Dear Church,
Would you join me in praying that God fulfills Proverbs 11:10 in Marion and Cedar Rapids? “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” Our cities benefit when God’s people act for righteousness, justice, and goodness. We are to seek the peace and prosperity of our cities (Jer. 29:7). Sometimes living righteously will bring persecution. Other times, it’s received with joy. Regardless, we press on in obedience to Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
We have an opportunity to bring joy to our city right now…
#1: Help feed hungry kids this summer! The FLY program is looking for volunteers for their ministry. FLY stands for Feeding Lunches to Youth. Ways to volunteer are to help pack lunches and deliver lunches. If interested, please contact Gonzalo Santillan at gsantillan@marionmethodist.org.
#2: Help stock the Marion Food Pantry. We would like to provide any type of soap to the neighbors who come to the pantry. When out grocery shopping, pick up an extra dish soap, bar soap, hand soap, laundry detergent, etc. Bring it to church and we’ll get it to the pantry. There will be a box for collection. Questions, see Anne Cunningham.
#3: Buy shoes for Marion kids. “Soles for Souls” will run till June 4th. Bring various shoe sizes or donate to this endeavor.
#4: Anamosa Plant Continues… Church planter candidate Ken Sidey was with us Sunday 5/21. He and his wife Vicki will be back for informal visits on June 4th and 11th. We hope to hire Ken during a June 11th congregational meeting (details to come). There is no greater way to bring joy to a city than to bring the good news of Jeuss Christ.
A few final updates. We’ll send off our Germany Short-Term Missions Team this Sunday (please be praying for them). Please also begin to pray for the June 12-13th elder retreat, that the shepherds of this church would hear from the LORD.
Please keep me, all our elders and staff, and our ministries in your prayers. The flesh profits nothing but the Spirit gives life.
Resting in Christ,
Pastor Matt