YES! Thank God I'm Forgiven, made new and walking with Jesus because of God's love, grace and mercy! AMEN! Yes rejoice! What are you thankful about today? Start there and allow God to inhabit your praise and overflow to the day ahead.

Today we say good bye to a faithful servant of God and St. Matts, Joan Fenstermaker. She has stepped into Jesus' arms and is following Him to what's next. Are you ready for that? You can be! Joan was! And now her faith has become sight! PTL! (Visitation 10:30, service 11:30 at Trexler Funeral Home)

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Good Morning Saved By Faith Children of God! Amen! Just pause and reflect and praise through all the nuances of God's grace and love and salvation that he has allowed you to be part of. 

I've gotta fly but wanted to share a few devos for you to meditate upon today. First of all there were several I'm not sharing about anger, not sinning in our anger, forgiveness, grace and mercy we can offer. Talk to God about that and ask your accountability partners for help with any of that that is troubling you today. Jesus commands us to love as He has loved us and forgive as we've been forgiven. He was angry but did not sin in His anger. Ask for help with that too. It can be hard to do these, BUT GOD is with you always and wants to help you. Seek forst His Kingdom and righteousness and He will give you all you need to do these and much more! Amen!

The UR reminds that God is speaking and we can become familiar with His voice and respond well as he leads. And ODB leads us from there to take some steps of faith. God is speaking, with you and wanting to help you live and love like Jesus. PTL and step into that today and know His peace beyond understanding! Amen! Ask Him if there is someone that needs your help with this today and how to respond or if you need help, ask for courage to reach out to someone. God loves you, is speaking and wants to redeem, restore and help you to the best life in Christ and great fruit. Take those steps of faith as you lift thanksgiving and praise. I'm praising God for you for His loving presence with us all and His still small voice that leads us to his best! What's he saying and what will you do about it?

UR: God's familiar Voice

Listen and come to me; listen, and you will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. - Isaiah 55:3 (CEB)

There it was — the sound I waited for each day. “Red,” a male cardinal, had come for his morning visit. For the past several years, he has stopped by most days for a drink of water and a bath. Like good neighbors do, I became familiar with Red’s daily habits, bird calls, and songs — I knew his voice. I’m surprised how the sound of his soft, sweet call cuts through television, music, traffic, and the chatter both in and outside my head. My slightly impaired hearing never misses a trill — Red and I are on the same frequency. His visits are precious to me.

I’m learning that hearing God’s voice is a bit like hearing Red’s call. When I listen through the ears of my heart, as I would for the voice of a loved one, God’s voice breaks through the clutter of the world to bring truth, clarity, and grace. Scripture reminds me that I can know God’s voice, though I must listen for it and allow it to become familiar.

Listening is active, focused, and thoughtful hearing. We must allow ourselves to be available and receptive.

We find a fulfilling life when we actively listen for God’s voice in our everyday world.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your word that reminds us to listen for your voice. Help us to set aside time daily to treasure your presence. Amen.

ODB

Connections:

This is coming a bit late because God heard your and my prayers and allowed me a great night of restful sleep--even sleeping in. PTL! Keep praying. I feel so refreshed as I am moving through my abiding time after a great nights sleep. And that's really good with all that is on the plate the next few days. Thanks Lord! And thanks to you for praying!

Good Morning Resting in the Lord, Doers of His Word! Wait! Isn't that a contradiction of terms? Nope! We abide and rest in the Lord and reload to follow Him to his plans for us each day. That's the Way and how good fruit is produced. However we often fail at following the Jesus way well. What is your priority, agenda, or focus today? Maybe I should ask Who is your priority, agenda and focus? Jesus is!

Check out this song as you begin your time with the Lord. The Jesus Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARSGgC9iQb0 Sarah has encouraged us to move into May with this focus. The first believers were called the Way or The Follower of the Way. Jesus is the Way and we are learning to walk in His Way afresh and excited to follow well. Make that your priority, agenda and focus today--always! Who are you following? Is your focus on Him or the waves around you? Turn off the noise, TV and media and open the Living Word and abide in it today! Are you choosing healthy rhythms of working from resting and abiding. Choose the best! Choose Jesus' way today!

God gave me a word of reminder and a couple of devos to share that reinforce the above thoughts. In the past as I worked on becoming a disciple maker, the premise was put forth that we need to "be before do". Be before do? Yep! The "BE" part was part of what led to the Become Me in '23 Challenge. It was a time to focus on becoming the people we are created to be. We are created uniquely and in love to love and become more like Jesus. We are made in God's image after all. How's that going for you? You are His masterpiece, workmanship, special creation. Have you asked the Potter to rework you into who you are created to be? Surrender. Die to self. Crucify some things. And be still and abide and rest in His loving presence with an open heart that receives correction and His loving best. Be all that you are created to be! It's awesome! But we are created for more and we become activated to become who we are created to be and even more--to do what we are created to do. That was part of the Become More in '24 Challenge as we began working on being doers of the Word and things we are created to do. We are created for custom special purposes that flow out of who we are created to be and the new creations we become in Christ. I heard a great thought the other day, "Come as you are is not an invitation to stay as you are!" Meditate on that and talk to God about the molding, gifting, and enabling process that will lead you from BE to DO. He has some amazing, custom made things for you to discover and grow into as you become more like Jesus and step out in faith to do what you are created to do. He also has some that have come as they are for you to help to transition to the more God created for them and for our gathered and sent Body. Be before do also means you actually have to choose to do some things. What might they be? Who are you partnering with to work on these things, pray through these things, and hold each other accountable. That is part of all this as well--be before do and do both with some teammates. Begin with resting and abiding in His loving, refining, presence and then receive and discover the plans He has for you throughout each day to move towards doing the things He has for you and custom made you to do. As you do, you land in that sweet spot filled with much joy and peace as you don Jesus' easy yoke crafted just for you and find yourself walking with Him all day, everyday with much joy and thanksgiving for creating, gifting and enabling you to be you and do what He has planned along the way. And that leads to much good fruit and worship. And that is what the Come Alive in '25 Challenge is all about! I'm praying for you all to find that sweet spot, some partners and understand God's best for you that leads to great joy, praise and fruit! Amen! Talk to Sarah or me about any questions about any of this. And come abide before stepping out--be before do. But then get moving too. We are called to more and God is hearing, answering our prayers and moving through our surrendered and earnest hearts. It's the Jesus way! Amen!

Sarah Young

I to We

TWFYT

UR: More than Enough

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us. - Ephesians 3:20 (CEB)

One year I was helping to organize the Christmas service and celebration at my daughter’s school. The past two Christmas celebrations had been online due to the pandemic, and I was excited that my daughter finally would be able to celebrate Christmas with her friends and teachers in person!

However, the planning team was unsure how we would cover the cost of the event. We asked for donations from the students’ parents, but we didn’t expect much. Many of us were experiencing financial difficulties, and it was hard enough to collect our monthly tutor fee.

In today’s scripture reading, Philip and Andrew similarly didn’t know what to do when Jesus asked them to feed the great crowd. They did not have enough. I prayed and asked God what to do, and God encouraged me to contact friends and relatives. God touched their hearts so that most of them agreed to help. Much like Jesus did with the loaves and fish, God made the impossible possible in our Christmas preparations. The donations exceeded our expectations. We were able to afford the gathering, and we had money left over to cover the tutor fees for at least four months. God is good!

Today's Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for your love and care. May we always remember that we can count on you to help us overcome challenges. Amen.

Good Morning Praying Friends! The prayer of a righteous person (those in Christ--Y-O-U!) are powerful and effective! Amen! We need your prayer! I need your prayers! God works through your prayers! The Holy Spirit will inform your prayers. Teach us to pray Lord! hear our prayers. Direct our prayers and lead us to become a house of prayer for the nations! Amen!

As seems typical lately, I endured a mostly sleepless night until around 2 and then overslept and missed my pastor's huddle this morning. Now after a semi-rushed quiet time, I find myself running behind my agenda. BUT GOD! He knows, cares, has a plan and will redeem. he is hearing and answering my/your/our prayers. Please cover me in you prayers for protection from the enemy. He may be in this sleeplessness as a way to get me sick and worn out before my vacation. It has happened in the past. Pray that Karen and I would be able to sleep and rest and stay healthy. Thanks.

I've got to get rolling to bread and prep for tonight's dinner huddle. A few devos tied together today and spoke to my heart and may inform you, your prayers and choices today as well. Check them out below as you abide, pray, prepare and walk with Jesus today. He loves you and has great plans for you today. Rejoice! Abide and follow well. I'm praying for you! keep your eyes on Jesus with a heart to surrender and follow Him. Remember that in this life, Christ is all that matters and he lives in you. How might He be molding you or wanting to redeem something for His glory! be still and know. Pray, prepare and go! he is with you always and working all things together for good. Trust Him and choose joy as you die to self, take up cross and follow today. Amen!

Keep praying for revival, connections to at least 30 new people and that we become a disciple making hub for the Lehigh Valley. Pray we don Jesus easy yoke as we die to self and crucify our wants and agendas and allow His to lead us to His new and better things! Ask God what your part is and for courage and wisdom to step into it. That's my prayer for today and for me and us to abide, rest and recharge before going to make disciples. Amen

Sarah Young

UR: My Easter Miracle

There is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, enslaved and free, but Christ is all and in all! - Colossians 3:11 (NRSVUE)

In 1971 I was 19 years old, wandering the country and trying to figure out life. One day I had hitchhiked and found myself at a rest stop along a lonely stretch of desert highway between Los Angeles, California, and Phoenix, Arizona.

I had moved out on my own at age 17, in part because of parents who seemed more confused about life than I was. That began a journey which took me 3,000 miles from home to that highway rest stop. The next morning I met a carload of young people who invited me to church for Easter worship. On an ordinary day, it would have taken a miracle to break through my fears and excuses. But with the promise of a free meal after church, I eagerly agreed to go.

Their church was different from anything I expected. Young people filled the space, singing with smiles that showed me they knew something about Easter that I did not. More importantly, for the first time I considered that God just might be real and actually care about me. I had been running away all my life; now I couldn’t run anymore. It took an amazing chain of miracles to bring me to God. But it was Easter, and on Easter miracles happen!

Today's Prayer

O God, giver of new life, we thank you for searching out those who are wandering and alone. Use us in your work of bringing the lost ones home. We want to be a part of your miracle work. Amen.

TWFYT

This Week:

Tue Zoom Huddle at 10. All welcome

Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry and 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle (all welcome)

Sarah update below

Good Morning Redeemed, Repentant, Refined, Righteous-Ones of Christ! Amen! Continue to meditate upon all that Jesus' sacrifice and overcoming means to you, us and all who will come. We are called the righteousness of Christ because we have repented, accepted God's redemption and are allowing Him to transform us into Christ's image. God looks at us and sees Jesus and His righteousness if we have repented, are willing to repent and have received Him as our Lord and Savior. And he wants to continue to mold us and work all things together for His plans and our good. Are you willing to allow that? Are you earnestly pursuing Christ and His righteous ways? Do you have some partners to help with that? We can grow into our created Christlikeness and God's purposes for us. Humble yourself today and dwell in Him, His Word, His love and His righteousness and then put on your custom made easy yoke and walk with Jesus to His perfect plans for you. What joy we can know as we do so!

I'm stopping here to allow you time to connect with God with open Bibles and the devos below. he sure spoke to me this morning and I'm praying to He will for you too. What's he saying? What will you do about that? he does have great and loving plans for you, His child! Step from the old to His new for you today! I'm praying for you and Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and calling you by name. PTL!! There are a lot because there is a thread through them all from God' heart to yours. he is speaking! Turn off the noise and sit a spell in His love and wisdom!

TWFYT

ODB

UR: Clean hearts

Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” - John 15:3-4 (NIV)

My house looks clean. The furniture is nicely arranged and looks presentable; the rooms are ventilated and display a sunny appearance. However, when I sweep the floors and do my weekly cleaning with a dusting cloth, I am surprised by the amount of dust and dirt all around, even though everything looks neat and clean.

I think this is parallel to the way we think about ourselves, or how we want to present ourselves to the world. We believe we are doing right and try to act accordingly, but we are imperfect and often fall short. God knows our innermost thoughts and knows exactly what is in our hearts. In the face of this reality, we would do well to recognize and accept God’s sovereignty and mercy incarnate in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who offers us forgiveness. Jesus reminds us, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” And God rejoices in our clean hearts and spirits. Thanks be to God!

Today's Prayer

God of all, we are grateful for your Son, Jesus Christ, who has wiped away our sins. Come dwell in our hearts and create in us a clean spirit. May your Holy Spirit continue to inspire us and guard our going out and coming in from this time forth. Amen.

I to We

Sarah Young

Joyce Meyer

Connection

Sarah Update (Note: Sarah shared word that Joan Fenstemaker stepped into Jesus' arms yesterday. She is now fully healed and we can rejoice. I will be contacting the family soon to plan things and will keep you informed)

Good evening church family,

Hope that you and your family/friends had a nice weekend. It was great seeing so many of you in worship today.

    Christ has RISEN...He is RISEN INDEED.......and as we were reminded of this today, want to know a secret? Our Savior 

is RISEN every day!  He walks with us and talks with us......

Here are some praises and prayer needs:

 Brook Lacise (Mike Lacise's daughter) is asking for prayer as she has applied for dual enrollment. If she receives this, they will pay for 

up to 30 credits.  

Lisa Wenner praised God that she was able to spend time with her family, see her Great Grand Nephew and her Nephew and his wife that 

are expecting twins. All are doing well!

Losie C is asking for prayer for her daughter Lauren, who we have been praying for, to find a job. Lauren has possibly two job offers 

hopefully this week. Prayers for Wisdom for Lauren to choose wisely.

Hey everyone, don't this coming week's outreach opportunities: Tuesday Zoom - 10:00am - same zoom meeting as worship.

  Wednesday - Bread Ministry 10 - 12pm;  and Wednesday evening - FM/Adult gathering - meal and study.

Next Sunday - our monthly BRUNCH - if you were in worship today, on the back of your bulletin you received and invitation to come

and you can pass that invitation on to someone you want to invite!  

Praying you all have a great week!

 Thank you for praying for Pastor Don and myself.  If you need anything or have a prayer request do not hesitate to reach out to

either of us!

Blessings all,

  Sarah

He is risen--INDEED! PTL!

Good Morning Children of the Resurrection! Get your worship on! Death, sin and the grave have been overcome by our suffering Savior! PTL! He is risen indeed! hallelujah!

Two blogs to meditate on today (below). Pray for many to realize that Jesus is Lord and Savior and to come to Him in repentance and humility for new life, transformed life and a commitment or recommitment to follow Him well. He alone is the King of the universe! Is He the master of your soul? You are forgiven, called by name and He lovingly walks with you to His best for you. Well, He will if you invite Him to! Pray for that to happen around the world today and for all to know that some day, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior--King of the Universe! We were one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was Him! Someone needs to see and hear that today! Ask for Him to use you and draw some family and friends to Him today! He IS risen indeed and he lives in you and me! Amen!

ODB:

TWFYT

Pastor Don

Good Morning Waiting in Prayer Believers! Amen Wait in prayer today as you draw near in faith and trust to our Mighty God and know that the resurrection is coming! new life, renewed life and transformation lie ahead. rejoice! Pray for salvation and new life to come alive this weekend for many and even as we worship tomorrow. Who needs some Good news that you are bringing along tomorrow or sharing your hope with? I'm praying for you and them! rejoice! new life and the New Covenant is at hand! Amen

UR: Holy Saturday

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)

On my first Easter in Greece a friend took me to an Orthodox church for the Holy Saturday nighttime service. Hundreds of people gathered for this important occasion — each bearing a long, white candle. As Resurrection Sunday dawned, the priests began chanting, “Christos Anesti” or “Christ is risen,” and passed the “holy light” from their tapers to the worshipers’ candles. Each person then passed the light along and echoed, “Christ is risen!”

Christ described not only himself as the light of the world; he told his disciples that they too are light (see Matt. 5:14). While still carrying our bright-burning candles, we slowly exited the church and walked back to our homes. What a powerful image of spreading the light of the world through the community! And we are called to share that resurrection hope wherever we go.

Easter reminds us that we, who lived in darkness, have seen a great light. May the Son’s love shine clearly through us!

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the new life we have in Christ. May we follow his guiding light in all that we do. Amen.

twfyt

ODB

Connection

Tomorrow (sat.) 10 am is cleanup and mulch party. Help is needed, even for just an hour.

Tomorrow 10-1 is Clothing Closet

Sunday is our festive worship with communion and Children's Church as we celebrate the resurrection and availability of new life in Christ. 10 am. Who are you bringing?

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Thank God I'm Forgiven and this Good Friday is how it all started! PTL for being our suffering Savior and Redeemer! Meditate on all this day means to you and worship!

Good Morning Saved by Grace, Made New in Christ, Redeemed of the Lord! Yes, worship! What a loving, mighty God we serve! he is Love and Love that saves! he took our punishment and paid the ultimate price for our sins. Think about that today as you engage with our devotionals below and as you open your Bibles and meditate on what all transpired for our salvation and eternity with God. Yes worship with much thanksgiving!

ODB

TWFYT

Connection Blog

tHIS wEEK:

Tues 10am Zoom Huddle

Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry

Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle and continuation of the Beginning of the End messages with the last supper remembrance and recounting the last hours before the end of Jesus' life on that cruel cross.

Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet and 10 AM property clean up, planting and mulch party 10AM

Sun: Festive Resurrection Sunday Worship 10 am with communion and Children's Church

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Good Morning Filled, Gifted, Empowered, Sent, Servants of the Lord! Amen!

Yesterday we discussed the Beginning of the End and how clueless most were that this Triumphal Entry was the beginning of Jesus' life and would lead to the ushering in of a whole new covenant and way for believers. Jesus had resolutely "set His jaw' on Jerusalem and the cross. His time had come. But His followers were clueless. We began looking at Luke's recounting of the activities of the week and will continue that Wed at dinner huddle as we remember Jesus, the last supper and those last hours before that cruel cross. Next Sunday we will discuss the end of the new beginning. I encourage you this week to spend some time with open Bibles and fresh minds to seek, listen with fresh ears and talk to God about what this week means for you. Jesus was thinking of you and took your sins to that cross! PTL! What's He saying to you today?

My I to We devotional for today reminds us of one of the results of this week are that we, as believers are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit and that He equips and enables us to share the Good News of our salvation and new life. They remind us from Col. 1:15-29 to "tell others with all the wisdom God has given us...depending on the mighty work of Christ in us." Amen! Christ lives in you to will and to work His ways. You are created, gifted and empowered for such a time as this and this week many may be open for the invite to come and meet our Savior. Allow God to use you as he did with Reid last week to bring comfort and Good news to a hurting person God put in His path. He calls us to be faithful to be available and as Reid shared, He will use us to comfort and share. Thanks Lord! I to We challenges us to "act this week as we begin each day acknowledging who Jesus is and that He lives in you. Ask Him to display His power in and through you today." AMEN ask Him to help you to live and love more like Him, to see those He is drawing and boldness and wisdom to engage with them. Maybe even invite someone to join you Wed. or Sun.? He created you for such a time as this, loves you and will manifest Himself and His love through you if you allow it!

Our Daily Bread carries on this theme with the reminder that we are called, gifted and enabled to share the Gospel. They ask two very important questions that we need to process with God and some teammates: "How will you share the Good News of forgiveness that you've received? How can you meet others' physical needs while sharing the love of Christ?" These may be two of the most important questions you need to process beside who is that man Jesus and what does that mean to my life? We are saved to save others and gifted and empowered to do so. Talk to God about that. get away and pray and prepare then go live and love like Jesus! Think about this as well during this week, Jesus taught, healed and poured Himself out daily and then went up to the Mount of Olives to reload for the next day. Begin and end your day with some reloading time! Open your Bibles prayerfully and sit at Jesus' feet for a bit. (The Connections blogs below discuss this and give some prayer starters) He will refresh, inform and direct you from there to His best for you and maybe for some others too! Amen!

As we move through this week, be still and think about what all Jesus did and endured means to you and invite Him to come teach and lead you. He's waiting and willing! Are you?

ODB:

Connections:

April 14 - The Discipline of Time and Place Daniel gave us an example of the discipline of time when it was recorded that, “he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom (Dan. 6:10).” Daniel set an appointment with God and kept it faithfully. Whether your appointment with God is early in the morning or late at night, you must set an appointed time and with spiritual discipline remain faithful to that appointed time. Another discipline needed in personal prayer is the discipline of place. Jesus not only had a favorite time for private prayer (early in the morning), but was always able, even in the midst of His travels, to find “a solitary place” (Mk. 1:35) for prayer. Jesus actively sought the solitary place for prayer. In the busiest seasons of His life, Jesus would rob Himself of sleep and needed rest in order that He might have the quiet and unhurried place for prayer. Father, Daniel was faithful with his time and met with you regularly! He never failed to give thanks even when he was in the midst of difficult circumstances. Often I excuse my lack of meeting with You because of a change of location or because I need more sleep rather than seeking out time and space to seek Your face. Forgive me Lord, and make me so hungry and thirsty for Your continual presence that I will do whatever it takes to meet with You as faithfully as Daniel and Your own precious Son.  --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 25, Disciplines of Personal Prayer by Dan R. Crawford). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God that he cares about this world. Thank Christ that he calls the church “his” and that he has promised to build it (Mt. 16:18). Confess your own failures in using your time, talents, and tithe as God desires. Commit yourself to being an energetic, ability-using, enthusiastic part of the body in which Christ has placed you. Ask that, as a part of the church, you will live the fact that you belong to all the others (Rom. 12:5). Ask God that your congregation will tirelessly live out the love that it has been given in Jesus Christ. Pray that the character and depth of this love will cause non-Christians in your community to want it for themselves. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Good Morning Moldable Vessels of the Potter! Oh please Lord may that be me and us as You shape us and lead us to Your new things and better ways. Thanks! Come! Have Your way with me/us. Lead us closer to our created potential and your purposes for such a time as this. Help us to turn off the noise, tune into You, die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus well. May our lives and choices glorify you and produce much good fruit. Cleanse us of all sin and unrighteousness and prepare us as Your purified Bride and unite us with you, each other and in Your plans for us. Make us willing and available! Thanks Lord! Come! You are the Potter and we are the clay. May we remain pliable in Your loving hands. Amen!

God's in the process of changing us from one way to another; from glory to glory. Well, if we allow Him to and co-operate with His Spirit, He will mold and shape us and move us closer to His image and more able to complete our custom made created purposes. Amen! Right? Come Lord! Change me can be our heart cry. He is always willing to answer that prayer! I think of the shirt I have from the Chosen quoting Mary Magdalene as she explains what happened to her when Jesus delivered her from the demons. She say, "All I know is I was one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was Him [Jesus]" I think we can all say that and have a story to share of the many blessings of our Potter. May we keep moving to each new way and thing he has for us each day. We are on a journey to His future for us. Amen!

TWFYT has been working through several days about our willingness to change. (see today's below). Then praise and prepare through the song below it. God is in the process of making all things new. Change is constant in the Kingdom. The question we need to answer is, am I willing to change with God's plans? He wants to lead you and us from what was to what is to what will be. Are you available for that? Willing? He wants to stretch us out of our comfort zones and familiar safe ways to His new things. For that to happen and be an act of worship, we need to hold loosely to what is and allow our feet to move with the Holy Spirit. As we do, next thing you know, we'll be dancing with joy as God has His way with us, uses us and we have stories to share of His faithfulness through change. There's a place for traditions but they shouldn't bind us up and hold us back from following Jesus to the new things He has planned and the new ways to connect to new generations and future believers.

Just think about all the preconceived notions of God's plans for Israel and just what the Messiah would do during this week. The Pharisees didn't want to release control nor were they open to the new things God had for His people and they killed Jesus. The disciples and many of Jesus' followers expected a conquering King not a foot washing humble servant riding on a donkey. Judas, refusing to let go of his plans for the Messiah, sold Jesus out for a few coins. And all who hoped that deliverance had finally come, had all their hopes dashed on Golgotha. BUT GOD! He had different, new plans for a different kind of deliverance. Many of us can be like any of these, BUT GOD! He is up to something new--always! And wanting us to follow, embrace and join Him. Hold loosely, my friends, and watch what God is up to and allow Him, even invite Him to, come. mold, shape and send you to Hs perfect new plans for His people. If some were not willing to do that, we wouldn't be here today. What are God's new plans for you and His Church and people? Are you a follower of THE Way? I pray we all are because God has some amazing things for us to discover and step into as we let go and leave behind the comfortable, obsolete and old ways for His better plans. Amen! May that be us Lord! Give us a story to share of Your faithfulness and good plans as we follow You surrendered, molded and ready for what's next. Amen! I'm praying for you our our Body to become a dynamic movement of God and that takes movement! The Bishop has challenged us like He challenged the people through Joshua to break camp and follow to the Promised Land! Come! Prepare us! Move us!  Lead us Lord! Amen! How well do you know God and His plans? How willing are you? Let's start there as we seek first His Kingdom and ways! I'm praying for us and for you! Let's roll baby!

TWFYT:

Changed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYWTf7KaqJE

Hosanna! Praise be to He who comes in the name of the Lord! Today we celebrate and remember that triumphal entry, humbly on the colt of a donkey! No one had a clue that this day would be the beginning of the end that would come on that cruel cross. 

Wed evening dinner huddle will pick up where we end today and celebrate the last supper with communion. (all are welcome! We will explore that last evening before the end.

Then next Sunday we will celebrate the end of the beginning and the Resurrection with communion as we remember the day the stone was rolled away and the new covenant was ushered in. It was the new beginning from what appeared to be the end.

All are welcome Wed and Sunday! Who are you bringing along? Who need to meet our Lord and Savior. Pray into that and ask for boldness and courage to invite. God has someone for you!

Today we will remember how Jesus said that if we are quiet, even the rocks would cry out. Let's not be quiet but shout hosanna and invite God to come inhabit our praise! He alone is worthy! Amen!

Good Morning Worshippers of the King Whose Time Has Come! Yes! Hosanna! Praise be he Lord who comes humbly and who will triumph! Hosanna!

See you all soon! Check out the devos below as you prepare your hearts to worship! Hosanna!

ODB:

UR: Palm Sunday

If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. - Jeremiah 15:19 (NRSVUE)

I try to serve God in as many ways as possible — in my church, in my neighborhood, and through my work. I teach English at a Christian secondary school, and I lead a weekly devotional time for the 13- and 14-year-old students. We read a few verses from the Bible and then discuss them. I ask open-ended questions, and I try to draw the students closer to the Bible story by connecting ordinary examples from our lives to the verses we have read.

I do my best to share my faith and God’s love with the students. I talk about my faith experiences, but sometimes I feel that the message is too personal. I want to speak about God’s love, not about my feelings and problems. Before I lead each devotional time, I pray, “Lord, what do you want me to talk about? What is your message to these students today?” I want to humbly share God’s message and bless these 70 young people through my words.

As I lead the devotional time, I always feel that the Holy Spirit is with us. I see how carefully the students listen. I pray that God’s message reaches and touches their hearts. I am not afraid to talk anymore because the Lord leads my heart, mind, and lips. I am happy and honored to be God’s messenger to the children of our school.

Today's Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us. Give us strength and courage to work and speak in your name. Amen.

Good Morning Praying, Serving, Hearers and Doers of His Word! Amen! God is speaking to you this rainy morning. Spend some time with open Bibles and our devos as you abide, load-up, and prepare to go do what He reveals. He has great plans just for you and He is speaking to your heart this morning. Abide! Worship! Surrender! Then follow prepared and ready for whatever comes! Maybe process with some teammates too.

Before you start, meditate and be still while praying through this song. When I was at Birdsboro in 2009 our guitarist would often play this praise song and it always seemed to pour afterwards. We are in a 10-11 inch deficit of rain and severe drought in our area. I heard we need two rains like this per week for a month just to put a dent in it and catch up some. Yes let it rain! But we are also in a spiritual drought in this nation and world. Pray God's reign and presence would come raining down and flood this dry and weary land with spiritual revival! Come Lord! Reign over us and rain down Your blessings and even fill our aquafers! Thanks Lord! Prepare our hearts. Speak to us through Your Word and bring it alive to those with deaf ears and hard hearts. Come! Bring revival fires and spiritual rains over this nation! Amen! May we be seekers, hearers and doers of Your Word! Send me Lord with Your Word and Spirit ready to follow and tuned into You. Come! Let it rain! Open the floodgates of heaven! Amen! Thank YOU!

Let It Rain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDpF43cSnM0

Sarah Young:

I to We

ODB: 

TWFYT:

Good Morning Communing with God, Feasting on His Word,  Followers of Jesus! Please Lord! This morning something unique happened. I slept in. WHAT? So after spending my quiet time with the Lord and inviting Him to teach me and you, here's what He revealed toady. What did He say to you today? What might you do about that?

First of all, I am so humbled how God uses me to teach His Word, mentor you and lead His Church! Thanks Lord! Sometimes I have to repent of pride as I think about the way He leads and teaches through me. It is all Him and for Him and His people! I am just His faithful servant who invites the Holy Spirit to speak to me, help to remember His Word and to teach through me. I also always try to invite Him to open your hearts and minds as well. He is faithful to do so and I am faithful to dwell in Him and His Word daily and ingest and meditate on His Word. He is faithful to bring to mind what needs to be taught and shared. Last night was another example of that as we studied Luke 22 and John 17 from events that transpired during the last days of Jesus' life before the cross. Last night the Holy Spirit led us to celebrate the remembrance of that first Lord's Supper as we read about it in Luke 22 and allowed Jesus' words to institute and lead us through communion. It was pretty cool to think about being there and Jesus teaching us and thinking about how the disciples would have been clueless about the broken bread and wine as spilled blood until they celebrated the Lord's Supper after the ascension with the very first believers. (see Acts 2:42). 

If you are looking for some passages to draw close and dwell in today, I'd suggest those three above. Last night I suggested that instead of washing each others feet, maybe we could wash each other's hands. One of our devos for today (the Upper Room below) speaks of a church that does that. I think we'll need to try that sometime as we humble ourselves, die to self and do what Jesus did....love each other and serve each other in humility. Who might God want you to humbly serve today and forgive and love on. Remember He did this after the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus showed them God's way. And he reminds us that He came to serve and not to be served. What's that look like for you and our Body?

The devo that I most want to share is the one that really affirmed me and spoke to my heart--TWFYT (below). It's how God uses me, speaks to me, leads me, teaches me and through me. My prayer is to always teach and lead like Jesus and not to add to or take away from His Word as commanded. Meditate on this devo and pray for me. But also remember that we are all priests unto the Lord and called to share His love, salvation and Word with others. His Word is our instruction manual and road map. His Word is Truth and Life. His Word cuts to bone and marrow. Jesus is His Living Word. Who do you know that needs some of that today. What are God's plans to bring that to life through you this weekend with family and friends? He is speaking to you all the time and wanting to use you and has gifted you to bring His Word alive in word, deed and actions. How will you respond today? Invite Him in. Dwell in and ingest His Word. Bring His Living Word to life as you ask for help to live, love, teach, lead and make disciples like Jesus.

In this life, Christ is all that matters and He lives in you. That became available that first Resurrection Sunday and with your faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Life in Christ lived well boils down to this: embrace the Greatest and new commandments to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as Jesus has loved you (agape love), and then living out the Great Commission where Jesus says, Go! Make disciples of all nations, teaching them all I have taught you and baptizing them. To teach them well we need to actually open and ingest His Living Word. How's that going for you? Recently many have said they don't really know and want to know God's Word better. I'm praying for that and for His Word to come alive to and through us. However, you actually have to open His Word, spend time with God in it, memorize it and ingest it. Then when needed the Holy Spirit will give you the Words to share and even the words to wield against Satan. Amen! We are called to be doers of His Word. That's how good fruit buds and grows. What's that look like for you? How might you start pursuing that more earnestly? Who will you partner with to dwell in and study His Word with? Besides prayer, being in His Living Word and being a doer of it are the the most important roles in His Good News Delivery Company and as a member of His Body. The other part is allowing Him to use your gifts to bless others and grow His Church. So...what will you do about that? Who are your co-laborers in Christ? Pray into that! Open His Word. Go produce good fruit. I'm praying for you! There is so much joy awaiting you as you step into this more earnestly! You are blessed to be a blessing and God is with you, empowering you and has created and gifted you to do all he plans for you to do! PTL! You are His Masterpiece! And you have great potential in Christ! Pursue it in prayer with open Bibles and willing hearts and feet! Shalom!

UR: Maundy Thurs

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. - John 13:17 (NIV)

For seven years I belonged to a rural Mennonite congregation that met in a little country church. One older woman, Greta, had made it clear when I joined that she resented me because I am a Marine Corps veteran. Mennonites are traditionally pacifists, believing that taking a life — even in war — is murder.

When I approached the hand-washing basin at my first Maundy Thursday service at the church, I was surprised when it was Greta who gently took my hand and led me to the basin. Her actions were tender as she bathed my hands in the clean water, wrapped them in a soft white towel, and patted them dry. I then washed her hands. I noted how worn her hands were by her many years of working in her garden, cooking in the kitchen, caring for children. I was unexpectedly humbled and moved to tears. Before stepping away from the basin to make way for the next two women, Greta and I embraced. Following the Lord in loving service to one another can transform our lives and relationships.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to love one another as you have loved us. Help us to look for opportunities to find common ground even when we disagree. Thank you for your beautiful example of servanthood. Amen.

TWFYT:

Prayer starters

Today:

10-12 Bread Ministry

6-7:30 Dinner Huddle Holy Week worship with communion. All welcome! (It's a pizza party too!)

Good Morning Followers of Jesus, Our Messiah! Amen! He is our Lord and Savior and we have the benefit of His Spirit in us and 20/20 hindsight vision of all that transpired that week and up until today. Jesus spent this week teaching and pouring into His followers and those who came to see, hear and learn. Some received with open hearts and minds and some didn't. All had no idea what was to come. We too, never know what will be next but we do know that Jesus is the way, truth and life and our corner stone we build upon. We have seen that despite appearances, God knows, has a plan and is at work. And soon Jesus would commission His disciples tp go and make disciples and promise to be with them always. he is with us always and that commissioning still stands, as well as, His new commandment to go love as He has loved us and to build His Church. He is with us and we are gifted and created to live and love like Him and carry on His mission. What's your part? Talk to God about that today as you engage with my I to We devo below. He has great plans for you despite how things may appear. He has created, saved, gifted, empowered and is sending you. How might that look as you die to self, take up cross and follow Him today? Yesterday I shared the Lord's Supper with several over 95 year old's who know their purposes and that is to pray and encourage others. I and we have been prayed over and they want to encourage us to stay connected to Jesus through whatever we face and to trust Him to use you as you are and gifted to build His Church. And I say Amen! Can you feel their and many other's prayers? They are powerful and effective and your prayers and obedience are needed too. I'm praying for you and no matter what God has in store for you today, he will be there and with you and use you, if you allow Him to. Go! Live and love like Jesus today! Amen!

I to We

TGIF Friday! Thank God I'm Forgiven! Tell God what that means to you as you abide in His Word and Love!

Good Morning Worshipping, Abiding, Loving, Serving, Friends of God! We love because He first loved us! He loves us so much that He died for our sins! What Love! Abide in that love today and remember no matter what this day brings, it is filtered through His hands and will be used or redeemed for His purposes and so he made this day for His Kingdom plans and for us and we get to worship in it! Yes, rejoice! He's given us His Word to guide us and the Holy Spirit to bring it alive for us. We get to abide in His Word and His love! Yes, rejoice! Our God is not dead, stagnant or distant. He is with us and always at work and up to something new. he's custom made and gifted you for such a time as this and is with you always! Yes, rejoice! And He has blessed us to go bless and love on others and often in new and exciting and even easy custom made ways! Yes, rejoice! This is the day the Lord has made and you are the one he has made, saved and is leading to His new and perfect plans to go and love more like Him today! Yes, rejoice! This is a day to still and offer ourselves as we abide in Him and His Word, worship and then trust and follow Him as He loves through us! What joy we can know and abide in! Yes, rejoice! be still and know, trust and go in His love! rejoice, abide and follow well today! Check out the devos below as you abide, load up and prepare to go with Him. Yes, rejoice! Amen!

Sarah Young

I to We

UR: A New Thing

The Lord says, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

Recently, I read Isaiah 43:19 again and was surprised that God had to ask the Israelites, “Do you not perceive it?” How can God be doing a new thing and it not be perceived? Having worked as a gardener for several years, images of gardens that were overgrown and left unattended came to mind. If a garden is neglected, the grass grows too high; nettles, thistles, and other weeds take over where flowers once thrived; trees are never pruned, taking up too much space. A new flowering plant would be difficult to see in such a garden!

Similarly, when our lives are overgrown with relationship troubles, money worries, ill health, and other problems, it can be difficult to see the new thing God is doing. Sometimes we need help to see that God is indeed at work in our lives. Jesus describes God as a gardener in John 15:1-2. Sometimes we need God to trim our excessive spending and sort out thorny financial problems, to dig out the roots of our bad habits and prune our tendency to talk unfairly about others. When we focus on Jesus, we can more clearly see the work that God is doing in our lives.

Today's Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for caring for us. Help us to see the new thing you are doing in our lives. Amen.

TWFYT

Good Morning Earnestly Pursuing Christ Co-Laborers! Please Lord! May that be us and may we find our teammates and helpers and be good ones too as we spur each other on to the good works You have planned. May others see you, Your love and our faithfulness and be drawn to You. Come fill us, unite us and send us in love! Amen!

As we pursue Christlikeness, we often fail and fall short. After all, we are not Christ nor fully like Him yet. We are on a journey that sometimes has some deep valleys and steep hills to climb. We will often fail. But we do our best to seek, repent, renew our thinking and ways and strive earnestly to become more like Jesus and do what we are created to do as His image bearers. May we be steadfast in our pursuit and focused on Christ always. Being a member of God's Body and teammates can be messy and hard at times, but it is one of our commanded pursuits--Jesus said to live and love like Him as one. Help us Lord! We are commanded that if we come to the altar with our offerings and remember an offense to a co-laborer or other that we should leave our gift and go correct the situation before carrying on with our worship. Today God has highlighted that to me as I awoke thinking about a situation from Sunday and someone that I need to forgive and then correct myself and work at unity before helping to correct in love. Our devos below seem to be highlighting that thinking as well. God sure does speak and get our attention at times! How do you respond when that happens? Surrender, repent, renew your thinking, forgive and go love like Jesus as your act of worship when this happens. And so today, that is my plan. I will be reaching out to our PRC to help me and hold me accountable and maybe to be mediators if needed. That is the Jesus way we are called to pursue. Help me Lord! Be in this situation. Open hearts and minds and rectify this. Lead this and may I agape love well today--please! Thanks! Amen!

Who has God brought to your mind right now? What will you do about it? Who are your helpers to spur you on, pray for and with you and mediate if needed? Talk to God and them about this and then die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus as you continue to work at living and loving more like Him today! I'm praying for you! Remember, everyone is not like you nor where you are in your journey to Christlikeness. We are called to patient love like God shows us. Pursue that! I sure need to!

The Word God has for me for you today is to listen, abide and respond well to the Holy Spirit in you and His prodding to Christlikeness. And to earnestly pursue Christ and His ways with surrendered, willing and ready hearts! We are called to live and love like Jesus. What's getting in the way of that or for you to hear Him and respond well? Repent and find some teammates to help! We are made for love and unity and anything that hinders that or gets in the way of abiding in Love needs to be corrected like Jesus would, with agape love and earnestness. They will know we are Christians by our love and unity in Christ. Let's work on that today! I'm trying. May God be in it and lead it and lead us to our partners and unity and love. Amen! Come Jesus! Your will be done, Your way. Amen. May we live and love more and more like Jesus today!

ODB

Sarah Young

UR: Trusting the Lord

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. - Jeremiah 17:7 (NRSVUE)

Where I live, we have only two seasons — wet and dry. April and May are usually the hottest months, and for the past few weeks we’ve been experiencing extremely hot days with no rain.

Recently our water source was drying up and my family’s water pump stopped working. I read a news headline claiming that we have an 80 percent chance of experiencing the climate pattern known as El Niño in the coming weeks. I was scared by this possibility because El Niño’s warm waters are associated with drought in my country. It was already hotter than we could bear. How much harder would it be without water? What would my family drink?

God surely knows what we need and when we need it. As I was reading my journal, I saw that a few days back I had written down Jeremiah 17:5-10. The passage compares those who trust in man and those who trust in the Lord. Verse 8 says those who trust in the Lord will be like a tree planted by water and will not be anxious when drought comes. This reminded me to trust and fix my eyes and heart on God. Regardless of the changing seasons, I can trust God will remain faithful through it all.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, we know you are faithful and trustworthy. Help us to fix our eyes on you, no matter what we are going through. Amen.

TWFYT

Good Morning Following to the New Things of God Friends! Please Lord! May we forget what's behind and/or build on it as we seek you and long to follow You to the new things You have for us today, this week, this year and beyond. Your Word reminds us that You are always doing something new or wanting to through Your people. may we be a people that seek, release what was, receive what is and is to be and follow Jesus well. Thanks Lord! Come and lead us! Amen!!!

Today during my pastor's huddle we discussed all the things that need to happen at our Twin Pines Camp. It's a wreck and we almost lost it. Many are dealing with the tyranny of the urgent to make camp safe while seeking God for His plans and new things as we move forward. Pray for camp, provision, workers and for campers for the summer. Like for pour church, ask for dreams and visions for the future and willing hearts, hands and feet to follow the Holy Spirit to it.

Today s Donut Day. Come join us! Tonight is our dinner huddle. Bring a friend! I've gotta fly. Please spend some time engaging with God with two devos below and your open Bibles. He's speaking and wanting to lead you and us. What's he saying and what are His plans? What will you do about that! Offer yourself. he does have great plans for you and us! I'm praying we seek and follow well to all the new things He has for us! Shalom! may His joy and love overflow you today!

ODB: Read and meditate on Isaiah 43:18-25. What's God saying to you?

UR: Words and Deeds. Hw does God want to use you in small and big ways today? How might you join Him r partner with some others to do so?

Faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. - James 2:17 (CEB)

The plane turbulence was moderate, but I’d experienced far worse. However, when I turned to the college-aged person sitting next to me, I saw from the look on her face that she was terrified. I decided to talk to her, explaining what was happening, how long it generally lasted, and assuring her that the first time I experienced similar turbulence was unpleasant as well. Gradually, both she and the plane settled. When it was time to descend for landing, we started to experience more turbulence. She asked if I could talk her through everything again. I did.

Sometimes we underestimate the power of words, thinking that only our actions matter in God’s eyes. After all, hoping someone will be fed or will find shelter is far different than directly providing for them. Yet I’ve learned that sometimes our words and our deeds become one and the same. What that young woman needed more than anything was a reassuring voice.

As we were exiting the plane she said, “I don’t know how to thank you.” I told her that I imagined her on an airplane a few decades from now, having become an experienced traveler. I imagined her turning to someone else and helping them on their way. We can all provide words that are deeds at various points in our lives, depending on the circumstance.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to be aware of the needs of others, even when they might be too troubled to speak. Help us offer what is needed — whether that be words or actions. Amen.

This Week:

Please note Tuesday Zoom Huddle is canceled for this week. Thanks!

Wed 10-12 Donut Day at Bread Ministry

Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle

Sat. 10 AM Weed. plant and mulch party at church.

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Good Morning Clay! We are the workmanship of the Master Potter who forms, reforms, redeems and shapes us to be His vessel. PTL! What's it like for you to be clay in the hands of the Potter? Talk to Him about that and maybe process that with some others. Are you supple and willing to die to self to allow His transforming, refining work? Have you allowed the baking of the Potter's furnace to finish His work? You are His Masterpiece (according to Eph 2:10) made new in Christ to do what God had planned for you before you were born. Has your life entered the finishing phase or is it still being shaped? No matter. He is working all things together and shaping us to be more like Jesus! Amen! May we be available, supple and willing to die to self to allow His master work to shine forth through us! Amen!

Yesterday we discussed what a Jesus shaped life looks like as we thought about the finishing work that was happening with the 12 as they approached that first "Holy Week". He was busy pouring into His disciples and shaping the events of the week. He was finishing up His work and preparing them to step out and carry on the mission. This week we will contemplate what it may have been like to be one of His followers this final week of His earthly ministry. What can we learn and apply as we allow Him to shape and mold us into Christlikeness and our fuller, activated potential in Christ. Talk to God about that and process with some others as you meditate on the devos below. Begin with the song we ended with yesterday as we offer ourselves and allow the One who chose you, the Potter to rework us today and prepare us as His vessels. Come Potter have Your way. Mold, shape and prepare us and use us as we are during this refining process of moving from one way in Christ to our better, fuller potential. We were one way and now another because of Christ! Amen! Come Jesus! Your Kingdom come and will be done! Thank You for Choosing me and continuing Your good work in, through and around me! Amen!

Start with this song: I Am Chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE50gfQUUC4

Sarah Young

I to We

ODB

Connection

April 7 - Jesus – Provider…Not Performer “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (John 6:12-15). If an answered prayer brings us closer to submission to God’s purposes, then the prayer has served its purpose—to focus on hallowing the Father’s name, to advance the rule of God’s kingdom and for His will to be done on earth as in heaven. Here the prayer for daily bread becomes an extension of “your kingdom come.” But if answered prayer produces within us a manipulative yearning to see God “do it again,” and He becomes a performer doing encores after the curtain comes down on the show, we enter the realm of demonic power instead of godly submission. Demons seize hold in order to make others do their will. Demons distract people from the kingdom agenda, promise fulfillment, and in the end remove human freedom. Demonic power manipulates in order to control. God’s power invites us to come to Him and die with Him that He might accomplish the blessing of the many. Jesus’ ministry is focused on restoring what is lost, on returning people to fullness and to self-giving, that we might be able to choose Him, not based on manipulative demand, but on pure love. The crowd in John 6 didn’t understand that the true bread was to know Christ Himself on Christ’s terms. Lord Jesus, sometimes I don’t understand how people couldn’t see the truth of all that You are when you did miraculous things as God directed. Rather than being grateful, they wanted more amazing signs and wonders. Your love calls us to die so that we might live. Continue to transform my life to complete fullness of all that You are – not so I will see the miraculous, but so that I will see only You! Draw me towards who You are because of the depth of my love for You, not because of what You do so that I can begin to experience Your miraculous works as part of my every day Christian life!  --Adapted from Power Praying (Hearing Jesus’ Spirit by Praying Jesus’ Prayer) by David Chotka. Prayer Points Praise the Lord for being your shepherd (Psalm 23). Give thanks for those refreshing times when you experience “green pastures” and “quiet waters.” Confess any dissatisfaction concerning God’s care for you. Commit yourself to faithfully following the Good Shepherd in every area of your life. Ask God to “strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3). Ask the Good Shepherd to touch the lives of those who have not yet put their trust in him. Pray that they may experience his loving and redeeming care. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Good Morning Worshiping Co=Laborers! All we do can be an act of worship! Prapare your hearts to worship as we look at a Jesus shaped life and see how we are doing at living and loving more like jesus. Are you? he made you and gifted you for such a time as this. may your life be lived more like Jesus' and as an act of worship! I'm praying for you!

I was contemplating this morning what Jesus' worship life looked like. He lived fully for the Father as an act of worship and obedience. may we move towards that with open willing hearts of worship! He is worthy! He alone! What are you living for? How has and is Jesus shaping your life? Everyday we can move closer to our potential to become like Jesus and live and love more like Him. May we hlep and spur each other on to run and completye our races well. We are made to be Christ and incarnate Him to the world and we need each other. let us earnestly pursue that with hearts of surrender and worship!

Check out these devos. What's God saying to you and what will you d about it. his plans are awesome and custom made for you. Put on that easy yoke as you go live and love like Jesus, just as you are, today! AMEN! See you soon! God has a Word for you today! Listen! Follow! Worship! What joy awaits you and us as we trust, obey and live our lives as acts of worship, just like Jesus!

I to We

ODB

TWFYT

Good Morning! Praise God for this Holiest of Days--my birthday! haha! Have you ever praised God and offered yourself to Him on your birthday? I do! Think about this: your are fearfully ad wonderfully made n His image, custom made, saved, redeemed, filled, gifted, empowered and sent for such a time as this! What's not to celebrate as it is all God's plan and for His glory! h is an amazing God of wonders, miracles and even saving a wretch like me! Yes PTL! There are a few devos and our connection blogs today that flow through what God is saying to me and you today! Spend some time worshipping, obeying and stepping out in faith today. Praying God allows me to go racing, but whatever his will is is perfect because He will be in it and I am prayed up and ready to join Him today! Are you? This is the day he has made! rejoice and be glad and available in it! he has perfect plans just for you! Amen!

As I turn the calendar to another year, here's the greatest news! Embrace and receive it! Then choose to walk with Jesus as you step into your activated potential and learn to live and love more like Him. That's the best present you can give me today! Amen! BELIEVE! SURREDER! LIVE WELL!

UR: Known by Name

The Lord said, “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” - Isaiah 43:1 (CEB)

My husband is intentional about asking for someone’s name or looking for their name tag and then using it in an encouraging, conversational way. When speaking to a salesclerk, for example, he might say, “Lily — that reminds me of springtime,” or, “Jacob — that’s a Bible name!” Our names personalize us and are openings to further conversation. My husband’s intentionality reminds me that the store clerk I interact with is Sally, who has hopes and dreams of her own. The person who delivers my mail is not a nameless postal carrier but Sam, who has a life, a family, and a story.

In the Bible, names especially have meanings that point to the bearer’s destiny or purpose or that reflect God’s work in their life. For example, Jacob became Israel, Saul changed to Paul, and Simon was called Peter. God has shown us that names have value, even in naming his Son.

We are each important, and our individual names reflect our worth. We can recognize the inherent worth of each person — each child of God — by acknowledging and encouraging (by name whenever possible) the people we encounter each day.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to acknowledge each individual we encounter today, remembering that you have created them in your image. Amen.

Sarah Young

TWFYT

Connections:

April 5 - What You Seek Reveals Your Passion “What are you seeking?” Those are the first recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of John (1:38). What we seek reveals our personal passion. Jesus is interested in my passion, what drives me, what motivates me, what fulfills me. Before considering passion in prayer it would be wise to identify what it is I am really seeking through prayer, thus answering Jesus’ question. Jesus’ passion was the will of the Father: My food is to do the will of Him who sent me (John 4:34). His prayer flowed from the passion of trust and obedience in that good and loving will. Jesus had no personal agenda for His life or His prayer, did nothing on His own initiative, spoke only what He heard from the Father, and did only what He saw the Father doing (see John 5:19, 30; 8:28, 38, 42). As we observe Jesus at prayer, our goal is to catch His passion for intimacy with the Father, which for us becomes personal passion in prayer. But pray-er beware! Jesus’ intimacy with the Father incited the religious establishment’s desire to kill Him. Intimacy with God is seldom a crowd pleaser. But it ushers us into the great passionate conversation called prayer. Personal passion in prayer is the difference between blowing a kiss and kissing. It is the movement from smelling bread to eating bread, from knowing about to true knowing. We ask, “How?” Jesus says, “Come and see.” Come and see where He abides and join Him there. (Compare John 1:38-39 with chapter 15.) Jesus, we come. Teach us to pray with passion. Holy God, my spirit longs to be filled with passion for all that you are; yet, so many other things in life are continually vying for my time and attention. May my desire to “come and see” grow so deep that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to stand firm against the traps of the enemy to draw me towards what is worthless. Keep my heart pure and focused upon life in Your kingdom as I seek more of You alone!  --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 23, Jesus as a Role Model of Personal Passion in Prayer by Howard Baker). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Pray for opportunities to build up and encourage any friends whose spirits may be sagging. Pray that the tongue will be an instrument of peace and not strife in your family life. Uphold those who teach Christian doctrine in your congregation. Pray that they will be careful to teach the truth. Ask that they might communicate spiritual truths in an engaging and effective manner. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

It's Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! PTL and meditate on all that means to you. As we approach that Good Friday cross, think about what His broken body and spilled blood mean to you, us and all who will come. Yes worship today! We are washed white as snow! PTL!

Good Morning Redeemed of the Lord! PTL--right? You are made in God's image for His purposes. When we come to Christ we are made new, cleansed and purified and now gifted, equipped and empowered to go love and share the Good news of our salvation. He has brought you with a price and paid for you in full. PTL! You are redeemed, delivered and made new. Shed the old today and step into the new nature and the new things God is doing. Our God is not stagnant or absent. he is alive and active and transforming and molding you to go do your part in His Good News Delivery Co. and to live and love more like Jesus. Your potential in Christ has been activated! PTL! What are His plans for you and your co-laborers today? Step into them and shine the light of your salvation and walk in the joy of it today! The world needs that and God has your custom plan already in action. Shed the old and step into the new with much thanksgiving and worship! Trust and obey as you worship, receive and follow Him today. I'm praising for you and praying for God to make clear the plan to you today and to give a willing heart and moving feet! Come! Let us worship! You matter! You are redeemed. You are empowered! PTL!

Contemplate the devos for today below and maybe process and plan with your teammates. What's God saying and what new thing does He have for you today! Take that baby step of faith and watch what He will do as you offer yourself. Shalom! Know His joy as you allow Him to live and love through you and encourage and spur some friends on.

Sarah Young

ODB

UR: Small Things Matter

Those who despise a time of little things will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. - Zechariah 4:10 (CEB)

My brother Tommy was intellectually disabled and lived in a group home. Because I lived in another country, I did not visit him in person. One day I decided to start sending him postcards so he would remember that he had a sister who loved him. I wrote to him regularly. I would choose a nice picture, write out my greeting, and send it across the sea.

Tommy passed away some time ago. After his death, the personnel at his group home gave the postcards to my mother. Tommy had saved them. The staff told my mother that Tommy had slept with the postcards under his pillow every night and that he wouldn’t let anyone else touch them because they were so precious to him. It moved my heart deeply to know that an action of mine that was so small had meant so much to my brother.

Our lives are full of things that seem inconsequential. While a kind gesture or an encouraging word may not seem noteworthy, they can mean much. God’s word encourages us to love, even in little ways. In doing so, we spread the joy of God’s kingdom, and lives can be changed.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for opportunities to care for others. Help us to share your love today, even in little ways. Amen.

I to We

TWFYT

Good Morning Custom Created, Saved, Custom Gifted, Empowered, Complete, Servants of God Almighty! AMEN! PTL! Even when we don't feel like it all the time, that is you, me, us! PTL! Turn off the noise for a time today and dwell in His loving presence today. Listen for His still small voice whispering your name and meditate on all the facets of this salutation an truth this morning. Take some time process our devotionals below and His Word and Truth as he calls you by name and reveals His love and plans for you today. Ask Him to reveal your gifts and purposes and for some teammates to process, pray and plan with. He does have some great plans for you--big and small to discover, pray into and join Him in completing. Just dwell and worship some before stepping out in strengthened faith for this day--the day the Lord has made! And we get to worship, serve, trust, obey and follow Jesus too throughout the day He has prepared you for! Amen!

I've been praising God for you and praying for you and us. God has been reminding me of the group that just worked through the spiritual gifts study. I know He has plans for each of you to discover and grow into. I want to encourage you all, and especially the gifts study people to come together with some friends and ask God to lead you to what's next. Maybe it's a prayer team, Bible study, accountability group or some ministry to start. Seek Him! What's He revealing? Who are your partners? What's He have for you and what will you do about it? Ask Him with a prayerful, willing heart and watch for some amazing things to come as you put Christ and His mission first and follow well. I am so excited and, truth be told, a bit anxious that we will miss Him and His plans and avoid His stretching and sending. We are on our way to really coming alive individually and as His Body! However, for that to bud, grow and produce good fruit, we all need to be a bit more earnest in our approach and willingness to step out in faith. May He fan into flame the spark we are as we seek and follow and step into our purposes! Talk to Him and some teammates about this today. Then take some baby steps towards His perfect, custom made plans for you and us! We do really need each other! may we be fully His as we learn to live and love more like Jesus and as we are created for such a time as this! Amen!

Note to the spiritual gifts study people (and all of us). Check out the I to We devo. It really is what God has been revealing for me to share with you. I'm praying into that and believing we are about to come alive in '25 and beyond. How might He be setting up your next steps and what will you do as you step into His perfect plans? Let's talk about it, pray about it, plan it and begin, even today! Amen! In Christ we have all we need! He is enough--Jireh! he qualifies and empowers the called (you). It's time to stop bemoaning what is and allowing Him to use you to change the world around you. It's time to start living as if Christ is all that matters because Christ is really all that matters in this life and we are His! Amen! Stop--drop--and prepare to roll with Jesus! revival is at hand and awaiting us to do our parts. PTL! be bold and courageous! Trust and obey. And watch where you can join Him today! And keep praying for each other to discover, grow and go and for our leaders and vision team to seek, hear and follow God well as we lead our Body. (see Connections blogs for prayer starters)

Sarah Young

UR: New Life

Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” - John 11:25 (NRSVUE)

Where I live, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in the springtime. The story of Easter is powerful no matter what season of year it is when we celebrate, but the theme of Easter goes particularly well with the theme of spring. The dormancy, cold, and bleakness of winter mirrors the body of Christ being in the tomb and the feelings his followers must have experienced. They must have thought all was lost and hope was gone.

When I look out at a winter landscape with bare trees, brown grass, and a dark sky, sometimes it’s hard to feel excited. But fortunately, spring always comes. Although the transition begins slowly, the trees eventually begin to bud and flowers burst forth. These signs give me hope that new life is coming and put a little bounce in my step, even if I am still wearing winter boots.

The Resurrection brought a similar hope. Jesus’ lifeless body came back to life. The dark, foreboding tomb was opened, never to be closed again. The morning came alive with the promise of hope returning to earth. God did something new on that Easter morning, and God does something new every spring too.

Today's Prayer

God of new life, your timing is always perfect. Thank you for the hope of Easter. Amen.

ODB:

TWFYT:

I to We

Connections:

April 3 - True Prayer Seeks God Prayer is not merely a religious exercise that Christians perform.  Neither is it seeking a handout from God. Prayer is seeking to know God. It is seeking Him with our whole hearts. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the priests, the prophets, and the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile in Babylon. In that letter he stated the kind of prayer that God acknowledges. “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:12–14). When a person searches for God with his whole heart, only then is God found. The heart of man is the central core of a person—the inner man. The Greek word for heart is kardia, which means, “the chief organ of physical life.” W. E. Vine says that the heart “occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition, the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life. .  . The heart, in its moral significance in the Old Testament, includes the emotions, the reason, and the will.” Creator God, You knitted me together perfectly with a heart that is designed to be formed by Your own heart. Teach me how to be continually open to Your perfect presence so that my mind, emotions and desires are focused upon seeking a life devoted to Jesus.  --Adapted from The Prayer Factor: Adventures with a God who Hears and Answers by Sammy Tippit. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.    Prayer Points Praise God for individuals whom he has called to be your spiritual guides. Thank God for establishing order and authority in his church. Confess any lack of appreciation for the responsibility God has given to your pastor, elders, and deacons. Commit yourself to regularly upholding your spiritual leaders in prayer. Ask God to grant you a willingness to follow their leadership. Pray by name for your pastor(s), elders, and deacons. “They keep watch over you as men who must give account.” Ask that “their work will be a joy, not a burden” (Heb. 13:17). Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Good Morning Team! We are gathered, united and sent to change the world with the love of Christ. That is our purpose and mission. May we all choose to pray into and step into our parts in His Good News delivery Co. everyday--even today. I'm praying for you and believing God has some great things ahead for you, me and us! PTL! I gotta fly but take some time to spend time prayerfully with God with open Bibles and through the devos below! he's speaking and calling you by name. He loves you and has some awesome plans to discover and step into. Have at it! Shalom. Be real and do life together! Check out the extra reading from the Upper Room. Can you see our team and call in this teaching? I do! Let us unite to go live and love like Jesus! He is the Way!

Joyce Meyer

I to We

TWFYT

UR: 

UR: Power in Weakness

The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSVUE)

For seven years as a child, I took piano lessons. I quickly learned my strength was sight-reading music; and to my annoyance, my weakness was my inability to memorize easily. One year, when the day of the recital came, I still did not feel comfortable with my music. As I walked toward the piano, my stomach was queasy and my hands shaky. I sat down and began to play, but near the end my mind went blank. I could not remember how to finish the piece. Finally, desperate, I just hit a chord, stood up, and walked back to my seat, feeling embarrassed.

I wish I could say I overcame my challenges with memorization. I cannot. I wish I could say I can preach and teach without notes in front of me. I cannot. And yet, God still calls me to teach and occasionally to preach and blesses me despite my weakness.

The Bible has many stories about people who felt inadequate whom God used in powerful ways: Moses and Jeremiah are two examples. Even Mary, Peter, and Paul struggled until God’s grace saw them through to accomplish powerful works.

When we

give our weaknesses as well as our strengths to God, we can stand strong and marvel at what God does with our lives.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, use our strengths and weaknesses to glorify you wherever we go, in whatever we do, and with whomever we meet. Amen.

Chuck Swindoll

Connection:

April 2 - Submitted to His Will When all other needs have been satisfied and our hearts made full, the greatest need is for Christ Himself to be formed in all aspects of our lives. He is the bread we need for wholeness to come into our fractured existence. In John 6, Jesus saw a large crowd in a wilderness area and realized there was no food to feed this gathering.  “He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him” (John 6:5-6). As it turned out the “test” was not merely a test of Philip’s faith, but of the response of the crowd to the power of God. Jesus took five barley loaves and two fish and fed five thousand people with that meager supply. One would think that the response would be gratitude and a hunger for the things that Jesus would teach. Instead it turned into a demand for more of the spectacular, and a fleshly insistence that Jesus do things on their terms, instead of submission to the will of God, revealed in Christ. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14-15, NIV, emphasis added) In the presence of a miracle of provision of daily bread, and in the very presence of God in human flesh, a gathering of five thousand Christ-seekers made the decision to manipulate the Lord of glory to become a king according to their understanding instead of serving the one who had granted them blessing on His terms. Jesus had to withdraw His presence from their midst. His presence will always withdraw when this occurs. He will not be a puppet-king. Lord God, why is it that your people are always looking to Your hand rather than to Your heart…and to Your provision rather than to Your presence?  I want to sit at Your feet and be content with all that You are in my life rather than continually seeking for more and better experiences of Your power.  May I continually be submitted to Your perfect will revealed in Christ. --Adapted from Power Praying (Hearing Jesus’ Spirit by Praying Jesus’ Prayer) by David Chotka. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for being a great and awesome God (Deut. 7:21). Thank him for bending down low in order to bring salvation and faith to you. Confess times when you’ve thought God was small and powerless. Commit yourself to worshiping God with “reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28). Ask for a true sense of awe as you meet God in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:35). The psalmist says to God: “How awesome are your deeds! . . . All the earth bows down to you” (Ps. 66:3-4). Pray that God’s awesome power might be clearly evident throughout his kingdom worldwide. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Sarah Update below

This week:

Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle (all welcome)

Wed:

10-12 Bread Ministry

6-7:30 Dinner Huddle

Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet

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Good Morning Sinking Roots Deep, Abiding in Christ Co-Laborers! May that be us Lord! Thanks! Amen!

What does stepping into that salutation look like for you? Something that has become evident as a need for our flock is the desire to learn God's Word and apply it to our lives and our church. To become good at being doers of the Word, we need to know, understand, and apply it. That takes time to actually read and study the Living Word of God  and abiding in the Living Word, Jesus more earnestly. Setting aside time daily to read, meditate upon and pray through God's Word is critical to grow in our potential in Christ and understanding God's will for us. Part of the purpose of this blog is to kick start our daily time in His Word. For me that is best early in the morning before I begin the day. For some that may be lunch time or before bed. Whatever works for you, make it a priority. God is speaking to you and is heard through time prayerfully meditating on His Word. That is how we sink our roots deep in Christ and move towards very productive fruit producing. If you want to know the Word and check our teaching against it, you have to make spending time with open Bibles part of your daily routine. Just do it--try it and see how God is speaking to you and wanting to direct your steps daily. Check out my I to We devotional reading for today below as they begin a season of soaking in God's Word. God has plans for you and us that are revealed as we dwell in Him and with our open Bibles.

Yesterday we experienced our Children's Church building God's Armor as they learned about it right from His Word. We all know we can and should pray it on daily. Now they can understand it a bit more because they spent some weeks studying it. We heard from Gail Reinsmith sharing her call to minister to the least of these in NYC and how God guides their team through His Word to go be His hands and feet and directs them daily in the how to of that. Then Sarah reminded us of those who dreamed big and prayed big God prayers expectantly. To hear and follow God well, you have to spend time with Him and in His Word. And then to apply it and become doers of what he reveals we need to pray expectantly with thanksgiving according to what He is revealing and then gather with some teammates to make His plans and then go live and love more like Jesus! We are a people claiming to stand on and live by His Word. To grow at that we have to open our Bibles, pray expectantly and abide in Christ as we sink our roots deep and draw nourishing from Him and His Word that will produce good and lasting fruit.

We have great potential that comes to life as we abiding in Christ, pray expectantly and become doers of what he reveals. And that also includes doing things together as His Good News delivery Company. As that comes to life we will become know as His dynamic movement of people who have a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost and we will be producing the fruit He has created, gifted and gathered us to produce. What's your part? Bring it alive Lord! Send me/us. Produce good and pasting fruit as we abide in You and become doers of Your word. Amen!

I to We

Sarah Update:

Hi church family!

   What a great day of worship and fellowship!!   We started off having a couple girls from the Children's church share their armor of God outfits.   The Teachers of the Children's church have been teaching and training the kids about the gift that God has given each of us.....His Armor that if we put it on every day, protects us from satan.  Pastor Mike wore his racing uniform, which serves an armor that protects him when he is racing.

We also got to hear from Gail Reinsmith, one of the missionaries that we support and lives and shares God Word in NY.  It was great 

seeing her and hearing what God has been doing through her and her team (CRU).   We continue to keep Gail in our prayers!

Sarah then shared God's Word with us......When was the last time that you really dreamed in your prayers?  God wants us to dream and give those dreams to Him.....Wait expectantly for Him to answer and THANK HIM BEFORE the miracle happens for the miracle/answer to prayer to come.

Then we all went down to the fellowship hall to enjoy some great food and fellowship!!!  Thank you Lori, Barb, Ramon, Karen, Reid, and others that pitched in to help make the brunch a great time of gathering together in our Father's house!!

OUR NEXT BRUNCH WILL BE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH FOLLOWING WORSHIP. PLAN TO JOIN US!

  The menu is; Ham ( brown sugared/clove or pineapple cherry), stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggie, salad, pineapple upside down cake, dirt pudding, brownies/cookies and crumb cake.  YUMMO!!!

** ** **

Here are some prayer needs and praises shared today;

Darlene Skinner - remains in the hospital with health issues, fluid retention.

Joan Fenstermaker - health issues/concerns, asking for prayers of peace

Susan (friend of Dean Marks) - has two blockages but cannot have operation due to blood clots

Harry (Pop) Waterman will be having his battery changed in his pace maker on Friday. Prayers that all goes well 

Caleb has his ear test and procedure. Praising God that his hearing is GREAT and he is even starting to 'chatter' a bit now!!

Gail Reinsmith praising God the she and her team are still going strong in NY, Needs are great but God is always supplying!

Lisa Wenner is praising God for the New Veterinarian that has joined her team at work. All are doing well and adjusting good! 

     Also she is going to be a Great Aunt again - with twins!!  Keep momma and babies in prayer as they grow inside the womb.

Liz Reinsmith is praising God - Her friend Jody, whom we were praying for....had an MRI and her neck is HEALED!! PRAISE GOD!!!

Marshall's friend passed away due to cancer, he is asking for prayer for the family as they deal with their loss.

Pastor Don is praising God for the continual growth of his wife's boss, who had preemie twins in December. They are doing well and will 

hopefully be leaving the hospital and headed home next week.

   Pastor Don is also asking for prayer for Karen and her co-workers as when the twins come home, their boss will be on maternity leave for at least two months.  Karen and co-workers will miss their boss, but will have added work to handle while she is out.

Continue to keep Pastor Don and Sarah in your prayers as they minister to our church family and others. Prayers for their health, safety.

 Pastor Don will be scheduling homebound communions and visits over the next two weeks. Prayers for him as he goes in and out of facilities to visit, remain healthy.

Believe that is all for now......praying we all have a great week, dreaming big....and sharing Jesus' love with all those around us.

   God loves you!!

       Blessings,

          Sarah

Sarah Update below

Click this link for great insight on the importance of being the praying church God has called us to be and the importance of BIG, expectant praying: https://www.harvestprayer.com/prayer-evangelism-and-the-purposes-of-god/ and this link about not giving up hope on America and praying earnestly for revival: https://www.harvestprayer.com/against-all-odds-prayer-to-the-god-of-hope/

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Good Morning Praying, Surrendered, Co-Laborers! Amen! Come Lord! Your will be done! Help me to humble myself, seek Your face and pray according to Your Word. Then may I do my part as Your answer to those prayers. Thank You! Come! Bring revival and use me for my part. Amen!

Sometimes we hear God's voice and think we know exactly what He desires of us and sometimes, well we are not hearing clearly or fully understanding all the facets of His revelation. Today is a case in point for me. I thought I clearly heard God wanting me to share the devos I am about to share below as He revealed His call to unity, love, and kindness today--even to show love to our enemies (or perceived ones). I've determined and try to do my best not to bring politics into blogs or sermons anymore. Politics and our preferences are just too devisive and counter our unity in Christ and mission. Seriously, we could rename our country the Divided States because we surely are. But has not God called us to unity, love, kindness and working together for the good of all and for His Kingdom to come? Some will never get it and are Hell bound, but we are called and sent for those who will come to Christ and His ways. Today's first two devos are about hearing God and responding well. He is speaking to your heart all the time. He is calling you and us to commune with Him in His Word and prayer, to seek His directions and follow well. He has called us to be His vessels of love, unity and new life. Can you hear Him speaking to you today? What's He whispering to your spirit? What may you need to crucify and repent of to be ready and available to follow Him to His mission for you today? Talk to Him about that and process with some friends. 

Sarah reminded me of when I discussed the appropriate response to being on fire (like I was a few years ago) Stop-Drop-Roll. The world and this nation are on fire right now. We need to STOP--turn off the noise, actually pause our own thinking and redirect to God's. Then we need to DROP to our knees in prayer and conversation with God. Renewing our thinking and receiving His direction. And we need to pause and process with some friends what we are hearing and make God's plans. Then we will be ready to ROLL! Let's roll united in Christ and for God's glory as His vessels of love and revival. It's really what the world needs right now! Are you in? God has created you for such a time as this and we all have our parts to carry out in His Good News Delivery Company! It's time to allow Him to use you as the answers to your payers and as His vessels--prayed up and ready to roll for His glory alone. Amen! It's time to get earnest in our prayers, walk and the way of Jesus! I'm praying expectantly with thanksgiving for you and us to be moved by God to our created and gathered and sent purposes for such a time as this! Come Lord! Have Your way with us! Prepare us! Send us! use us for Your glory and bring revival! Amen!

UR: Hearing God's Voice

God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!" - Exodus 3:4 (NIV)

The walls of our old house are thin. I often hear the sounds of the city outside and of people passing by — a child crying, a couple with slightly raised voices, a group of giggling school children. These background noises have become a part of my everyday life, and I hardly acknowledge them. But every once in a while something comes through clearly.

Throughout our lives, almost in the background, God speaks to us — in the wise words of others, in scripture, in our circumstances and surroundings. It is rare that we hear the voice of God clearly like Moses did. Moses was going about his daily work of shepherding when he noticed an unusual sight — a burning bush — and then heard God’s call. It was impossible to ignore.

God speaks to us too. God never ceases speaking, and taking time to stop, pray, and listen to God is an essential discipline in our Christian life. Often it is easy to neglect wise advice, to let our eyes pass over our daily scripture reading without really paying attention, to fail to notice those in need around us or God’s blessings surrounding us. Let us remember to pause and notice what God is saying to us.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to notice when you are speaking to us today. Thank you for surrounding us with your presence. Amen.

Sarah Young:

ODB:

TWFYT:

Sarah Update

Good evening, Warriors......

This afternoon, Sandy, Darlene Geiger's sister, whom we were lifting up in prayer, passed away.  Please continue to pray for Sandy's

immediate family and for Darlene and the rest of the family as they go through this difficult time.

Please keep Patrick, who attends our bread ministry and has some great conversations with Pastor Don regarding Jesus.....Patrick is searching. Hopefully one day soon we will see Patrick in worship!   Patrick is having surgery on Wednesday, on his ear. He has been having 

some issues with his hearing. Hopefully this surgery will help with his hearing. (Note: Patrick said he cannot understand the Bible and has trouble reading it. I (pastor Don) ordered him a large print study Bible. Pray he and I can have some time studying it together. Thanks! May God's Word not come back void!)

Thanks everyone for praying for these families!

   Have a good evening and tomorrow!

     Blessings,

       Sarah

It's Brunch day! Join us after worship! All welcome! Thanks to Lori and team for all the prep and good food awaiting!

Pray for Sarah as she brings the Word today and for Gail Reinsmith who will share some about her missionary service to NYC. And pray for the kids as they prepare to share the armor of God with us.

Good Morning Acts 2:42 Worshippers! Get your hearts ready to worship, praise, pray, abide and eat and fellowship as God's gathered Body! He is worthy of all praise. glory, honor and obedience and He has great plans for you and us to discover and step into with faith and determination. Amen! He is with us always! And He is working all things together for the good of those who believe. Amen! And we get to gather, worship, fellowship, pray and eat! How cool!

Check out and pray through the Connections blog as you prepare for the day ahead. And then engage with our devos for the day. God is speaking. What's He whispering to you? Worship! Trust! Obey! And find some teammates to process, plan and go with! He is enough and He is with you! He is our Good Shepherd who calls us by name and leads us forward to green fields, still waters and good fruit! PTL! and Amen!

Connections:

ODB:

UR: My Source

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

I was feeling lost and alone, struggling with my faith and feeling unsure of my purpose. I had been going through a time of distress, dealing with financial complications and strained relationships. One night, overwhelmed and desperate for guidance, I opened the Bible and came across Matthew 6:25-34.

Reading that passage, I realized that I had been focusing too much on my problems and not enough on my faith. I had been worrying about things that were beyond my control and had lost sight of the fact that God was with me and would provide me with better possibilities. I took the passage to heart and started to focus on my relationship with God, praying and meditating on God’s word. Over time, I felt more peace and contentment, and I began to see a way through my difficulties.

The Bible can provide relief and direction during trying times, and concentrating on our faith can help us find peace and determination. So let us prioritize our relationship with God every day, believing in God’s provision and guidance. No matter our circumstances, we can make time for prayer and reflection and focus on God’s word as a source of well-being and relief.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for providing for us during times of crisis. We trust in your goodness and love to guide us through any challenge. Amen.

TWFYT;

Sarah Young

Sarah update below (Pray for her as she prepares to bring God's Word tomorrow and pray for many to attend our brunch and experience God's love and care and be drawn to Him.)

Good Morning Renewed and Restored, Standing on the Word, Students of Jesus and His Way! Amen! Thinking about God's Word today, the thought about life verses came to mind. What verses have you memorized and are ones that lead your steps of faith? What verses have you wielded against Satan? What verses do you pray back to God as reminders of His promises? As we abide in His Word we are reminded of His promises, encouraged, covered, informed, and more able to overcome the attacks on our faith. We come to know, understand and embrace truth. We are able o compare teachings we hear against His truths and discern if a teacher is worth listening to. His Word cuts to the bone and marrow and purifies us as we allow it to cut away the unneeded things and even sin that so easily entangles. Jesus is the Living Word and all of the Bible points to Him and His good ways and so we are able to better be a follower of THE Way and understand more clearly our mission. Open, embrace, meditate on, receive and stand firm in and on His Living Word today!

Some of my life verses are included in our devotional readings for today: Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:10, and Deuteronomy 31:6 are a few. fear not! be strong and courageous. Don't lean on your own understanding but acknowledge God in all your ways and allow Him to direct your steps. I am God's masterpiece, made new and gifted to do what I am created to do for such a time as this. AMEN! Right? Sink your roots deep into God and His Word today as you engage with our devos for today and then pray into the Connections blogs. What's God saying to you? What will you do about it, doer of His Word? Who are your partners? Yes be strong and courageous for such a time as this and stand firm on God's Word as you shed your thinking, agenda and misconceptions for His Truth and Way. he created you for such a time as this in love to go love? How has He revealed to approach that today? I'm praying for clarity, want to and partners for you to go live and love more like Jesus with. Shalom!

Sarah Young

ODB: 

UR: Praying With

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6 (NRSVUE)

As a hospital administrator, I often pray with patients to offer them comfort and peace. Recently, I encountered an elderly man who is a very familiar face in our community. He was a successful businessman. Before I left his room, I asked if I could pray for him. He smiled, so I proceeded to pray. At the conclusion of my prayer, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, “No one has ever prayed for me before.” How can this be? I thought to myself. Surely someone along his life’s journey had prayed for him from a distance. When we pray to God we often name specific people, but how often do we go to those persons and pray with them? How much more powerful it would have been if someone had stopped for a moment and prayed with this man!

As Christians, we are to be the hands and feet as well as the eyes and ears of Christ. Each of us in our daily prayers can continue to pray for people — and pray with them as well.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, be with us today as we encourage one another by praying together for your will to be done in our lives. Amen.

TWFYT

Connections Blogs

March 29 - From the Inside Out Father, Jesus said that I am to love You with all of my heart, with all of my mind, with all of my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself—that this is more important than anything else that I do.   Forgive me, Lord, for I know that I have kept parts of my heart hidden and distant from You. I have been slothful in my thinking, lazy, and undisciplined and have not loved You with all of my mind. I’m so very aware of my weakness and confess that I am not sure that I know what loving You with all of my strength even looks like. Father, You know that I rarely love others as much as I love myself. Forgive me, Lord.   Have mercy on me and change me O God! May my life be marked by deep heart-belief and mouth confession that Jesus is Lord. Keep me, I pray, from self-imposed, outward moral reformation that leads to joyless, disempowered living. Instead, may I be continually spiritually transformed, conformed to the character of Jesus, that the reflection of His glory may be seen in me and others will be drawn to Him. Change me from the inside out, I pray.   May I truly believe in my heart what I confess with my mouth, so that my faith will not shrivel within me when faced with the difficulties of life, or be hypocritical and harsh as I live in front of those who have yet to call on Your name.   O how I long for my heart and mind to align under Your Lordship. I am weary Lord of unbelief and double-mindedness! Save me from myself, I pray. I confess with my mouth, Lord Jesus, that You alone are Lord to the glory of God the Father. Now may it be true in my heart as well and lived out this day through my life. In the mighty name of Him who alone can accomplish these things. Amen.   Mark 12:33; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:15; Deuteronomy 30:14; Matthew 5:16; Mark 9:24; Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 2:11   --Adapted from Pray the Word: 31 Prayers that Touch the Heart of God by Tiece L. King. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God as the Creator who makes all things new (Rev. 21:5). Give thanks for his power to bring even the most deadened souls to life in Jesus— including your own (Eph. 2:1-5). Confess those times when you have lost faith in God’s power to renew and restore. Commit yourself to renewing your mind every day in prayer and in reading God’s Word. Ask God to teach you what it means that you are now God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (2:10). Pray that those prayer warriors who intercede daily for politicians and governments around the world will never lose faith in God’s power to renew and restore. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Sarah Update

Good evening, warriors,

Two urgent prayer needs:

Darlene Skinner is currently in the ER sue to retaining fluids, approximately 12 pounds. Praying for the medical team to be able to drain the fluid and help her to feel better. 

Dean Marks is asking for prayer for a customer of his, Susan - she has two blockages however, they will not operate due to blood clots moving around.

Please keep these and our other prayer needs in your prayers. (NOTE: Jay Stoudt has been sent home from the hospital. Thanks for praying!)

Remember, Sunday is our Sunday brunch and it’s sure looking like a great meal! Who are tpu inviting to come?

Have a great Saturday!!

Blessings and peace,

Sarah

Thank God I'm Forgiven! Thank God you are forgiven and thank God for teaching us to forgive as we have been forgiven--entirely! Meditate and praise through all the facets of that today!

Good Morning Forgiven Much, Redeemed, Gifted, Empowered, Sent Disciples of Jesus! Amen and thanks Lord! Focus on praising, praying and worshiping today as you put on more fully Christ's righteousness and step out in faith to live, love, teach, lead, and make connections that lead to people becoming disciples of Jesus. That is worship and that is becoming God's dynamic movement of people with a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost. May that be us Lord! Come! Fill us! Inform our prayers. Direct our steps. And may we worship with full abandon today! You alone are worthy of that kind of worship and our obedience. Amen!

Last Sunday we worshiped with a symphony of prayer. Prayer is critical and hard work. We are all called to pray and for some in this season of life, prayer is your role in God's Good News Delivery Company--a critical piece of the puzzle of St. Matts dynamic movement of God. Thank you for praying and enduring the hard Kingdom work that is so vital today! Check out the Connections blog all about this. What's God saying to you? How does He want to inform your prayers. Who is He leading you to pray with? Or to go with? DO IT!!!

As you hang out in God's loving presence, prayerfully engage with our other devotionals as well. God is speaking love over you and into your heart. He is calling you by name and leading you to His plans for you today. What are they? Ask Him with open hands and willing feet. Seek a partner or three to pray and to go love like Jesus with. Step into your role as His servant today. He has great plans just for you and some very good and lasting fruit for our Body as we partner together, step into our giftedness and allow Him to empower and send us into our missions for the day. Go live and love and pray more like Jesus and watch for those He is drawing and leading to your mind to pray for and engage with. And keep praying for new opportunities and connection points into our neighborhoods. He has at least 30 He is preparing to join with us in some expression of worship or another. Thank Him for all He has done, is doing and will do as He leads us forward in our journey towards Christlikeness and our created potential in Christ. We are coming alive in '25 but we need all of us to do our parts and to spur each other on for such a time as this! So rejoice. Don His easy yoke and walk with Jesus today towards your future and hope with joy and a big smile because we were made for today and we get to live out His will just as we are! Amen!

Connections blogs:

March 28 - Kingdom Praying Is Hard Work Kingdom praying is the most crucial work we can do. Kingdom praying is work! It demands our time, our energy, our intentional attention, our focus, our self-discipline. We must recommit ourselves to it every day. Prayer is work, but prayer works. More accurately, God works in response to the work of prayer, in response to the prayers of His people. God’s Word, as well as history and our own experiences, teach us that the most powerful work we can do is to be obedient and faithful in the work of prayer. Employing kingdom prayer as strategy involves all that concerns the heart of our Lord. We can be sure these include:   The lost. Beginning with lost family members in our own homes, moving to those in our neighborhood, and reaching out in concentric circles around the world. Every day we encounter personally those who do not know and love our Lord. Does it enter your mind and heart to pray for them to come to Him?   Missionaries. Those serving in our own country and those assigned around the world. The main purpose of kingdom praying for missionaries is to release God’s power and divine energy in their lives, families, and ministries as they seek to bring others into the kingdom. Missionaries desperately need and desire our united, specific praying.   Believers around the world. While we have traditionally emphasized prayer for missionaries, we have more recently emphasized our responsibility to pray for the growth, development, courage, and boldness of fellow believers in other nations. World evangelization will not take place unless and until local Christ followers take responsibility for evangelizing their own people group and/or nation and discover their role in sharing the gospel even beyond their own borders.   Leaders of our nation and officials around the world. The Scriptures clearly mandate intercession for our own leaders and for government officials in other lands, for officials’ decisions can either impede or enhance the spread of the gospel. We must pray increasingly for the leaders of the world, asking God to use for good even those influences that are intended for evil. We can pray strategically when we pray for leaders to do that which will enhance the gospel, knowingly or unknowingly.   More laborers, here and around the world. Jesus specifically directed prayer for laborers as part of a disciple’s responsibility. Pray that those whom God is calling will not only hear but also respond.   Mission strategists. Missions leaders request prayer for God to give them vision and wisdom as they make crucial decisions impacting many lives and lands. Pray they will discern and know God’s heart and plans for reaching the lost. Intercede for leaders of all missions agencies and prayer movements.   Worldwide revival and spiritual awakening. A sweeping, incredible movement of prayer has preceded every spiritual awakening throughout history. One of our greatest prayer burdens is to pray that people will pray.   Bible translators. Another key strategy in fulfilling God’s heart’s desire is producing the Scriptures in the heart language of the people. Bible translation agencies are working together with a goal of publishing portions of the Bible in every language spoken by more than 250,000 people. With Scriptures another essential strategy in discipling believers and planting churches, pray earnestly for this essential missions ministry.   Christian radio and television broadcasts. The goal of Christian broadcast agencies is to give opportunity to every person on earth to hear the gospel in a language they can understand. Pray for the agencies pursuing this goal, and ask God to supply the translators they need. Pray for those who even now are hearing the gospel by radio and television.   Persecuted Christ followers. Believers living in various parts of the world today suffer persecution, even to the power of death, because of their faith. Family and former friends often ostracize them. Pray for Christian sisters and brothers around the world who daily face not just the threat but the reality of persecution.   When we pray, we link hands with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, a powerful threefold linkage. The role of the Holy Spirit is well known: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:26, NIV). We are to pray and have confidence that the Holy Spirit will interpret our heart’s cry. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18, NIV)—meaning pray in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.   Missionary Ed Pinkston, representing a lifetime of missionary work in West Africa wrote: “When we get to heaven and are able to read God’s history book, I believe we will see that the people really responsible for many of the miracles are the unseen, unsung believers who lift to the Father their intercessions on behalf of His people and His work.”   Prayer is the ultimate strategy for releasing God’s power into our lives, our families, our churches, our world. Prayer is God’s strategy for the kingdom.   --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer (An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry) edited by Dan Crawford; (Chapter 73: Kingdom Praying by Minette Drumwright Pratt. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.  Prayer Points Express your praise to God as the compassionate Father (Ps. 103:13). Thank him for desiring only good things for his children, including you (Lk. 11:11-13). Confess those times when you have not wanted what God wanted for you or others. Commit yourself to seeking first God’s desire—his kingdom and his righteousness (Mt. 6:33). Ask God to “fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9). Pray that your own heart may be set on fire with God’s passion to bring all people into his family. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

UR: Past and Present

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. - 1 John 2:17 (NIV)

“You’ll never guess what I’ve found,” my husband said. “These are local newspapers from when I was young.” He had been helping his mother clear out her house for renovating. The newspapers, which my late father-in-law had kept, were from the 1980s and 1990s. Each one included a photograph of my husband as a boy — on a team, on a trip, or from a key event that had happened in the town’s history.

Reading the newspapers transported us back to the past. The articles showed how the cost of living had changed. Even the printing and layout were antiquated compared to today’s standards. But more than anything, they reminded me that each moment is precious. Our dreams and desires — even our worries — slip by so quickly. The old anxieties we had about school, exams, and growing up are no longer relevant. What still matters is the relationship we have with our loving God.

This experience reminded me to value each day and to be thankful for the years we have been given. We can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others by spending time with God, cherishing those around us, and doing kind deeds — no matter how small.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to remember how precious our time is and to appreciate it. Show us how to reach out to those in need. Amen.

Sarah Young:

ODB:

TWFYT:

Good Morning Abiding, Trusting, Obedient, Followers of Jesus! Amen! Trust and obey for there's no other way. That's how the hymn goes. How about for your life choices? We had a great week of ministry so far. How has God been speaking to you--leading you? How have you been responding? Be still and know! Seek, listen, receive and follow are commands we know and want to obey but sometimes the chaos of life, the drudgery of the day and maybe even lack of faith or fear drown out God's whispers to you or zap your motivation to go love. Or maybe, we just loose focus and motivation to follow as we seem to be stumbling against some closed door or wandering down some rabbit trail and give up.

Stop! Release the junk and distractions and even fear and confusion to God. Exhale and give Him whatever has you sidetracked from His best. Refocus. Sing some praises. Allow Him to renew your thinking and encourage you and even put a bounce back into your step. He does have some great things for you for such a time as this! Rejoice! He is whispering His loving directions and encouragement to you. Can you hear it and feel it in your bones? Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and He will add to you all you need to complete all the big and small things He has for you as you move toward your call to become more like Jesus today. Remember, we define discipleship as the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you. How's that look for today and what will you do about it? His command is "Fear not!" and "Follow me!" Amen!

God awoke me very early this morning to speak to my soul and spirit and to direct my steps for today, which includes helping me write this blog as a love letter and reminder to you and me and our gathered fellowship of His truths, calls and commission. He opened up some extra devotionals (below and ordered as He has led--engage with them and God!) and informed my prayers, thinking, writing, and plans for today to go live and love more like Jesus and to invite some people to join me on the quest to know God more and become more of the person He created me/us to be. He has custom made plans for all who will come, with open hands, surrendered their hearts, being still, listening, receiving and stepping out in faith today and every day! Is that you? Who are your partners or someone God wants you to invite along on the great adventure of life in Christ?

Spend some time with God today--all day! Receive, watch, listen and join Him along the way! He really does have some cool things to discover and to encourage you today! Yes, rejoice, seek and follow well! I've already prayed for you and for today to be a special encounter with our Lord, Savior, Guide and Encourager and for you to discover who He has for you to invite in and join with. He really loves you and you do matter. And remember, His plans usually are just little things along the way like smiling and saying hi to someone or holding a door or offering some encouragement or prayer. And sometimes it's something bigger. But usually it's just those little steps of faith and obedience that add up for you and your journey to Christlikeness. So, love God and others, follow Him today and enjoy this life He created you to live. Amen! Fear not for He is with you always and always working all things together for good! PTL! and Amen! Smile! God really loves you and is with you right now!

Sarah Young

I to We

Max Lucado

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

UR: Fully Equipped

David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. - 1 Samuel 17:39 (NIV)

I am a teacher and a sports coach, and my wife had our first child a few days before the start of the school year. Taking care of a newborn — who seemed to be nocturnal — while also trying to teach and coach left me beyond overwhelmed. As a new father, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome. It’s hard to be a good father, husband, teacher, and coach. It’s been exhausting.

At the end of every sports practice, we do a prayer spotlight. One day my players spotlighted me, thanking me and assuring me that my work wasn’t going unnoticed. My students reminded me of my purpose and why I do what I do.

Today’s scripture reading reminds me that God is our strength and that we can trust that God has equipped us for the purpose God has called us to. Each of us has been given unique attributes, strengths, and gifts from God. Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God has given us what we need, and we can trust God to see us through.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to trust you and to use the unique gifts and talents that you have equipped us with to glorify you. Amen.

TWFYT

ODB

Connections Blog:

March 27 - Launch Out into the Deep When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)   This command was given to Simon Peter. It took place by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was pressed by the crowd, so to create a situation in which they could all see and hear Him, He got into Simon’s boat, asking him to put out a little from the land. Then He sat down and talked to the people from the boat.   When he was through speaking, he said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon hesitated for a moment before he obeyed this command. Maybe he thought he knew more about fishing than did this strange man. Fishing was his business. “Master,” he answered, “we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (v. 5).   Maybe the teaching Simon had just heard made him feel he should do what Jesus commanded. So they pushed out into the deep, and when they let down their nets, they had such a huge catch of fish that the nets began to break. They beckoned to their partners in another boat to come and help them. Verse 10 in this same account says that James and John were their partners, and came over to help. They filled both boats until they were about to sink. Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the size of the catch they had taken. The account says they forsook all and followed Jesus. They had let Jesus use their boat, and He rewarded them. But this was more than a thank you for the use of the boat; it also contributed to their life support so they could now give their lives to Jesus. When Simon Peter saw this, he was so convinced that this man Jesus was extraordinary that he fell down before Him and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (v. 8)!   While this command was given to a specific person in a certain situation and is not to all people for all times, it has been quoted many times to illustrate a truth that is often the theme of missionary conferences. There is much to be learned from the story of this command. First, Jesus is interested in our temporal needs. He is willing to give practical help. Second, it will be rewarding for us to do what Jesus suggests even if we have tried before and failed—even if it seems unreasonable to try one more time.   There were other instances when Jesus showed an uncanny knowledge of fish. Remember when He sent Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish so they could pay their taxes? (See Matthew 17:26–27.) After His resurrection, Jesus again stood by this same sea and told His disciples to let their nets down on the right side of the boat, and when they did they received a huge catch (John 21:4–7). Although Jesus became a man, He was obviously still God and was all knowing. He would have been a great friend to take on a fishing trip!   Billy Graham had an experience like Peter’s experience. He was coming to Los Angeles to conduct an evangelistic crusade in 1950. He had been through many evangelistic meetings before with varying degrees of success. As he and his friend and associate Grady Wilson were driving through the desert, Billy asked Grady to drive to the side of the road. There, for some period of time, Billy prayed. Jesus seemed to be saying to him, “Launch out into the deep.” He could have argued that he had tried before and nothing special had happened. But in obedience, they went to Los Angeles, hired a big tent, and erected it in a major downtown district. The meeting went many weeks longer than planned, and God gave Billy such a large catch that the nets almost broke.   William Carey, the pioneer of the modern missionary movement, said, “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” Many leaders of great missionary advances have followed that advice.   The promise of this command is a large reward. The warning is that if we fail to obey Jesus, maybe because of past failures, we will miss the great reward.   Lord Jesus, help me to stay alert for Your voice so I can obey when You tell me to launch out. I pray I will not miss the blessing You have for me by failing to obey. Give me the courage to launch into deep water when You are the One calling me there. Thank You for taking care of all my needs as I walk in obedience to Your Word.    --Adapted from Encountering Jesus: Praying the Commands of Christ into Your Life by Norval Hadley. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Good Morning Shaped by the Potter, Gifted, Sent Ones in Christ. Amen. That is us! YOU! I am late. Overslept today. Off I go. But before I do check out the devos below. We just finished up our gifts class for now. Pray we step into and use them well. Pray all of us are fertile soil where roots sink deep and much good fruit grows. Pray for our God and father to send us and use us well as we seek new connection points that may lead people to Him. He knows you, loves you, is calling you by name. He made you and gifted you for such a time as this. You matter and we are His team that needs each other to go make disciples and spur each other on to live and love more like Jesus! Amen! GO! Love!

UR: God never Fails

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

I started journaling 23 years ago on my fiftieth birthday. Each year, I fill a journal with my thoughts and feelings about daily life. It helps me de-stress and keep track of major events in my life.

On my birthday, I add a gratitude list to that year’s journal. After completing the list, I go back to the first journal and read every journal I have. The pages contain discussions of what I’ve experienced, God’s presence, gratitude, praise reports, and prayer requests. I am always astounded to see so many prayers answered, and I feel God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy anew.

Reading the journals also makes me feel better about aging. I focus on what I can still do instead of the discomfort and changes in ability that have come with aging. I see where I have helped others and tried to be God’s hands and feet. This always lifts my spirits because it reflects 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” My journals remind me of all the good God has done in my life, the blessings God has helped me provide for others, and God’s presence with me always.

Today's Prayer

Gracious God, help us to see and feel your presence and to show your grace and love to everyone we meet. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

ODB:

Connections

March 26 - Determining a Need Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. —Psalm 103:1-5   When visiting my home last week, my nephew said, “I’m really hungry!” Without too much thought, I knew that he had noticed the empty candy jar in the living room. He wanted some chocolate—his and my favorite.   I wonder how he would have responded if I had offered to get him some broccoli? That wouldn’t have fed his “hunger.” A hamburger probably wouldn’t have done the trick either. Neither would a hot dog. My nephew was looking for chocolate! His need wasn’t really an empty stomach. His parents feed him regularly. No, his need was related to his “sweet tooth”—something I can strongly identify with.   When sharing about Jesus and his gospel message with your neighbor, it’s very important for you to be sensitive to your neighbor’s individual, specific need. If I had given my nephew some broccoli or a hamburger, I would have missed his real need. Jesus comes very intimately, very sensitively into each of our lives. He meets us exactly where we are. He’s available to meet each individual need.   As you continue developing a relationship with your neighbor, start asking yourself this question: “What area, what concern, what question in my new friend’s life is most in need of the presence of Jesus?” You don’t have to go far to find a possible answer to that question. Answer it for yourself. You have more in common with your neighbor (even your unsaved neighbor) than you might care to admit. Your neighbor most likely has some financial concerns. Don’t you? Your neighbor may not be feeling appreciated at work. Have you ever felt that way? One neighbor may be concerned about her youngest child. Another may be concerned about his oldest. Maybe you know what that’s like.   Or perhaps your neighbors had a major scare last week when their doctor told them the results of a physical exam. Or maybe your neighbor lost her mother to cancer last fall. You know these things could happen to you, if they haven’t already. Your neighbor’s needs are similar in many ways to your own. This week, ask the Spirit to help you be sensitive to what those needs are. Look for opportunities to help your neighbor in specific ways.   Prayer Starters for Praying Psalm 103:1-5 • Praise God and thank him for all his benefits in your life. • Celebrate God’s creativity, thanking him for the way in which he takes into account our unique personalities as he reveals himself to us. • Thank God that he loves all of us enough to meet us right where we are. • Ask God to help you understand your neighbor’s unique personality. Invite God to open your mind to the specific way in which your neighbor would be most open to hearing or seeing or experiencing the things of God.   --Adapted from Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood (Developing a Prayer, Care, Share Lifestyle in 30 Days) by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Sarah Prayer update below

This Week:

Tue 

10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome!

6-7:30 Wrap up of Spiritual gifts dinner study

Wed

10-12 Bread Ministry

6-7:30 Dinner Huddle. All welcome

Sun. Brunch after worship 11:30

Please continue to pray into these, for God to use us, raise up harvest workers form the harvest, and for new connection points into our neighborhoods

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Good Morning Praying Friends!

Thank you for your participation with our circle up prayer time yesterday! I felt God moving and informing and leading us in prayer. I am praying expectantly and with thanksgiving for all He has planned in response and for all we have released in the heavenlies and on earth as we cried out for His Kingdom to come and will to be done and to use us. AMEN! I will be working on a new April prayer calendar this week. Please use them as we agree together in prayer and release God's power and answers as one in Christ from our knees. I expect God is leading us to do something like this at least once a quarter and for Him to raise up some prayer teams, especially with those He is raising up who are called to pray for such a time as this. That can be done over the phone and/or emails too. Where two or three are gathered, He is present. PTL!

Check out the Connections blog and prayer and prayer starters for today. The Martin Luther quote is one that has come to life for me over the past several decades, beginning my day in His presence and prayer and preparing for the busyness of the day ahead. “I have so much to do [today] that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” —Martin Luther AMEN! Try it! and it doesn't have to be three hours. It may grow to that but the key is stilling self, abiding in Christ in prayer and receiving strength and directions for the day. He has always redeemed whatever time I spend in His presence in prayer each day and has allowed what He planed for me to be completed as I pray, trust and follow Him--even praying without ceasing through the day ahead. AMEN!

I will include our devotionals for the day below for you to use as a springboard into His presence. We are called and commissioned to go make disciples. That is launched, empowered and comes to life as we abide and pray. Cast all your fear on God for He cares for you. Trust Him and offer yourself for Him to use today. he does have great plans for you that will glorify His holy name!

A question were posed to me from my I to We devo that I am asking you to prayerfully contemplate: "What could it mean to abide in Christ together to see prayer as both an personal and shared activity?" Talk to God about that and your part in corporate prayer flowing from your prayer time. The author reminds us, "Sheep do really well hanging out together with the Shepherd rather than as lone rangers." So ask God to reveal the partners He wants you to join as you hang with our Shepherd together and in prayer! We took a step towards that yesterday. may God continue to unite us in prayer and on mission! he does have great plans for you, for your teammates and for us as His Body! Amen! Seek first His Kingdom...

Connections:

March 24 - Come Out of the Shadows Father, I’m so grateful that through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death! Thank You, Jesus, for willingly becoming my sin-offering; that my sins have been forgiven and forgotten; and that You have given me Your righteousness is beyond my ability to understand, but I am so very thankful!   And now Lord, knowing that I am Yours and that the Holy Spirit lives in me, may my mind be set on what the Spirit desires. I ask in Jesus’ name that You break all residual strongholds of my sinful nature, that my mind be controlled by Your Spirit and produce life and peace in me.   I choose this day to put to death the misdeeds of my body that I might truly live! Thank You for the Spirit of sonship, that I am Yours and call You “Father” is more than I can comprehend! Empower me to live as Your child. (Pause and consider that you are a child of God!)   How I thank You, Lord Jesus, that while I was still captive and imprisoned by my sin, You came and proclaimed freedom! Forgive me for the ways that I live as if Your sacrifice for my sin is not enough. Truly my sin is great, but Your grace is greater still, and You have given me Your robe and ring and have invited me to feast at Your table! Forgive me Father, for the ways that I think, speak, or live that are as if I am a slave in Your house, instead of Your child! Forgive me for living in the shadows.   Empower me, this day, by Your Spirit that is at work in me, to live boldly in the freedom that You have provided for me, in Christ. Transform my living and fill me with Your joy! Thank You that where the Spirit is, there is freedom. Words are inadequate to express my thanks, Lord Jesus, for destroying the curse of sin and setting me free!   Thank You for this glorious freedom! Strengthen me to come out of the shadows of my living, and walk in Your great light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   Romans 8:2-17; Galatians 5:1; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; Luke 15:11-31; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 8:21   --Adapted from Pray the Word: 31 Prayers that Touch the Heart of God by Tiece L. King. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God because he is the encourager and comforter of his people. Give thanks that God loved you and by his grace gave you eternal encouragement and good hope (2 Thess. 2:16). Ask forgiveness for all those times when fear and anxiety replace the courage that God gives. Commit yourself to seeking God’s encouragement to face every obstacle in your life. Ask God to encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2:17). Ask God to lead your church to care about welcoming newcomers and including them in the life of the church. Pray that no one be neglected in this important ministry.    Prayer Pointer “I have so much to do [today] that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” —Martin Luther Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

ODB:

UR:  Good Intentions

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSVUE)

We have dense scrub at the edges of our property, and feral cats pose a danger to the many native animals and birds that reside here. So we set out humane traps to catch and remove the cats. However, we often find a native animal — perhaps an echidna or a currawong — caught in the trap and awaiting release.

One morning, a trap had caught a powerful Rosenberg’s goanna. As I approached the trap to release the lizard, he opened his jaws wide. Thrashing about in the cage, he hissed and glared at me. He was terrified of me, and every effort I made to release him made him more hostile. After I finally managed to open the trap, I left him alone to find his way out in his own time.

How often do we similarly fail to understand that God’s only intention is to help us? We may fear God’s tender and loving approach and struggle against it because we don’t realize that all God wants is to love us and set us free. As the prophet Jeremiah reminds us, God’s intention is not to harm but to prosper us; to release us from our captivity and from all fear.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, loving God, for your unwavering love for us at all times. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to your love and to remember that your only intention is to bless us. Amen.
Sarah Young

TWFYT:

Sarah Update:

Good evening, family,

Praying you all have had a good weekend..... we will be praying for those of you that will be heading into

work tomorrow; praying for those of you that will be working around  your home and praying for each of you to 

stay healthy and safe throughout this week, until we meet together again, next Sunday.

   Hey next Sunday is our brunch following worship in our Fellowship Hall.   Who will you invite to come?

Here are those in need of your prayers:

Continue to keep those that are going through Chemo/Radiation/doctor appointments: Diane Huber, Houston 

Lichtenwalner, Sandy (Darlene Geiger's sister), Mike Laisce's dad, Matt Stauffer

Bread Ministry is being blessed with other volunteers to assist with this outreach. On Tuesday, Gail will be 

training a new volunteer the 'ropes'. Linda does participate in the ministry, and she has been attending our 

Wednesday evening gatherings. Pray for Gail as she shares Jesus' love and pray for Linda as she becomes

more involved with St Matt's church family.

Marylou has asked for prayer for her son, Brian and his wife Michelle.  Life has its challenges, and they are

currently dealing with some difficult situations in their lives.  Pray for God's redeeming love to surround them;

that God will put some strong Christians into their lives to help and support them through this difficult time.

Pray for Marylou, as she continues to pray for her son and family.     May we not Stop Praying!

Prayers for Lori and team as they prep for our monthly brunch this coming Sunday, and for those that will be

attending.

Pastor Mike Laisce requested prayer for a good and safe racing season. This coming Saturday is practice day

for the drivers. Mike enjoys working on his car with his Dad, and he is asking for prayer that his dad will feel 

well enough to attend the races and help Mike out in the pits. 

Also keep Pastor Don in your prayers as he serves there at the Race Track, sharing God's love and words of

compassion and hope.

Praising God that Winnie Iobst, and Sandy Ritter were healthy and feeling well enough to join us for 

in house worship!

Just a reminder of what God used today, to prayer us through.....

Don't forget, all welcome to attend our Wednesday evening family gatherings. Starts at 6:00 with a meal.....

Have a great week everyone!

  Blessings,

   Sarah

Good Morning One in the Spirit and One in the Lord Co-Laborers! Amen! Jesus prayed for us to be one as He and he Father are One and that has, is and will be true today for those in Christ and called to His Body, even specific Bodies like ours at St. Matts. Unity in Christ is a critical element for today's Church! Well it has always been and always will be too. We are One--right? We have one Spirit, one mission, one God and we are called to oneness. Praying together, serving together, worshiping together, encouraging and spurring each other on to good deeds God has for us is all part of that. We are to love as we have been loved. Oneness often requires dying to self and refocusing away from ourselves to God and others. We are growing at that for sure, but we always need to be vigilant to stay united in Christ and mission. We need each other! We need others with differing gifts and abilities to achieve all that God has gathered and is sending us to do. We need to be one. Keep praying into that and for us to stay focused on Jesus and our mission together! Amen! 

And keep praying expectantly with thanksgiving for all God is and plans to do in and through us. United in Christ, prayer, worship and service. United in love! Check out the devos below as you spend some time meditating and praying into these things. God loves you, is calling you in love by name for the things He has prepared for you today. prepare your hearts and seek out your partners. Then go live and love like Jesus and God will work out the rest! Amen!

Sarah Young:

ODB:

UR: Two Words

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. - Matthew 6:7 (NIV)

It’s been over 50 years, but I still remember my sixth-grade Sunday school class like it was yesterday. That’s because it changed how I experienced church and how I prayed. After spending years in basement classrooms, I moved to the sixth-grade classroom, which was up in the steeple of the church. And the class was taught by a man — the first male teacher I had ever had.

His lesson on prayer has stayed with me all my life. He recounted a time when he was driving on an icy, country road and his car spun out of control and careened toward a tree. He told us that he prayed a two-word prayer: “Not now!” Though he didn’t have time to embellish his prayer with formalities, God heard his prayer.

In 1 Kings 18, the prophets of Baal thought they would be heard because of their many words. When God’s prophet Elijah prayed, his prayer was only a couple of sentences long, yet God heard him and answered his prayer. We don’t need to concoct long, fancy prayers in order to pray. From the first syllables we utter, God listens to us.

Today's Prayer

Whether our prayers are long or short, you, O Lord, hear the cries of our heart. We thank you for your constant presence with us. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.

Harvest Connection prayers

March 25 - An Attitude of Prayer It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them beside the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you” . . . And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.   Then Jehoshaphat . . . said, “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’”   Now all Judah . . . stood before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah. . . . “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. . . . You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.  2 Chronicles 20:1–4, 6–7, 9, 13–15, 17–18   D. L. Moody said, “We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man.” In this section of Scripture, we find Jehoshaphat and all Judah under attack from the world, the people of Moab and Ammon. Jehoshaphat was outnumbered and all looked hopeless. He was afraid.   Faith does not keep us from fear, but enables us to seek God in spite of our fears. To seek God simply means we pursue God. He is preeminent. That means He is not merely a priority, but everything is around Him. When we seek God, we desire more than anything the “face” of God, His presence. We desire intimacy with Him more than anything else. Our lifestyle is that of pursuing, learning about, and communing with God. It takes time, energy, even resources to seek God.   Our attitude determines if we receive God’s Word or not. According to James 1:21, we are to have an attitude of meekness to receive the implanted (engrafted) Word of God. All of this is a result of our having a hunger for the approval of God more than the approval of humans.   Jehoshaphat put aside everything in order to seek God. This was not a spur of the moment decision. We see in 2 Chronicles 19:3, he had removed the wooden images and prepared his heart to seek God. He did this before the invading army showed up to battle against him.   American evangelist R. A. Torrey, who was a contemporary of D. L. Moody, said: “The reason many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. . . . Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” Jehoshaphat succeeded in battle because he had already positioned himself to seek God. Likewise, we must remove from our hearts and lives anything that is offensive to God and distracts us from Him. Then we can fully seek God on our knees.   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for seeking and saving the lost. Give thanks that Jesus is “the good shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11). Confess those instances and ways in which you ignore the voice of your Shepherd. Commit yourself to learning to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11). Ask God to give you the fullness of life which comes with following the Savior. Pray for those who serve in law enforcement, that the stress of their jobs will not be too much for them to bear. Ask God to give them special strength to do their jobs well. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Good Morning Praying Friends! Get your worship on and join us for a powerful time of worship, praise, study and praying this morning at 10!

God has really been speaking to me and us about becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations and about becoming prayer warriors. Some of us have assignments in His Good News Delivery Co. as pray-ers and intercessors. However, we are all called to pray. Jesus' disciples asked Him to tach them to pray and He gave the model we can follow that we call the Lord's Prayer. Pray without ceasing is a command for all of us. Today we will learn more about prayer and the practice of it. Check out the blogs and devos below, prayerfully. God is teaching us to pray and wanting to answer our prayers! The prayers of a righteous person (anyone clothed in Christ and His righteousness/us!) are powerful and effective! Amen! May we be a people of prayer and of power because we pray! Amen! See you soon! Start to prepare as you prayerfully engage with God through this song: Looks Like Somebody Prayed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0QXi7cLwI

Connections Blogs:

I to We Devo:

ODB

My Prayer Starters book:

Hi all. No Internet so no blog today. Prepare your hearts to worship. Be ready to share some praises for how you have seen God at work recently. He's always at work! Are you seeing and joining?

We're off to visit our son's house. They invited us and we love to go to them and grands. That's just how it is as we invite God to come! So come! Speak to our hearts, inhabit our praise and lead us today! Amen! Shalom!