Holy Lord,
You are the God of everything. You amaze and astound me, and yet I so routinely turn a blind eye to what you are doing around me. I focus my vision and dreams upon myself.
Change me, O Lord. Create in me a new way of seeing, a new way of living, a new way of dreaming. May I be so overwhelmed by your grace that I forget my own selfish dreams and ambitions and begin to wonder what my life might be like if lived in you. May I be so aware of your presence around me that I am constantly seeking ways to serve you, to love you, and to proclaim the grace and goodness that comes from You alone.
I love you, Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Living Waters for the World Info Sheet
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LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD MISSION TRIP
It is with great joy that we are able to write the following: New Hope will be joining with 1st Presbyterian Church of Florence, Alabama in a mission trip with Living Waters for the World to Honduras!!! As a result of this trip a community in Yamaranguila, Honduras (Please do not ask Keith how to pronounce this. It is in the state of Intibuca, just west of La Esperanza, if you know your Honduran geography) will be forever changed by having access to clean water. It is our hope that we will also be sharing in the Good News of the Living Water of Jesus Christ. This trip is a part of our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world; just as we continue to reach out to Chattanooga, we will stretch ourselves and reach out to the world, offering ourselves as disciples of the Living God.
There are multiple ways to be involved with the trip. If you would like to pledge financial support, please speak with Marilyn Suber and let her know how much you are able to give. We need to raise an additional $1200 in order to buy the equipment needed to build the filtration unit. A responsibility comes with your pledge; we ask that you will sponsor a member of the trip. By sponsoring, this means that you will agree to pray for them as well as write them notes of support beforehand as well as a note to take with them on the trip so they know they are supported. If you cannot afford to give but would still like to sponsor an individual, please speak with Marilyn.
Would you like to go? We have space for four people to join the adventure! When the pledge cards were filled out I know of at least 11 people who have indicated interest in going on a trip. I am sorry that we are not able to accommodate all who are interested. It is my hope that in one or two years we will be able to build upon this trip and, when the economy improves, support a trip of our own. This trip will, God willing, be the first step of many on the path of overseas mission trips. The mission committee is asking that if you have interest in going to Honduras you fill out the form below and return it to the church office. We will be prayerfully considering each application. Please be sure you have an up-to-date passport (applications take about 2 months). We have estimated the cost at approx. $650-700. More information can be found at www.livingwatersfortheworld.org.
Even if you cannot go on this trip but have interest in future trips, there is something for you! Clean Water U is the training facility for Living Waters for the World. Each LWW trip has three areas: 1) hygiene, 2) education and 3) installation. A team must have someone trained in each of the three categories. The next Clean Water U is April 15-19, in Oxford, MI, at a cost of $600. ($550 if two more sign up--one already has). It is not required that you attend CWU to go, but it is recommended.
Please talk to Marilyn, Lloyd or Keith if you have questions. Please keep this trip in your prayers as we move forward with great excitement about what God is doing here at New Hope and in our future!
Name_______________________________________________
____ I am interested in going to Honduras in July for 1 week on a LWW mission trip (This is in the mountains. While July is not the ideal time to visit Central America, it should not be as warm due to the elevation)
____ I can afford to pay for my airfare and other costs (i.e. hotel/food/etc.) [approx. $700]
____ I am interested but have some questions
____ I would like to attend Clean Water U
____ I cannot go but would like to sponsor someone through prayer
____ I would like to make a financial pledge for support of this trip
____ I cannot go this year, but hope to be a part of a future trip
Why do you want to go to Honduras with LWW?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
TGIF
Holy God--
Your creativity leaves me to stand in awe of what you have created. I watch as plants burst forth from the ground, proclaiming your glory in reds and blues and the green of new life. I listen as the birds sing a story of awesome wonder, telling all the world their story of joy and thanksgiving. I watch as the sun creeps across the sky, and as my gaze shifts from mornings to evening and I go about my day, I thank you. Thank you for the life that is within me and the opportunities that are before me. Thank you for all the learning experiences that are behind me and the future that awaits my presence. As I enter these new days, this new day, may I follow the law you have written on my heart and love freely, just as you did, when you loved us so strongly that death itself was but a stepping stone for your power and glory. You are awesome beyond words, and I humbly bow my head before your holy throne!
