FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
1 Corinthians 12:26 – If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Dear friends and members of our Balboa Union Church:
On April 24, marks the hundredth anniversary for the genocide of the Armenian people. About 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives. To this day, many official entities and countries distance themselves from this human catastrophe.
A word of Jesus has become important to me. (John 8:32). “The truth shall make you free” When we as human beings face a disaster, we ask: why? We look for reasons and for someone to blame. Often the facts are very complex. “The truth shall make you free.” To mention the facts by name hast to be the first step, which offers a path to the future. As Christians, we speak of guilt and forgiveness. This is true on a personal level. Then the problems are placed in prayer into God’s hands.
But how is that for disasters, where entire groups and peoples are involved? Again Jesus´ word marks the first step into a new future: “The truth shall make you free.” Public celebrations can be of further help. A great example was Nelson Mandela and the new beginning for South Africa. The things were mentioned by name, and then all groups, parties, people return to follow the law and the path of justice. Returning to justice is the only way for groups and nations.
This week as Christians we stand to the side of the Armenians. They were the first people that in the years 301-314 adopted the Christian faith as the official religion. Together with the people of Armenia we can learn how we can live together in a civilized way of mutual comprehension and respect
Kind Regards
Reverend Roland
THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH
Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Children’s Sunday School Teacher: Beth Anne Gray & Kendra Walker
SPEAKER: Joel Guerra — Sermon will be “Beautiful Repentance,” based on Luke 15:11-32
| First Testament Readings and Psalm | Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 |
| Epistle Reading | 1 John 3:16-24 |
| Gospel Reading | John 10:11-18 |
The BUC Council will meet TOMORROW, Saturday, April 25th, in the main office at 1 p.m. All members and friends are invited to attend! Committee chairs are reminded to bring their reports!
Other News
The Balboa Union Church Welcomes the Panama Canal Kiwanis Club to our Building!
It is a pleasure to announce that the new Kiwanis Room (upstairs behind the altar) is almost complete, and the Kiwanis will hold their first meeting in the room this Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. (Before and after photos will be posted in the next newsletter.) The club will be holding a special relocation and re-dedication ceremony on Wednesday, May 6th at 5:15 p.m., and all members and friends of the church are invited to attend that event! Refreshments will be served!
From Our Mission Committee
The BUC Missions Committee is setting up a Community Center. We appreciate your donations of used but functional computer and office equipment such as desktop PC, laptop PC, printers, desks, chairs, tables and anything else you think will be useful. Bring it with you on Sunday, or let us know if you want us to pick it up. We thank you for your generosity and support.
Betsy Farah Moran
Chair of the BUC Mission Committee
+ (507) 66124494
Thursday Evening Men’s Group
David would remind all gentlemen in the church that they are welcome to join the men’s group that gets together every Thursday, 5- 7 p.m., at the Tryp Hotel (Albrook). This is a time for fellowship and getting to know other members of our church family.
Upcoming Events
Ladies Afternoon Tea
In speaking with Betsy, we have discussed having the next afternoon tea at the Los Ríos Old Folks Home, where we can spend time with their 23 residents and get to know them. We will confirm details of the date in May for this afternoon tea. Please contact Beth and/or Betsy for further details or suggestions.
From Our Friend Marie Krogh in France, through our member Grace Lindner. We miss Marie and her family, and we pray for her, because her father passed away last Wednesday.
FROM MARIE:
Please find our latest photos including some from Palm Sunday (here in Marseille we use olives tree branches) and with my husband Amdi and kids Joachim 15, Anastasia 14 and William 12.
We miss you so much in those times of mourning to share and be supported by all BUC community.
We love receiving the weekly newsletter from BUC and recently it was my only connection to God because I had no time to go to church.
Amdi is still with Maersk in Copenhagen. He was the one travelling forth and back to allow me and kids to stay in France to take care of dad. I have the most wonderful and supportive husband. He understood I had to do it to be able to move on with our life and be at peace with myself. So now after the end of school year, we will move to Denmark with him and reunite our little family. I won’t feel I abandoned my father.
I hope all is well for you and the BUC community.
I am happy to feel supported from all over the world by friends we met on our life journey.
Big kisses from France.
