I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1
Psalm 122 is a Psalm that was used to be sung as pilgrims went to special festivities, particularly to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the city where God promised his presence. So, we can have an idea of the meaning of this song for the people of Israel during exile. As people far away from their country remembered that Psalm, as they heard the stories of the pilgrimages and festivities… we cannot but imagine the pain and sorrow that they felt not to be able to go to the temple in Jerusalem and worship their Lord.
As you know, we are back in a lock down and not able to go back to worship in-person. While it isn’t possible to carry on social and family engagements, our hearts feel pain and sorrow as we are not able to go to church. And so, what to do in the meantime.
There is a short verse in Psalm 122 that has been passed on from generation to generation and when you walk through Jerusalem there are signs on the streets, handcrafts and stickers in stores, banners and pictures for sale with this verse, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Meanwhile, we endure the pandemic and should be praying for peace! Peace in the world, peace in our cities, peace in our families and in our hearts. Pray for that peace that surpasses all understanding, so it can help us to endure the present with wisdom and care and to foresee a future of peace and healing.
I invite you to look and mediate on Psalm 122. And as I pray for peace in your hearts, I also pray for our congregation, our city and the world.
See you Sunday in “video worship”,
Pastor Luis
July 2020 COVID19 Update
We have been getting ready for reopening the church for worship services in person.
As we are following all guidelines and procedures very carefully, we want to be sure to open when we feel it is as safe as possible for everyone.
We appreciate your prayers for wisdom and discernment, and also your cooperation as we all need to follow guidelines and procedures closely for the safety and wellbeing of everyone.
We will keep you informed about the reopening date.
Important Info Regarding Nestor UMC During Coronavirus Closures
Dear Nestor Family and Friends,
A quick note to let you know that we are praying for you, for your family, for safety, health and healing! Also, keep sending your prayer requests and praise reports!
If you need a special prayer, call the Pastor or the church office. We are still in the office 2 days a week and checking messages and emails daily.
On Sundays, please stay home. I will be in the church from 9:30 am until 11 am for prayer and to tape a video, but there will be no worship service.
We post the link for the video every week on our Facebook page.
Nestor United Methodist Church
As we go day by day, we don’t know when we will meet each other again in person. But for now we can connect via email, Facebook, phone calls, videos, and of course prayers.
Let us come together in prayer every morning at 9:00 AM for a few minutes and/or at night at 8 PM again for a few minutes. And please if you feel that you need special prayer give me a call or send me an email and we will pray.
Blessings and stay safe.
In prayer and peace at a distance…
Pastor Luis
PS Pray five times a day, Read five Bible verses a day, call or email 5 people during this week.
Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver meals, if you know anyone have them call 619-420-2782 for more info.
Dear Friends,
During Lent we were going through a very simple but very challenging Bible study called The Walk.
Our first assignment was to find time during the day to pray “at least” five times a day. Well, I think we now have a bit of extra time to complete this assignment. You are invited to pray five times daily (the author suggested when we wake up, breakfast, lunch, dinner and when we go to bed.) Easy, right?
The assignment for the second week was to read three Bible verses a day, starting with the book of Psalms, or Proverbs or any of the Gospels. Or maybe Ephesians. I think we can do that!
So for now, the invitation is to pray five times a day and to read three bible verses (or more) every day.
God bless you and stay safe!
Pastor Luis
Nestor UMC is a neighborhood United Methodist Church with great spirit.
124 Years Of Love
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