Prayer for Today, Saturday, July 9

O Divine Presence,

You ordained Your church to be Your agent in the world. Sometimes we succeed and share joy, hope and peace as we bear witness to Your grace. Sometimes we are perceived as judgmental, isolated and aloof. Forgive us, Loving God. Often we are the only picture others get of You. Empower us to extend forgiveness and acceptance in Jesus name. AMEN.
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Greetings from Nashville. It is a beautiful morning here.

I received the following email from Tim McAnally:
John, Here is an update. My Dad, Ira McAnally had the bone scan and they found some spots where the prostate cancer had migrated. They are doing hormone treatment. After the holiday he started having hip pain and no fractures were found but he is unable to put weight on his right hip and leg. Please continue to pray for him. Tim

Below is a hospital update from Kandy:
John, Here is what I have found out as of 4pm on Friday (8th) afternoon

Sue McClendon is still in St. Mary’s (rm. 586)
Elbert Wheeler is still in St. Mary’s (rm. 225)—has not been released yet.
Robert Shaw is in St. Mary’s (rm. 300)—had gall bladder surgery yesterday, has not been released yet.
Phil McCoy has been released from Bass Integris.
I don’t know if you knew LV Powell had been released from the hospital to Golden Oaks skilled nursing (rm. 135)
Judy Jorden’s son’s father-in-law (Mat Robins) has severe pancreatitis. He is in rural Kentucky where medical treatment is limited.
Myrla Powell was supposed to have eye surgery last week—but it has been postponed again to August 10th.

I think that is all. Have a safe and wonderful time! Kandy

Hailey Steinert is getting married this evening in the Sanctuary. Please celebrate with Hailey and Justin as they begin a new life together.

The scripture for today is Romans 3:9-20:
What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written: “There is no one who is righteous, not even one; there is no one who has understanding, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, there is not even one.”“Their throats are opened graves; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of vipers is under their lips.”“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”“Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.”“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore