Special Guest Speaker: Mitch Blankenship
Watch the Most Recent Children’s Sermon Here!
First Steps – September 24, 2018
As you beginning of each day this week, I offer you this prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, you have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, ordered by your hand, may reflect your righteousness. Remind us that we live with you, now and forever, Amen. (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer).
At the end of each day this week, I offer you this prayer:
O Lord, my God, I thank thee that you have brought this day to a close. I thank you that you give rest to the body and the soul. Your hand has been over me, guarding me, and preserving me, all this day. Forgive my feeble faith and all the wrong I have done this day and help me to forgive all who have wronged me.
Grant that I may sleep in peace under the care of your hand. Help me to rest though darkness is around me. Into your hands, I commend my body and soul, my loved ones, and my household. Thank you for what you have given me. (Adapted from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison).
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Romans 12
- Tuesday – Romans 13
- Wednesday – Romans 14
- Thursday – Romans 15
- Friday – Romans 16
Please Pray for:
- Our nation and our leaders.
- Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
- Our new year in Christian studies and activities.
- Those that are suffering and grieving.
- Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking.
- The United Methodist Church.
First Steps – September 17, 2018
Martin Bucer was a German priest and friend to Martin Luther. Under God’s direction, Bucer was a proponent of The Reformation. Because following Christ doesn’t always equate to an easy life, Bucer’s obedience resulted in exile and a life of poverty. What I’ve always enjoyed about Bucer is his writings on love and care of others as a natural expression of one’s faith.
Bucer would often say that if you want to follow Christ and change your perspective and behavior, then take all your concern for yourself and redirect it towards others. Genuine love, which fulfills every Biblical command, doesn’t seek its own profit at the expense of welfare of another. He said, “the best, the most perfect and blessed condition is that in which we can most usefully and profitably serve others. Keep in mind that spiritual service is superior to material service and that the community is more important than individuals…the responsibility of service to others rests upon both the spiritual and secular leaders. There can be no greater plague than people seeking their own advantage” (Instruction in Christian Love).
For many people, they live on the work of others. But followers of Christ do the opposite. The Christian gives up what might be rightly due so that one can help another.
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Romans 7
- Tuesday – Romans 8
- Wednesday – Romans 9
- Thursday – Romans 10
- Friday – Romans 11
Please Pray for:
- Our nation and our leaders.
- Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
- Our new year in Christian studies and activities.
- Those suffering due to catastrophic natural disasters.
- Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking.
- The United Methodist Church.
You Don’t Want to Miss This
Boys v. Girls: Socks Full of Change
SOCKS FULL OF CHANGE FOR UKRAINE
September 16 – November 18
Our precious friends in Ukraine need your help! This fall we will be collecting funds to meet the needs of our friends in Ukraine. Your gift will bless a child in Ukraine this Christmas. The fundraiser is a competition between the girls and boys of our church. Children may bring money in a plastic bag to Sunday school or drop it off in the main office. Please be sure to write your child’s name on the bag, so we may give credit to the appropriate team! Each week the updated totals will be placed on the “socks” located on the bulletin board across from the elevator.
During the next three months, your child will have the opportunity to learn more about these orphanages and to raise funds to help support this vital mission. This experience can help teach our children about the needs of others and the joy of giving. We hope your family will join us as we work to make our world a better place.
Below you will find a list of easy chores that children can do. We encourage you to have your child “earn” money for missions by completing some of these tasks. Having the opportunity to work for money gives the children more ownership of the fundraiser and makes the whole experience more meaningful. We understand that your child may already do many of the chores listed below on a weekly basis without monetary reward. Simply choose a chore that is not usually part of their daily/weekly routine. Thank you for encouraging your child to help those in need. The seeds we plant in our children today will bear fruit in the future.
Ages 4 & 5:
- Put away toys
- Set the table
- Clear own dishes
- Sweep
- Bring in mail
- Water plants & flowers
K & 1st Grade
- Load/unload dishwasher
- Make bed
- Clean bedroom
- Set & clear table
- Sweep
- Clean bathrooms
Older Elem.
- Change sheets
- Vacuum
- Mop floors
- Wash Window
- Yard work
- Wash car
On Saturday, December 2 during Jingle Jam, everyone will enjoy a celebration. The question is… Who will be serving the pizza? Will it be the girls? Or, will it be the boys? The winning team will be served pizza by the other team! Go for the goal and give for Ukraine!
Blessings,
Donna Hightower