"Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast?
Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne?
Even if mothers were to forget,
I could never forget you!
-Isaiah 49:15
I love these verses that describe God's love as being not only beyond what we imagine as possible, but even greater than the impossible. Is it possible that a nursing parent could forget that their child is feeding from them? Of course not. Indeed, the Hebrew here even leans into a word play, as the word in this verse we translate as "compassion" comes from the same root as "womb," suggesting an inextricable link between it and motherhood.
And yet, God proclaims, even in a world where that impossibility were to take place, God would still be incapable of forgetting to show us compassion.
Some of us have phenomenal relationships with our mothers. Some of us, not so much. Still others of us are grieving loss of relationship with our mothers.
If you have the best mom ever, I'm so thrilled for you, and hope you have plans to show her your appreciation this month. And isn't it incredible that we worship a God whose maternal qualities surpass even her?
If your relationship with your mother is rocky, or if you no longer have that relationship, I feel for you, especially this time of year. And I pray you will find in God the maternal connection you are lacking.
"Like a mother who has borne us,
held us close, in her delight,
fed us freely from her body,
God has called us into life."
Blessings,
Pastor Shea
The next food pantry date for food pick up is Thursday May 23 from 9 to 11 and 1 pm for Food Sense pick up. Future dates for food pick up are Thursday June 20. To qualify for the Hammond food pantry, you must live in the Brier Hill, Chippewa Bay, Hammond, Morristown, or Rossie areas and proof of residency such as a utility bill will be required. If possible, bring bags to put your food selections in. We also have boxes and containers available. For questions or information about the Hammond food pantry, contact Jennifer Gardner at 315 528 7303; for Emergency food assistance, contact Diane Ayotte at 315 775 3557. The coordinator for the Food Sense program, is Judy Hayes and she can be contacted at 315 528 9067.
Food Sense is a monthly food buying co-op for anyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollars. For $20.50, the Food Sense program provides a monthly box of staple grocery items at a discounted price. For March, the in person and online order date is Monday May 13th. For the May selections and details go to foodsense.foodbankcny.org.
The Hammond food pantry is a not-for-profit organization and relies heavily on donations from our community. If you wish to donate, you can send a check made out to the Hammond food pantry or to Hammond Presbyterian church with Hammond food pantry on the memo line. Send it to PO Box 193, Hammond, NY 13646. Thank you to all who support this important work.
The featured mission for May is MINC (Ministries in the North Country). The main work of MINC is to provide wheelchair handicap accessible ramps for people who need help getting in and out of their homes. Their work is especially important because they are the only organization in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties doing this work. If an individual or family already receives HEAP assistance, there is no charge for the ramp. If the income is above the HEAP income level, they will share in the cost of the materials. The labor is done by volunteers. At this time the demand is greater than the ability to provide them. The third Sunday in May we will have someone talk in more detail about how we can be involved. There will be envelopes marked MINC on the table at the back of the church if you wish to contribute. Checks can be made out to Hammond Presbyterian Church with MINC on the memo line. Mailing address is P.O. Box 193 Hammond, NY 13646.
Blanket the World with LOVE
Mother’s’ Day this year is May 12. Traditionally this is the Sunday we join together to participate in the Church World Services Blanket Fund to provide blankets to people in need throughout the world. These blankets bring warmth as well as the knowledge that someone is thinking of them in their time of need. $10 provides one blanket. Let’s work together and see how many blankets we can provide. Blanket Fund envelopes will be on the back table. Checks can be made payable to Hammond Presbyterian. Church with blanket fund on the memo. If, sending by mail, send to Hammond Presbyterian Church PO Box 193, Hammond, NY 13646.
Immerse: Messiah Book Study starts April 7th- May 26th at 2pm. Youth Group Book Study at 5:30pm. For more information, please see Pastor Shea.
The annual Per Capita Assessment is based on the membership reported by each church. The 2024 Per Capita fee for our Presbytery has been confirmed at $33.00. Each per capita payment is divided, with $9.80 for General Assembly, $4.10 for the Synod of the Northeast, and $19.10 going to the Presbytery of Northern New York.
Many members of our church have already made their per capita payments. Our Church must pay per capita for each member, whether or not the member pays us. Your contribution helps Hammond Presbyterian Church cover our portion. Per Capita payments can be mailed to the church or dropped in the Offering with “Per Capita” written in the memo line. If you have any questions about Per Capita, please contact Tara in the church office. Thank you!
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