Dr. Paul Spence, Chaplain Chaplain Spence Services
A Full-time Independent Chaplain
Serving Care Facilities In Southwestern Pennsylvania
For More Than 23 Years
This Week
JULY 12th; LORD'S Day (Sunday); 2020.
THIS WEEK'S HYMN. This week we will finish “When This Passing World Is Done” by Rev. Mr. Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843). Last week, we sang Verses 1-4. This week we will sing Verses 5-9.
THIS WEEK'S THANKSGIVING. There were answers to Prayer last week. 1. Last week, the Church Services in the Care Facilities went well. THE LORD was present blessing His Word. The Sermons were specially spoken of by several. 2. A Gentleman lately came through a trial. 3. After one of the Church Services last week, one Owner kindly said: “This is what I've been looking for for years.” 4. A Care Facility Owner gave extra last week. 5. A Resident sent two gifts. Psalm 68.19 says: “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits.”
THIS WEEK'S PRAYERLIST. These Prayer Requests have been made by different Residents and Staff in the Care Facilities. 1. A Lady asks Prayer for her Daughter's Husband. 2. A Lady's two Aunts who are not well these days. 3. That a Lady who lately fell will completely recover. 4. A Lady who received a New Testament last week. 5. A Lady asks Prayer for her Son. 6. A Lady asks Prayer for her Sister-in-law. 7. Two Ladies who are in the Hospital. We missed them in the Church Service last week. 8. Those who are frequently often in pain. Matthew 7.7 says: “Ask, and it shall be given you.” *In the Thanksgiving and Prayerlist sections, the names of the people have been withheld to protect their privacy. Nevertheless, the Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are real and actual. Respect for privacy is also the reason there are usually no photos of Residents on Dr. Spence's website.
THIS WEEK'S COLPORTAGE REPORT. 1. Last week, 299 of Dr. Spence's Printed Sermons were distributed in 1 Gas Station and 14 Care Facilities located in Belle Vernon, Point Marion, Morgantown (West Virginia), Pittsburgh, Mount Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Homestead, Harrison City, Irwin, North Huntingdon, and Smithton. THE LORD bless His own Word! 2. Pray for a Colportage that is scheduled for one day this coming week. 3. Is there anyone who could use the King James Version Book of Psalms in Braille? If you or someone you know could use these Psalms, please contact us. The Book and postage are free.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST. Please continue to pray for the Care Facility Residents during these hard times. With the government's extreme coronavirus restrictions, what a difficult time this is in the Country! No place do you see this more conspicuously than in the Care Facilities. Are the present restrictions any way to “honor thy father and thy mother?” In theory, it might seem so on the surface. But in experience, the restrictions at least are very bitter. With all of today's scientific and medical wisdom, couldn't we have contrived a better way? There are people with dementia who have not fared well during this season. Since they have not been allowed to see their Families, their conditions have worsened. One quiet, soft-spoken Lady was deeply moved as she tried to explain what she has felt and been through as she has been “locked up” in a Care Facility for four months. One gentle Lady almost one hundred years old (who is always neat and clean) pointed to her mask with a serious eye and said: “There is something about all this that is not right.” It is honestly thought by some that there are Residents who have left this world because this is the first time in their lives they have been so long separated from their Families. Yet after all these months, circumstances here in Pennsylvania do not look encouraging even now. One Administrator said it looks like at least a year before visitors will be allowed to enter the doors. It is understandable that there is a growing dissatisfaction. Several have spoken to Dr. Spence. If you have a complaint in this regard, speak up. Let your voice be heard. You might do more than you think. So far, Dr. Spence has written three important Letters on different occasions. Four Governors (including our own Governor Wolf) are under criminal investigation for how they have dealt with Nursing Homes during this supposed outbreak of the virus. Keeping the Families away from the Residents certainly creates a suitable environment for neglect and abuse. Here is one woman who is at least doing something... https://www.breitbart.com/health/2020/07/10/video-wife-takes-job-dishwasher-visit-husband-alzheimers-during-pandemic/
IN THIS WORLD, there often arises temporary situations and unique circumstances. People necessarily leave their Homes and move into Care Facilities. Others are confined to their Homes. Very frequently, these people, spiritually, fall between the cracks. They are forgotten and forsaken. For more than 23 years, Dr. Spence has served as a Personal, Domestic, and Care Facility Chaplain meeting the spiritual needs of many of these people. James 1.27 says: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." If you have questions or comments, or if you are interested in Dr. Spence's services, please contact us. Dr. Spence seeks to answer calls here in Southwestern Pennsylvania. However, he tries to go wherever he is requested.