Prayer for Today, Thursday, January 12

Intruding God,

There are times when we think we have everything figured out. Life is consistent. We have managed to smooth out the bumps and we are comfortable. Then a Jesus’ story or a difficult event or a homeless stranger interrupts our lives. Our first response is to ignore the situation or walk by on the other side, because our “business” is more important than these distractions. Please forgive us, Creating God. May we understand that You come to us, often inconveniently. You interrupt our routine and invite us to new possibilities and new understandings. You even call us to respond in radical ways, counter to the dominant view. May we see the face of Jesus in those around us, known and unknown. May we hear the words of Jesus during the good and bad times. May we be drawn in by Your love, even when, particularly when, it interrupts our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

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JOYS AND CONCERNS

Bert Sims and Clo Rine are both back at St. Mary’s hospital. May God’s healing spirit sustain them.

Ila Crain will likely be dismissed to her home today. Please pray for Ila.

Bertie Krausse is recuperating at home from her bypass surgery. We pray for increased strength each day.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The NW Area Men will gather in Fairview one week from today, January 19^th, for their bi-monthly meal and meeting. Men, mark your calendars.

The World Outreach Committee has scheduled a mission trip to Joplin during spring break. We can take 15 adults, college students and older youth. The group will drive Sunday afternoon March 19^th, work Monday through Friday, and return on Saturday March 24^th. We may try to schedule a rotating schedule for those who can’t make the entire trip. Look at your calendars and pray about your response. There is still much to do there.

You can now access the audio of last Sunday’s sermon at the church website www.centralenid.org. Look for the link on the left side of the page entitled “Sermon Series: Talking Faith”.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

10:00 a.m.  NW Area Ministers will meet in the Parlor

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Mark_5:21-34

Grace and peace,

John McLemore