Prayer for Today, Friday, November 30

Dear God,

 

We thank You for the gift of time. Each morning we receive a new allotment. Some days every moment is filled with scheduled events. Sometimes we are blessed with opportunities for leisure. May we find the time, everyday, to pause, to reflect on our blessings, to give You thanks, and to use our time wisely. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

_____

 

Dale Vance was dismissed to his home yesterday. Please pray for Dale and his daughters as they continue to care for him.

 

Tomorrow is a big day at Central. We will decorate the church! We need lots of helpers. Please come and assist. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will work diligently for a couple of hours. It is fun and benefits our entire community.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

9:30    Caregivers meet in Room 109

Evening            Adult Bible Study Christmas dinner in Cherokee.

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_13:5-10

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, November 29

Loving God,

 

We thank You for the little things in life that bring us joy and that put our trials and tribulations into proper perspective. We are touched by the unexpected “thank you” note, by an email from a distant friend, by the hug from a small child, by the comforting touch from a family member, by the words “I love you” from a spouse, or by the offer of help from a close associate. So often we are overcome by the pressure of schedules and expectations that we look past those occurrences that make everything worthwhile. Please open our eyes, Loving God, so that we might see and experience those things that give life meaning and that provide hope. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____  

 

We had a productive Board Meeting yesterday evening. The Stewardship Committee thanks everyone who participated in the Pony Express run or who responded by mail. We still have people who have not responded. If you plan to submit an Estimate of Giving card for 2013, please call the church office and give your estimate to Jan Markes.

 

All committee chairs are encouraged to work on their budgets for 2013. You will be receiving information in the next few days.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

10:00   Bible study in the conference room

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_13:1-4

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

  

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, November 28

Author of Love,

      

Storms come and go, in nature and in our lives. Even the darkest night is overcome by the rising sun. Your grace and comfort are eternal. You are not capricious, O God. You are steadfast in the midst of life’s joys and sorrows. We give You thanks and pray that all might know the peace of Your presence with them, even in the storms and dark nights. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_______

 

Please continue to pray for the Hoad, Maphet, and Bartlett families as they grieve.

 

Lift up the family of Ross Bonnett. His funeral is this morning at 10:00 in the sanctuary.

 

There is a new schedule for WWNF tonight. The meal is at 5:15 p.m. The Adam Hamilton study will begin at 6:00 p.m. in room 109 and the Kids Christmas Program rehearsal will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the stage in the Fellowship Hall.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

9:00    TOPS in the multipurpose room

10:00   Ross Bonnet funeral in the sanctuary

1:00     Emmaus Reunion Group – Men

5:15     WWNF MEAL

6:00    Adam Hamilton Study in room 109

6:00    Kids Christmas Program Rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall

6:00    Youth

6:30    Choir Practice

7:30     Board Meeting in the Fellowship Hall

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_12:19-21

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, November 27

Holy God,

 

We offer special prayers today for the Bartlett and the Bonnett families as they journey through the valley of the shadow of death. May they know Your love. May they feel Your comforting presence. May the company of the faithful surround them and sustain them as they grieve. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

There is a board meeting this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. All board chairs are encouraged to submit their reports to Kandy (kandyt@centralenid.org) by noon tomorrow.

 

We had two visitors in church last Sunday: LaVona Schnaithman and Shirley Wilson.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

11:00   Burl Bartlett Memorial Service

Noon   Bartlett family luncheon

5:15     Emmaus Reunion Group-Women

7:00     Quilt Central

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_12:11-18

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Monday, November 26

God of All Seasons,

 

We stand before you expectantly. We seek an encounter with You and with Your son Jesus the Christ. May we realize that You come to us in unexpected and surprising ways. May our eyes be open and our hearts ready. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Burl Bartlett’s memorial service is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Please pray for his family.

 

Ross Bonnet’s funeral is Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for his family.

 

Next Saturday we will decorate the church for Advent and Christmas beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please plan to join us.

 

Next Sunday evening at we will have our annual service of Remembrance and Hope at 6:00 p.m. in the parlor. If you have lost a loved one and the grief increases during the holiday season, then join us for this brief service.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

9:00     Staff Meeting

Noon   Noon Prayer Service

7:00     Boy Scouts

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_12:1-10

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, November 25

Loving and Gracious God,

 

We have moved past the Thanksgiving holiday and now we prepare to move into the season of Advent next Sunday. We live in a culture that embraces the former and is generally indifferent to the latter. May our Christian witness be one of words and deeds. May our lives reflect our faith in You and in Your son Jesus Christ. Please help us, Holy One, to stand firm against the growing secular influence in our society. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Please pray for the Maphet, Bartlett, and Bonnet families as they deal with the death of their loved ones.

 

Bring a friend to church with you today.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

8:00     Chapel service

9:00     Sunday School for all ages

10:15   Sanctuary worship

10:15   R & R worship in the chapel

3:30     Chi Rho youth

5:30     CYF youth

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSALM FOR THE WEEK

 

2_Corinthians_11:30-33

 

Psalm_140

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, November 24

Mysterious God,

 

Please forgive us when we act as though You are at our beck and call, just waiting to meet our every need and fulfill our every request. Forgive our hubris and self-centeredness, we pray. As we prepare to enter a season of anticipation and celebration of the Incarnation, may we humble ourselves before You. We are unworthy of Your love and grace, yet You continue to forgive us. We give You thanks and seek to live lives of gratitude and homage. We offer this prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Please pray for Burl Bartlett’s family. His memorial service will be on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in our sanctuary.

 

Please pray for the Bonnet family of Hunter. The funeral for Ross will likely be in our sanctuary on Wednesday.

 

Of course, please continue to pray for Ron Maphet’s family. His funeral was yesterday.

 

Please attend Sunday School and Church tomorrow and bring a friend with you. We are in a wonderful time of the church year. We are encouraging people to “come home to Central during the holidays” or to “make Central your home during the holidays”. The invitations must come our members.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

There will not be a Saturday Service of Communion today.

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_18:28-38a

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, November 23

God of All Creation,

 

The sun always rises, even after the darkest night. The flowers always bloom, even after the harshest winter. New plants emerge, even in places where fire had destroyed everything. We give You thanks, O Lord, for the cycle of life that brings us hope. May we understand that the present sorrows do come to pass. We praise You and offer our thanks for Your love, Your steadfast presence, and Your grace in the midst of all life’s circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

 

I am grieved to tell you that Burl Bartlett died yesterday evening. Please pray for Maggie and their girls.

 

Ron Maphet’s funeral is today at 2:00 p.m. at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. The family will gather at the church at noon for a meal. Please pray for Ron’s family.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

The church office is closed

Noon   Maphet funeral luncheon

2:00    Ron Maphet funeral at Ladusau-Evans.

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_18:19-27

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Thursday, November 22 THANKSGIVING

Loving God,

 

How do we give thanks for all our blessings? The prophets tell us that ritual acts and public pronouncements all fall short. Our thanksgiving must be a matter of the heart. Today, O Lord, we offer You our hearts and we give You thanks in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Holidays can be wonderful times and also times of grief and sorrow. Please pray for all those who are missing loved ones today.

 

Please pray for the Maphat family. We will celebrate Ron’s life at a family luncheon tomorrow at noon and at his funeral at 2:00 p.m. at Ladusau-Evans funeral home.

 

May your Thanksgiving celebration be joyful and filled with bounty.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

The church  office is closed

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_18:15-18

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, November 21

Most Gracious God,

 

There are times when we reflect on past behavior and we are ashamed. We missed the mark. We sinned and others were adversely effected by our actions. We pray, O Lord, for Your forgiveness. You have always sought a relationship with us, regardless of our worthiness. You offer Your grace to us as we repent and turn into Your embrace. On this Thanksgiving eve may our efforts to be faithful be sincere. May the hope that comes to us as we are forgiven be palpable. May we truly give thanks for Your love. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Ron Maphet’s funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday instead of 10:00 a.m. as reported yesterday. We will provide a meal for the family at 12:30 p.m. and then go to his service at Ladusau-Evans. Please continue to pray for his family.

 

Please continue to pray for our Thanksgiving travelers.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

9:00    TOPS in the multipurpose room

1:00     Emmaus Reunion Group – Men in Room 109

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

John_19:12-14

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, November 20

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,

 

We humbly come to You in prayer praising You for Your goodness and seeking Your forgiveness for all our shortcomings. In the midst of this season of Thanksgiving we pause to reflect on all our blessings. Please forgive us when we take so much for granted. Sustain us and encourage us so that our thoughts, words, and deeds will show our thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

______

 

Ron Maphet died last night around 10:00 p.m. at Bass Hospital. His funeral will be on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Ladusau-Evans funeral home, with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery, and then a family luncheon at the church. Please pray for Pat and her family.

 

“Joe” Shelladay has been hospitalized. Dale Vance is still in the hospital. Please pray for Josephine and Dale.

 

Ryan O’Banion was hospitalized in Colorado as a result of his Crohn’s disease. Please pray for Ryan.

 

Please pray for our Thanksgiving travelers.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

8:30    Single Women’s Breakfast at the Ramada Inn

Noon   Noon Bible Study

5:15     Emmaus Reunion Group – Women in the Library

6:00    Beta Sigma Phi in Room 109

6:00    Kids Christmas Program rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_18:1-11

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, November 19

O Lord Our Lord,

 

Today we pray for family and friends who are or will be travelling this week. It is an exceptionally busy time. Please watch over them so that they may safely arrive at their destinations. We also offer prayers, Loving God, for those people in the retail business. May they find rest and peace in the midst of the hectic shopping season. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Please continue to pray for Dale Vance and Ron Maphet.

 

Don Coulter was re-hospitalized in the middle of last week, but he is now recovering at home. Please pray for Don.

 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Sunday with good attendance and a delicious luncheon. The dessert auction was also great fun.

 

I am taking vacation time off this week. If there is an emergency I can be reached at 402-2522.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

8:00    Staff meeting

Noon   Noon Prayer Service

6:00    Quilter’s Guild in the Fellowship Hall

6:30    Evangelism Committee in the Conference Room

7:00    Boy Scouts

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_17:20-26

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, November 18

Most Holy God,

 

The culture teaches us that security is found in  the accumulation of financial resources and possessions. It is all fleeting. Help us to realize, Loving God, that true security comes as we align ourselves with You. May we respond to Jesus’ words when he said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. . .” Strengthen us, so that we might find true and eternal security in You. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Today will be amazing at Central Christian Church. We will participate in worship, enjoy Sunday School, share wonderful food and fellowship at the Thanksgiving luncheon, and have a lot of fun with the dessert auction. Bring a friend to church with you.

 

Ron Maphet was moved into ICU at Bass hospital yesterday. Please pray for Ron.

 

Dale Vance is still in St. Mary’s hospital. They were helping him walk yesterday afternoon. Please pray for Dale. He has a long recovery ahead.

 

Fran Hoad’s funeral was yesterday and the family was very appreciative of the meal our church prepared. Please continue to pray for Marty and her children.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

Market of Blessings in the Loggia

8:00    Chapel Service

9:00    Sunday School for all ages

10:15    Sanctuary worship

10:15    R & R worship (Don Johnson preaching)

11:30    THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON with a dessert auction

5:30     Bell Choir rehearsal

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSLAM FOR THE WEEK

 

John_17:14-19

 

Psalm_133

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore  

Prayer for Today, Saturday, November 17

Loving God,

 

We are now entering one of the most wonderful times of the year. This week family and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with Advent and Christmas close behind. Help us, Dear God, to control our schedules so that we might take quality time to be with those we love, so that we might reflect on the bounty of creation for which we give thanks, and so that we might honor You with worship and praise. We are so blessed and we give You thanks. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Fran Hoad’s funeral is this morning at 10:00 a.m. at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Please pray for Fran’s family.

 

Ron Maphet was hospitalized yesterday at Bass Hospital. Dale Vance is still a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital. Please pray for Ron and Dale.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

Set up for Thanksgiving Dinner

10:00   Girl Scout CPR training in the  multipurpose room

11:30    Hoad Funeral Luncheon

5:00    Wedding in the sanctuary

5:30     Saturday Service of Communion

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

2_Corinthians_5:11-15

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, November 16

Everlasting God,

 

We pray today for a forgiving spirit. There are times in life, some recent and some in the distant past, when we feel people have hurt us and we have not been able to forgive them. Please release us from the pain and anger that still exists, O Lord. May we offer a forgiveness that frees us. May we open our hearts to the power of Your grace for us and for the world. May our lives be transformed by the presence of the Christ. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

________

 

This evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. the family of Fran Hoad will receive friends at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Fran’s funeral will be tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for Marty and her children.

 

This Sunday the Market of Blessings will continue. We will have wonderful services of worship, a Thanksgiving luncheon at 11:30 a.m., and there will be a dessert auction to support the CWF and the youth. It will be a great day. Bring a friend with you.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

Set up for funeral dinner and Thanksgiving dinner

 

6:00    Wedding rehearsal in the sanctuary

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians 5:6-10

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Thursday, November 15

Most Holy God,

 

We have family and friends who are going through times of struggle and pain. Some as the result of marital problems, some as the result of the death of loved ones, and some as the result of difficult medical situations. Often we don’t know what to do or say, O Lord. May we realize that You are with them and us as we travel the road of life. You are there in the valleys as well as the mountain tops. Give us strength, we pray, to compassionately respond to those in difficulty. Empower us, as well, to buoy them with our prayers, even as they find it difficult to pray. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Dale Vance is our only member in the hospital. Please surround Dale and his family with prayer.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bob Parks. He turned 88 years old yesterday and the choir helped him celebrate.

 

Pray for our congregation as we enter this holiday season. May we provide an environment where God’s spirit touches hearts and changes lives.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

2:00    Commons Worship Service

4:00    Cancer Support Group with Dr. Rao

6:30    NW Area Men’s and Spouses meeting in the Fellowship Hall

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

2_Corinthians_5:1-5

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore