Prayer for Today, Saturday, January 15

O Love That Will Not Let Us Go,

We know , O Lord, there is an emptiness within all those created in Your image that only You can fill. Forgive us, when we attempt to fill that void with clutter rather than allowing Your Spirit of Grace to make us whole. We also know, Heavenly Father, that so many around us are still searching for the balm that only You can provide, but they don’t know where to turn. Help us to understand that even in our incompleteness, we can offer Your hope, a hope of peace, love and wholeness, to others. Empower us, Loving God, to share the Good News as we invite and welcome family, friends, even strangers into the community of faith, where we love, pray for, nurture and support one another on our journey, and, in so doing, we all encounter and experience You. We offer this prayer in Jesus name, AMEN.
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Thelma Harper, Joan Petersen, Chester Ross, Francis Ferne DeVisser, and Ila Crain are still hospitalized. Please pray for them. By the way, Chester Ross celebrates his 89th birthday today.

Rev. Devon McAnally will lead a brief thirty minute session on making hospital calls. All interested are invited to attend this training after the 10:15 a.m. services tomorrow.

Goldia Rasmussen is celebrating her 103rd birthday at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21st, at the Sterling House on Willow. The Caregivers are hosting a party for her. You are welcome to attend.

There will be a 90th birthday celebration for Deloras Oringderff next Sunday, January 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited.

The NW Area Disciples Men will meet in Fairview this Thursday, January 20th, at 6:30 p.m. The church vans will leave the church at 5:30 p.m. All men are invited and welcome. Please call Kandy Trojan at 233-1214 by Tuesday noon to reserve a meal and a place on the van.

The Scripture for Today is Matthew 8:28-34: When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Bring a friend to Sunday School and Church tomorrow.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore