God of All Mercies,
May the beauty and splendor of this season direct us to the mystery of Your presence with us. O Lord, we know that Advent reminds us the world needs a Savior. Help us to embrace the Christ. Help us, we pray, to set aside the frenetic activity, at least for a few moments, and open our hearts to Your intruding love. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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Goldia Rasmussen died yesterday in the early afternoon. She is the third of our members to die in one day. Please pray for her son and his family. Goldia’s services are pending.
Wayne Daniels’ funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday with internment in Garber and a lunch for the family at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the church.
Birdene Schnoover’s funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday with interment in Ames and a lunch for the family at approximately 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Floreine Oltmanns memorial service was held Friday at the First Christian Church in Crescent.
Please pray for all these families touched by death.
Randy Conrady is still in the ICU at Bass. Gene Mason is in the ICU at St. Mary’s and is in very critical condition. Please pray for Randy and Gene.
Today we will have wonderful morning services with an infant dedication in the 10:15 a.m. sanctuary service.
This evening at 6:00 p.m. the children and some youth will present the Children’s Christmas Program with a Tasting Party afterward. Please join us to support the children, enjoy good fellowship and international treats.
The scripture for today is Mark 1:35-39:
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.”He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.”And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
The Psalm for the week is Psalm 32:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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