Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

Faith Not Fear During Covid

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

We are on a path this year of 2020. It most likely is not the path that we would have chosen for ourselves, if we had been given a choice. More often than not we do have choices for ourselves. That's what makes living in this country and in this century so very marvelous. But still... there are times when we don't have a choice, when life decides for us a path not of our own choosing. In those times we have only the choice of attitude - to walk the path chosen for us in fear or in faith.

This is what I want to talk to you about this coming Sunday morning - "Faith Or Fear During Covid." Brandi and I sat down and thought through all the challenges the members and friends of our church have already faced together in 2020. And the year is not even close to being over! You all have done a great job in walking this path - and yet, I believe it's always good to remember why and how we can exhibit faith when challenging times come our way.

I'm also excited that more and more of you are choosing to come to church on Sunday mornings. We're still well within our limits of keeping everyone socially distanced from one another. Yet it is also encouraging to actually see more and more of the body physically in one place. As always, make the decision that is best for you. No pressure from your pastor. But know that more of us have chosen to come back and so far it's been a very good thing.

The Pantry Is Almost Bare. Here is one thing you can do to help out others. We've given away food from our food pantry just about every week this year. Yet - during Covid - we've had very little food coming in. If you do decide to come to church Sunday morning, how about bring a bag or two of groceries with you so that we may continue to bless those who need it?

Wendy Sings An Original Song! One of the really great things that has happened during this Covid-19 year is the addition of many people to our church, who worship with us online. Wendy from Alabama is one. She wrote an original song, "Wake Up My Soul," which she will sing publicly for the first time in our church this Sunday morning! Isn't that awesome?

Also, Cheryl from Virginia has agreed to read our Scripture reading from Matthew 14:22-33. She does such a great job reading with enthusiasm! Let's just say she puts you right into the boat! Wow! Thanks Wendy and Cheryl and all the rest of you who watch each week from afar.

The Praise Team Is Back In Full! We've had several weeks of vacations for many from our praise team, but as far as I know, the whole crew will be back to lead our worship singing Sunday morning.

Here are the songs we are planning to sing: (1) "Love The Lord Your God" by Lincoln Brewster; (2) "Waymaker" by Leeland; (3) "Tremble" by Mosaic MSC; (4) "Evidence" by Josh Baldwin; and (5) "Only A God Like You" by Tommy Walker.

Sunday sounds like it will be another encouraging and uplifting time of worship. I hope you can make it - either in person or by watching the Facebook live stream. Love you much! Pastor Mark

Anniversary Week For Your Pastor

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

This has been anniversary week for Mary Kay and me. Tuesday we celebrated 41 years of marriage. For many years now we have turned this occasion into the cause of a week-long celebration. In the past we have traveled to a distant location for this purpose. This year, because of Covid, we remain close to home. But we have taken day trips together each day celebrating the life we share together! Many of you have written to us this week sharing the joy of our celebration. We just want to thank you for being such an important part of our lives!

Sunday morning we will talk about "5 Things You Should Know If You Want To Follow Jesus." Most of these 5 will come as a surprise to you, so you'll definitely want to be a part of our fellowship Sunday morning - either in person or on our Facebook online live video stream.

Here are the songs that we will be singing together: (1) See A Victory by Elevation Worship, (2) Graves Into Gardens, also by Elevation Worship, (3) How Great Is Your Love by Phil Wickham, (4) Holy Water by We The Kingdom and (5) Sing Wherever I Go, also by We The Kingdom.

I look forward to worshiping with you each week. Hope to see you one way or the other Sunday morning at 11am. Love you much! Pastor Mark

Questions In Questionable Times

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

And YES it is GOOD! We have to take the good wherever we can find it in the year 2020, right? I heard a good one the other day. "2020 is a unique leap year: 29 days in February, 300 days in March, 5 years ever since." Ha! How many of you want a 2020 do-over?

"Mulligan!" I called it! Ha!

More seriously, some of us are really struggling this year - questioning everything we thought we knew - about our lives and about our faith.

Sunday morning we'll take a page from the gospels, Mark 10 and the story of the blind beggar. Hopefully we'll take away some encouragement about the questions we are asking.

I'm excited for another reason! The band will be back. Last week many were on vacation resulting in Dave, Brian and Yours Truly holding down the fort. Personally, I think we did ok - but I'm really glad the platform will be full again!

Here are the songs we will be singing Sunday morning: "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin, "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe, "Champion" by Bethel, "Glorious Day" by Passion, "Here In Your Presence" by New Life Worship, and "Build Your Kingdom Here" by Rend Collective.

We hope you will attend - either in person or online with our Facebook LIVE Video feed. (We certainly understand for those who live far away or feel safer with the virus risk.) Either way we will "see" you Sunday! Love you! Pastor Mark

Insider's View of the Juvenile Court

Good Friday Church Requel!

Do I have a great surprise for all of you! This coming Sunday morning I've invited Judge Stephen McKinley to speak to our church to give us an insider's view of the Juvenile Court.

Let me tell you why I'm so excited about this. First off - the Bible commands us to take care of the widows and orphans. And oh my, do you all ever take that seriously! I'm so proud to be your pastor. Several families within our church have or are currently providing foster care for children. One family adopted the children into their own family! I just know you are going to want to hear the latest updated information from our Juvenile Court Judge.

Secondly, I've had the distinct privilege of meeting and hearing Judge McKinley speak to me and our fellow pastors at our brown bag pastor luncheons. I believe him to be a godly man and a devout Christ-follower. Many of you may have met him during our March of Prayer events back before the Covid-19 closed our public meetings down. We all will benefit by hearing him teach us this coming Sunday. Whether you come in person or watch online, I believe you will be blessed by what he has to share.

Our worship band will be few but mighty this coming Sunday. About half of us will be on vacation this coming Sunday morning. But those of us who remain will enjoy leading you in the singing of the following worship songs: "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman, "Because He Lives Amen" by Matt Maher, "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman, "Lord I Need You" by Matt Maher, and just so every song isn't by a Matt (haha) "This Is Amazing Grace" by Phil Wickham.

I'm sure looking forward to "seeing" you one way or the other this coming Sunday. If you come in person, remember to wear your mask as you enter and exit the church. We have many older folks who really want to be there, so let's do our best to protect them from the Covid-19 virus. If you choose to watch online, that's fine. We completely understand. Open your Facebook to the Church Requel page shortly before 11am EST Sunday.

Love you all! Pastor Mark