Prayer for Today, Tuesday, March 1

Holy and Divine Presence,
We stand before You as those created in Your image. Even so, we are often surprised that You are here, not just “out there”. When we look into the face of a neighbor, friend or a stranger, may we see the work of Your hands. When we look into a mirror, may we also see one of Your creations made with love. Forgive us, O Lord, when we discount our worth and cheapen Your work. We are so blessed. May our lives honor You as seek to be a blessing to others. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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Currently we have no church members in the hospital. We do want to pray for Orin Poindexter, a friend of the Frosts, who is in Bass Hospital.
Please pray for Carolyn and me. We will be travelling back to Enid this afternoon and evening.

The scripture for today is Numbers 6:22-27:
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, February 28

Lord,

Scriptures tell us You know our hearts and often we don’t know how to pray as we ought, yet Your Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Please intercede in these moments, Dear God. We come to You in our weakness and surrender our all. We desire to live in the strength of Your embrace. Here we are. We pray in Jesus name, AMEN.
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Pray for our church today.

The scripture for today is Leviticus 19:1-2, 8-18:
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.
You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord. You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, February 27

Living God,

We are reminded there is more grace in You than there is sin in us, but often we cheapen that grace. We take it for granted, knowing that Your loving forgiveness has no bounds. You know our hearts. Forgive us, O Lord. As we stand before You may we truly desire to live as those redeemed. Help us to allow Your grace to transform us. May passion for telling and being the Gospel Good News engulf us. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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YOUTH SUNDAY is today! Our youth are a gift to us and to the world. May we be a living example to them of Christ’s love and God’s grace.

Tonight is the Chili Cook-off and Dessert Auction. It begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

I understand our own Mark Johnson was named Freshman King at UCO in Edmond. Congratulations Mark!

Please continue to pray that God’s Spirit will continue to dwell with and guide our denomination’s General Board.

The scripture for today is Exodus 32:1-24
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the LORD.” They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.
The LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!< The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.” But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’“ And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.
Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, written on the front and on the back. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” But he said, “It is not the sound made by victors, or the sound made by losers; it is the sound of revelers that I hear.” As soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.
Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are bent on evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off’; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 138:
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, February 26

Great Spirit of Love,

Life is a journey and You are our guide. The road is generally easy, yet there are times when our way is difficult. O God, You are both our companion and our destination. Forgive us when we take short cuts. Forgive us, Gracious God, when we create easy detours to avoid the rough spots and to meet our own desires. May we trust in You, O Lord. We pray You will take us by the hand and lead us. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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Don Johnson is leading this evening’s Saturday 5:30 p.m. Service of Communion and tomorrow’s 8:00 a.m. Chapel Service. The youth are leading a combined Sunday 10:15 service of worship in the sanctuary. Please honor God as you participate in worship this weekend.

Please pray for the Administrative Committee of our denomination as they bring their business to a close this morning and for the General Board that convenes this afternoon.

The scripture for today is Matthew 13:18-23:
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, February 25

Dear Lord,

O God, Your inspiration has given us the wonderful words of life we read in scripture. We thank You for those faithful people of old who sought You and expressed their journey in songs, prayers, hymns and stories. May these stories become our story as we seek to live our faith. Forgive us when we make the Bible an icon to be worshipped. Rather , Loving God, may it be a living document and may its words be a means for Your Word to be known by us. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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I am writing from our hotel room in Indianapolis. Carolyn is off to the Administrative Committee. Yesterday’s travels were taxing, to say the least. We left home at 5:00 a.m., drove to Tulsa and flew from there to DFW. We boarded our plane for Indianapolis as storms were coming through the area. They delayed all flights east. We sat on the tarmac for two hours before we finally took off. Then it was the worst flight I had experienced, but we made it safe and sound. I plan to spend the day relaxing in the room, working on the Lenten morning prayers and reading. Tomorrow the General Board meeting begins.

Please pray for the Russell family. Todd recently lost a relative.

