Dr. Paul Spence, Chaplain Chaplain Spence Services
A Full-time Independent Chaplain
Serving Care Facilities In Southwestern Pennsylvania
For More Than 24 Years
This Week
AUGUST 2nd; LORD'S Day (Sunday); 2020.
THIS WEEK'S HYMN. “Anywhere With Jesus” by Mrs. Jessie Pounds (1861-1921). This is a favorite Hymn among the Care Facilities.
THIS WEEK'S THANKSGIVING. There were answers to Prayer last week. 1. A Lady's Granddaughter is feeling better. 2. It was first thought that a Lady's Aunt broke her pelvis. But the tests showed she did not. 3. A Lady's Son's back was not as painful last week. 4. A Gentleman who was not feeling well last week still attended the Church Service. Don't you like this spirit? 5. There were good Church Services among the Care Facilities last week. Several specially spoke of the Meetings. 6. A Resident's Son sent a Card and a check. Isaiah 63.7 says: “I will mention the praises of the Lord according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us.”
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING. August 1st marked exactly 24 years Dr. Spence has been ministering full-time in the Care Facilities.
THIS WEEK'S PRAYERLIST. These Prayer Requests have been made by different Residents and Staff in the Care Facilities. 1. The Outdoor Church Services that are taking place in different places these days. 2. Those who ask Prayer for their Families. 3. A Lady who moved to another Care Facility. 4. Those who are in pain. 5. A Lady who lately moved into a Care Facility. She misses Home. 6. A Care Facility Owner who is particularly burdened about the present state of things. I Timothy 2.1 says: “I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” *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, 167 of Dr. Spence's Printed Sermons were distributed in 14 Care Facilities located in Greensburg, Jeanette, Murrysville, Pittsburgh, Sarver, and Kittanning. Since the Sermons are going fast this quarter, there is now a limit of Sermons per Care Facility. These days the Sermons are specially appreciated. 2. 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. But in experience, the restrictions are exceeding bitter. With all of today's scientific and medical wisdom, couldn't we have contrived a better way? So many are still suffering because of missing Doctor appointments. 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 Aides that there are Residents who have left this world simply 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.
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.