O God,
A British theologian once said You are experienced in the depth and breadth of human relationships. Today we reflect on those people in our lives who are near to us: our family, our friends, our co-workers, our classmates, our church friends, and our neighbors. We pray for them. May Your spirit dwell with us as we share life, love and such a great variety of experiences. Help us, Loving God, to have the courage to tell them how important they are to us, how they have touched our lives and how much we love them. Also, Gracious God, may we have the strength and wisdom to share our experience of You with them. May our words and deeds draw those around us into a life transforming, life affirming relationship with You so that they might experience Your boundless grace. This we pray in the name of the One whose actions reconciled all of creation to You, Jesus our Lord. AMEN.
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This is a day of great contrasts. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Kroeker family as they bury Linda’s mother today with a service at St. Paul’s at 2:00 p.m. Many others will gather in our sanctuary today, also at 2:00 p.m., to celebrate the life and say “good bye” to Terry Jones. And then this evening we will find great joy in the wedding of Natalie Rogers and Todd Garrett at the Knox Building at 7:00 p.m. Please pray prayers of concern and also prayers of joy for the events of today, knowing that God is present through all of life’s experiences.
Letha McGuire is still hospitalized at Bass Hospital. Please pray for Letha.
We look forward to Mission Sunday. A number of exhibits will be set up in the loggia. There will also be a silent auction benefitting Kids Central with some amazing items. You won’t want to miss it.
Keep those Pony Express saddlebags running. We have had two turned in which means 27 are still on their routes. We want to be completely done by next Sunday the 20th.
The scripture for today is Colossians 4:7-18:
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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