Youth Sunday is this Sunday. Please support our youth with your presence. The service is always different and creative. I know you will particularly appreciate the liturgical dance.

The scripture reading for today is Matthew 13:1-17:
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: ‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, February 24

O Lord Our Lord,

We yearn for simplicity even as we are inundated with noise and images and clutter. We yearn to be as children, standing in awe of the amazing world around us. We long for times of trust, truth and honesty. In the midst of our yearning, O God, help us to realize that we are often the problem. We have bought into a life of hectic busyness, of rapid fire images, of jingles and sound bites. Give us the strength and courage, O Lord, to live more simply. May we always seek the truth that is eternal, the truth that frees us from our mortal bonds. . .the truth that You are our God and we are Your people. . .the truth that proclaims Jesus as Lord. It is in His name we pray, AMEN.
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Please pray for the John Hutchings family. His funeral is today at 2:00 p.m.

Carolyn and I will be well on our way to Indianapolis when you read this email. Please pray for safe travels and for a productive meeting of the Administrative Committee and the General Board of the denomination. Below is the Disciples News Service post about the General Board Meeting:
GENERAL BOARD TO HOLD ITS 2011 MEETING IN INDIANAPOLIS STARTING THIS WEEKEND
General Board members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are preparing to gather in Indianapolis for their 2011 meetings which will start on Saturday Feb. 26 and end on Tuesday, March 1. Among other business, the General Board will consider the Administrative Committee's recommendation to re-elect General Minister and President Sharon Watkins for another six-year term. If the board confirms her name, that recommendation will be forwarded to the General Assembly meeting in Nashville, Tenn., July 9-13 where a final decision will be made. Watkins would then serve from July 2011 to July 2017.
The board also will hear reports from General and Regional Ministries as well as review resolutions that will go before the General Assembly. To learn more about the work of this year's General Board go to: www.disciples.org/generalboard

The scripture reading for today is Matthew 12:46-50:
While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, February 23

God Who is With Us,

We take refuge in You. You are our rock and our redeemer. When the storms of life blow over us, You are the anchor that holds us fast. When the day is bright and clear, You are the wind that lifts us up and lets us soar. We are nothing apart from You. Bless us, Dear Lord, and empower us to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. In His name we pray, AMEN.
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Betty Clickner died and her funeral is Saturday. Please pray for Darrell Herndon and all of Betty’s family.

Please pray for the family of John Hutchings. His funeral will be in our sanctuary on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

The Membership Committee meets this evening at 5:15 p.m. I mistakenly said 5:00 p.m. yesterday.

WWNF is this evening. The Bell Choir will rehearse at 7:30 p.m.

The scripture reading for today is Matthew 12:38-45:
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, February 22

God of Abundant Hope,

A new day is before us and a beautiful day at that. We give You thanks and praise. Sometimes we overlook the simply elegance and wonder that is all about us because we rush and hurry. Forgive us, O Lord, and help us slow down so that life becomes less a blur and more a wonderful work of art. Help us to understand that we are more that observers, rather we are participants in the wonderful panorama. May we use our energy, our creativity, our love and our compassion to contribute to the amazing work You have already begun in our midst. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Mickie Giberson wrote in an email:
“You can remove my sister-in-law Cheri Hoskins from the cancer list. She is doing well and the tumor was confirmed to be non-malignant. Thank you for your faithfulness.”
We celebrate that good news with the Giberson.

Ruth Weston and Paul Giberson are both dealing with pneumonia. Please pray for them.

The Membership Committee meets tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. We will have regular WWNF activities tomorrow.

Sunday is Youth Sunday during the 10:15 a.m. Sanctuary Service. The Revive and Renew service will join them. The 8:00 a.m. chapel service will meet at their regular time.

Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. there will be a Chili cook-off and a Dessert Auction. Call the church office if you want to bring Chili and/or a dessert. The proceeds from the auction will help underwrite the expenses of summers camps and conferences for our children and youth.

