We apologize for the change in plans for youth group this week — originally, the goal was to have an in-person meeting. Instead, after talking with a variety of people connected with our group and spending time in prayer, Michelle and I made the hard decision to stay remote for this week and through the end of December.
Please know this was a hard decision. There were numerous factors at play, and we really wanted God’s direction in the best way to handle things. Youth group is easily one of the biggest highlights of our week as a family, and we know that is the case for some of you, as well. Please know that we are praying for each of you and the situations you are facing. Michelle and I are available to talk with any of you about issues you are facing, and gladly will set up a time to chat if you want. Please just let us know. You can email zaktansky@gmail.com or call/text 570-847-2718.
A song that has been sort of a mantra for us during this pandemic has been the following. For some in our group, it may be hard at the moment to see how things will be “OK” as Tasha Layton suggests, but know that God has control over all, He has a bigger plan in place … “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Prayer needs seem to be at an all-time high at the moment for the Port Ann Wesleyan Church and those connected to it.
For those who may not have heard, Janie Mitchell passed away earlier this week from COVID. The entire family could use lots of prayer as they work on making arrangements and come to grips with the death. Specifically, Pat and Candy, Beth and Russell Jordan and youth group members Julianna and Sammy (and their whole family) are in need of special prayer right now.
Judy and Ron Bowersox, grandparents connected to Katie and Wyatt from our youth group, have also tested positive, along with a growing number of others from our church and nearby region. Also, Betty Lenig, sister of Patty Snook and someone who had started attending our church more recently, is in the hospital with COVID and doctors are pessimistic of her chances. Harold Bowersox, a close friend of Pat Mitchell’s and co-worker for Paige, Julianna and a few others, was just tonight moved from regular hospital care to the ICU for his COVID case. Emily Murphy, wife of Rodney, the youth group leaders for Augustaville Wesleyan, is positive for COVID while expecting their third child. She was actually diagnosed with it on Nov. 16, but seems to be much better after a really tough time. Thankfully, Rodney and the girls have not contracted it yet. Rev. Shannon D’Agostino of Calvary Wesleyan has struggled lately with the COVID death of her husband Mark’s cousin to COVID. Ultimately, we know God can work miracles and we ask for His guidance here.
Also, please continue to remember Sally Sheets and Pastor Paul as they work through additional treatments. Trina Eia and her family as she considers the next steps of treatment options and the slew of additional prayer needs we regularly bring to the table.
Lastly, thanks to inspiration from last week’s online youth group lesson, our youth group and church put out a plea for any needs within the community as a way to minister during such a trying time. Since then, we have received two specific requests. A woman, Wendy, is asking for baby-related items for a grandson due to be born any day. Due to illness and disability, her family is struggling greatly with finances at this time. She also asked for prayer for her and the family. We also have been given a list of 46 names of people living at Graysonview Senior Living home in Selinsgrove and asked to show them with cards and prayer. Please be praying for these individuals who are separated from their families (only sharing first names here due to confidentiality: Judy, Phyllis, Ethel, Rachel, Elizabeth, Wendy, Frank & Marie, Elaine, Carol, Faye, Arlene, Betty, Leroy, Don, Sue, Ken, Frank, Linda, Doris, Ken, Clara, Orpha, Nancy, Anna Mary, Richard, Norman, Joan, Carmie, Dennis, Richard, Gerry, Kay, Jack, Kay, Mona, Clarence, Robert, George, Mabel, Connie, Patsy, Marty, Ann, David, BJ and Pauline.
Rev. Shannon D’Agostino and her family knows first-hand the devastating impacts of ministry during a pandemic. The Calvary Wesleyan Church pastor — and familiar face from our annual camp meeting programs — recently prayed via online technology with her husband’s 60-year-old cousin as she succumbed to COVID-based issues.
“I was there with his cousin at the end virtually through FaceTime. I was able to pray with her, for her, over her and all around her through the power of technology,” said Shannon. “We played songs, sang and talked. We let her know we loved her until her final breath and until her heart stopped beating.”
It was a very emotional process for Shannon, Mark and the extended family.
“The hardest part for us – on both sides – was not being able to be there physically,” said D’Agostino.
The struggle was similarly horrible for the Mitchell/Jordan family during the past couple weeks with Pat in the hospital first, then Janie, who spent her 80th birthday isolated away from family dealing with the condition. The family rallied with a collection of videos so they could still connect with her even though they couldn’t visit in person.
The birthday wishes were bittersweet, as the family shared favorite memories and things they were thankful for with Janie through technology while struggling with not being there. Like it was for Shannon, the family did the best it could to honor, console and support Janie in the midst of the situation.
Two godly responses to horrible situations, infused with numerous prayer for healing and protection. Neither situation turned out as the family members hoped or prayed … but that does not mean they were unanswered. As we shared earlier in this lesson from Romans 8:28 (NIV):
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Understanding the big picture of God’s divine plan in the midst of such turmoil can be difficult, especially in the midst of the tragedy. Consider the following testimony of Inky Johnson in the video below. While watching it, pay close attention to this man’s struggle to understand in the middle of the trial — and by the end, the blessings he realized later that God was providing.
Did you take note of all the positive God worked in Inky’s life via the tragedy he faced? If Inky had gone on to the NFL and not been derailed via God’s divine intervention, would his father still have accepted Christ? Would God have been able to use Inky’s testimony to impact more people than he ever would have in the NFL?
This is why, when we pray for tough situations in youth group, we try to frame it in a way that doesn’t tie God’s hands or set ourselves up for disappointment. If we make it a habit to pray for God to work His will in the situation vs. demanding what we want to see happen, we are less likely to be angry with God if it goes a different way than we hoped. We instead look intentionally for God’s bigger picture and the silver linings of His blessings in the midst of the storm. Even Jesus, when praying earnestly before the events of crucifixion, is mindful to give God the leeway of working His will through the trials yet to come. Listen to his prayer in Luke 22:42 (NIV):
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
A number of years ago, our church went through a similar trial with a woman named Corinna. She was an amazing mom, wife and servant of God. She was diagnosed with cancer, and everyone hoped for the best — praying for God’s will through her situation. Unfortunately, she did not ultimately recover. Around that time, the group Mercy Me released its song “Even If” and it became a rallying cry for Corinna’s situation and for God’s sovereignty in the midst of a bad situation. The song is just as powerful today:
At the moment, it can be hard to see God’s blessings and bigger picture within this COVID situation, especially as we lose loved ones and struggle to understand why. As we navigate the uncertainty of it all, we should band together and purposefully look for God’s blessings in the midst of the storms we are facing, as difficult as that may be to accomplish.
Pastor Shannon and her family have taken this mindset involving the death of Tina (Mark’s cousin).
“Under different circumstances I may not have been ‘invited’ to be there,” she said. “I actually thanked Tina at the funeral for drawing us together and challenging us to love better and maybe differently in times like this.”
