Prayer for Today, Thursday, May 31

God of all Creation,

Sometimes, O Lord, our lives are cluttered. We accumulate things we really don’t need. We save things that aren’t really important. Our closets and storage bins are overflowing. Please forgive us, Loving God, when we allow things to rule our lives. Please help us to simplify. May we alter our priorities so that our possessions don’t get in the way of our relationship with You. Help us wipe away those distractions that separate us from others. May we serve You with joy and hope as we care for those in need. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

Mary Ruth Cooper had successful surgery yesterday and will be in St. Mary’s for a few days.

Chester Ross has been dismissed from the hospital. Davida Whitsitt is still a patient. Please pray for Mary Ruth, Davida , and Chester.

We received word yesterday that Peggy Slack has been put under hospice care and is in the last days of her life. Please pray for Peggy and for Ken and their children.

Children of Eden’s first performance is tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. Please pray for a successful show and a good crowd.

Don’t forget to register for VBS. You can do so by clicking here:

http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/centralenid

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

7:30 p.m.        Children of Eden Dress Rehearsal

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_4:27-30

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, May 30

Most Gracious God,

There are times in life when our needs and concerns consume us. We see only what is “going wrong” and our focus is entirely self-centered. Please forgive us, Loving God, for being so self-absorbed. Certainly issues and problems occur in life. In such times may we feel Your embrace and be touched by Your love. In such times may we also recognize the needs of others around us. Self pity leads us in a downward spiral of glum and despair. Help us, we pray, to deal with our own issues, but also to be caring and concerned for others. Remind us that it is in giving that we receive. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

_______

Mary Ruth Cooper is having surgery this morning at St. Mary’s Hospital. Please pray for Mary Ruth.

We have a number of people on our prayer list who are dealing with chronic illnesses and with cancer. Please pray for them.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

9:00 a.m.        TOPS in the multipurpose room

1:00 p.m.        Emmaus Reunion Group-Men in room 109

5:30 p.m.        Bell Choir rehearsal

7:30 p.m.        Children of Eden Rehearsal

No Youth Group

No Chancel Choir – summer schedule

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_45:16-26

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, May 29

O Divine Presence,

Today, O Lord, we pray for the sick in our midst. As a church family, may we reach out with our prayers, our support, and our love. Some of our friends are suffering from chronic illness; some from short term, curable maladies, and yet others are facing end of life issues. Pour out Your Spirit on them, O Lord. May they know Your peace. May they experience the healing and wholeness that come only from You. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

_______

Mary Ruth Cooper is having surgery tomorrow at St. Mary’s. Please pray for Mary Ruth.

May we continue to pray for Chester Ross and Davida Whitsitt.

Carolyn and I are in Dallas. I report to Baylor at 6:40 a.m. We will return to Enid this afternoon.

Children of Eden performances are Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. You won’t want to miss it.

I received the following email from Sally Wheeler:

http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/centralenid

The above link is to our own VBS website where people can register online! Adults and nursery kiddos need to register too, along with those who are working. Registration forms will be in the Loggia next week.

Please start promoting the Sock Hop and fundraiser for Bradley Gilbert. We will be taking donations for Root beer floats, that will go to help with his medical expenses and there will be other ways to donate too. More info to come! Please ask for 2 liter bottles of root beer too.

Thanks!

May God bless you in the BIG and small ways today,

Sally Wheeler

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

10:00 a.m.      Children of Eden Rehearsal

2:00 p.m.        Tai Chi in room 103

5:00 p.m.        Emmaus Reunion Group – Women in the

                       Library

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_4:1-15

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, May 28

God of Hope,

We give You thanks for all our blessings. May Your Spirit dwell with us as we enjoy this Memorial Day holiday. Many of us will visit the graves of our dearly departed. Many will enjoy time with family and friends. Many will cook-out or swim or play games. May we use our leisure in appropriate ways, Loving God. May we use this day to rest and be refreshed. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

Please continue to pray for the family of Georgia Ball. Her funeral was in Ada on Saturday.

Mary Ruth Cooper is preparing for surgery tomorrow. Please pray for her.

Carolyn and I will leave for Dallas later this morning so that I can be at the hospital for scans at 6:40 a.m. tomorrow. We appreciate your prayers.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

The church office is closed

There is NO Faith Leader Class this evening

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_3:31-36

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, May 27

Embracing God,

Today we celebrate the birth of Christ’s church and Memorial Day. We thank You for those faithful servants who blazed the trail that, today, is the superhighway of life and faith for us. We honor those in the military who gave their lives. We also celebrate the pioneers who overcame great obstacles to pass the Christian faith from one generation to the next through the stability and influence of the church. As we remember and celebrate those named and unnamed heroes and saints, may we also be people of action, carrying on boldly and courageously. The future is dependent on us, just as we are dependent on the past. Empower us, Holy One, to be equal to the task. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_______

Mary Ruth Cooper is having surgery this Wednesday. Please lift up Mary Ruth in your prayers.

Today in our worship services we will be honoring the members and friends of Central who died since last Memorial Day. Please pray for their families.

I continue to covet your prayers. After last Wednesday’s doctor’s visit they want me to come back for scans. Carolyn and I will drive to Dallas tomorrow afternoon. The scans begin at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

8:00 a.m.        Chapel Service

9:00 a.m.        Sunday School for all ages

10:15 a.m.       R & R service in the chapel

10:15 a.m.       Traditional worship in the sanctuary

2:00 p.m.        Children of Eden rehearsal

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSALM FOR THE WEEK

John_3:22-30

Psalm_42

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, May 26

Loving God,

This weekend is a time to remember, reflect and honor. We thank You for all the people who are no longer with us who have touched our lives in significant ways. We thank You for all those unnamed who paid the ultimate price as they carried out their military duties. We are so blessed by the love, service and sacrifice of others. May we honor them and offer our most profound respect. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

Please continue to pray for Chester Ross and Davida Whitsitt.

We will have a number of travelers this weekend. Please pray for safe journeys.

We have been asked pray for Pam McGrath’s daughter, Kate, because of certain health issues. Pam is a Disciple minister.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

5:30 p.m.        Saturday Service of Communion

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_13:15-17

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, May 25

Gracious God,

We thank you for those fleeting moments when the beauty, peace, and splendor of life impact us in profound ways. There is much for us to celebrate. Please forgive us, Loving God, when we see only the mundane, the insipid, the uninspiring aspects of the human journey. We seek those glimpses of truth that sustain us and move us forward through the mire of the day to day tedium. Please open our eyes, Holy One, and touch our hearts this day. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

John Worden is having an MRI on his shoulder today. Please pray for John and for a good diagnosis.

Sunday is Pentecost and Memorial Day Sunday. We will honor the saints who have died this last year in all of our services. Please join us during the first official holiday of the summer.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

10:00 a.m.      Children of Eden Rehearsal

2:00 p.m.        Kids Central “Moving Up” Ceremony in the

                       multipurpose room

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_12:1-13

Grace and peace,

John McLemore  

Prayer for Today, Thursday, May 24

O Lord, Our Lord,

We open our hearts to You and seek to welcome You into our lives. You are with us. You comfort us. Your Spirit sustains us, and yet we often are not completely Yours. We hold back part of ourselves. Please forgive us for not opening wide the door to our hearts. Please forgive us when we consent to Your grace and peace intellectually, but not completely. May the power of Your presence wash over us and consume us. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

Please forgive the lateness of this email. Our son was in the ER all morning thinking he was having appendicitis. Fortunately it was not. He was dismissed and will have to do follow-up with his doctor.

Fig Newton is being dismissed today from St. Mary’s. He is in a lot of pain but is maintaining.   

Davida Whitsitt is still in St. Mary’s. She really needs our prayers.

Chester Ross is in St. Mary’s and is doing better.

Please pray for Fig, Davida, and Chester.

We received word yesterday that Georgia Ball died in Texas. She and Ken just moved out of Greenbrier a couple of weeks ago to be near their daughter. Georgia’s funeral will be on Saturday at the First Christian Church in Ada. Condolences can be sent to: Kennet Ball   Heritage Gardens 2135 N. Denton Drive  Carrollton, TX 75006.

Mary Ruth Cooper is having surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital at 12:30 p.m. next Wednesday. Please lift up Mary Ruth in your prayers.

Our trip to Dallas yesterday was long and tiring. I had some tests and got another round of the drugs. I will have to go back next week for scans. O boy. Your prayers are always appreciated.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_10:11-16

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, May 23

O Lord,

Today we pray for strength. Sometimes life’s issues bear hard on us and we are unsure if we will be able to withstand the burdens. Please forgive us, when we think and act as if it is all up to us. May Your spirit lift us and may Your love sustain us. Help us, we pray, to trust in You even in the darkest hours. You are our light and our salvation and we give you thanks. Please hear this prayer we offer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

________

Fig Newton will have shoulder surgery this morning at St. Mary’s hospital. Please pray for Fig.

Carolyn and I will be well on our way to Dallas when you read this email. My first appointment is at 11:00 a.m. today with others in the early afternoon. We will be back in Enid this evening. Thank you for your continued prayers.

SCHEDUEL FOR TODAY

9:00 a.m.        TOPS in the multipurpose room

1:00 p.m.        Emmaus Reunion Group-Men in room 109

4:30 p.m.        Children of Eden rehearsal

5:45 p.m.        Membership Committee in the conference room

6:30 p.m.        Chancel Choir rehearsal

6:30 p.m.        V.B.S. meeting in room 109

6:30 p.m.        Youth group

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_9:23-24

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, May 22

Empowering God,

Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to live with grace, dignity, compassion and hope. Watch over us this day, we pray. May our hearts be receptive to the spirit of the Risen Lord in our midst. May our motives be pure. May our response to the needs of others be affirming. You are our God. May we experience Your love for us as we love others in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

________

Don Johnson and Danny Corn are on vacation. Please pray for them as they enjoy time away from the church and pray for the staff as we adjust our schedules.

This Sunday is Memorial Day Sunday and also Pentecost. Plan to be with us as we honor the saints who have served the church.

Please continue to pray for Davida Whitsitt. She is still in St. Mary’s hospital.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

10:00 a.m.      Disciples Retirement Community of

                       Oklahoma meeting at the OK Disciples Center

                       in OKC. John McLemore chairs this group.

2:00 p.m.        Tai Chi Class in Room 103

3:15 p.m.         Greenbrier Service

4:30 p.m.        Children of Eden rehearsal

5:00 p.m.        Emmaus Reunion Group – Women in the

                       library

5:30 p.m.        CACS Committee meeting in the Conference

                       Room

6:30 p.m.        CWF- Dorcas Group in the multi-purpose

                       room

6:30 p.m.        Nominating Committee in the conference

                       room

7:00 p.m.        Quilt Central

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_8:8-13

Grace and peace,

John McLemore  

Prayer for Today, Monday, May 21

Holy God,

Sometimes we are filled with regrets. We remember those moments when we said the wrong thing, made a bad decision, frittered away precious moments, squandered our time and money, turned away from love, and on and on. We know there are no “do-over’s”. Please help us, Dear God, to learn from the past. We know that Your grace abounds. May we find ways to forgive ourselves. We can’t change the past, but we can make good choices for today. May our regrets be transformed into moments of joy and peace as we seek to live rightly, justly and compassionately. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

________

Myrla Powell had cataract surgery this morning. Please pray for a successful procedure.

Please continue to pray for Davida Whitsitt.

Fig Newton is preparing for shoulder surgery on Wednesday at St. Mary’s hospital. Please pray for Fig.

The Nominating Committee meets tomorrow evening to nominate Elders, Deacons, Board officers and Special Gifts trustees to new terms of office. Please pray for this committee. May God guide their work.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

Don Johnson and Danny Corn are on vacation

10:00 a.m.      Staff Meeting

Noon               Noon Prayer Service

5:30 p.m.        Girl Scout Troop

6:00 p.m.        Quilter’s Guild in the fellowship hall

6:30 p.m.        Faith Leader Class in Room 109

7:00 p.m.        Boy Scouts

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Jeremiah_8:8-13

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, May 20

God of All,

We humbly come before You in prayer on this Lord’s Day. We have so much for which to be thankful and we offer our thanks and praise. Empower us, Loving Creator, to honor You with our worship, our devotion, our service, and our love for others. May a spirit of peace and hope sustain us as we faithfully continue our journey with Jesus. It is in his name we pray. AMEN.

_______

Please continue to pray for Davida Whitsitt, Ed Gorre, Kent Beaty, Liz Beaty, Arielle McLemore, and the family of Ona Lee Drassen.

Fig Newton will have shoulder surgery on Wednesday. Please pray for Fig.

Sandra Justice left a voice mail message about a relative of her son-in-law. I have yet to contact her to get the details, but please lift up this person in your prayers.

Please pray for our students and teachers as the end of school is fast approaching.

Don Johnson is preaching in the 8:00 a.m. chapel service and the 10:15 a.m. sanctuary service. I will be in R & R.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

8:00 a.m.        Chapel Service

9:00 a.m.        Sunday School for all ages

10:15 a.m.       Traditional Worship in the sanctuary

10:15 a.m.       Revive and Renew service in the chapel

Noon               Boomer Class going to the Warren Theater

Afternoon       Children of Eden rehearsal and youth groups

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSALM FOR THE WEEK

Jeremiah_8:4-7

Psalm_72

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, May 19

Divine Comforter,

There are times when our souls are restless. Life is perplexing. The clarity of earlier times is now faint and blurred. We are not in stumbling in the darkness, but earlier calm assurances are absent. We are disconnected. Please come to us in such times, we pray. May Your comforting presence calm our uncertainty.  We yearn for the embrace of Your everlasting arms. We reach out to You, praying that You will hold us until we are able, once again, to get our bearings and proceed on the Way. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 20, I will be preaching in R & R. Don Johnson will be preaching in the 8:00 chapel and 10:15 sanctuary services. Please join us and bring a friend to worship with you.

The Relay for Life/ American Cancer Society is having a survivor pancake lunch in the fellowship hall today.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

11:00 a.m.       Pancake Luncheon in the fellowship hall

5:30 p.m.        Saturday Service of Communion in the

Chapel

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_3:17-21

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, May 18

Generous God,

We are a curious people. We always want to know what lies ahead, what is around the next bend, and what will the next year bring. There are times that the uncertainty of not knowing causes distress and dismay. Please forgive us, Loving God, when we worry about things over which we have no control. Please forgive us, Gentle Spirit, when we fail to trust in You. May we realize that today, well lived, prepares the way for a positive tomorrow. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

Ed Gorre’s surgery was more involved than originally anticipated, but it was successful and he is recovering at his home. Please pray for Ed.

We had 14 men go to Ames for the NW Area Men’s meeting yesterday. We had good fellowship, good food and a nice program.

The Children of Eden cast is rehearsing regularly. It will be a wonderful performance. Watch the Church Visitor for more information.

I have been doing these daily emails since the beginning of Lent (February) 2010. Currently I am sending 219 emails each day. In June 2012 I began to post these in a blog on the internet that is accessible through the www.centralenid.org website. Just this week the total, accumulated “hits” on that blog have exceeded 10,000. WOW. There are a few people each day who access these prayers and concerns via the blog and not the direct email.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

Regular Office Hours

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, May 17

Loving God,

It is amazing how dates, images, sounds, and smells can trigger profound emotions. Memory can bring great joy and also great sorrow, but we are defined, in part, by our past. May Your comforting spirit ease the grief of former days. May we rejoice in the goodness we have experienced as the result of the influence of others in our lives. May our memories bring us strength for today and a resolve to be agents of hope and joy for others. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_______

Ed Gorre had outpatient surgery this morning to repair a ruptured tendon in his foot. He will be recovering at home. Please pray for Ed.

Roy Smith fell at home and is struggling with back pain. Please pray for Roy.

We had our last regularly scheduled Board meeting of the program year yesterday evening. It was a very productive meeting. Likely we will have a special called meeting in a couple of weeks to approve the slate of officers, deacons and elders for the next term.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

10:30 a.m.      Barnabas Group (ministers) in the

                       parlor

2:00 p.m.        Worship at the Commons

4:00 p.m.        Cancer Support Group in the library

5:30 p.m.        Bus leaves for the NW Area Men’s

                       Meeting in Ames

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_3:11-15

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, May 16

Eternal God,

We desire to be followers of Jesus, yet so often we would more appropriately be referred to as “Cultural Christians”, those who claim the title “Christian” and attend church because it is a social opportunity, not a life transforming experience. Please forgive our lack of commitment, O Lord. May our devotion to You be expressed in our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and our commitment to follow him. May we set aside the desire for ease and truly take up our crosses and follow him. A life of faith is not easy, O God. May Your spirit provide strength for the journey. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

________

Ona Lee Drassen’s graveside service is this morning at 11:00 a.m. There is a family visitation at 9:30 a.m. at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Ed Gorre is having outpatient surgery in the morning (Thursday) at St. Mary’s Hospital to repair a ruptured tendon in his foot. Please pray for Ed. He will have a lengthy recovery.

I received the following email from Fig Newton: “John,
I am having surgery on  my right shoulder again on Wednesday the 23rd.  Hopefully this will be the last one to put my shoulder back together from the falls last summer. Fig”

Please keep Fig in your prayers.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

9:45 a.m.        CWF Naomi

10:00 a.m.      Inactive Members Committee

Noon               Single Men’s Lunch

1:30 p.m.         CWF Esther/Lydia

5:30 p.m.        Bell Choir Rehearsal

6:00 p.m.        Personnel Committee

6:00 p.m.        Property Committee

6:30 p.m.        “Super Committee” to discuss escrow

6:30 p.m.        Youth Group, Chancel Choir

7:30 p.m.        Board Meeting

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_3:1-10

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, May 15

O Lord, Our Lord,

We stand on the proverbial shoulders of so many saints who have gone before us, people we can name and people whose names are lost to the ages. The history of the Christian faith is beautiful, complex and sometimes  frightening. Even in our own community we are the beneficiaries of the faithfulness, dedication, vision and sacrifice of those who have gone before. Please forgive us, Loving God, when we look backward and into the future thinking only of the way we do church today. If the church remained static, then we would still have two hour sermons, elders making all the decisions rather than committees, no women preachers or church officers, strict segregation, only formal dress in worship and no tolerance for differences. We thank You, Creator God, for those creative leaders who helped move the church into new possibilities, new understandings, and new practices while remaining faithful to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Help us, Dear Lord, to be forward thinking and acting, so that future generations may come to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_______

The graveside service for Ona Lee Drassen is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a family visitation at 9:00 a.m. at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Please pray for her family.

We have a Board Meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. All elders, deacons and board officers are encouraged to attend.

There is a new link on the church’s website to a Revive and Renew page. Thanks to Gene Heitfeld for establishing the link and to James Phillips for designing the R & R page. Check it out at www.centralenid.org and look for the link on the left side of the page.

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

8:00 a.m.        Single Women’s breakfast at the Ramada

                       Inn

Noon               Noon Bible Study

2:00 p.m.        Tai Chi Class in room 103

5:00 p.m.        Emmaus Reunion Group-women in the

                       library

5:00 p.m.        Kids Central board meeting in the

                       conference room

6:00 p.m.        Beta Sigma Phi in Room 109

6:30 p.m.        Special Gifts Meeting in conference

                       room

6:30 p.m.        CWF Agape in the parlor

7:30 p.m.        Stewardship committee in the

           conference room

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_2:22-25

Grace and peace,

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, May 14

O Divine Presence,

How can we describe Your love for us? It is often palpable, unconditional, abundant, some would even say, wasteful. It washes over us. It fills us to overflowing. It is like holding our small vessels under a waterfall. In the midst of it all, Gracious God, we fell unworthy. Often we turn our backs on You and deny Your grace. Please forgive us. Help us understand Your love is not dependant on us. It comes as a gift to sustain, encourage and complete us. Today, Loving God, we open our hearts to You. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.

________

Sorry about the lateness of this email. I am not feeling well today.

Yesterday we had a great celebration of mother’s and high school seniors.

Here is a great article from the Wall Street Journal. About midway through you will see a reference to our own Melisa Dell as the best new economist in 2012.  Congratulations to Melissa. http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/05/10/battle-for-academic-economists-is-heating-up/?mod=wsj_share_twitter

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

10:00 a.m.      Staff Meeting

Noon               Noon Prayer Service

5:30 p.m.        Girl Scouts

6:30 p.m.        Faith Leader Class (depending on how I feel)

7:00 p.m.        Boy Scouts

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

John_2:13-22

Grace and peace,

John McLemore