Prayer for Today, Wednesday, November 30

O God of Tender Mercies,

 

We all know people who are facing difficult times. Today we offer prayers for that one person in our family or among our acquaintances who needs the assurance of Your love and grace. We lift that person up to You by name. May Your Spirit surround and comfort her/him. May we be empowered to reach out in a special way with words of hope, forgiveness, assurance and peace. So often, O God, we abdicate our responsibility to care for those around us. Please forgive us, Loving God, and strengthen our resolve to be present to this one family member/friend/acquaintance today. In Jesus' name we pray. AMEN.

_________________

 

Please pray for Sue Scott and her family. They have just returned from Minnesota where they buried Sue's mother.

 

There is no WWNF tonight but a number of activities will still occur. The youth will meet. There is a rehearsal for the children's Christmas program. The Stewardship Committee will meet, and the Bell Choir will rehearse. Please check your emails and text messages for the correct times.

 

Remember to get your Advent Devotional Book at the Welcome Center if you have not yet done so. It is a wonderful resource to take one through the Advent season.

 

I will hear today about my travel schedule to the Baylor Medical Center in Dallas for testing and beginning treatment. Frankly Carolyn and I were getting frustrated and anxious since it has been over two weeks since we were there. I was assured yesterday that I will know the dates and times this afternoon. I do appreciate your continued prayers and statements of care.

 

The scripture for today is Mark 1:14-15:

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ¹⁵and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore  

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, November 29

O Great God,

In a season of anticipation and hopefulness we are easily caught in the web of consumer temptations, hurried lives and increased stress. Please forgive us, O Lord. May we find a few moments each day for reflection, for meditation, for centering, and for prayer. Please help us, Loving God, to see You all around us. Please help us, Holy One, to experience, again, the awe, wonder, and beauty of Advent and Christmas. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

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Please check out this link. It is a CNN story about one of our former members and Sunday School teachers. It is exceptionally heartwarming:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/27/us/craddock-profile/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

The scripture for today is Mark 1:12-13:

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, November 28

Merciful God,

Today we pray for peace: peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in our neighborhoods, and peace in the world. So often, Loving God, we feel inadequate and insignificant when it comes to affecting change. We rely on the mantra, “What can one person do”. Please forgive us, O Lord. History tells us the actions of one can change the hearts of others, who then impact the lives of others. May we be “ripple effect” people, O Lord. May we be bold agents for peace. May we stand against injustice. May we bring the evil of violence into the light of day. May we proclaim and live the understanding that love is the only path to redemption. May we indeed be your agents for peace, in our hearts, in our families, in our neighborhoods and in the world. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

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Yesterday was a GREAT day at Central Christian Church. A special “thank you” to all those who planned, decorated, sang, provided treats, and attended our many activities. The Spirit of God was palpable in our midst.

Please pray for the Bowman and Todd families. Two mothers were killed in a severe crash of vehicles north of Enid on Friday. We have a members who knew both women.

Please pray for Bertie Krausse and Laura Deatherage. Both are awaiting dates for surgery, Bertie for heart bypass surgery and Laura for back surgery.

Please pray for Catherine Cullumber. She has respiratory issues.

Please continue to pray for Jim Walta. He is still in very critical condition at the OU Medical Center in OKC. He is also now on dialysis.

The Monday Noon Prayer Service meets in the chapel at noon today. This is a profound ministry of the church. Please join these faithful members as they meditate and offer collective prayers.  

There are still Advent devotional books available at the Welcome Center. Please use these as a part of your daily prayers as we move through the Advent season.

The scripture for today is Mark 1:9-11:

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, November 27

Holy God Who Dwells With Us,

On this Sabbath day we thank You for the bounty of our lives. Forgive us, Generous God, when we assume a loving family, caring friends, faith experiences, good health, and success are all deserved.  May we realize our blessings far exceed our merit. We pray that we might use our gifts to benefit others along the way. We pray that we might experience You as we reach out to those in need. We pray that Your grace might flow through us as we extend care and forgiveness. As the season of Advent begins, may we reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation, may we celebrate the hope that exists for all, and may we worship You with a sense of expectancy.  We offer this prayer in Jesus name. AMEN.

______________________

This is a big day at Central Christian Church with morning worship services, a 6:00 p.m. service in the chapel for those beginning this holiday season with a sense of loss because of the death of a loved one, our Hanging of the Greens service at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, and the traditional Tasting Party afterward in the fellowship hall. This is a good time to bring a friend to church with you.

Regarding the Tasting Party, remember that each class will have a table to decorate this afternoon. Then, this evening the class will bring holiday treats to share. If you don’t have a Sunday School Class, bring your treats anyway. There will always be a place for more tasty delights.

Please pray for those we know who are hospitalized, the sick, the lonely, and the discouraged. The holidays can be times of great joy. They can also be a time of loneliness and depression.

We begin a new liturgical year today. We have completed one third of our reading program through the New Testament and most of the old Testament. The scripture for today is Mark 1:1-8:

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ²As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;³the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Psalm for this week is Psalm 2:

Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? ²The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, ³“Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.”

⁴He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. ⁵Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ⁶“I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” ⁷I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. ⁸Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. ⁹You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” ¹⁰Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. ¹¹Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling, ¹²kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, November 26

O Great Mystery we call God,

We are on the eve of a new church year with Advent beginning tomorrow. We give you thanks for the liturgies of faith that instruct and inform us. We thank you for the church that carries the stories and actions of the Christian life from one generation to the next. We thank You for the season of Advent when we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth once again. In preparing, Loving God, may we honor You with our devotion. In preparing, Divine Presence, may we embrace the mystery of Your love. In preparing, Holy One, may we arrange our priorities so that we can embrace and witness to the joy, hope, peace and love of Advent. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

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I was informed Helen Frost broke her hip and had surgery on Wednesday. She is at St. Mary’s hospital. Gene Mason is also there. Please pray for Helen and Gene as well as our other members who are hospitalized: Goldia Rasmussen, Ron Maphet ( as of Tuesday), Randy Conrady and Jim Walta.

This morning the worship committee is decorating the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas seasons. They need a few tall men to help with the trees, the large wreaths and the balcony garland. Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. Come and help if you can.

There is no Saturday service today.

Tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent. We will have our regular morning services, a service of Remembrance and Hope for those who are grieving in the parlor at 6:00 p.m., our Hanging of the Greens service in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m., and our traditional Tasting Party in the fellowship hall after the Hanging of the Greens.

Bring a friend with you to all of these activities.

The link I included yesterday didn’t work. Here is the same link in a different format. Check it out…

http://www.newcelebrations.com/Advent_Christmas_In_History.htm

The scripture for today is Philippians 4:21-23:

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household. ²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore   

Prayer for Today, Friday, November 25

Dear God of All Seasons,

We come to You full of the joy of Thanksgiving and eager to move into the Advent Season. Today is the day shoppers cram into malls and stores hoping for great purchases. Help us with our priorities, Dear God. May our experience of December be one of anticipation and increasing hope. May the joy of the season of Advent  not be muddled by frenzy and acquisition. We pray You will forgive us and bless us with patience and compassion. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

__________________

Tomorrow a number of people will be gathering in the sanctuary to prepare for the Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday and decorate. Tall men are invited and encouraged to come and assist, particularly in setting up the large trees. Be there by 10 a.m. Your height and muscle will be greatly appreciated.

Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent with regular morning services, a Service of Remembrance and Hope at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor, Hanging of the Greens in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m., and our annual Tasting Party in the Fellowship Hall after the Hanging of the Greens. Invite your friends. These are wonderful times in the life of the church.

The will NOT be a Saturday service tomorrow evening.

Since today is Black Friday I thought it appropriate to include the following link about Christmas and the celebration of Christmas.

CLICK HERE.

There are good links down the left side of the page.

The scripture for today is Philippians 4:10-20:

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. ¹²I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress. ¹⁵You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. ¹⁶For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. ¹⁷Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. ¹⁸I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

²⁰To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore   

Prayer for Today, Thursday, November 24 THANKSGIVING DAY

O Lord of all of life,

On this special national holiday we lift up our hearts and voices to give thanks to You. We are so blessed. May our blessings benefit those around us and even those we do not know. Today we pray for who must work today: for firemen and police officers; for store employees whose stores are starting Black Friday early; for hospital and medical workers; for those in convenience stores; for those in drug and grocery stores that boast being open 365 days a year; for military personnel; for airline and bus company workers; and for restaurant workers. Forgive us, Loving God, for taking our blessings lightly. May your love and grace abound in our midst. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

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Birdene’s children are all in Enid. She seems to have rallied a little bit. Please continue to pray for Birdene.

Andy Conrady, Goldia Rasmussen, Jim Walta and Ron Maphet are all still hospitalized. Please offer prayers for them.

We have a number of members traveling today. May our prayers surround them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Click for link for a Thanksgiving message.

CLICK HERE.

The scripture for today is Philippians 4:8-9:

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, November 23

Gracious God,

Our prayers today are for Thanksgiving travelers: those going to be with relatives; those trying to get home from jobs elsewhere; college students returning to be with their families; and children travelling to be with a separated parent. We pray for those whose travel will be harried and oppressive: young families wanting or being commanded to see both sets of parents/grandparents; those who will spend countless hours on the road for only a brief visit; and those who are stuck in airports or bus stations because of missed connections or bad weather. We also pray for those who cannot be with their families this holiday: the soldier on active duty; the estranged child; the addicted person whose family ties have been severed; the brother, sister, parent or child who has broken family connections because of arguments, disagreements or abusive relationships; the orphan; and, those who have no family.

You are our God. Please be with us this Thanksgiving holiday in palpable ways. Watch over us, O Lord, and please watch over those who seek to gather with their families and also for those who are isolated and alone. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

_________________________________

Please pray for Birdene Schoonover. Her time is near.

Randy Conrady is in Bass Hospital with pleurisy. He is in a lot of pain. Please pray for Randy.

Don Angle’s heart cath was successful. He has a couple of blockages, but not severe enough to warrant a stint. Please life Don up in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Goldia Rasmussen. She is out of ICU and on the fourth floor at St. Mary’s.

Ron Maphet is doing better, but he will remain in St. Mary’s a few more days.

Sunday is the beginning of Advent. What a wonderful time of year.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. REMEMBER the church office will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The scripture for today is Philippians 4:2-7:

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

                                                         

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, November 22

Giving God,

We stand under the waterfall of your endless grace and our cups are filled to overflowing. Indeed, O Lord, there is more forgiveness in You than sin in us, yet we still feel unworthy. Please wash us clean of all malice, greed, jealously, resentment, and self-centeredness. In this season of Thanksgiving we bring our praise to You. Thank You, O Lord, for the new life You offer to us through Jesus the Christ. Please comfort us as we comfort others. Please bless us as we share our blessings. May we be forgiven as we forgive. All this we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

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Please pray for Don Angle. He will have a heart cath procedure this morning at 11:00 a.m.

Also please continue to pray for Jim Walta, Birdene Schoonover, Ron Maphet and Goldia Rasmussen.

Holidays can be difficult times for those who are grieving so we are having a special gathering in the Parlor at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 27^th. We will share light refreshments, have fellowship and participate in a brief service of remembrance and hope. Everyone is at a different place in the journey through bereavement, but holidays bring special challenges. All are welcome. Please join us, whether your grieving is the result of a recent loss or not. During the service you will be invited to light a candle in memory of your loved one and prayers will be offered. After our time in the Parlor the participants will be encouraged to attend our Hanging of the Greens Service in the Sanctuary and the annual Tasting Party in the Fellowship Hall. Please R.S.V.P. today or tomorrow (Tuesday or Wednesday) if you plan to attend so we can appropriately prepare. Call the church office at 233-1214.  Please attend, even if you received this message too late to R.S.V.P.

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent. All are invited to Sunday morning services, the 6:00 p.m. Service of Remembrance and Hope in the parlor, the 7:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens service in the sanctuary, and the Tasting Party in the Fellowship Hall following the Hanging of the Greens service.

Remember, each Sunday School Class is given a table to decorate and then fill with holiday treats for the Tasting Party. Bring your favorite treat…even if you don’t attend a class. This is always a fun event.

Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, our denomination’s General Minister and President has shared a video Thanksgiving greeting. Click the following link to view the greeting:

Click here.

The scripture for today is Philippians 3:17-4:1:

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, November 21

God of the morning, noon and evening of life,

Today, O Lord, we pray for safe travels, good fellowship and happy hearts. During this week of Thanksgiving may we reflect on all our blessings and give you grateful acknowledgement. You are our God. You are with us through the course of our days and we seek to honor You with our praise and also our service to others. We pray for family, friends, and the strangers in our midst. May  Your blessings flow through us to others, particularly this Thanksgiving season. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

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We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Sunday at Central yesterday with good attendance in worship, excitement around the Mission Sunday displays and a wonderful meal.

Kayte Anton shared the following information:

“The Silent Auction for Kid's Central raised a grant total of $2,398!!!

Some items still need to be picked up at the church. You should have received a phone call. Make checks payable Central Christian and on the Memo line write 'Kids Central'. THANK YOU to all our generous donors and bidders! What a great gift we have given this church ministry!”

Please pray for Linda Jones from Waukomis. She is having heart bypass surgery today.

Please pray for Bertie Krausse as she awaits the date for her heart bypass surgery.

Please pray for Don Angle. He is having a heart cath procedure tomorrow at St. Mary’s hospital.

Ron Maphet was hospitalized at St. Mary’s on Friday with pneumonia. Please pray for Ron.

Anna Cauffman’s daughter is 8 months pregnant and is suffering with kidney stones. Please pray for her.

Please pray for Kayte Anton as she travels to California on Thanksgiving Day to be with her family as they mourn the death of Kayte’s sister-in-law.

I expect to hear from Baylor today or tomorrow about my scheduled tests and beginning treatment in Dallas. I will keep the church posted.

REMEMBER: The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday. There will be NO Saturday service on November 26.

The scripture for today is Philippians 3:12-16:

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday November 20

God of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love,

Each year the holiday season interrupts the normal activities of our lives, often sooner than we expect, yet we are so thankful. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday may we look ahead with eager anticipation to the Thanksgiving holiday, then Advent and Christmas. We are so blessed, loving God. May our blessing overflow to others during these holidays and may Your grace abound. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

__________

I received the following email from Kayte Anton:

“Yesterday morning we received the tragic news that my sister-in-law, Rebekah, died unexpectedly. She was 30 years old. We are devastated and very concerned for the well-being of my brother, Stephan, and their daughter, Emma. Our family needs to be lifted in prayer please.”

Please pray for Kayte’s family during this very difficult time.

Butch Phillips sent the following email:

“John, Not sure if you received my text messages yesterday regarding Linda Jones. She had a heart cath and is scheduled for a triple bypass Monday morning @ Bass Hospital. Dave says it's OK to share this information.”

Linda is well known in the Emmaus Community. Dave is the minister at Waukomis Christian Church. Please pray for Linda.

Birdene Schoonover appears to be in her last days. Please pray for Birdene.

Goldia Rasmussen had surgery to repair her broken leg. She is in St. Mary’s ICU 347. Please pray for our 103 year old member.

PLEASE JOIN US TODAY FOR WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND A WONDERFUL LUNCHEON. IT IS THANKSGIVING SUNDAY.

The scripture for today is Philippians 3:2-11:

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! ³For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh— ⁴even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. ⁸More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, ¹¹if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

The Psalm for the week is Psalm 135:1-14:

Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; give praise, O servants of the Lord, ²you that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

³Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious.

⁴For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.

⁵For I know that the Lord is great; our Lord is above all gods.

⁶Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

⁷He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

⁸He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human beings and animals; ⁹he sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.

¹⁰He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings— ¹¹Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan— ¹²and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.

¹³Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

¹⁴For the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, November 19

Holy Spirit of God,

We long for Your presence with us. May our eyes, hearts and souls be open to You this day. Your refreshing winds cleanse us of our despair, our anger, our greed, and our vengeful intentions. Sweep us away into the loving power of Your grace. May the tombs of our lives be opened, the stones rolled away, and new life emerge within us. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

________________

Tomorrow is THANKSGIVING SUNDAY. Please join us for worship and a great luncheon.

Our Kids Central Director, Susan Hornberger, fell in front of her home yesterday and is pretty beat up with black eyes and a number of stitches in her face and head. Please pray for Susan.

Letha McGuire reports she has leukemia and has chosen not to seek treatment. Please support Letha with your prayers.

We are now in the holiday season. Pick up your holiday calendars and Advent Devotion Books at the Welcome Center. May this be a time of hope and great joy for you, your family, your friends and our church.

The scripture for today is Philippians 2:19-3:1:

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. ²⁰I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. ²¹All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; ²⁴and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon. ²⁵Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need; ²⁶for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. ²⁸I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, ³⁰because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.

3Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore