Nursing Home Ministry

Jesus is Praying for You!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

I was broadsided by the news yesterday that the nursing home which I visited for many years lost 25 residents to Covid-19. The numbers always sound less when you hear them on the news, but when these are folks you know and love they become overwhelming. I prayed over what to include in this week’s video which is seen in several of the homes which I once visited and God gave me this uplifting thought. Jesus is praying for us.

And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.  And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.  And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. .. Mark 6:46-48a

Please pray for me and for those in nursing homes in your own community as well as mine. Have a blessed week-end knowing that Jesus is ready to walk out on any waters you and sinking in today!

Our Hope of Heaven

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

As we are ploughing through this sixth week of Corona related shutdown here in Florida I thought that today it might be a good idea to focus on joy. God has not called us to worry, to live in depression or in fear. He has given us instead a hope that is not only eternal but it is also filled with joy.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 ESV

When I was doing my nursing home ministry up till this shutdown I found that some of the residents’ favorite songs were about heaven They often not only listened but the sang along, smiled and swayed back and forth in their wheel chairs in time to the music. Here are a few of those songs; including When the Roll is called up Yonder; When we All Get to Heaven and Mansion Over the Hilltop.  We know that if we follow Jesus He has promised to lead us home to His Father’s house in Heaven! Have a blessed day everyone!

 

Music for Memory Care

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:24

In spite of my having memorized this verse; I confess I have been worrying. It’s as if that scripture has lived on the shelf for so long that it has passed its expiration date. Or maybe I worry because we have now passed the fifth week of complete shutdown from being able to sing for my friends in the nursing homes where I visited each week. I know that the staff is doing their best to care for them but I am especially concerned for those in memory care. I think about how they not only have not had a chance for my music but they also have lost contact with family, friends and not even a priest or pastor is allowed in to hold their hands if they pass away.

But in my quiet moments of private worship God reminds me that He would never leave them alone. There is no virus, no shutdown, no sickness or even death that can separate any of us from His love! He has promised to be with us and God’s promises are never go out of date!

If you know someone who is shut in during this time please consider sharing my simple videos. This one includes; Jesus Loves Me; Trust and Obey and Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. Most of my people not only know these but they love to sing along! I have included captions so they can follow easily. God bless and have a blessed week-end everybody!