Amen
Your creativity leaves me to stand in awe of what you have created. I watch as plants burst forth from the ground, proclaiming your glory in reds and blues and the green of new life. I listen as the birds sing a story of awesome wonder, telling all the world their story of joy and thanksgiving. I watch as the sun creeps across the sky, and as my gaze shifts from mornings to evening and I go about my day, I thank you. Thank you for the life that is within me and the opportunities that are before me. Thank you for all the learning experiences that are behind me and the future that awaits my presence. As I enter these new days, this new day, may I follow the law you have written on my heart and love freely, just as you did, when you loved us so strongly that death itself was but a stepping stone for your power and glory. You are awesome beyond words, and I humbly bow my head before your holy throne!
Amen
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday
Lord of Rains and Storms,
As the water teems down outside my window, I am reminded of the chaos that existed before creation. You were Lord then, too, even though there was no created order. And so you came, and separated light from darkness, water from earth, and as a result I can now sit upon dry land and watch the rains pour down.
And yet for so many rains must be a terrible thing. I think of those facing floods, or those without enough water to drink. Surely for them it is crushing to watch the water pour down, only to soak into the ground, leaving them thirsty as they reach for cover, cowering under makeshift shelters. Remind me, O Lord, of how blessed I am and how responsible I should be for those with so little. Remind me, O Lord, of how you strengthen and encourage your faithful children to reach out, to recognize and claim our community, to help one another as the children of God. May I never forget that we are all your children, blessed and loved by you, and we are to serve one another just as you came as the servant to all.
Amen.
As the water teems down outside my window, I am reminded of the chaos that existed before creation. You were Lord then, too, even though there was no created order. And so you came, and separated light from darkness, water from earth, and as a result I can now sit upon dry land and watch the rains pour down.
And yet for so many rains must be a terrible thing. I think of those facing floods, or those without enough water to drink. Surely for them it is crushing to watch the water pour down, only to soak into the ground, leaving them thirsty as they reach for cover, cowering under makeshift shelters. Remind me, O Lord, of how blessed I am and how responsible I should be for those with so little. Remind me, O Lord, of how you strengthen and encourage your faithful children to reach out, to recognize and claim our community, to help one another as the children of God. May I never forget that we are all your children, blessed and loved by you, and we are to serve one another just as you came as the servant to all.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday
Holy Lord,
May I be silent today in awe of your goodness and grace. May I be so moved by your majesty that I attempt not to speak, not to capture it in my humble words, but rather allow my silence to speak words heavier than I can carry. May I live my praise in actions of thanksgiving, in moments of wonder, in silent prayers lifted up to your holy name. You are the God of this earth, of beginnings and endings, of eternity and of this particular moment; may I be moved to love in new ways, to worship in all things, and to praise in each day.
Amen.
May I be silent today in awe of your goodness and grace. May I be so moved by your majesty that I attempt not to speak, not to capture it in my humble words, but rather allow my silence to speak words heavier than I can carry. May I live my praise in actions of thanksgiving, in moments of wonder, in silent prayers lifted up to your holy name. You are the God of this earth, of beginnings and endings, of eternity and of this particular moment; may I be moved to love in new ways, to worship in all things, and to praise in each day.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday Morning
God of sunrises and sunsets,
You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. We begin in you, and from the moment we take our first steps it seems as though we are trying to run from you. Except that we are your creations, and we run in your beautiful creation, and wherever we go, you are there. From the highest mountains to the depths of the ocean, your presence lingers, and you abide with us, ever faithful.
Our end is in you as well. When our days are through, we will return to you. You are there in the end just as the beginning, and you comfort and sustain us throughout our days.
You are everything, O Lord, and I shout your holy name on high so that the world might hear my gratitude. You are everything, and I love you for all you are in my life. You have set me here and surrounded me with blessings. May I recognize your presence and live fully aware of your love.
Amen.
You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. We begin in you, and from the moment we take our first steps it seems as though we are trying to run from you. Except that we are your creations, and we run in your beautiful creation, and wherever we go, you are there. From the highest mountains to the depths of the ocean, your presence lingers, and you abide with us, ever faithful.
Our end is in you as well. When our days are through, we will return to you. You are there in the end just as the beginning, and you comfort and sustain us throughout our days.
You are everything, O Lord, and I shout your holy name on high so that the world might hear my gratitude. You are everything, and I love you for all you are in my life. You have set me here and surrounded me with blessings. May I recognize your presence and live fully aware of your love.
Amen.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday
Gracious and Loving God,
May this week start in You. As my mind races ahead to consider all that must be done this week, slow my thoughts for a moment and fill my mind, so that You are all I consider. Quiet my busy heart for an instant so I may wonder at all you have done and all that awaits. Lord Jesus, You are more than I can comprehend. Your beauty is greater than the sky, your love is deeper than the ocean. Grant me a glimpse, just a moment of your peace, for I cannot take in more than that. May I start this week aware of your love, abiding in your presence, going forward as your beloved child, confidant in the truth that no matter how often I may turn my back on you, you never abandon me. Thanks be to you, O Lord.
Amen.
May this week start in You. As my mind races ahead to consider all that must be done this week, slow my thoughts for a moment and fill my mind, so that You are all I consider. Quiet my busy heart for an instant so I may wonder at all you have done and all that awaits. Lord Jesus, You are more than I can comprehend. Your beauty is greater than the sky, your love is deeper than the ocean. Grant me a glimpse, just a moment of your peace, for I cannot take in more than that. May I start this week aware of your love, abiding in your presence, going forward as your beloved child, confidant in the truth that no matter how often I may turn my back on you, you never abandon me. Thanks be to you, O Lord.
Amen.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday
God of my mornings,
As you paint the sky with hope, open my eyes to the wonder of the world around me. May I recognize what a miracle it is that the earth revolves around the sun, that the seasons change, and night turns to day, just as you have planned. May I see the birds as they migrate and prostrate myself before you in awe of your miracles. May I watch the flowers burst forth from the ground and celebrate your goodness and grace, your victory over the snows of winter. May I bow my head in a moment of silence and thank you for all you are, all you have done, and all that waits for all of time.
Amen.
As you paint the sky with hope, open my eyes to the wonder of the world around me. May I recognize what a miracle it is that the earth revolves around the sun, that the seasons change, and night turns to day, just as you have planned. May I see the birds as they migrate and prostrate myself before you in awe of your miracles. May I watch the flowers burst forth from the ground and celebrate your goodness and grace, your victory over the snows of winter. May I bow my head in a moment of silence and thank you for all you are, all you have done, and all that waits for all of time.
Amen.
Friday, March 20, 2009
TGIF
God of power and might,
All of creation is singing your glory. You have adorned the trees with majesty and crowned the flowers with glory. You have given beauty to the deep and wonder to the skies.
Join my voice in that incredible chorus that is singing praise to your holy name. May all that I do, all that I am, be lifted up to you in thanksgiving and wonder. You are more holy than I can imagine, more gracious than I can dream. Thank you. Words cannot capture how wonderful you are. Be my vision, my strength and my voice, so that when I speak, I speak praise to you before anything else. I love you.
Amen.
All of creation is singing your glory. You have adorned the trees with majesty and crowned the flowers with glory. You have given beauty to the deep and wonder to the skies.
Join my voice in that incredible chorus that is singing praise to your holy name. May all that I do, all that I am, be lifted up to you in thanksgiving and wonder. You are more holy than I can imagine, more gracious than I can dream. Thank you. Words cannot capture how wonderful you are. Be my vision, my strength and my voice, so that when I speak, I speak praise to you before anything else. I love you.
Amen.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
New Hope E-News for 3/20/09
Announcements
We’ll have a golfing outing on March 28—talk to Dewey if you are interested in that. A signup sheet will be in the narthex.
Let me know if you’re interested in joining the local Tour de Cure!
Interested in giving blood? March 31 is Bloodanooga ’09! They’re targeting 1600 donors in 16 hours.
Pray for…
The upheaval in Madagascar, and the Turks who are caught within it
Links
I just learned of this site.
Some are losing faith in religion.
Church History Quiz (Answer Below)
Q: Who was the leader of the Swiss Reformation?
Text for Sunday, March 22
John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
A Reading from the Confessions
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH 6.013
3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.
The Monastic Moment (from The Monastic Way.)
March 14
One day when Abba John was going up to Scetis with some other brothers, their guide lost his way for it was night-time. So the brothers said to Abba John, ‘What shall we do, abba, in order not to die wandering about, for the brother has lost the way?’ The old man said to them, ‘If we speak to him, he will be filled with grief and shame. But look here, I will pretend to be ill and say I cannot walk any more; then we can stay here till the dawn.’ This he did. The others said, ‘We will not go on either, but we will stay with you.’ They sat there until the dawn, and in this way they did not upset the brother. (Abba John)
Church History Answer
A: Ulrich Zwingli. Born in a small Swiss village in 1484, less than two months after Luther. Much of his theology was similar to Luther’s. Zwingli’s main goal was to restore Biblical faith and practice. One difference was that while Luther was willing to retain practices that did not contradict the Bible, Zwingli insisted that unless a practice had explicit Scriptural support, it must go (such as organs or violins in worship).
(Answer taken from Justo Gonzalez’s The Story of Christianity, Volume II, pg. 46-52)
WWW.NEWHOPECHATTANOOGA.ORG
We’ll have a golfing outing on March 28—talk to Dewey if you are interested in that. A signup sheet will be in the narthex.
Let me know if you’re interested in joining the local Tour de Cure!
Interested in giving blood? March 31 is Bloodanooga ’09! They’re targeting 1600 donors in 16 hours.
Pray for…
The upheaval in Madagascar, and the Turks who are caught within it
Links
I just learned of this site.
Some are losing faith in religion.
An incredible story about what God is doing in Ohio.
Church History Quiz (Answer Below)
Q: Who was the leader of the Swiss Reformation?
Text for Sunday, March 22
John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
A Reading from the Confessions
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH 6.013
3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.
The Monastic Moment (from The Monastic Way.)
March 14
One day when Abba John was going up to Scetis with some other brothers, their guide lost his way for it was night-time. So the brothers said to Abba John, ‘What shall we do, abba, in order not to die wandering about, for the brother has lost the way?’ The old man said to them, ‘If we speak to him, he will be filled with grief and shame. But look here, I will pretend to be ill and say I cannot walk any more; then we can stay here till the dawn.’ This he did. The others said, ‘We will not go on either, but we will stay with you.’ They sat there until the dawn, and in this way they did not upset the brother. (Abba John)
Church History Answer
A: Ulrich Zwingli. Born in a small Swiss village in 1484, less than two months after Luther. Much of his theology was similar to Luther’s. Zwingli’s main goal was to restore Biblical faith and practice. One difference was that while Luther was willing to retain practices that did not contradict the Bible, Zwingli insisted that unless a practice had explicit Scriptural support, it must go (such as organs or violins in worship).
(Answer taken from Justo Gonzalez’s The Story of Christianity, Volume II, pg. 46-52)
WWW.NEWHOPECHATTANOOGA.ORG
Thursday
God of ages past,
Be my rock for today. I have read the stories about how you guided Moses, lead Joshua and comforted Gideon. You did not abandon Job, Peter or Paul, just as you shined your light upon Abraham, Hosea and Noah. Be my rock. Help me to stand in line with these giants of faith, and be humble enough to realize how small I am in the eyes of the world, and yet how important I am to you. When I peer down from upon this rock and my eyes widen at how far I would fall without you, may I not feel fear but confidence in your holy love and abiding peace. Be my rock, so that I feel strength beneath my feet, courage in my heart, and love and peace within every fiber of my being, so that everything I do is a reflection of your love and grace, so that when others see my life they see your guiding hand.
Amen.
Be my rock for today. I have read the stories about how you guided Moses, lead Joshua and comforted Gideon. You did not abandon Job, Peter or Paul, just as you shined your light upon Abraham, Hosea and Noah. Be my rock. Help me to stand in line with these giants of faith, and be humble enough to realize how small I am in the eyes of the world, and yet how important I am to you. When I peer down from upon this rock and my eyes widen at how far I would fall without you, may I not feel fear but confidence in your holy love and abiding peace. Be my rock, so that I feel strength beneath my feet, courage in my heart, and love and peace within every fiber of my being, so that everything I do is a reflection of your love and grace, so that when others see my life they see your guiding hand.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday
Precious Lord,
Thank you. For the house in which I live. For the food I have to eat. For the things that make my life easier.
Thank you. For the gift of your Holy Word. For the promise of hope. For the knowledge of a Savior.
Thank you. For the blessings that I have. For the awareness of the world's needs. For the chance to do something, to change the world, to stand up from my comfortable chair and shout to the world with my actions, to hold high the light which I have been given so that others may have abundant life, so that others may have hope. For the courage to lay down my life, to offer my time, my most valuable resource, and stand with my brothers and sisters, to weep and cry with them, to serve them. For the idea that I can change the world through you. For the fact that all things are possible with you.
Thank you. For Jesus. For love. For life.
Thank you.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday Morning
God of Promises and Covenants--
Fill me with desire. May my life not be an empty cup into which other people pour their dreams and desires. May it instead be a cup overflowing with desire for you, so filled with passion for the ministry of Jesus Christ that there is no room for any of the selfishness and greed that seem to run so rampant in my life. May your will be mine, so that I do not cling to my own treasures but rather drop everything and run to you, and in doing so serve my brothers and sisters in the world. May my heart be filled with love for the broken and desperate, the sinner and the outcast. May I be moved by You, Lord, rather than myself. And may I endure all things with the grace that should be evident in your disciples.
Amen.
Fill me with desire. May my life not be an empty cup into which other people pour their dreams and desires. May it instead be a cup overflowing with desire for you, so filled with passion for the ministry of Jesus Christ that there is no room for any of the selfishness and greed that seem to run so rampant in my life. May your will be mine, so that I do not cling to my own treasures but rather drop everything and run to you, and in doing so serve my brothers and sisters in the world. May my heart be filled with love for the broken and desperate, the sinner and the outcast. May I be moved by You, Lord, rather than myself. And may I endure all things with the grace that should be evident in your disciples.
Amen.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Living Waters
Half...
Heartbreaking. Thanks be to God that we will, God willing, have an opportunity to do something about a small number of those.
Monday
Creator God--
Thank you for the gift of this day. You have set me in this place and opened an eternity of possibilities before me. As I stand looking out at the horizon, wondering what will rise to meet me this day, I thank you. I wonder what I will do to praise your name--will I shout of your glory on this day? Will I tell of your grace? Will I point to the beauty of new life, new mercy, that constantly runs through my life, a scarlet thread that keeps me together, for without your mercy I would have fallen apart long ago? Will I serve my brothers and sisters in Christ? Will I love all of creation? Will I uncover new ways to express my gratitude to you? I don't know what today holds, but I am so grateful that within it, I know I can rely upon you. Thank you, Praise you, Love you.
Amen.
Thank you for the gift of this day. You have set me in this place and opened an eternity of possibilities before me. As I stand looking out at the horizon, wondering what will rise to meet me this day, I thank you. I wonder what I will do to praise your name--will I shout of your glory on this day? Will I tell of your grace? Will I point to the beauty of new life, new mercy, that constantly runs through my life, a scarlet thread that keeps me together, for without your mercy I would have fallen apart long ago? Will I serve my brothers and sisters in Christ? Will I love all of creation? Will I uncover new ways to express my gratitude to you? I don't know what today holds, but I am so grateful that within it, I know I can rely upon you. Thank you, Praise you, Love you.
Amen.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Book Review
The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis
This had been my evening reading for the last few months, and I will admit to savoring every page. Not because it would not have been enjoyable to read all at once, and very possible (it's only 139 pages), but more because each section (The book is composed of chapters, with each chapter being broken into small sections, usually about a page long) contained such treasures that it would have been difficult to handle them all at once. Each morsel was worthy of being developed, chew on, ruminated upon, and finally digested as a thought worthy of guiding my feet for the next week.
The entire work is a plea to Christ to strengthen and encourage the disciple to turn from sin and follow Christ. It is an acknowledgment of sinfulness and an admittance of dependence on Christ. Kempis recognizes our unworthiness but celebrates the love of God. We had no hope, but we are free to hope because we have Christ, not because Christ needed us, but because Christ loved us. Each page is filled with desire, with passion and guidance to help the reader recognize the shortfalls in life and turn to Christ. I loved this book and imagine that it will continue to guide my walk, to help my feet find their way as I see where I fall short, where I fail and abandon Christ, and how Christ never abandons me. This book is a celebration of all that Christ is, and it is a wonderful read as well as a convicting read, for it calls the reader, the believer, to turn from the material world, to recognize and put away those things that separate us from God. I highly recommend this book and am grateful for its wisdom and guidance.
Weekends
Beautiful Lord,
As you water the earth, water my life, so that I may be a vibrant soil, ready and willing to nurture the Word that you have planted within me so that it might grow, bursting forth in beauty and brilliance, showing all your wonder and majesty. May I not hide in the darkness, but bask in the light, so that your Word grows, so that your glory grows, so that all this world knows and sees your goodness and love.
Amen.
As you water the earth, water my life, so that I may be a vibrant soil, ready and willing to nurture the Word that you have planted within me so that it might grow, bursting forth in beauty and brilliance, showing all your wonder and majesty. May I not hide in the darkness, but bask in the light, so that your Word grows, so that your glory grows, so that all this world knows and sees your goodness and love.
Amen.
Friday, March 13, 2009
TGIF
Creating God,
Bring us to a place of holy rest. May our sabbath time be offered to you in meaningful ways, time spent with love upon our hearts and praise upon our lips. May we praise you through the love we share with one another, through the simple actions of a warm embrace and a listening ear. Rest is so hard for us to find, for we always search so long for what you have placed in front of us. May we be calm, be still, and allow you to create anew in our lives.
Amen.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Everlasting God,
You are the one true rock to which I cling. You have created me, and set me in this place. You have led my feet to this place, and now, recognizing your presence around me, I bow upon the earth you have created. I lower my head to the ground and lift my heart in humble submission to all that you are. Without you I would not be; with you I am a disciple, a servant, faithful to the end. When my mouth speaks, may it speak words of delight in your creation, in your guidance, in your providence, in your love, in you and you alone. May I be an empty torrent of mindless actions, but rather a source of reflection of your light, one who guides others and points to your faithful presence. You are my rock and redeemer; may all that I do and say give glory and praise to you, my everlasting God.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday
Watch CBS Videos Online
Holy Lord,
Bring us together in you. Unite us with you, and also with one another. May we learn not to focus on what separates us, but what unites us. You love each and every one of us, just as you have called us each by name. May we remember who we are in you. May we remember that Christ died and rose for all people, not just the ones like us. May our hands reach out, may our words reach out, may our entire lives be lived as a witness to the eternal glory that can be found only through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday Morning
Holy God,
On this blessed day, you have created anew. The sun has broken forth into our darkness and illuminated the day. The day is filled with possibility; may my day be filled with you. May each crack, every tiny, shadowed crevice be filled with songs of praise to you. As the birds sing, so may my words sing to you. As strongly as you love this earth, may I seek to return a portion of that love to you, through my words and actions, thoughts and deeds. May each part of my broken, sinful life be bathed in your beauty, in your grace, and may it shine with the light of your love, of your son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
On this blessed day, you have created anew. The sun has broken forth into our darkness and illuminated the day. The day is filled with possibility; may my day be filled with you. May each crack, every tiny, shadowed crevice be filled with songs of praise to you. As the birds sing, so may my words sing to you. As strongly as you love this earth, may I seek to return a portion of that love to you, through my words and actions, thoughts and deeds. May each part of my broken, sinful life be bathed in your beauty, in your grace, and may it shine with the light of your love, of your son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday Morning
Great and Amazing God,
You are the constant rock to which I cling. While all the world is busy changing, you are the Redeemer, the steady hand guiding me forward. I seem to be dragging backwards, hoping to find some alternate path, but you are always moving me forwards, drawing me closer to you. May this day be lived with an awareness of your presence, with a desire to please you, and a conviction to speak openly of your love and my devotion to you. May this beautiful, brilliant light not be kept inside but rather stream from me for the world to see. May each word and action point to you.
Amen.
You are the constant rock to which I cling. While all the world is busy changing, you are the Redeemer, the steady hand guiding me forward. I seem to be dragging backwards, hoping to find some alternate path, but you are always moving me forwards, drawing me closer to you. May this day be lived with an awareness of your presence, with a desire to please you, and a conviction to speak openly of your love and my devotion to you. May this beautiful, brilliant light not be kept inside but rather stream from me for the world to see. May each word and action point to you.
Amen.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Saturday
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of heaven and earth. May your song fill me today. May I be overwhelmed by all you have done and may I call out your name as I speak, as I act, as I pray, so that all I do is for your glory. You are more wondrous than I can imagine; as you paint your glory across the skies, may I respond in gratitude and joy.
Amen.
God of heaven and earth. May your song fill me today. May I be overwhelmed by all you have done and may I call out your name as I speak, as I act, as I pray, so that all I do is for your glory. You are more wondrous than I can imagine; as you paint your glory across the skies, may I respond in gratitude and joy.
Amen.
Friday, March 6, 2009
New Hope E-News
>Announcements
We’ll have a golfing outing on March 28—talk to Dewey if you are interested in that. A signup sheet will be in the narthex.
The children will be working here at the church on a service day on March 7. Please speak with Gerry Kaller if you have any questions about that.
Interested in giving blood? March 31 is Bloodanooga ’09! They’re targeting 1600 donors in 16 hours.
Want to study Ecclesiastes? One of the adult Sunday Schools will be tackling this every morning through April 5. Talk to Andy Sanislo if you have questions.
Hear ye!!! Hear Ye!!! There's a trip being planned for the week of May 2 - May 9, 2009 to help folks along the Gulf in Long Beach, Mississippi. We already have some six (6) people, a couple of whom are skilled to be Crew Chiefs plus our own Mike Kirkland of Lake Hills as our cook. Mike really knows how to deal with the food so we are very, very fortunate. We have also confirmed a place to stay at the Long Beach Presbyterian Church -- (I've stayed there and the facilities are very, very good.)
We are limited to 30 people in the church so don't linger in getting your name in to me. The cost is $100/person plus we will need to get ourselves down there -- car pooling and stuff like that. I do not know as yet what we will be doing but I would expect it will be along the line of building or fixing up. I think they have all the tools there; there is a site director whose name is Bruce and he seems very excited that we might be coming. We will plan to go down on Saturday and come back the following
Saturday. The bottom line on working on a site for age is 16. Talk to me if you have any other youths below that for they must be accompanied by an adult in their family.
Pray for…
The upheaval in Madagascar, and the Turks who are caught within it
The Meek family
Links
How to green up the air around you.
They’re willing to dogsled 1,150 miles. I’m willing to be grateful I’m not out there. Starting Monday.
I am not sure I believe this, but it’s an amazing tale.
Church History Quiz (Answer Below)
Q: What significant event is considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation?
Text for Sunday, March 8
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
17When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,
4“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
15God said to Abraham, “As for Sarah your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
A Reading from the Confessions
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH 6.146
Of the Communion of Saints
1. All saints being united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:1 and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,2 and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as to conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.3
The Monastic Moment (from The Monastic Way.)
March 3
A brother asked an old man: What is humility? And the old man said: To do good to those who hurt you. The brother said: If you cannot go that far, what should you do? The old man replied: Get away from them and keep your mouth shut (A Desert Father)
Church History Answer
A: Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral on 10/31, 1517. Printers spread copies around Germany of his theses, which attacked the selling of indulgences (John Tetzel, charged with the selling of indulgences in Germany, made claims that indulgences would make the sinner ‘cleaner than Adam before the Fall’ and ‘cleaner than when coming out of baptism’) and the exploitation that was at the heart of it. The pope’s response was to ask the Augustinian order to deal with the matter, and while Luther expected to be burned as a heretic, he was surprised to find that many of his fellow friars favored his teachings.
(Answer taken from Justo Gonzalez’s The Story of Christianity, Volume II, pg. 20-23)
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