The Fountain Newsletter: Apr 2022
The Fountain
The newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville.
A Note from Our Pastor
As we head into the final weeks of Lent and towards the triumphant Cross, we are acutely aware of our need for resurrection in our lives. We are in need of healing and wholeness. We are in need of the mercy and grace of Christ found in the community of Christ followers. We see how broken our world is and we cry out for God’s spirit to sweep across our lands. For God’s spirit to be unleashed. We trudge towards the cross confident in the miracle of Easter – that death, sadness, and despair do not have the final word. We are Easter people.
If you find yourself in need of a visit or prayer or phone call, please reach out to me. I am honored to be walking towards the cross with you, Church.
Blessings,
Rev. Ashley L. Cheek
A Prayer for Dr. Krause
Below is a prayer by Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, as she and we cry out to God for those in Ukraine, Russia, and around the world.
God of mercy, justice and peace:
Our spirits are heavy with sorrow, our souls shocked At the sudden and breathtaking violence,
the invasion of Ukraine by their neighbor, Russia.
We pray for lives caught in the grip of war,
who hear the bombs in the night,
the ominous movement of troops on the road into town the whistle of incoming shells,
for a cry from a desperate neighbor or a shout of warning. For those who huddle in subways and basements
or flee for the borders, clutching their children’s hands.
We pray for families separated from fathers, brothers and sons who must remain to fight and protect their homeland.
We pray for neighbors in Eastern and Central Europe
As their hearts and doors open to these refugees
That strained resources will become an abundance of hope
That fears and struggles with racism will yield
to a generosity of profound welcome.
That communities of faith within Ukraine will be protected from harm
and sustained in their efforts to feed and shelter their neighbors.
That peacemakers and protesters in Russia will be heard and their lives reserved.
May we undergird our prayers with tangible resources to help.
May we reach deeply, give generously, and welcome extravagantly.
May we lift our voices in a strong and unified advocacy.
May we all, even as we breathe in lament, breathe out mercy, hope and peace.
In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.