Ever-Present God,
Help us, this day, to appreciate the “small” things of life: a gentle breeze, a beam of sunlight reflecting through the leaves, a drink of water, a bird bathing in a lawn sprinkler. So often the pace of our lives blinds us to the simple joys and pleasures of the human experience. Forgive us, O Lord. May we see You in everything, large and small. May we take deep breaths, Holy Pauses, during the day and give You thanks for all those “simple” things that enhance our life. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
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The Transitions Program initiated by the Cancer Support Group begins today at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. May we pray for its success.
The Civitan Dance for the developmentally disabled was last night in the Fellowship Hall. It was a great success. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Our Young Adults are having a cookout and swim party at Pat and Gail Novak’s on Monday at 6:30 p.m. They will plan some summer and fall activities and studies.
Tomorrow is Father’s Day. Come to church with your dad or bring your dad to church with you.
The scripture for today is Matthew 26:57-75:
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?”But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.”Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.”Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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