad that many of you are taking this step. It makes us happy to see many of you back in the pews and participating actively in our journey as believers and one community of faith. This too, is part of our rejuvenation and new beginning!
Also, Apay and I would love to thank you all for being part of our new beginning as well. This is because in this month we will have a new addition to our family, a little girl, about whom one of our friends said, “Surprise!” Though we are still exploring names, we are leaning toward calling her, “BeenyJwøk”— meaning “His Goodness.”
It is, indeed, God’s goodness that we are here with you and having a new baby in Pennsylvania, after we had decided not to have another. It is only God’s goodness when Apay and I look back to our lives and how God has brought us this far from poor tiny African villages and through life struggles. God’s goodness has led us to this loving, kind, generous, embracing, and likeminded Christian community of yours. From our two Churches to the school district, we have been welcomed and loved. God is good, and it's indeed a privilege to be enfolded in God’s Goodness. THANK YOU!
Also, as we emerged from the Lenten season, we reach the climax of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He was arrested, wrongly judged, and crucified. Yet, beyond comprehension, Christ was raised from the dead and claimed victory over death. On Easter morning, we celebrate victory, claim a new beginning and new life through Jesus Christ. Scriptures testify that the intended purpose of the Feasts of the Old Testament that the Jewish people celebrated for one thousand five hundred years have now been fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
Through the death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has brought a new meaning to life and given us a new commandment of love. God who foreknew and called us, has also destined us in order to fulfill in us His desired and designed purpose, which is “to share the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:28-29). God has called us to walk in the newness of life. Christ was mistreated, suffered, but loved his enemies and forgave them. He leaves us an example to follow in His steps.
The religious leaders once asked Jesus who their neighbor might be after trying to defend their expertise in the law. Jesus’ answer reflects a selfless love toward others (Luke 10: 25-37). Contrary to the current trend of hate in our country, I encourage you to continue to love, live in harmony, and speak blessings, rather than ill toward others. Our prayers and sympathy are with the victims and the families of the past two shooting incidents in Georgia and Colorado. Let us pray for healing for our country and ask that our “righteousness” surpass that of unbelievers because we have been called to be children of the heavenly Father.
During our Good Friday service, we will practice a symbol of SOLEMN REPROACH OF THE CROSS. We will have a wooden cross and will offer you nails, or you can bring nails of your own. Everyone will stick a nail on the cross until we are all participated in the nailing service. As we hear the hummer and clinking nails, we will be reminded the reproach and excruciating crucifixion of Jesus. This practice will motivate us as we go home, knowing that we are part in the crucifixion of Jesus, yet are called to keep following Jesus' example.
Therefore, friends, “...don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds" (Galatians, 6:9 TPT). But let us keep our light of faith and love shining despite any changes in our cultural norms, that all may see God through us and glorify Him as loving Father of all!
May Christ rise in you anew and may He make his dwelling in your hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. May you be encouraged, strengthened, and the Holy Spirit sanctify you and keep you from falling now and unto eternity. Amen
Christ is Risen!
Pastor Owar
Click below for a printable version of Pastor's Letter and coloring pages.
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