The Crusader Sunday School Class is inviting others to join them as Jack Weston teaches a 7 week course entitled “Twenty Four Hours That Changed the World”. They will meet in the Multi-Purpose Room on Sunday mornings and will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.

The scripture for today is Matthew 12:33-37:
“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, February 21

Dear Heavenly Father,

You care for us like a parent cares for a child. Your strength is beyond measure, yet Your tenderness is palpable. You are stern and offer judgment, yet Your mercy knows no bounds. Your breath created the universe, yet You chose to allow Your human creatures to choose their own path. Forgive us, O Lord, when we walk away from You. Forgive us when we seek to fill the empty places within us with trivial and meaningless trinkets. Help us to realize that we become complete only when we turn into Your embrace and allow Your Spirit to flow into the void or our lives. We are ready. We are open. Complete us, Loving God, and make us one with You. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Catherine Cullumber asked us to pray for Earnie Page from Jet. He has pancreatic cancer.

The funeral for Valeta Montgomery’s brother, Vernon Chodrick, is today.

I failed to mention the death of Treva Dougherty last week. Please pray for her family.

May we be equal to the tasks before us this week and embrace the opportunities to share the Good News.

The scripture for today is Matthew 12:22-32:
Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, February 20

O God Known By Many Names,

Your children call on You and give you many names. Regardless of what You are called You respond in love. Jesus Christ showed us the way and He lived a life that tore down walls that separated people from each other and from You. He died on a cross so that all of Your creation might be reconciled with the Creator. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to Your will and to be active agents of reconciliation and peace. O God of many names, may we know You as Love. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The scripture for today is Matthew 12:15-21:
When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 1:
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, February 19

Loving Creator,

We are warmed by the glow of your love and sustained by the power of Your forgiveness. Help us to understand that these gifts are only truly received when we give them away. May our courageous love encourage others and may our bold forgiveness impact the course of other’s lives. We are Your agents, O God. May we use the gifts and graces You have given us to impact our world in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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Please continue to pray for our hospitalized: Ila Crain, Joan Petersen, Alt Mae Berkenbile, Phyllis May and Ron Maphet.

Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. Please honor God by your presence in worship.

The scripture for today is Exodus 25:10-22;
They shall make an ark of acacia wood; it shall be two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside you shall overlay it, and you shall make a molding of gold upon it all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side. You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry the ark. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. You shall put into the ark the covenant that I shall give you. Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, February 18

O Lord,

How lovely are Your dwelling places. We long for You. We seek You out, O God, and we find You in our worship, in the depth of our relationships, in the innocence of children and in the prayers of the aged. Forgive us when we turn away, Dear God. Draw us unto Yourself so that we might find peace. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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John Yeager has been dismissed from St. Mary’s Hospital.

Valeta Montgomery’s brother, Vernon Choderick, died yesterday. Please pray for his family.

There is a family movie night tonight in the Central Cinema Room downstairs at 7:00 p.m.

February 27th we will have a Chili Cook-off and Dessert Auction in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. Call the church office to sign-up to bring chili and/or a dessert. All proceeds from the auction will go to subsidize the expenses of summer church camp. It will be a great fellowship event.

The scripture for today is Exodus 24:12-18:
The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, February 17

Amazing God,

We seek You as we journey through life. You seek us from the day of our birth. Scripture tells us that Your desire is that all of creation be reconciled to You. May we first approach You with humble hearts and accept Your grace. Then may we be Your agents in the world using our lives point others to You. Your Holy spirit is there to guide us on the way. May our perspective allow us to see Your actions in the course of human affairs. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Ila Crain is back in St. Mary’s hospital.

Valeta Montgomery’s brother is in the last stages of his life in Bass Hospital.

Joan Petersen, Alta Mae Berkenbile, Phyllis May, John Yeager and Ron Maphet are all still hospitalized.

Please pray for all these people.

The Cancer Support Group meets this afternoon. The Kids Central Board also meets today at 5:00 p.m.

Tomorrow is a Family Movie Night at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Yesterday the Centours had lunch and a movie also using the Central Cinema room.

The scripture for today is Exodus 20:1-21:
Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, february 16

Dear God,

We are filled with joy, awe and amazement when we see the beauty of Your creation, particularly on days like today. Thank you, O Lord, for this day. May the warmth of the sun and the crispness of the air bring life to our spirits and love to our hearts. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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WOW! A Wednesday without snow. All WWNF activities will occur tonight. There is no Adult Bell rehearsal because there is a Cabinet Meeting at 7;30 p.m. All committee chairs and board officers are encouraged to attend. Hopefully we will be done in 45 minutes or less.

The Publicity Committee meets this evening at 5:00 p.m.

The scripture for today is Exodus 17:1-7:
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, February 15

Gracious and Loving God,

In the twists and turns of life we often don’t understand why events happen. It is easy to thank You, O God, for the good times. The bad times cause us to question our decisions and Your presence. Help us to realize, O Lord, that Your ultimate will is that all of creation be reconciled to You, but we are always free to choose, and bad things do happen in life. May we find solace in the knowledge that You are with us, even in the bad times. May we feel Your embrace and accept Your love. . . in all seasons and circumstances. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Please pray for John Yeager, Phyllis May, Joan Petersen, Alta Mae Bernkenbile and Ron Maphet. They are all hospitalized.

Please pray for LaDonna Groves as she recovers from surgery.

The Worship Committee meets tonight.

The cabinet meets tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m.

The scripture for today is Exodus 16:1-21:
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaining against the LORD. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the LORD has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but” against the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.’“ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. The LORD spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’“
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.’“ The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over until morning.” But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, February 14

Dear God,

May our hearts be open to Your love today. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

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Freeda Wheat, Jack Wheat’s mother who lives in the Commons, has been placed under Hospice care. Please pray for Freeda and her family.

The announced Property Committee meeting for tonight has been moved to February 21st.

Financial Peace University meets this evening.

The scripture for today is Exodus 15:19-21:
When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Grace and peace and Happy Valentine’s day,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, February 13

Loving God,

We rise to greet this day, a day You have made. May our hearts be joyful and may our desire be to gather in community, bringing our worship to You. You call to us, dear God. You desire to commune with us. May our response be faithful and faith-filled. We will sing Your praises. We will offer our prayers. We will give You thanks as we commune with You around the table of our Lord. You are our God and we are Your people seeking to provide a faithful response to Your love. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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The Sooners Class will celebrate their 65 anniversary during a noon luncheon today at 11:30 a.m.

The Junior Deacons will have a training at 11:30 a.m. today in the sanctuary.

The Elders will meet tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the Parlor. All Elders, including those who are not serving on the Board this year, are encouraged to attend.

This week our scripture reading takes us back to the Old Testament. Remember we rotate weeks between New and Old. Today’s scripture is Exodus 15:1-18:
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power— your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. “In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard, they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O LORD, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O LORD, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

The Psalm for the Week is Psalm 78:1-8:
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, February 12

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your love lifts us. Your grace supports us. Your Eternal Presence sustains us. When the experiences of life are good, may we give You thanks. In those times when life is harsh and bitter, You are there to soothe and sustain us. Help us to embrace Your love and forgive us, O God when we do not. May we lift up our voices in thanksgiving because You are always with us. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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I received the following email from Patty Melott:
Dear Reverend McLemore. As you know Larry's mother and father have been having a lot of health issues and we are staying with them now 24-7. Larry's dad has been on Dialysis now for 2 years. He was put in the hospital on Thursday 2-10 because his dialysis port was stopped up. The doctor called this morning and his dad has to be transferred to OU Medical Center in OKC because he has a blood infection as well as infection in his arm at the port and they are going to have to remove the port and stabilize him. Please pray for him as all prayers will be greatly appreciated. Your brother and sister in Christ Larry and Patty Melott

Please pray for the Melott family.

