Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Bible Challenge 09/28 - 10/04
Greetings All!
This week's reading moves us almost completely through the book of Ezekiel (we will only have two chapters left for next week).
This second section of Ezekiel from chapters 25-32 is all revelations against foreign nations as the book finishes up with prophecies of hope and salvation in the third section from chapters 33-48. In particular the third section talks about the end of the Jewish exile and a new city and new Temple will be built. Perhaps the most fascinating piece of Ezekiel's prophecy concerns a vision of dry bones given to him by God in 37:1-14 - and the question is not so much about physical life but spiritual life.
Here is the schedule:
28, Sunday: Ezekiel 19-22
29, Monday: Ezekiel 23-26
30, Tuesday: Ezekiel 27-30
01, Wednesday: Ezekiel 31-34
02, Thursday: Ezekiel 35-38
03, Friday: Ezekiel 39-42
04, Saturday: Ezekiel 43-46
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week's reading moves us almost completely through the book of Ezekiel (we will only have two chapters left for next week).
This second section of Ezekiel from chapters 25-32 is all revelations against foreign nations as the book finishes up with prophecies of hope and salvation in the third section from chapters 33-48. In particular the third section talks about the end of the Jewish exile and a new city and new Temple will be built. Perhaps the most fascinating piece of Ezekiel's prophecy concerns a vision of dry bones given to him by God in 37:1-14 - and the question is not so much about physical life but spiritual life.
Here is the schedule:
28, Sunday: Ezekiel 19-22
29, Monday: Ezekiel 23-26
30, Tuesday: Ezekiel 27-30
01, Wednesday: Ezekiel 31-34
02, Thursday: Ezekiel 35-38
03, Friday: Ezekiel 39-42
04, Saturday: Ezekiel 43-46
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Friday Fives
1. Sermon Series - This Sunday we are continuing our preaching series entitled, The 11, based upon a book by Rev. Leonard Sweet. To live our life alone not only robs us of wonderful experiences and fellowship, it is almost impossible. We need to people to walk with us, support us, and absolutely love us along the way. We need others to help us be the best person we can be, the person God intends for us to be. For the next several weeks we are going to look at the types of people we need in our lives as a way of helping you identify who in your life fills those roles for you. It is sure to be an exciting time of discernment and maybe even a bit surprising. For a schedule you can click here. Invite a friend and I hope to see you all there!
2. FAD Night - FAD (Faith and Discipleship) Night is in full swing and we would love to have you be a part of this time of fellowship! FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer.FAD Night runs each Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm. To RSVP for FAD Night, so our wonderful cooks can plan, please call the church office, sign up at the Connection Table, or email the office by clicking here.
3. New Bible Study - As FAD Night gets started again, so does another Bible Study opportunity as we go Scriptural this time with the Immersion study of the Gospel of Luke. Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out.Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, you’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
This class will be offered each Thursday at 10am and again in the evening as part of our FAD night, in the Fellowship Hall, from September 4th - October 23rd. It is never too late to join and we would love to have you be a part of this time!
4. Advent Challenge - We are at just about at the half way point of our challenge this year and we are just about half way to our goal of $5,000. This year the monies raised will be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.
Over the years the membership in some of these groups have declined to where much of the work on a particular week is falling to just a few. I want to encourage each of you to consider joining these people to help out one or two weeks a month. Bring a dish to share, grab a rag afterwards to clean the tables, or pitch in in any other of the numerous ways you have the ability. By each of us continuing to work together, we can continue to enjoy the beauty and blessing of Sunday lunch together! Thanks for your consideration.
Take care and see you all Sunday!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Midweek Moment
This past Sunday in worship we talked about covering one another’s back and that one way to do that was prayer. We emphasized that through the power of prayer we can pray for people, regardless of distance and regardless of any intimate knowledge of all facets of their situation. We can speak their name and God will hear.
For many months now we have been praying for Joey Liu. He is a young man in Gainesville that is battling cancer and we have been praying that a specific treatment will be made available to him before it is too late. This young man, despite living in incredible pain, seeks to go to school as much as possible. He is wonderfully intelligent and extremely gifted. He plays musical instruments and I just found out today is a remarkably wonderful artist. I am so moved by this young man and his fight for life, for normalcy, and for his childhood. He holds his head high, does the best he can, and shares his gifts with so many.
I found out about these gifts of artistry because Joey sent me a thank you card. The photos you see in this post are the front of a card he designed and an origami bird he created that he included within it. The front artwork is of a Chinese Dragon and the caption reads, “I will be as strong as a dragon!”
Each and every one of you that has prayed for Joey and thought about Joey has helped him reach for the strength of a dragon. I want to encourage you to continue to lift this young man up, as well as his family. Prayer is strong, prayer is what we do, and prayer can truly make a difference.
We are praying for you my friend and may you find that strength of a dragon, each and every day!
Have a great week and I will see you all soon!
For many months now we have been praying for Joey Liu. He is a young man in Gainesville that is battling cancer and we have been praying that a specific treatment will be made available to him before it is too late. This young man, despite living in incredible pain, seeks to go to school as much as possible. He is wonderfully intelligent and extremely gifted. He plays musical instruments and I just found out today is a remarkably wonderful artist. I am so moved by this young man and his fight for life, for normalcy, and for his childhood. He holds his head high, does the best he can, and shares his gifts with so many.
I found out about these gifts of artistry because Joey sent me a thank you card. The photos you see in this post are the front of a card he designed and an origami bird he created that he included within it. The front artwork is of a Chinese Dragon and the caption reads, “I will be as strong as a dragon!”
Each and every one of you that has prayed for Joey and thought about Joey has helped him reach for the strength of a dragon. I want to encourage you to continue to lift this young man up, as well as his family. Prayer is strong, prayer is what we do, and prayer can truly make a difference.
We are praying for you my friend and may you find that strength of a dragon, each and every day!
Have a great week and I will see you all soon!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Bible Challenge 09/21 - 09/27
Greetings All!
This week's reading moves through the final chapters of Jeremiah, through the entire book of Lamentations and gets us about a third of the way through the book of Ezekiel.
The book of Lamentations is a poetic book that is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the 6th century BC. In Judaism, this book is traditionally recited on the fast day of "Tisha B'Av" the saddest day on the Jewish calendar mourning the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. It is said that Jeremiah retired to a cavern outside the Damascus gate, where he wrote this book. That cavern is still pointed out by tour guides today.
The name "Ezekiel" means "God will strengthen." His story is interesting. He describes his calling by God to be a prophet, going into a lot of detail about God riding a chariot of four wheels guided by cherubs. For the next several years, he preached alongside Jeremiah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem which he lived to witness. He was in his mid-twenties when he was exiled along with about 3,000 upper class Jews to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. There he and his wife lived in their own home and other exiles came to see his prophetic insights. Later he began to have visions of a new Temple. All total, his career as a prophet lasted for around 25 years. The first segment of the book of Ezekiel (chapter 1-24) contains a judgment that the prophet pronounces against Israel.
Here is the schedule:
21, Sunday: Jeremiah 48-51
22, Monday: Jeremiah 52 - Lamentations 3
23, Tuesday: Lamentations 4 - Ezekiel 2
24, Wednesday: Ezekiel 3-6
25, Thursday: Ezekiel 7-10
26, Friday: Ezekiel 11-14
27, Saturday: Ezekiel 15-18
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week's reading moves through the final chapters of Jeremiah, through the entire book of Lamentations and gets us about a third of the way through the book of Ezekiel.
The book of Lamentations is a poetic book that is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the 6th century BC. In Judaism, this book is traditionally recited on the fast day of "Tisha B'Av" the saddest day on the Jewish calendar mourning the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. It is said that Jeremiah retired to a cavern outside the Damascus gate, where he wrote this book. That cavern is still pointed out by tour guides today.
The name "Ezekiel" means "God will strengthen." His story is interesting. He describes his calling by God to be a prophet, going into a lot of detail about God riding a chariot of four wheels guided by cherubs. For the next several years, he preached alongside Jeremiah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem which he lived to witness. He was in his mid-twenties when he was exiled along with about 3,000 upper class Jews to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. There he and his wife lived in their own home and other exiles came to see his prophetic insights. Later he began to have visions of a new Temple. All total, his career as a prophet lasted for around 25 years. The first segment of the book of Ezekiel (chapter 1-24) contains a judgment that the prophet pronounces against Israel.
Here is the schedule:
21, Sunday: Jeremiah 48-51
22, Monday: Jeremiah 52 - Lamentations 3
23, Tuesday: Lamentations 4 - Ezekiel 2
24, Wednesday: Ezekiel 3-6
25, Thursday: Ezekiel 7-10
26, Friday: Ezekiel 11-14
27, Saturday: Ezekiel 15-18
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Friday Fives
1. Sermon Series - This Sunday we are continuing our preaching series entitled, The 11, based upon a book by Rev. Leonard Sweet. To live our life alone not only robs us of wonderful experiences and fellowship, it is almost impossible. We need to people to walk with us, support us, and absolutely love us along the way. We need others to help us be the best person we can be, the person God intends for us to be. For the next several weeks we are going to look at the types of people we need in our lives as a way of helping you identify who in your life fills those roles for you. It is sure to be an exciting time of discernment and maybe even a bit surprising. For a schedule you can click here. Invite a friend and I hope to see you all there!
2. FAD Night - FAD (Faith and Discipleship) Night has started again! FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer. FAD Night runs each Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm.We are still in need of volunteers to cook the simple meal. We would like to set up a team of at least 8 different people to cook on a rotation to help ease the workload. As of now we have six. If you are interested please call the church office or email us by clicking here and let us know. FAD Night was a wonderful experience in the Spring and we need you to help us keep it that way.
Also, to RSVP for FAD Night, so our wonderful cooks can plan, please call the church office, sign up at the Connection Table, or email the office by clicking here.
3. New Bible Study - As FAD Night gets started again, so does another Bible Study opportunity as we go Scriptural this time with the Immersion study of the Gospel of Luke. Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ.
Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, you’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.This class will be offered each Thursday at 10am and again in the evening as part of our FAD night, in the Fellowship Hall, from September 4th - October 23rd. It is never too late to join and we would love to have you be a part of this time!
4. Advent Challenge - Last year's challenge was so incredibly successful and so many lives were touched by this act of generosity, the leadership of the church wanted to do it again this year. Once again our goal between now and Christmas Eve is to raise $5,000 to be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.
Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.
5. Sunday Fellowship Lunch - We are so blessed every Sunday to enjoy lunch on the grounds here at Druid Hills. We have the opportunity to gather in Fellowship Hall after worship and break bread with one another and enjoy a tremendous time of fellowship and friendship. The only way this sacred time happens is because of you. You bring the food, you pitch in to clean up, you invest in this time in so many ways.
Each week a different group in the church takes a turn providing the food and cleaning up the Hall.Over the years the membership in some of these groups have declined to where much of the work on a particular week is falling to just a few. I want to encourage each of you to consider joining these people to help out one or two weeks a month. Bring a dish to share, grab a rag afterwards to clean the tables, or pitch in in any other of the numerous ways you have the ability. By each of us continuing to work together, we can continue to enjoy the beauty and blessing of Sunday lunch together! Thanks for your consideration.
Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Midweek Moment
Yesterday, my wife showed me this comic...
...and I just had to chuckle. I have always loved Peanuts and the religious backdrop that often appears and this particular strip is no different. Here these young people begin quoting the book of Job. As I read through it I could see how Mr. Schultz was trying to bring to light a few of the misconceptions that all too frequently accompany this book.
Job was a man of great faith that had to endure an awful situation. What made his situation so awful was that all of what happened to Job was due to no fault of his own. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and it is not their fault, it is not God's plan, it just happens. My message for you today is simply this; God loves you. God only wants the best for you and for your life to be filled with joy. This does not mean bad things will never happen to you because they will. But what is does mean is that God is not the cause and that God will walk with you through the chaos and see you through to the other side.
I invite to share this message of God's love with someone this week. After all, we can all use it from time to time and you may be just the person God calls to bring a little joy to someone else.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
 |
| Source - http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/17/365-reasons-to-love-comics-229/ |
...and I just had to chuckle. I have always loved Peanuts and the religious backdrop that often appears and this particular strip is no different. Here these young people begin quoting the book of Job. As I read through it I could see how Mr. Schultz was trying to bring to light a few of the misconceptions that all too frequently accompany this book.
Job was a man of great faith that had to endure an awful situation. What made his situation so awful was that all of what happened to Job was due to no fault of his own. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and it is not their fault, it is not God's plan, it just happens. My message for you today is simply this; God loves you. God only wants the best for you and for your life to be filled with joy. This does not mean bad things will never happen to you because they will. But what is does mean is that God is not the cause and that God will walk with you through the chaos and see you through to the other side.
I invite to share this message of God's love with someone this week. After all, we can all use it from time to time and you may be just the person God calls to bring a little joy to someone else.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Bible Challenge 09/14 - 09/20
Greetings All!
This week we will continue our reading in the book of Jeremiah. There are six main sections to this book and this week we will finish up the first one and move all the way through the fifth section. Here's some of the highlights: Chapters 26-29 are biographical material and deal with Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets; chapters 30-33 contain God's promise of restoration including Jeremiah's "new covenant" which is interpreted differently in Judaism versus Christianity; chapters 34-35 are mostly about interactions with Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem; and in the fifth section (chapters 46-51) we begin to see the divine punishment to the nations surrounding Israel.
Here is the schedule:
14, Sunday: Jeremiah 20-23
15, Monday: Jeremiah 24-27
16, Tuesday: Jeremiah 28-31
17, Wednesday: Jeremiah 32-35
18, Thursday: Jeremiah 36-39
19, Friday: Jeremiah 40-43
20, Saturday: Jeremiah 44-47
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week we will continue our reading in the book of Jeremiah. There are six main sections to this book and this week we will finish up the first one and move all the way through the fifth section. Here's some of the highlights: Chapters 26-29 are biographical material and deal with Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets; chapters 30-33 contain God's promise of restoration including Jeremiah's "new covenant" which is interpreted differently in Judaism versus Christianity; chapters 34-35 are mostly about interactions with Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem; and in the fifth section (chapters 46-51) we begin to see the divine punishment to the nations surrounding Israel.
Here is the schedule:
14, Sunday: Jeremiah 20-23
15, Monday: Jeremiah 24-27
16, Tuesday: Jeremiah 28-31
17, Wednesday: Jeremiah 32-35
18, Thursday: Jeremiah 36-39
19, Friday: Jeremiah 40-43
20, Saturday: Jeremiah 44-47
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Friday Fives
1. Sermon Series - This Sunday we are continuing our preaching series entitled, The 11, based upon a book by Rev. Leonard Sweet. To live our life alone not only robs us of wonderful experiences and fellowship, it is almost impossible. We need to people to walk with us, support us, and absolutely love us along the way. We need others to help us be the best person we can be, the person God intends for us to be. For the next several weeks we are going to look at the types of people we need in our lives as a way of helping you identify who in your life fills those roles for you. It is sure to be an exciting time of discernment and maybe even a bit surprising. For a schedule you can click here. Invite a friend and I hope to see you all there!
2. FAD Night - FAD (Faith and Discipleship) Night has started again! FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer. FAD Night runs each Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
We are still in need of volunteers to cook the simple meal. We would like to set up a team of at least 8 different people to cook on a rotation to help ease the workload. As of now we have six. If you are interested please call the church office or email us by clicking here and let us know. FAD Night was a wonderful experience in the Spring and we need you to help us keep it that way. Also, to RSVP for FAD Night, so our wonderful cooks can plan, please call the church office, sign up at the Connection Table, or email the office by clicking here.
3. New Bible Study - As FAD Night gets started again, so does another Bible Study opportunity as we go Scriptural this time with the Immersion study of the Gospel of Luke. Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ.
Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, you’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
This class will be offered each Thursday at 10am and again in the evening as part of our FAD night, in the Fellowship Hall, from September 4th - October 23rd. It is never too late to join and we would love to have you be a part of this time!
4. Advent Challenge - Last year's challenge was so incredibly successful and so many lives were touched by this act of generosity, the leadership of the church wanted to do it again this year. Once again our goal between now and Christmas Eve is to raise $5,000 to be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.
Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.
5. Sunday Fellowship Lunch - We are so blessed every Sunday to enjoy lunch on the grounds here at Druid Hills. We have the opportunity to gather in Fellowship Hall after worship and break bread with one another and enjoy a tremendous time of fellowship and friendship. The only way this sacred time happens is because of you. You bring the food, you pitch in to clean up, you invest in this time in so many ways.
Each week a different group in the church takes a turn providing the food and cleaning up the Hall. Over the years the membership in some of these groups have declined to where much of the work on a particular week is falling to just a few.
I want to encourage each of you to consider joining these people to help out one or two weeks a month. Bring a dish to share, grab a rag afterwards to clean the tables, or pitch in in any other of the numerous ways you have the ability. By each of us continuing to work together, we can continue to enjoy the beauty and blessing of Sunday lunch together! Thanks for your consideration.
Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Bible Challenge 09/07 - 09/13
Greetings All!
This week we will conclude our reading in the book of Isaiah and begin reading in Jeremiah.
And finally we see a testimony from Isaiah about the kind of healer that the Messiah would be: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" - Isaiah 61:1
Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was also a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. His name meant "Yahweh exalts" and sometimes he was called the "weeping prophet." He was the son of a priest from Anatot in the land of Benjamin and lived in the last years of the kingdom of Judah, witnessing its fall to Babylon including the destruction of Solomon's Temple. For twenty five years he had predicted God's coming judgment and tried some outrageous stunts to get people to listen to him and repent, but to no avail. We would consider that today to be a failure; and yet Jeremiah was not a failure because he was faithful to proclaim God's Word.
There are six main sections to this book. By the end of this week we'll have worked our way through most of the first section (chapters 1-25 dealing with the main part of Jeremiah's message). Next week we will get into more biographic material and Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets.
Here is the schedule:
07, Sunday: Isaiah 58-61
08, Monday: Isaiah 62-65
09, Tuesday: Isaiah 66 - Jeremiah 3
10, Wednesday: Jeremiah 4-7
11, Thursday: Jeremiah 8-11
12, Friday: Jeremiah 12-15
13, Saturday: Jeremiah 16-19
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week we will conclude our reading in the book of Isaiah and begin reading in Jeremiah.
And finally we see a testimony from Isaiah about the kind of healer that the Messiah would be: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" - Isaiah 61:1
Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was also a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. His name meant "Yahweh exalts" and sometimes he was called the "weeping prophet." He was the son of a priest from Anatot in the land of Benjamin and lived in the last years of the kingdom of Judah, witnessing its fall to Babylon including the destruction of Solomon's Temple. For twenty five years he had predicted God's coming judgment and tried some outrageous stunts to get people to listen to him and repent, but to no avail. We would consider that today to be a failure; and yet Jeremiah was not a failure because he was faithful to proclaim God's Word. There are six main sections to this book. By the end of this week we'll have worked our way through most of the first section (chapters 1-25 dealing with the main part of Jeremiah's message). Next week we will get into more biographic material and Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets.
Here is the schedule:
07, Sunday: Isaiah 58-61
08, Monday: Isaiah 62-65
09, Tuesday: Isaiah 66 - Jeremiah 3
10, Wednesday: Jeremiah 4-7
11, Thursday: Jeremiah 8-11
12, Friday: Jeremiah 12-15
13, Saturday: Jeremiah 16-19
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Friday Fives
2. FAD Night - FAD (Faith and Discipleship) Night has started again! FAD Night is a time for us to share a simple meal together and then break off into our groups; children, youth, and adults. After that we come back together for a time of music and prayer. FAD Night runs each Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
We are still in need of volunteers to cook the simple meal. We would like to set up a team of at least 8 different people to cook on a rotation to help ease the workload. As of now we have six. If you are interested please call the church office or email us by clicking here and let us know. FAD Night was a wonderful experience in the Spring and we need you to help us keep it that way. Also, to RSVP for FAD Night, so our wonderful cooks can plan, please call the church office, sign up at the Connection Table, or email the office by clicking here.
3. New Bible Study - As FAD Night gets started again, so does another Bible Study opportunity as we go Scriptural this time with the Immersion study of the Gospel of Luke. Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ.
Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, you’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
This class will be offered each Thursday at 10am and again in the evening as part of our FAD night, in the Fellowship Hall, from September 4th - October 23rd. For more information and to sign up, please pick up a registration form in the narthex, call the church office, or click here.
4. Advent Challenge - Last year's challenge was so incredibly successful and so many lives were touched by this act of generosity, the leadership of the church wanted to do it again this year. Once again our goal between now and Christmas Eve is to raise $5,000 to be split between a local and global charity. Of our goal, $2,900 will go to our global charity, Stop Hunger Now, as we strive to host another meal packaging event to help those children around the world that are suffering from malnourishment. The other $2,100 will go to our local mission, a Church Has Left the Building event, scheduled for early 2015.Please prayerfully consider how you might give, above and beyond your normal giving, to support this challenge so we may reach out and share the love of Christ with other people. If you want more information about this challenge, including updates for how much you have raised, please click here.
5. Sunday Fellowship Lunch - We are so blessed every Sunday to enjoy lunch on the grounds here at Druid Hills. We have the opportunity to gather in Fellowship Hall after worship and break bread with one another and enjoy a tremendous time of fellowship and friendship. The only way this sacred time happens is because of you. You bring the food, you pitch in to clean up, you invest in this time in so many ways.Each week a different group in the church takes a turn providing the food and cleaning up the Hall. Over the years the membership in some of these groups have declined to where much of the work on a particular week is falling to just a few.
I want to encourage each of you to consider joining these people to help out one or two weeks a month. Bring a dish to share, grab a rag afterwards to clean the tables, or pitch in in any other of the numerous ways you have the ability. By each of us continuing to work together, we can continue to enjoy the beauty and blessing of Sunday lunch together! Thanks for your consideration.
Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Midweek Moment
Prayer is a very important part of our faith journeys. It is
the opportunity we have to talk with God and listen as God speaks with us. It
is also the avenue by where we can better understand the role God has laid out
for us as Disciples of Christ.
In times of trial, we
pray. In times of temptation, we pray. In times of celebration, we pray. There
is not a situation I know of where prayer is not appropriate and even
necessary. Prayer is vital and its importance cannot be overstated.
In times of trial, we
pray. In times of temptation, we pray. In times of celebration, we pray. There
is not a situation I know of where prayer is not appropriate and even
necessary. Prayer is vital and its importance cannot be overstated.
Our United Methodist Book of Worship has many wonderful
resources within its pages. One of those resources is the Five Daily Prayers. I
have used these in the past but I feel they are absolutely worth repeating.
These prayers remind us to stop five times a day to pray. Each one is for a
different time of day and they help us stay focused on God’s plan for our life,
Christ’s love for us and all of humanity, and the power of the Holy Spirit as
it moves throughout the day. I encourage you make these a regular practice each
day. You will be amazed at what a gift this type of discipline can be for you.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Early Morning Prayer
of Thanksgiving
Eternal God, hallowed be your name.
Early in the morning, before I begin my work,
I praise your glory.
Renew my body as fresh as the morning flowers.
Open my inner eyes, as the sun casts new light
upon the darkness.
Deliver me from all captivity.
Like the birds of the sky,
give me
wings of freedom to begin a new journey.
As a mighty stream running continuously,
restore
justice and freedom day by day.
I thank you for the gift of this morning,
and a new
day to work with you.
Stir up in me the desire to serve you,
to live peacefully with my neighbors,
and to devote each day to your Son,
my Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Mid-Morning Prayer of
Thanksgiving
God of Mercy, this midday moment of rest
is your welcome gift.
Bless the work I have begun, make good its defects,
and let me
finish it in a way that pleases you.
Grant this through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Mid-Day Prayer of
Thanksgiving
In the brightness of your Son I spend each day;
Always you protect me with the umbrella of your love.
Grant me the strength to finish this day strong, and bring
you the glory.
To you, God, be all praise and glory forever & ever.
Amen.
Early-Evening Prayer
of Thanksgiving
I praise and thank you, O God,
for you are
without beginning and without end.
Through Christ, you created the whole world;
through
Christ, you preserve it.
You made the day for the works of light
and the
night for the refreshment
of my mind and body.
Keep me now in Christ; grant me a peaceful evening,
a night
free from sin;
and bring me at last to eternal life.
Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit,
I offer you all glory, honor, and worship,
now and forever. Amen.
Evening Prayer of
Thanksgiving
As you have made this day, O God,
you also make the night.
Give light for my comfort.
Come upon me with quietness and still my soul.
that I may
listen for the whisper of your Spirit
and be
attentive to your nearness in my dreams.
Empower me to rise again in new life to proclaim your
praise, and show Christ to the world. Amen.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
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