Today’s cancellations effect the Lectionary Bible Study, Women’s Fellowship Board and all other gatherings on Tuesday, as well as the Social Action/Stewardship Boards on Thursday, 2/11.

Road conditions around the church facilities are improving.  However, street parking around the church is not possible  Please be safe, and do not attempt to travel to the church.

In addition to the current snow volume, NOAA is reporting an additional 10-20 inches of snow accumulation between 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Please take the necessary precautions to prepare for more wintry weather.

Please continue to follow the Snow Emergency guidelines for your area, and shelter in a safe place (Click here for the Arlington County website). Until an “all-clear” is given by the County, please do not attempt unnecessary travel.

Due to the continuing winter weather, all activities for 2/7/2010 at Rock Spring Congregational UCC are cancelled.  This includes both 9:00 and 11:00 worship services, Sunday school, and Adult Education programs.  Please be safe, and do not attempt to travel to the church.

Please continue to follow the Snow Emergency guidelines for your area, and shelter in a safe place (Click here for the Arlington County website). Until an “all-clear” is given by the County, please do not attempt unnecessary travel.

Included in this email is a devotional for you to share with your family.  Please take time to remember all that God is doing in our lives.

Stay safe and warm!

-Doug Griffin, Janet Parker, Hank Fairman,
Ashley Martinage, Sarah Gilmour, Emory Hackman

Sunday morning devotional for the snow-bound

February 7, 2010

Just because we can’t make it to church, it doesn’t mean we can’t worship on Sunday.  We hope that the following devotional will be helpful for you and your family, and that if you use it, you may find joy in knowing that other Rock Springers are praying along with you.  Though we may not be the Body of Christ gathered in one place this Sunday, we are still the Body of Christ in spirit.

*The devotional is taken from Sounds of the Eternal:  A Celtic Psalter, by J. Philip Newell.  For those who wish to follow the lectionary scripture lessons for the day, they are listed below the devotional.

Sunday Morning Prayer

Silence: Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.

Opening Prayer

You are above me, O God,
you are within.
You are in all things
yet contained by no thing.
Teach me to seek you in all that has life
that I may see you as the Light of life.
Teach me to search for you in my own depths
that I may find you in every living soul.
Amen.

Meditation on Scripture

Lectionary Texts for 2/7:
Isaiah 6:1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Click Here to go to the readings

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

That you have made me in the image of your own mystery
thanks be to you, O God.
That in the soul of every human being there are depths beyond naming
and heights greater than knowing
thanks be to you.
Grant me the grace of inner sight this day
that I may see you as the Self within all selves.
Grant me the grace of love this day
That amidst the pain and disfigurement of life
I may find the treasure that is unlocked by love,
that amidst the pain and disfigurement of my own life
I may know the richness that lies buried in the human soul.

Pray for the coming day and for the life of the world.

Closing Prayer

Before me in the planned shape of this day
I look for unexpected surgings of new life.
Around me in the people whom I know and love
I look for unopened gifts of promise.
Within me in the familiar sanctuary of my own soul
I look for shinings of the everlasting light.
Before me, around me, within me
I look for your life-giving mystery, O God,
before me, around me, within me.

In case this weekend’s snowfall comes as predicted, we are taking a proactive look towards our Sunday morning worship and programs.

At this time, NOAA is forecasting 24-28 inches of snow by Saturday evening.  We trust that Arlington County will do its best to clear the streets, and are still hopeful to maintain our regular Sunday activities.  With this hope, the final decision on Sunday’s events will be made tomorrow, and notice sent out at 9:00 p.m on Saturday 2/6/2010.  Please check your email, the Rock Spring UCC website, or our Facebook page.

Some of the scheduled activities have chosen to cancel at this time:

During this storm, please follow the Snow Emergency guidelines for your area, and shelter in a safe place (Click here for the Arlington County website). Once the snow starts in earnest, please do not attempt to travel.

Stay safe and warm!

The Annual Meeting was an honest and spirited discussion of the joys, blessings and challenges we face at Rock Spring in 2010.  As Council President, I hope to provide many opportunities for us to come together, to talk, to discern where God is calling us as a church.  I hope we can clearly articulate our mission and vision for Rock Spring, and then make decisions that will allow us to achieve that vision.  I hope that each of you will participate and that, as you do, you will bring a spirit of good will to the table.

I look forward to sharing the journey with you this year.

Ashley Martinage

Ashley Martinage, President
Sarah Gilmour, Vice President
Wayne Limberg, Donna Moss, Jane Sessa & Allen Moore, At-Large Members
Marie Morris, Clerk
Steve Hawkins, Financial Secretary
Vicki Lindsay, Treasurer
Taryn Roman, Christian Education
Emory Hackman, Deacons
Jeff Dale, Finance
Don Johnson, Music
Dave Clarke, Personnel
Michael Bell, Stewardship/Social Action
Rebecca Halbe, Property
Joyce Mader, Women’s Fellowship
Rev. Doug Griffin, Interim Senior Pastor
Rev. Hank Fairman, Pastor for Children, Youth & Families
Rev. Janet Parker, Pastor for Parish Life

All concerts are at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Suggested donation of $10.00 per person