Pouring Out

POURING OUT

By Hannah Garrity
Exodus 17:1-7
Third Week of Lent

It is in the wilderness that we question God. Is God among us? Is God here? Are you there, God? It’s me, calling out to you. In this text, God proves her presence by telling Moses to strike water from a rock with the same staff he used to strike the Nile. As the leaders of Israel see the water, they see the love of a parent, of God’s love for her children.

When a son questions, pushes back, and complains desperately, his mother makes sure his basic needs are met. A father can see through his daughter’s struggle, deeper into her patterns, her hopes and dreams, further into her future. A daughter’s father acts to sustain her, to guide her. In our wilderness moments, love is relief. It is like a flowing out of pain. Kindness, love, and care all combine to wash over us, to embrace us.

Particularly in our travels through emotional and social wilderness, we meet with God in the most unexpected and painful spaces. In this image, I envisioned the water that God sends to the Israelites. Water comes in many forms, pouring out, flowing in, washing over. The Holy Spirit flows. She is like water in many forms—pouring out, flowing in, washing over.

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Your Gift Empowers Us to Be the Church!

During this COVID-19 pandemic, your church is working hard to engage in creative and innovative mission and ministry while we cannot be physically together. The pastors are working overtime to reach out to all our church family through daily prayer conferences, daily online newsletters (blogs), phone calls and new worship formats. In fact, this Sunday we will launch our first ever Drive-In Worship! Your contribution makes this possible!

There is physical no plate to pass right now while we cannot gather in our sanctuary. But you can give online through our website or mail your contribution to Hood MCC, P.O. Box 982, Dunn, NC 28335. What you give today empowers what we can do together tomorrow!

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COVID-19 Resources

• Harnett Health – 910-893-7550
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• NC COVID-19 Information: Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 or Text COVIDNC to 898211
• CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
• COVID-19 Worldwide Data with Interactive Map

COVID-19 Testing: Only those who meet the following criteria should ask their doctor or local health department about being testing for COVID-19 through the NCSLPH: 

1. Have fever or lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days; OR
2. Have fever and lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and a negative rapid flu test

If you meet these criteria and have been unable to get tested by your doctor, please call Harnett Health at 910-893-7550.

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