Palm Sunday

Message from Pastor Mori 

Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter    Message from Pastor Mori Dera RFUMC family   Palm Sunday Greetings! While this is hardly our usual meeting format for Palm Sunday, isn't it wonderful to know that we are able to at least meet online? If we take a moment to think back to that first Palm Sunday, without question, it was a time of great hardship and trial for God's people. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as the people shouted Hosanna. A donkey was hardly the mode of transportation for a conquering King, yet the people were willing to overlook the situation because they believed their Messiah had finally arrived.   Well, we know those same people just a few days later would be shouting to crucify the Lord as their dreams were being crushed right before their eyes. Jesus didn't object to their praises earlier, and indeed, He said if people didn't praise Him, the rocks would. Just as Jesus didn't reject their praises then, He won't reject our praises now! Even in the midst of a crisis of immense proportion in our nation and world, I believe Jesus is still worthy of our praises! The Church is the body of believers such as you and I joining together to impact a lost and dying world. Let's declare the hope we have in Christ on this Palm Sunday 2021!   Hosanna Hosanna  Pastor Mori  Give on PayPal       Community Info & Links                              Holy Week Services  Maundy Thursday  (Thursday April 01, 7:00PM)     Our Lady of Chartres Stations of the Cross for the Lenten Journey 2021 Please join me for this 40 minute visit from the safety of your home to walk in the way of Jesus by viewing each station and spending time in prayer or reflection.  Deaconess Catherine Inserra will lead the service. Zoom Online -  https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).                  Good Friday  (Friday April 02, 7:00 PM)                                             All are welcome to join us in prayers for the end to violence and prayers of remembrance of the victims   Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799  (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).                                             Lent Daily Prayer  (Feb 17- April 03 2021)               Lent Prayer Link   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88005037516 Meeting ID: 880 0503 7516 Or call  +13126266799, (Chicago) Prayer Request   https://tinyurl.com/2tgdtu8z Lent Prayer Scripture Reader https://tinyurl.com/8nptb7ws Easter Lily  Easter lilies are available to be ordered!  You may pick them up   or they can be delivered on Friday April 02 The cost is $14  Here is the order form  if you have any questions, please contact to Marlynne   Spaghetti Dinner - April 10 - Curbside pick-up only Ravenswood Fellowship UMC will have a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Saturday April 10 from noon to 4:00 pm.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, this will be a take-out only event.  For more details, and to place an order, please visit us at the following link:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfAbRkozEPdN-On6cVEVzCCLwysLsixKvUWztZHdod8ZfYNg/viewform?usp=pp_url Orders must be in by April 1.  Place your order now! RFUMC Virtual choir for Easter            Please check your email. Jonathan sent the music and instructions!  There are many ways so do what is most comfortable for you. The easiest however is probably this one:  1. Put your part/ or the piano part on itunes or whatever you use to play music. Put on a headphone (Just on one ear so you can hear yourself) so that you can hear the part and record with it! (We don't want to hear the practice track, just you, which is why you'll have the headphone on)  2. Pull up the voice memo app on your phone, I would imagine most phones regardless of maker have this.  3. Start recording on the voice memo app and then start the recording where you are playing the vocal part on your headphones.  4. Sing your heart out and keep it in tempo with the vocal part or piano part (whatever you're using)  5. Stop the recording when you are done and save the recording making sure to say what part it is! (Soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) 6. Send it to Jonathan. (NO LATER THAN March 31! )   Action Against Racism Resource              Hate Crimes Reporting - Here Courageous Conversations-  Click here to learn more. These are structured conversations that local church leaders can use to inspire and encourage the church and individuals. Courageous Conversations address controversial issues such as race and human sexuality.    Human Rights Campaign What to do if you've been a hate crime victim - Here   Department of Justice  https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes/chart  GCORR Real Talk is a series of conversations with community and faith leaders to discuss and uncover the disparities of race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status deeply embedded in our social fabric. Click here to read more.       Weekly Sermon Phone Service              (773) 219-0861 If you do not have computer access or cannot access our Sunday worship service through a smart phone, we now have a sermon by phone service, which is available at any time! The phone number is (773) 219-0861 You can listen to a recent version of Pastor Mori's Sunday sermon and it's free!                         Ravenswood Fellowship UMC March- Calendar  Click Here    Church Room Reservation Form (to request use of the common areas of the church Click Here    Meeting Announcements  Japanese Gardening Meeting  Saturday March 27 9:00 AM (Japanese Garden)  YPBS Spring Break (March 28- April 04)  March 28 Sunday - Palm Sunday  April 04 Sunda - Easter      After Covid-19 Updates.    Read about the Phases for Re-Opening here. Is that document too long? Read the summary version here. City of Chicago - Phase IV: Gradually Resume Guidelines (March 2 updated version)         Links for Worship.  Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday: https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).  Let's boost our worship! Please sign-up for Worship service Bible reader Sign-Up here. Young People's Bible Study. Ages 12-18 are invited to join the Zoom discussion of Jesus stories at 9 AM on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call here (Meeting ID: 828 2305 3546, One-tap mobile+13126266799) Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here. Download. Get your bulletin here. Having trouble? Try logging off and logging back on to Zoom during the video. Or simply log off and call in.  Missed last week? Check out the Facebook Live video on our page here.  Give on PayPal Our mailing address is: 4511 North Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Contact us at: ravfelumc@yahoo.com (773) 561-2610 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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Fifth Sunday in Lent

Message from Pastor Mori 

Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter    Message from Pastor Mori Dera RFUMC family   This week news about the horrific shootings at three Atlanta area massage parlors makes us so sad and terrified.   A series of shootings over a three-hour period left eight people dead, six of whom were of Asian descent. While the motive remains unclear the news reminds us that we have seen an increase in hate crimes against Asian-Americans since the pandemic started.    The news said that a recent study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found hate crimes against Asian people rose 150% in 2020, even as overall hate crimes decreased by 7%.    It's no mystery why this has happened. As an Asian immigrant woman, I remember that people called the COVID-19 the "China Virus," and directly expressed their xenophobia with hurtful actions. I remember for a few weeks I hesitated to go out by myself due to people's cynical demonizing.  Also, I know this is not new. Our church members experienced the Japanese American internment camps during World War II.    I learned from my Asian culture that to be patient and tolerant and to be quiet in peace were virtues; however, we are not immune to racism and the discrimination and violence hurts our Asian community.     I pray that our nation and our community becomes a better and safer place. Because we already grieve the loss of normal life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are experiencing suffering, but let's remember one truth: God is with us in this darkness. And we are not alone. In the United Methodist Church, the Asian American Language ministry released a joint statement condemning the rise of anti-Asian violence. (Click Here)    Let's pray for communities of colors, especially Asian Communities. We pray that we recognize God's divine image and likeness in our neighbor. And let's pray that we able to see the reality of racism since this will free us to challenge and change the world and ourselves.    Blessings MORI        Give on PayPal      Community Info & Links                             Stop the Hate Take Action Against Racism Resource                 Human Rights Campaign What to do if you've been a hate crime victim - Here    Department of Justice  https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes/chart     Hate Crimes Reporting - Here    Article "Why Disease and Xenophobia Go Hand in Hand" - Here         Article "Asian Americans Report Increase in Racism,                Xenophobia During Coronavirus Pandemic" - Here                                          Holy Week Services                       Maundy Thursday (Thursday April 01, 7:00PM)     Our Lady of Chartres Stations of the Cross for the Lenten Journey 2021 Please join me for this 40 minute visit from the safety of your home to walk in the way of Jesus by viewing each station and spending time in prayer or reflection. Deaconess Catherine Inserra will lead the service.  Zoom Online -  https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).                   Good Friday  (Friday April 02, 7:00 PM)   Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799  (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).                           Lent Bible Study Group      Thursday March 25 7:00-8:00 PM  Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85235718340  Meeting ID: 852 3571 8340                                                    Lent Daily Prayer  (Feb 17- April 03 2021)         Lent Prayer Link   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88005037516 Meeting ID: 880 0503 7516 Or call  +13126266799, (Chicago) Prayer Request   https://tinyurl.com/2tgdtu8z Lent Prayer Scripture Reader https://tinyurl.com/8nptb7ws Easter Lily  Easter lilies are available to be ordered!  You may pick them up   or they can be delivered on Friday April 02 The cost is $14  Here is the order form  if you have any questions, please contact to Marlynne   RFUMC Virtual choir for Easter            Please check your email. Jonathan sent the music and instructions!  There are many ways so do what is most comfortable for you. The easiest however is probably this one:  1. Put your part/ or the piano part on itunes or whatever you use to play music. Put on a headphone (Just on one ear so you can hear yourself) so that you can hear the part and record with it! (We don't want to hear the practice track, just you, which is why you'll have the headphone on)  2. Pull up the voice memo app on your phone, I would imagine most phones regardless of maker have this.  3. Start recording on the voice memo app and then start the recording where you are playing the vocal part on your headphones.  4. Sing your heart out and keep it in tempo with the vocal part or piano part (whatever you're using)  5. Stop the recording when you are done and save the recording making sure to say what part it is! (Soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) 6. Send it to Jonathan. (NO LATER THAN March 31! )    Summer Fellow Internship program  The 47th Ward Alderman's office is excited to again partner with the Mikva Challenge for its Summer Fellows internship program, open to those ages 17-20.  As a part of the Mikva Summer Fellows program, you will be placed in a paid summer internship in the office of a city, county, state or federal lawmaker. You will work 30 hours a week for six weeks between late June and early August, and be paid $15 per hour.  In addition to working in an elected official's office, fellows will be part of a professional development cohort focused on developing work readiness skills including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Fellows will meet weekly with Mikva staff to create career goals, complete workforce readiness assessments, and track their progress in the program.  Please submit your initial application HERE by April 10.       Weekly Sermon Phone Service  If you do not have computer access or cannot access our Sunday worship service through a smart phone, we now have a sermon by phone service, which is available at any time!  The phone number is (773) 219-0861 You can listen to a recent version of Pastor Mori's Sunday sermon and it's free!     Spaghetti Dinner - April 10 - Curbside pick-up only Ravenswood Fellowship UMC will have a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Saturday April 10 from noon to 4:00 pm.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, this will be a take-out only event.  For more details, and to place an order, please visit us at the following link:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfAbRkozEPdN-On6cVEVzCCLwysLsixKvUWztZHdod8ZfYNg/viewform?usp=pp_url Orders must be in by April 1.  Place your order now!                    Ravenswood Fellowship UMC March- Calendar  Click Here    Church Room Reservation Form (to request use of the common areas of the church Click Here    Meeting Announcements  Lent Bible Study  Thursday March 25 7:00 PM  (Zoom Online) Japanese Gardening Meeting  Saturday March 20 9:00 AM (Japanese Garden)      After Covid-19 Updates.    Read about the Phases for Re-Opening here. Is that document too long? Read the summary version here. City of Chicago - Phase IV: Gradually Resume Guidelines (March 2 updated version)         Links for Worship.  Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday: https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).  Let's boost our worship! Please sign-up for Worship service Bible reader Sign-Up here. Young People's Bible Study. Ages 12-18 are invited to join the Zoom discussion of Jesus stories at 9 AM on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call here (Meeting ID: 828 2305 3546, One-tap mobile+13126266799) Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here. Download. Get your bulletin here. Having trouble? Try logging off and logging back on to Zoom during the video. Or simply log off and call in.  Missed last week? Check out the Facebook Live video on our page here.  Give on PayPal Our mailing address is: 4511 North Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Contact us at: ravfelumc@yahoo.com (773) 561-2610 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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