John Yeager is back in St. Mary’s hospital battling lung cancer. Also hospitalized at St. Mary’s are Alta Berkenbile, Laura’s grandmother, Joan Petersen, and Phyllis May. Phyllis was admitted yesterday. Ron Maphet is in the Bass Pavilion and awaiting news about a possible procedure on his back. He probably won’t know anything until Thursday. Please pray for our members and friends who are hospitalized.

The funeral for Grant Harris is today at 1:30 p.m. Please continue to pray for Grant’s family.

Tomorrow there is a training session for the Junior Deacons immediately after the 10:15 a.m. worship.

Today’s scripture is Matthew 12:1-14:
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other.
But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, February 11

O God Of All Seasons,

We come humbly before You today thanking You for all our blessings. Today we are thankful for warmer days and the bright sunshine. Help us, O Lord, to find beauty in Your creation, even in the abundant snow which, for us, is a rarity. In all times and in all places You are our God and we give You thanks. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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LaDonna Groves is having surgery this morning. Please pray for LaDonna.

Ron Maphet is to have a procedure in the next few days to help relieve the pain in his back. Please pray for Ron.

The Church Visitor was NOT mailed this week because of the snow. I have attached a copy of the electronic version that was emailed yesterday to those on the Visitor email list. Please feel free to forward to anyone who might not be on the list.

The church parking lot is cleared and the church office will be open today.

Remember, Grant Harris’ funeral is tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

The Young Adults and Seekers Class are having a game night tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Bring a snack and, if you so choose, a game. A Wii will be set up with the video projector. All 20 somethings, 30 somethings and even early 40 somethings (all young in heart) are invited to attend.

Today’s scripture is Matthew 11:20-30:
Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, February 10

God Who Brings Hope,

We pray for those who have been adversely impacted by the weather these last few days. This is a strange experience for those of us in Enid, with all the snow. As we look around we see many who are helping their neighbors, stopping to give them a push, shoveling sidewalks and driveways, checking on the elderly, and so on. Thank you, O God, for these Good Samaritans. May we be one of them. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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Please continue to pray for the Grant Harris family as they prepare for his funeral on Saturday.

Ron Maphet and Joan Petersen are still hospitalized.

The church office will be closed today, however, a couple of us will be there this morning. Hopefully the parking lot will be cleared today. Until it is cleared I strongly discourage any trips to the church. Also, we may not have a Church Visitor this week. It depends on what we can accomplish today.

The scripture for today is Matthew 11:7-19:
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!
“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, February 9

Divine Guardian,

You call us as partners in Christ’s service. You call us to ministries of grace. Forgive us, Loving God, when we express the Christian life in only inward ways. Jesus calls us to look beyond ourselves to serve others in His name. Help us to understand Your love for us becomes palpable as we share it with others. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Over a foot of snow!!!!!!!!!!! My Goodness! The church is CLOSED today and all WWNF activities have been cancelled. Also the Sooner’s Class Party scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) evening has been moved to Sunday after the 10:15 a.m. services.

The funeral for Grant Harris is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Sanctuary. The family will gather for a luncheon at Noon in the Fellowship Hall. The interment will be in Helena after the service.

The scripture for today is Matthew 11:1-6:
Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, February 8

O God,

You are our hiding place. When the trials of life seem overwhelming, we find comfort and rest for our souls in You. Thank You, God. May we find ways, today and every day, to bring You our praise. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Grant Harris, another one of our beloved, died yesterday. The arrangements are being made through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. I will share the details when they become available. His funeral will likely be Friday or Saturday.

Another storm is on the way. The meeting of Agape, one of the CWF groups scheduled for this evening, has been canceled. The adult Chancel Bell Choir rehearsal for Wednesday evening has been canceled. I am still undecided about other WWNF activities. Watch tomorrow’s email or call the church office tomorrow to check the status of Wednesday evening activities AND the status of the Sooner’s Party on Thursday evening.

Michael Davidson, Associate Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults, has put together a six minute video about those Regional ministries. A number of our members are shown in the video. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/ccokdoc#p/u/1/R_GB0-FKz5Q .

The scripture for today is Matthew 10:40-42:
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, February 7

God of Freedom, God of Justice,

We take so many things for granted, including our many options to live full and complete lives. Forgive us, Dear Lord, when we fail to live up to our potential. Forgive us, loving God, when we take the easy road and settle for less: in our relationships, in our service to others, in our devotion to You. May our hearts be open to Your forgiving and transforming Spirit today and may we embrace the possibilities that are before us. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Another week is here. May we find ways to serve God and others.

We had a successful Boy Scout Sunday yesterday with good attendance in all the morning services.

Tonight is the fourth session of Financial Peace University at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room.

More snow is forecast for Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Watch this daily email and/or call the church office to see if there are any cancellations, assuming we receive the weather the forecasters predict.

The scripture for Today is Matthew 10:34-39:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, February 6

O Holy One,

We understand if we seek You first then everything else in our life will take it’s appropriate place, but that is so hard for us. Please forgive our weakness and lack of will. You are our God. May our hearts be open. May our spirits be willing. May our resolve be strengthened so that we may truly seek You first. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Today our church reaches out to our homebound when the Elders and Deacons take communion to those who are shut-in. Please pray for the servants and those they serve.

On Super Bowl Sunday our youth will be receiving a random offering for the Souper Bowl of Caring. Look for a young person with a big soup pot in the loggia and give them your change (even some bills). The offering will go for hunger relief through Week of Compassion and Food for Kids.

We buried Leonard Edwards yesterday. Please pray for his family.

Today is Boy Scout Sunday. Come and help us celebrate the wonderful work of Troup 2.

This week we are back in the Book of Matthew. Today’s scripture is Matthew10:26-33:
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 119:73-88:
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees.
May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame.
My soul languishes for your salvation; I hope in your word.
My eyes fail with watching for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?
The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me; they flout your law.
All your commandments are enduring; I am persecuted without cause; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, February 5

O God Who Touches Earth With Beauty,

With Your Spirit recreate us, O Lord, and mold us into the person You want us to be. The past is behind us. The future awaits. May today be a day when we accept Your love, regardless of our years, and become new creations in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is in His name we pray, AMEN.
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I received the following email from Eilene Crites:
“John, My Mom Delcea (Batterman) is at home & doing well with her recovery. Thank you. Eilene”

Ron Maphet was having a procedure when Don visited yesterday. Joan Petersen is obviously still hospitalized. Please pray for Delcea, Ron and Joan.

Leonard Edwards funeral is this morning at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. This is our fourth funeral in 8 days. Please pray for all our grieving families.

Tomorrow is Boy Scout Sunday. Come to worship to honor God and to celebrate Troup 2.

Tomorrow the youth are participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. They will be carrying large pots in the loggia. Give them you spare change. All proceeds go for hunger relief through Week of Compassion and Food for Kids.

The scripture for today is Exodus 14:10-31:
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Grace and peace,
John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, February 4

Dear God,

The Hebrews enslaved in Egypt cried out to You and You heard their cries. People around us are crying out to You, empower us to respond in Jesus name. You are our rock. You are the foundation of our existence. May we help others find that same assurance and hope in Jesus. It is in His name we pray, AMEN.
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Our beloved Leonard Edwards died yesterday morning. His funeral will be in the sanctuary tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Please pray for his family.

Today Lynn Unruh’s funeral is at 10:00 a.m. Please lift up Lynn’s family in your prayers.

Jane Johnson had gall bladder surgery yesterday and is recovering at home. Delcea Batterman also had outpatient surgery yesterday.

Joan Petersen and Ron Maphet are hospitalized. Please pray for Jane, Delcea, Joan and Ron.

The Leadership Training School scheduled for this Saturday in OKC has been CANCELLED!

The Civitan/CACS Valentine Dance for the developmentally disabled WILL BE HELD TONIGHT. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

The scripture for today is Exodus 12:1-14:
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, February 3

Dear Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,

We rejoice in this day because it is a day You have made. In Proverbs we are told to be attentive to Your words. We seek, O Lord, to keep them within our hearts. As we ponder the words of faith, may Your Spirit give life and healing. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Delcea Batterman is having carpal tunnel surgery this morning. We pray for a successful surgery and healing for Delcea.

Ron Maphet is in the Bass Pavilion and will be there for a couple of weeks. Joan Petersen has been moved to the 5th floor at St. Mary’s. Please pray for Ron and Joan.

Brad Kroeker called yesterday to say a good friend and her fiancé had a fire in their home and they lost everything except the clothes on their backs. Her hands were burned as well. Please pray for this young couple. I don’t know any of the details regarding clothing sizes or specific needs, but we can respond with a love offering. If you would like to help, please bring a check to the church and note “fire victims”. We have a little money left from the last appeal. We will use that and whatever comes in to get them a Wal-Mart gift card.

The R & R group is having a “covered dish” planning meeting this evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are a regular at the R & R service you are encouraged to attend. Bring a food item to share. We will talk about future plans as well as making arrangements for a R & R Celebration and Thank-You Event for the entire congregation.

Lynn Unruh’s funeral is tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Tomorrow evening the CACS and Civitan Club will sponsor a Valentine Dance. Everyone is invited to attend.

We will find out today if the Leadership School scheduled for this Saturday in OKC is still on or if it has been postponed.

The scripture for today is Exodus 8:1-10:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. The river shall swarm with frogs; they shall come up into your palace, into your bedchamber and your bed, and into the houses of your officials and of your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your officials.’“ And the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, the canals, and the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’“ So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. But the magicians did the same by their secret arts, and brought frogs up on the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said, “Pray to the LORD to take away the frogs from me and my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” Moses said to Pharaoh, “Kindly tell me when I am to pray for you and for your officials and for your people, that the frogs may be removed from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.” And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “As you say! So that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God,
Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, February 2

Ever-present God,

We walk life’s path, hopefully in ways that draw us closer to You. Forgive us, O Lord, when we make the wrong turn. Straighten us, O Lord. Our souls yearn for You. May our hearts beat with Your rhythm. May we always be looking ahead. May we feel Your comforting Presence along the way. In Jesus name, we pray, AMEN.
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Our hearts go out to the family of Lynn Unruh who died Monday morning. His funeral will be in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.

Roger Stearns’ obituary was in yesterday’s paper. He has been in Kansas City for the last year or so, but prior to that he was regular in attendance at our 8:00 a.m. chapel service and in the Boomer Sunday School Class. Please pray for Roger’s family.

The church is CLOSED again today. All Wednesday activities have been canceled, including CWF, WWNF, Chancel Choir and Bell Choir.

Please stay inside and stay warm. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please call me at 402-2522.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, February 1

God of Tender Mercies,

Our prayer today is for those who are being affected by this winter storm. Watch over the elderly, infirm and those without adequate warmth or shelter. Bless them, O Lord, with the embrace of Your everlasting arms and the kindness of their neighbors. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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I received another email from Charlie Heller:
Trip to St. John's hospital, Tulsa, was a great success.
Dr. Lawless was able to reestablish the fistula in her left arm for dialysis and remove the temp. Port from the side of her neck.
She actually was kind of funny coming home, they released her still under a lot of anesthesia so we could get home before the storm hit.
God bless you all, our Central family, and please keep the prayers coming.
Again, God bless, Charlie Heller.

We celebrate Judi’s successful procedure and pray for her continued recovery.

The church is CLOSED today and all scheduled events are canceled. We will check the weather tomorrow and determine whether to cancel tomorrow’s activities. The big issue will be the temperature. CWF has already canceled their meetings for tomorrow.

The scripture for today is Exodus 3:13-15; 21-22:
13But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’“ 15God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
21I will bring this people into such favor with the Egyptians that, when you go, you will not go empty-handed; 22each woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman living in the neighbor’s house for jewelry of silver and of gold, and clothing, and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters; and so you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore