Prayer for Today, Easter, March 31

Christ is Risen! He has risen indeed!

 

God of All Creation,

 

We humbly come before You on this Easter morning to give You thanks for the empty tomb. It message and power are multi-layered, but in the final analysis, You give us the hope for true and abundant life, now and through all eternity. Thanks be to God. AMEN.

______

 

Pray for our services today. May the Spirit of Christ be experienced.

 

Please pray for Josh Puckett and Heidi Henneke Puckett. Josh’s grandmother died yesterday.

 

Please pray for Deanna Reames (daughter-in-law of Sam and Sandra Justice). Dianna has been diagnosed with cancer.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

6:30    Meet at the church to leave for a Sunrise Service at Roger and LaDonna Groves home on north Hiway 81

6:45    Sunrise Service

8:30- 9:45      Breakfast in the Loggia

10:15    Service of Resurrection

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

John_20

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Saturday, March 30

Most Gracious God,

 

On this Holy Saturday we reflect on the death and burial of Jesus. Death is a harsh reality, yet it is universal. We cannot comprehend the mystery of resurrection and new life, yet that is the promise of Easter. For it’s true meaning to be embraced, however, we must accept that we will all die. May Your spirit of peace and hope prevail as we ponder death and  prepare to celebrate resurrection. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Terry Henneke came to our Lenten Morning Prayers. Please pray for Terry’s continued recovery.

 

Please pray for our Easter celebration tomorrow. May hearts be touched and lives changed.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

10:30   Kids Choir Rehearsal

11:00   All-church Easter Egg Hunt and picnic.

1:00     Girl Scouts in the Multi-Purpose Room

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:33-36

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, March 29

Dear God,

 

We thank You for the grace and peace that comes from You and pours over us like a waterfall. We thank You for Your presence that sustains us and strengthens us, especially during difficult times. We thank You for Jesus the Christ, whose crucifixion we remember today. He was the servant whose love mirrored Your love for all humanity. Bless us, we pray, as we journey through Good Friday toward Resurrection morning. May we embody Your unconditional love for all creation. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Terry Henneke had successful surgery yesterday, but they decided to keep him overnight. Please pray for Terry’s continued recovery.

 

Please also pray for Sally Keeler and Jim Goodrich who are at Bass.

 

D.L. “Pete” Warren died in Lynchburg, Virginia. His memorial service is tomorrow in the Lynchburg college chapel. Many of you will remember he was the Dean of Students at Phillips in the 60’s. He married Central’s Patsy Cravens and, I think, was on staff here at Central for a period of time when he was in college. Please pray for Pete’s family and friends. He was one of my heroes and had a big influence on my life.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00 a.m.        Lenten Morning Prayers

7:00 p.m.        Good Friday (Tenebrae) Service in the chapel

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:27-32

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, March 28

Loving God,

 

On this Maundy Thursday we reflect on the upper room experience with Jesus and his disciples. We realize the power of memory is strong, but when he said “Do this in remembrance…” it is much more than memory. It is experiencing again. Please bless us as we ponder the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. May we experience the risen Lord in our midst as we partake this evening. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Terry Henneke is having out-patient surgery this afternoon at Bass Hospital. Please pray for Terry.

 

Jim Goodrich and Sally Keeler are still patients at Bass. Please pray for them.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

10:00   Lifelong Learning

11:00   Bible Study in the conference room

1:30     CWF workday

7:00    Maundy Thursday Service in the Sanctuary

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:24-26

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, March 27

O Lord,

 

May the light of Your love never dim within us. Let it shine outward from our warmed hearts to comfort others in times of peace and in seasons of adversity. As we stand in the bright beams of Your goodness and love, may we see Your face in the face of those around us. May we welcome them as You have welcomed us. In the name of  Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

_____

 

Sally Keeler is in Bass Hospital. The doctor is trying to decide if her issues are asthma or pneumonia. Please pray for Sally.

 

Please also pray for Jim Goodrich who is at Bass as well.

 

Terry Henneke will have a procedure tomorrow at Bass. Please pray for Terry.

 

There is no WWNF meal or Bible Study tonight. The Chancel Choir will rehearse as well as the children’s voice choir and bell choir.

 

Tomorrow evening you are invited to attend our Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

9:00    TOPS

1:00     Emmaus Reunion Group – Men

6:00    Kids choir

6:30    Kids Bells

6:30    Chancel Choir

6:30    Youth group

 

SCRIPTUE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:14-23

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, March 26

Loving God,

 

We thank You for the knowledge that You have found us and embraced us. Accepted and forgiven by You, send us out to share Your love, to find people who feel lost and to give each a joyful welcome. As we are forgiven let us forgive, as we are accepted let us accept others. As we rejoice in the good news of Your love, let us be good news. This we pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

You perhaps noticed in the paper that Wanda Floyd died. She was a member at Central for many years. Please pray for her family.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

10:00   Lifelong Learning

Noon   Noon Bible Study in the library

3:15     Greenbrier Service

5:15     Emmaus Reunion Group – Women

6:00    Emmaus Gathering in the Chapel

           and Fellowship Hall

6:00    Technology Group Meeting

7:00    Quilt Central

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:5-13

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, March 25

O Divine Presence,

 

Surround us, we pray, with Your love and grace as we travel with Jesus toward Jerusalem. May we reflect on the events of Holy Week as we continue our Lenten disciplines. In all things we give you thanks and praise. May our devotion and our actions honor You. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

This is a high and holy week. I trust you will avail yourself of the opportunities to worship and sing praises to God.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

9:00    Staff Meeting

Noon   Noon Prayer Service

1:30     CWF Work Day

7:00    Boy Scouts

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Luke_11:1-4

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Palm Sunday, March 24

Loving and Gracious God,

 

We are now in Holy Week and our focus is on Jesus in Jerusalem for the last week of his earthly life. That story is our story. We wave palms and sing “Hosanna” one day and shout “Crucify Him” on another. Of course we don’t’ say it out loud. Our praise and our contempt are seen in our actions. Please forgive us, Loving God, and help us to open our hearts to the Spirit of the Living Christ, during Holy Week and throughout the year. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Please continue to pray for the Vance, Provost, and Bryan families as they continue to grieve the loss of loved ones.

 

Terry Henneke is having outpatient surgery on Thursday at Bass Hospital. Please pray for Terry.

 

Our IAS travelers returned yesterday. I can’t wait to hear their stories.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

8:00    Chapel Service

9:00    Sunday School

10:15    R & R Service in the chapel

10:15    Choir Easter Cantata in the

           sanctuary service

1:00 – 6:00    Journey to the Cross (come at anytime)

3:30     Chi Rho Youth

5:00    CYF Youth

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSALM FOR THE WEEK

 

Luke_10:38-42

 

Psalm_119:105-125

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

 

Prayer for Today, Saturday, March 23

Guiding Spirit,

 

Humbly we come to You in prayer. We each have our own concerns, petitions, and supplications. Please hear us as we pray, O Lord. Lend Your ear to us and sustain us with Your comforting presence. We know that prayer connects us with You. We offer You our praise, our thanksgiving, and our trust. Please empower us to serve You in word and deed. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

____

 

Caitlin Bryan’s memorial service is this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Please continue to pray for her family.

 

Vera French has asked for prayers for her niece’s family. Vera and Janice Billeri have just returned from the Mayo Clinic and Janice’s father-in-law died. Please pray for the family of Joseph Billeri.

 

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. Join us at 8:00 or during our two services at 10:15 a.m. The choir cantata will be during the 10:15 a.m. sanctuary service.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

10:00   Pastor’s Class

12:30   Bryan funeral luncheon

2:00    Caitlin Bryan’s Memorial Service

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_5:11-6:8

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Friday, March 22

Eternal Presence,

 

Today we need to feel Your presence with us. Please be present in palpable ways, we pray. Our courage is shaky. Our strength is waning. May we feel Your embrace and  now Your love. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

The funeral for Caitlin Bryan is tomorrow in our sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Please pray for her family.

 

Sunday is Palm Sunday and our wonderful choir will present their cantata “Wondrous Love” during the 10:15 sanctuary service. Invite a friend to come with you to any of our Sunday morning services.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

 

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_5:1-10

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Thursday, March 21

Most Holy God,

 

Our Lenten journey has been bumpy at best. We want to improve our spiritual disciplines. We try to set aside special time for prayer and reflection, and there are days when we are successful. Then there are times when schedule, attitude, or even forgetfulness get in our way and we miss the mark. Please forgive us, Loving God. We yearn to be close to You. Help us realize You are always close to us. You are as near as the next breath and we need only to turn into Your embrace. As Lent moves into its final days, may we turn to You each day. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Please pray for the family of Caitlin Bryan. She is the 19 year old daughter of Bonnie and Mark Bryan, granddaughter of Gene and Karen Boring and Dode Miller-Bryan. Caitlin died on Tuesday. Her memorial service will be in our sanctuary on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

 

Jim Goodrich is now in a room on the second floor at Bass Hospital and can have visitors. Please pray for Jim.

 

We had a good Board Meeting last night that was well attended, even though it is Spring Break. Special thanks to all who were in a attendance.

 

Continue to pray for our IAS travelers. They are now in New York City.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00        Lenten Morning Prayers

1:30        CWF Workday

2:00        Worship at the Commons

4:00        Cancer Support Group

5:45        Bus leaves for NW Area Disciple Men’s meeting in Hennessey.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_4:12-16

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Wednesday, March 20

Heavenly Parent,

 

We thank you for the gift of family; those of our household, those in our church family, and those in the wider world family. We ask that Your peace and love stir our hearts so that harmony and peace might prevail. We pray for those who are alone, bereaved and suffering. Hold them in Your loving arms and grant them the comfort and joy of family and friends.
This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

Jim Goodrich is in Bass Hospital. Please pray for Jim and Peggy.

 

Sally Keeler has been very ill. She has been diagnosed with severe asthma. Please pray for Sally.

 

Continue to lift up the families of Twyla Provost and Dale Vance.

 

Our IAS participants are now in New York City. Please lift them up as they continue their amazing journey.

 

There will be a Board Meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Since it is Spring Break some of our board members are out of town. Please make every effort to be present this evening if you are in Enid.

 

We still need lots of candy for the Easter Egg hunt a week from Saturday. Volunteers are “stuffing” the plastic eggs this evening at 6:30. Please bring your candy and put it outside Sally’s office.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

9:00    TOPS

Noon   Single Men’s Luncheon

1:00     Emmaus Reunion Group – Men

5:15     WWNF activities begin

5:15     Hospital Callers meet in the

           Conference Room

7:30     Board Meeting in the

Multi-Purpose Room

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_4:1-11

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Tuesday, March 19

Gracious God,

 

There are times when we are angry with You. Our lives are distorted. We are impacted by tragedy and loss. Sometimes we blame You. Help us to realize, O God, that You are bigger than our anger and frustration. Even when we shake our fists at You we are still surrounded by Your love. Honesty in our relationship with You takes us to positive depths beyond our imagining. We pray for Your forgiveness and Your blessing. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

_____

 

Dale Vance’s funeral is this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please continue to pray for his family and friends.

 

Jim Goodrich is in Bass Hospital in isolations and cannot receive visitors. Please pray for Jim.

 

Tonight is the first night of the Tuesday Golf gatherings at Golden Oaks at 5:15. Bring your clubs and join the group for good fun and fellowship.

 

Tomorrow is WWNF. There will be a meal at 5:15. There are no children and youth activities, however Heaven’s Voices (grade 2 – 5) will practice for Easter at 6:00 p.m. and Kids Bells will practice from 6:30 – 7:00.

The Bible Study group will meet at 6:30 as well as the Chancel Choir. Board meeting is 7:30 in the MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM. Committee Chairs and Fellowship Group presidents are asked to send their reports to Kandy at kandyt@centralenid.org.

 

On Thursday our men will gather to go to the NW Area Men’s Meeting in Hennessey. The bus will leave the church at 5:45. Call the church at 233-1214 if you haven’t reserved a spot.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

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

10:00   Lifelong Learning

10:00   Spring Break Fun Day

Noon   Noon Bible Study in the library

12:30   Vance family meal

2:00    Dale Vance Funeral in the

           sanctuary

5:15     Emmaus Reunion Group –

           Women

5:15     Golf League

6:00    Beta Sigma Phi in room 109

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_3:12-19

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Monday, March 18

Empowering God,

 

There are so many times, in the midst of injustice, suffering, and prejudice, that we stick our heads in the sand. We don’t want to be bothered or we don’t want to risk the loss of friends, community, or jobs. Please forgive us, Loving God. May we look to the model of Jesus. May we recapture that “fire in our bellies” when it comes to caring for the marginalized, the wounded, the down trodden, and the forgotten. Please open our eyes and our hearts. Help us find the courage to step out and step up, doing the things You call us to do. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

____

 

Dale Vance’s funeral is tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please continue to lift up Dale’s family in your prayers.

 

Please pray for the family of Joyce Hassler. Her funeral was this last week. She is Wanda Hiland’s niece.

 

Sonya Waldrip has asked for prayers for Christian Giardi, the son of Lisa Giardi. He is six years old and has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

 

Sally Wheeler is sending a weekly email to the parents of children. If you are a parent or just interested you can subscribe at http://eepurl.com/viMaj.

 

This is Spring Break. Please pray for our travelers and our IAS participants. REMEMBER: we will still have a Board Meeting this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM. All board members who are in town are encourage to attend.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

7:00    Lenten Morning Prayers

9:00    Staff Meeting

Noon   Noon Prayer Service

7:00    Boy Scouts

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 

Hebrews_3:1-11

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore

Prayer for Today, Sunday, March 17

Loving God,

 

Today we pause to bring our praise and worship to You. You are worthy. May Your Spirit of peace and love prevail in our midst. May our worship honor You and empower us to be faithful witnesses. All glory and honor are Yours, Most Holy God. We give You thanks in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

______

 

I received word that Jim Butler has been hospitalized in OKC the last few days with heart issues, but is to return home today or tomorrow. Please pray for Jim.

 

Twyla Provost’s funeral is today at 2:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Cherokee. Please pray for her family.

 

Dale Vance’s funeral is Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Please pray for Dale’s Family.

 

Pictures are coming back from our IAS participants. They are having a wonderful time.

 

Please pray for all our Spring Break travelers.

 

Even though it is Spring Break, we will still have a WWNF meal, Bible study, choir rehearsal and Board Meeting this Wednesday. There will be no children’s and youth activities. The children’s choir will rehearse, but those families will received specific information about the time.

 

SCHEDULE FOR TODAY

 

8:00    Chapel service

9:00    Sunday School

10:15    R & R service in the chapel

10:15    Sanctuary worship

3:30     Financial Peace University

NO YOUTH OR JYF ACTIVITIES

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY & PSLAM FOR THE WEEK

 

Hebrews_2:14-18

 

Psalm_110

 

Grace and peace,

 

John McLemore