Thursday, September 12, 2013

Sept 12 New Hope E-News

Announcements

Who Are We?-- We continue to explore our roots this month! We'll be studying the story of Noah this coming Sunday!

Wednesday Bible Study-- Will begin September 25 @ 6:30. Come at 6:00 with a brown bag supper if you'd like to eat in community.

Labyrinth Questions-- The labyrinth at the church is in bad need of some TLC, as well as individuals willing to invest some time in ongoing maintenance. The session is trying to determine how best to be good stewards of the labyrinth. If you're willing to be part of an effort to maintain the labyrinth, please get in touch with Keith.


Community Kitchen Spot

There are a lot of hungry and homeless children of God and the community needs some help feeding them. If you would like to help out, please bring the following items to church this Sunday & put them on the bookshelf.
#10 cans - mixed vegetables / peas
#10 cans fruit
Dinner napkins
Plastic forks / spoons
Dry milk


New Hope News

Sunday School—This Sunday, we'll study the 3rd chapter of Matthew.

Session—This Sunday @ 6, session will meet.

Sack Packs-- Next Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 9-11 at the Food Bank.


Pray For:
Lynn Meyer & Christine Dyer

We pray for Christians in Syria & Egypt who are being violently persecuted

We pray for the church in the US to live as a people sent into the world


Links






Keith's Random Thoughts

She's perfect.

These are the doctor's words, not mine! If it was me, you'd just think it was another biased dad talking about his child. But since the doctor said it was true, you can trust that it's an unbiased opinion on my daughter.

Danielle Lillie was born at 6:52am last Thursday, September 5th. It was a long and strange night for both of us, since we were entirely unsure exactly how this was going to work. We knew Rachel would be induced, but we didn't know when. We knew she was going to have a baby, but we weren't sure how.

By 6:30, the baby was about ready to come. The doctor hadn't shown up yet. The nurse assured me that doctors have ways of getting places quickly. Babies do, too.

Around 6:45, the doctor walked in, and a few minutes later Danielle arrived.

Angels must sing at the birth of each and every child. That first scream, a sound that several months later might bring wearied sighs, is greeted with delight and relief. Each and every child is a miracle crafted by the hands of God. Each and every child, made in the image of God, precious to him.

I don't know what awaits Danielle. Rachel and I will love and nurture her to the best of our (limited) abilities. Caleb will (hopefully) be a responsible big brother and shepherd her through what awaits. At times, she will cry and we will be unable to console her. This will happen at 10 months old, at 10 years old, and well beyond that. The world can be a harsh place. It is our job to remind her, to teach her, that the world is a good place. It has been created good and called good by God, and we are to highlight that good, to lift it up and remind her that it is our responsibility as humans to influence one another for good, to encourage and love those with whom we share this planet. It it my hope that she grows in the knowledge and love of Christ and calls upon him as Lord and Savior, for only Christ will never let her down. Only Christ will keep every promise. Only Christ is fully good.

So I pray.

I pray for Danielle and for Caleb, for Rachel and for myself. I pray for the city and the country and the world in which we live. I pray for wisdom and sanity for those who lead us. I pray for peace to break out in this world. I pray for the uncertain future that is known only to God, and I pray for the present, for this tender and delicate moment, in which we live and move and have our being, that it might somehow reflect the glory of God through the stained and fractured lives we lead.

Tomorrow, I know not. But today, right now, she is perfect.


Text for this Sunday



New Hope on Facebook & Twitter
New Hope on iTunes

No comments: