Good Morning Listening, Receiving, Following Pray-ers! Prayer is that and so much more! Check out what Mother Thresa said, “Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own.” Be still and know that He is God, He loves you, and wants to hang out with you forever, especially today! Check out our Upper Room devo below too.

Sometimes prayer is easy and sometimes hard, but always profitable! Check out this Harvest Prayer blog for today about praying for God's will to be done. Are you open to that? Praying for that? Ready for that? Be still in prayer today and spend sometime at Jesus' feet as you prepare for the day ahead. God loves you!

UR: Committing My Life

The Lord said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Checking items off my daily to-do list used to give me a sense of accomplishment and control over my life. But when my 28-year marriage ended, I began to realize I could not control everything. Before then, I hadn’t surrendered my life to Christ. I knew of God, but I didn’t know God personally.

One day, feeling full of anxiety and fear about my future, I walked to a nearby lake. I sat at a picnic table watching the geese as a cool breeze blew across the lake. It was as if God were speaking to me, wrapping me in an embrace to reassure me of God’s love.

For the first time in my life, I prayed aloud. I said, “Please give me some direction, God. I am so lost.” A sense of peace came over me. From that moment on, I have continued committing my life to God, trusting that God has a greater plan for me than I could ever imagine. My future no longer feels bleak.

In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus told his followers to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and not to worry about tomorrow. What a comfort it is to know God is with us and we need not worry.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Abba Father, when we are overwhelmed with life’s trials and filled with despair, help us remember your loving presence. Amen.

The week ahead: (read John 15 and 16 and take notes and answer what God is saying to you and what you will do about that--quiz Sunday)

Tues at 10 Zoom Huddle discussing God's provision. All welcome!

Tues at 6:30 Finance Team Zoom. (Please pray for God to lead our Finance Team to be the best stewards of God's provisions and for wisdom to meet God's visions for our church)

Wed 10-Noon Bread Ministry

Wed 6 PM Dinner, Chosen and Family Ministries Huddles

Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet

Next Tues is our Thanksgiving Eve Eve meal and huddle worship. 6-7:30 All welcome.

Sun Nov 26th is our Brunch after church. RSVP and bring a friend. Check our website for more info: https://www.stmatthewsec.com/new_to_our_church_

Update your entries in our Directory in the back of the sanctuary or add your info if you want to be included. (You can also email our secretary or call and leave your info so we make sure it is accurate)

Pray for these ministries and plan to attend, help, and enjoy these opportunities!

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Good Morning Becomers! Think about how much you have to be thankful about today! You were one way and now a better way and working on becoming a much better way because of Jesus and all He did and is doing for you! PTL! PTL we have the opportunity to become all we were created to be and do all we were created to do and grow into our fullest potential until He calls us home. You are a disciple (learner) becoming an apostle (sent one). You have purpose and potential in Christ that fits like a glove because you were created to do them and have help to complete them. You have a purpose and potential. You have Love! Love lives in you and shows up all around you as you live and love like Jesus. And you become better at those as you practice doing them and at allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you. You have Hope, can choose joy, are growing in faith and becoming! Everyday we have the opportunity to choose to become better at being God's ambassadors. Even in the hardest of times, we know who is holding us and helping us through. What are you thankful for today?

Yesterday was a unique day of worship, BUT GOD! We had a projector failure, heard about the Kindness Project which we will be supporting as our Christmas project (watch for more details of how we can bless them together. Here's a link to their website: https://mykindnessproject.org/) The need is great for Foster Family assistance. Pray for God to direct us in our giving. And we ended worship with a babbling pastor saying what the Holy Spirit revealed about BECOMING and our John 14 and 15 readings. (I really recall little of what I said) BUT the Holy Spirit showed up, led our time, answered your prayers and brought a new family to worship with us that want to join. He answered the prayer for God to speak through me too. (Even in chaos, God is at work and answers our prayers!) I am thankful for all your prayers and your faith that God IS working all things together for good. God is so good and worthy of praise and He is using us and has great plans for us! Amen and PTL!

You can engage with God through your quiet time and with open Bible and devotionals today on your own. Keep building those gratitude lists and keep worshiping and thanking our awesome Father! Let's close with some prayer starters from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend.

"Praise God for your sighing is not hidden from Him (Ps. 38:9). Give thanks that you can cast all your care on Him for He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). Confess to God the many times you worry, are fearful, or trust in something other than God (Ps. 37:5-6). Commit yourself to daily food from God's Word and time with Him in prayer. Ask God for victorious faith that overcomes the world (1 Jn. 5:4). Ask that your family will be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness through your example of giving Him all the glory in every situation. Pray that your church will be living proof of the fact that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him (Ps. 145:19). Pray that you will be a consistent example of God's love today and always--and thereby help to advance God's Kingdom on earth. In whatever difficult circumstances you find yourself, pray for God to use you as a springboard for salvation of an unbeliever." AMEN! Come Lord Jesus! be our Lord today and always and may we bring you great glory and honor by our choices! Thank You! Amen!

God really loves you and is waiting to sit with you, lead you, help you, and love on you and love through you. Be still and know that He is God and that you matter--to Him and us! Receive and walk in His love and shalom today! Oh what joy awaits us today! Rejoice!

This IS the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice, worship, and be glad in it! Let us enter His courts with praise, His presence with thanksgivings! Amen!

Good Morning Becoming Becomers! We will hear more about that today as we continue to work on becoming all that we were created to be and doing all we were created to do. We were one way and becoming another by God's grace and our all-in willingness! And we are becoming to God--attractive to Him as we work on becoming.

There is so much that God has put on my heart to share today. I will try to keep it brief. One thing I need from you is prayers for God to send and draw some people that told me Wed. that they would attend today. Pray that God's grace and drawing to new life would come alive today and for all hindrances from showing up be held at bay. May His irresistible grace move many to Him and lead them to join us today. Pray for Patrick, Amber, Ramone, Arianna, Mary, and two couples whose names I forget but God knows to show up and be drawn to Him and attracted by our love for God and them. Pray for me to be led by the Spirit and bring His Word alive. Thank you! I've already been praying for this day all week. Join me and God and release His salvation power and Holy Spirit!

Maybe God is working on you too? I know some of you have chosen words to work on this year and we are seeing great fruit from that. Maybe God is calling you to work on some spiritual growth in the year ahead or to pick a new word. Talk to God about that and pray for God to continue to change our lives as we commit to living and loving like Jesus and becoming all we can be in Christ. Ask God to pair you up with some to process, pray and be accountable too. Talk to me if you are being stirred to try out a small group. Check out Charles Stanley's devo below and pray about it. Think about our Vine and our Vinedresser. What may need some pruning? How can we help each other receive that pruning in faith and with joy? Have you ever asked to be pruned? I have many times and God is faithful to help us achieve His best and produce good fruit!

This Wednesday we wrap up the Chosen season 3. It's long and covers a lot of our reading through John and other things we studied. We may need to continue to discuss this episode for awhile after this week. Like our Bibles, it is so rich in teaching, pointing to Jesus and bringing Him and His ways alive. How desperate are you for a touch from Jesus? What is He teaching you? Who is He sending you to bless? How is He helping you right now through some hard thing or how has He helped you in the past? Who needs to help you or hear about that? God is with us and very active. Do you see and sense His presence, help, love? Be still and know! He has great plans for you and us! We are on our way to becoming a dynamic movement of God because He lives and loves in and through us! Rejoice! Share His Good News with much joy and thanksgiving and partner with Him to bring revival and new life--even today. Amen!

I included The Word for You Today at the bottom. It pertains to us and today's possibilities as we hear from The Kindness Project and how we can partner with them this Christmas season. Number three particularly applies to today and how God is already using us. Keep looking for someone to help! As you do, the other two will grow. We become healthier as we connect to and bless others. I am not a slave to fashion, obviously, and am not too keen on their dressing to impress others. I yams what I yams as Popeye says. BUT as we put on Love and share it we will not only look, but be our best. Others will see us dressed with Jesus and His Love, hope and help and take notice. Why waste money on fashion? Jesus didn't dress to impress. He lived to love and help. Dress in His love today and don't worry about how others see you but how God sees you. He looks at your heart, not what you wear. And that's how we should look at others too. Come as you are and be loved. Then we will be really healthy and feel good about ourselves. Don't cave to the pressures of the world or some legalistic, Pharisaical standard. Be who you were created to be and work on who you are becoming in Christ and stand firm in Love! Amen. Go love and make disciples as you were created and gifted and know Him more! That's true worship! (Rant over!)

Shalom. Shalom. True peace to you! See you soon!

Charles Stanley:

ODB:

TWFYT:

Thank you to all who have served and were willing to lay down their lives for our freedoms! May God bless you and your families abundantly for you heart and service!

NOTES for Sunday: 1. There is a sign up sheet for our brunch after worship on Nov 26th. Please RSVP.

2. Tomorrow is the last day to bring cans of beans for the angel network we are short about 50 cans yet.

3. Please check the directory at the rear of the sanctuary at the devo area and make sure your info is correct or add your info if you are not in the directory.

Thank you to all of you who encouraged, sent cards and blessed Karen and me during Pastor's Appreciation month! What an honor and blessing to serve with such a loving flock! May God bless you for your kindnesses! Thanks again!

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Good Morning Recruits, Volunteers, Servants, Warriors, Soldiers of the Cross and Veterans of many Spiritual Battles! Thank you for your service and willingness to lay down your lives for your brothers and sisters in Christ! You are valued and appreciated and God knows all you have offered of yourself for His glory. Thank You and remember, the battle is the Lord's and the battles will continue until that final one on the Day of the Lord. Cloak yourself in His armor and continue to battle and hold firm entrenched in Christ--our Victor and Commander-in Chief. Many around us are fighting battles we have no idea about. We are brothers and sisters in the battle and the battles belong to the Lord. May we stand firm and look for a comrade that needs some reinforcements. Meditate on this song as you battle in prayer today: Battle Belongs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=johgSkNj3-A Yes the battle is the Lords and He is our mighty fortress! Stand firm and keep battling on your knees.

Check out our devos below that speak into and thread through this today. And remember we are reading, meditating on and journaling through John 14 and 15 this week. What's God saying to you? What measurable thing will you do about it? In John 15 we are commanded to lay down our lives for one another and to love like Jesus loves us. That is agape, sacrificial love. Meditate on this passage as we think about all those warriors defending our freedoms and battling on their knees for the Kingdom. Are you all-in and pouring yourself out for God and His Kingdom? John 15:9-17

 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Yes the battle is the Lord's but we all have a part to play in His army. And it all is ground in, birthed in, and carried out in agape love! And no matter our season in life or our circumstances we all have custom made assignments until we are called home in victory. Stand firm and battle on! Turn off the noise and tune out the chaos coming from the enemy all around us and stay focused on our Commander! Victory is coming and already won! Rejoice! Someday soon we will all be celebrating the victory dinner with our Savior! And remember until we are called home we have good fruit to bear as we fulfill our created purposes for such a time as this! God is for us! Who can be against us? It really doesn't matter, does it? We know and are in the Victor! Rejoice and continue your service unto Him! That is a sacrifice of praise He gladly accepts!

ODB:

UR: Sacrifice

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13 (NIV)

I was recently out of town with my family, and since it was Sunday, we visited a church in the area. Before the sermon began, there were a few moments of thanks for those who had served in our country’s armed forces and made the ultimate sacrifice — their lives.

I have seen many similar dedications, but that memorial struck me differently than any had before. Long after the service ended, the scripture at the end of the memorial video played in my mind: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse reminds us that Christ laid down his life to save all humanity from sin. Giving up one’s life is an extreme way to show love, but this verse made me wonder, What does sacrifice look like in daily life?

Many weeks after that worship service, I am still pondering that verse. Even if I am not laying down my physical life for my friends, I can go out of my way to show kindness not only to my loved ones but also to my neighbor across the street, the person at the grocery store, or an acquaintance I happen to see in town. Laying down one’s life, or simply laying down one’s busy schedule in order to show God’s love to others, is a habit worth embracing.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear God, thank you for giving us the example of ultimate sacrifice through Christ. Help us to sacrifice time throughout our day to share your love with others. Amen.TWFYT:

YES! Thank God I'm Forgiven and so much more!!! How about you? What are you thankful for this Friday? Where are you seeing God at work and responding to His invite to join Him? Who needs to hear your story of God's faithfulness, forgiveness, love, healing, help, and constant presence and provision?

Good Morning Loving, Hospitable, Praying, CO-Laboring Worshipers! YES! That is you and our fellowship! That is How the people that gather at the building called St. Matthew's are being viewed and experienced. PTL! He is hearing and answering our prayers, changing and using us and His love is becoming experienced through us! PTL! And it all began when we were forgiven and stepped into our new nature in Christ and responded to His leading us to our purposes. Amen!

Did you catch the thread through our devotionals today describing you and us? Say that salutation out loud and pronounce it over yourself and our fellowship. I am/We are loving, hospitable, praying, co-laboring worshipers! Amen! And each of us has an age-appropriate, ability-appropriate, faith-level appropriate, gifted and created appropriate purpose in God's Good News Delivery Company called St. Matts. What's your purpose and response? Some of you are pray-ers, funders, workers, helpers, teachers, and story sharers among many roles and purposes that allow our company to run like a well-oiled machine. As we continue to discover, step into, grow into our purposes we glorify God and people experience His saving love, hope and help and His fame is spreading! PTL! God IS Love! And Love lives in us and grows as we learn to live and love like Jesus as we were created and gifted to do! PTL!

We have so much to be thankful for this Friday and everyday! Let us continue to celebrate and worship God for who He is and all He is doing in, through and around us and for our salvation, new life, and our St. Matts. Faithful servants! Rejoice! Thank you ALL for stepping into your roles and allowing God to use and grow you! He does have great plans that are coming alive and growing! PTL!

Maxie Dunnam said, "Praying for people will bring you to love them. Loving them will lead you to serve them. Serving them will be the open door through which God can move in to save, heal, and make whole." Man, are we seeing that truth come alive as we allow God to grow and use us! PTL and keep at it faithful, loving friends! I can't wait to see what God will do next! And I can't wait to celebrate as you share what God is doing in, through and around you! Amen!

ODB:

UR: Hospitality

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2 (NRSVUE)

I grew up in a society where people are often skeptical about entertaining strangers. Often, strangers inspire feelings of suspicion and fear. But God wants us to be kind to strangers, regardless of the assumptions of others or the stories that make headlines.

Hospitality to strangers links us with God and with others. It is a wonderful way of expressing and extending the love of God to the world. Some strangers may not know about the love of God, and as Christians we should look beyond the four walls of our local church and denomination to welcome them. When we show hospitality to strangers in our neighborhoods and welcome those who visit our home or walk past our street, we have the opportunity to entertain angels.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Father, encourage us to offer hospitality to strangers whenever we can. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TWFYT:

Good Morning Celebrating, Worshiping Thanks-Givers! God is always good and worthy of all praise! Amen! We have so much to celebrate! PTL! I just want to share in some of the ways the Lord showed up yesterday as we gathered, served, fellowshipped, worshiped and prayed! The Lord is our Shepherd! he answers our prayers! he shows up and is always at work! he is using us as we serve and bless and drawing many to Him and some to us! We are trusting, following, pouring ourselves out as an offering and He is blessed and blessing us! He is our shalom and provision! Yes and so much more! 

Yesterday God showed up BIG time at the donut and conversation day at the Bread Ministry! PTL! Honestly you have to come experience this for yourself! There are so many stories to share as God places each of us with those He is drawing and uses us to bless, help, counsel, pray and receive blessings back. PTL! Plan on showing up and experiencing what God wants to do through and in you Dec 6th at our next one. Several have indicated they want to come and experience worship with us Sunday! PTL pray for no hindrances and for God to stir many to join us. There were at least 6-8 people sharing that they want to and are planning to join us. Pray for Patrick, Ariana, Amber, Ramon, Mary, and two other couples whose names I forget for God to continue to work on their hearts and draw them to Him and us and to use us well! People are searching for the love, fellowship, relationships with god and each other that they are feeling through us! PTL and keep loving like Jesus well! We got to pray for a woman who is struggling through health issues that just came to share her struggle she couldn't eat donuts or bread. Pray for Isabelle to be healed and for God to be glorified. Praise God and pray for a woman we have been connecting and praying for. To see her you know she struggles with pain and reminds me of what the woman who gave the mite might look like--kinda hunched over but choosing joy. I don't know her name but she is so touched by what we do as a church that she gave us a hundred dollar donation to the general fund for us to use to keep blessing others. then there were all the conversations and excitement as people were feeling God's loving, drawing presence! PTL! Pray for God to continue His good works and for many to see and be drawn to Him! Thank you Father and all who show up! All God asks of you is to be you and love like Jesus as if He were you. he will send he right people to you, give you words and love through you AND we get to bless, be blessed, fellowship and eat donuts!

Then last night we had one of our largest gatherings for the Chosen/Family Ministries dinner and studies. Man did God show up again! It seems like our Fellowship hall and gatherings are anointed by God! PTL! I was very concerned as we haven't been getting as many people as usual due to outside circumstances, so, I just did leftovers. I was really worried we wouldn't have enough food, but like the feeding of the 5000 we asked God to bless and stretch what we had and he was faithful to allow us to have some leftovers for about two to four extra people. PTL! he is our provider and prayer answerer! Then we had two awesome study time! The Chosen was a powerful video of how Jesus changes people, blesses people, stretches people and ministers to our hearts, hurts, struggles and joys. At the same time Family Ministries had all kinds of good things going on and plans being made--even for our next brunch Sun. Nov 26th. (See flyer below and RSVP for another great day of food, fellowship and fun! And bring a friend!) Things actually ran late for both groups as people shared, encountered God and just enjoyed a fun evening. We have one more next Wednesday at 6 and then Thanksgiving Eve Eve meal and fellowship Tues Nov 21 at 6. Plan to join us!

Yes God is on the move and there are more stories and testimonies to share! PTL and plan to join us to get your own stories to share of how God is using and growing you! Let us continue to celebrate and share those God stories. let us commit to keep praying for BIG God things to happen and for Him to use us as He teaches us to come as we are and learn to live and love like Jesus as we grow into Hs greater things for us! I can't wait to see what's next! 

Come sit at His feet and worship! Fill up and follow your Lord and Shepherd today as He leads us to his best and uses us for His glory! Worship with much thanksgiving! And be filled with much joy! 

Shalom! Shalom!

Psalm 23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RzGnpvUFFw

Great Things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4CY3nf1Mvw

Hey God wanted me to add one more thing: We recharge best and find joy and satisfaction in Christ when we see and celebrate God showing up all around us. Sunday we shared some of the places God showed up in our gatherings and personal lives and celebrated.

God showed up at our PRC meeting last night. PTL and thank you for your prayers! We celebrated and shared some of those times and places God has been showing up in Sarah and my lives and ministries and the ministries of the church. 

God is with us and faithful and speaking all the time! PTL! Rest in Him and recharge as he shows up all around you and as we serve together! What do you have to celebrate? Who are you sharing that with and refreshing? Isn't our God so awesome!

Shalom and joy to you today!

Good Morning Image Bearing Co-Laborers! We are the image of Christ and He lives in us and helps us to allow Him to live and love through us as we worship, encourage, and serve together. Today we get the opportunity to join together to bless each other and people that come for bread and donuts from 10-11. Consider picking up a homebound member and bringing them along as we feast fellowship and love on others. We also get to gather for dinner, fellowship, study and fun at 6 for our Family Ministries/Chosen Huddles. Who ya bringing? There's always plenty of food and love to go around!

Today I found an old devotional from Dec. 2021 that I had stuffed in my Bible between John 14 and 15. Remember we are reading and answering those questions of John 14 and 15 this week. There will be a quiz...um...discussion on them on Sunday. What's God saying to you as you sit at Jesus' feet and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you about the Way, the Truth, and the Life and our nourishing Vine? The old devo I found is from the Upper Room and titled "Fully Charged". It uses Psalm 62:1-2 encouragement, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him." They ask this probing question, "What will I do to recharge my spiritual batteries this week?" How would you answer that? Are you weary and heavy laden? Are you striving in your own strength? Are you feeling hopeless, lost depressed? This verse reminds us that sometimes we have to remind ourselves (sometimes we need others to remind us too), to find rest and hope in God--to choose peace and joy and rest and hope in Him. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that Faith is truly a "Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him"! And JOY comes as we put Jesus and Others ahead of Yourself. What are you focused on and from where does your help and hope come? Be still and know. Recharge!

Many of us are lacking connectedness to God and others and missing out on the healing restoring that comes for relationships and fellowship with God and each other. We do have several opportunities for you to join with fellow members and friends to refresh, encourage, and grow in joy. Isolation leads to depression and hopelessness. All the noise around us is clambering to draw us to anxiety, fear and doubt and exhaustion. Turn off the noise and connect to God and others! Work on your relationship with God and each other and even some you don't know yet. Come hang out, fellowship, learn, use your gifts, be refreshed and encouraged and experience God's blessings together! he loves us and you very deeply. He knows that we grow into our healthiest as we hang out with Him and each other. Come as you are and join one of our fellowship opportunities and bring someone along! AND did I mention there's donuts today?

ODB (below) (There's that John 10 passage again that God keeps bringing up! What do you hear as he keeps doing that?) It discusses our Good Shepherd and how His sheep hear His voice and follow. Who are you listening to and following? Some false teacher, leader, thief or our Good Shepherd? Whose voice are you most familiar with and trusting to follow? Please pray into the possibility of some new small group opportunities after the New Year. I believe it is imperative and part of God's healthy rhythms for us to gather together to tune into Him, fellowship and process together. Check out TWFYT (below) discussing connectedness and the importance of deep relationships with God and others where you can openly share what is going on in your life and bless and help each other to move towards God's best. We need each other and we need to support these opportunities! Who are you growing in relationship with? I love how our Tues Zoom Huddle is growing at this connectedness to God and each other and our Chosen gathering too. How might God want you to join in this kind of thing?  Yesterday we discussed becoming all that we can be. We were not created to be an army of one! Who are you traveling through this becoming journey with? 

All right gotta run! Geez up at 230 and still running late. hope God speaks to you like He did to me this morning. I have a 6:00 huddle to join with others sharing, holding accountable, seeking God together and praying. God loves to prepare us for the day and week with others sitting at his feet together. Thank God for that and ask who he wants you to join with in your and their becoming journey! And do something about it! be still and know with some friends today! God loves you and has great plans for you. rejoice and journey together well! 

ODB:

TWFYT:

Good Morning Becoming to God Becomers! We don't often use that word, "becoming", very often today to describe someone that's attractive. But God loves us! We are becoming to Him as we surrender, trust, obey and try to give our all in following Jesus. When we got saved, we entered a journey to becoming more like Jesus and in growing into our new nature as we shed the old. We were one way, but now becoming another. We are on a journey to becoming all we were created to be--our fullest potential. Every day can be a day to become more like Jesus! Thank God for helping us, leading us, creating us with potential and purposes, and for helping us to become Christ in the flesh as we are learning to live and love like Him. Just meditate on that some today! Talk to God about how He wants to help you become. 

Our Become Me in '23 Challenge is winding down. I have seen some of you growing into becoming doers of the word you chose to work on. God is faithful to help us become His best! PTL! Maybe God has a new word for you to work on for next year? Becoming and doing all we were created to be and do is a journey! But God is for us and provides all we need to become His image bearers and ambassadors. PTL! Keep working at BECOMING. Remember the old marine slogan? "Be all that you can be!" Amen!

Becoming the new person in Christ that God desires you to become is often a struggle as we face pruning, hardships, trials, temptations and discomfort. BUT GOD! He is with you always, allows these things to grow you and teach you to depend on Him. Hard things are His way of helping you to become more fully His and who you were created to be. Check out our devos today below and talk to God about what He desires for you and where He wants to lead you into this journey of becoming! How awesome is our Abba Daddy! PTL! 

Maybe check out our Zoom huddle at 10 today as we will be discussing this deeper! Pray for our donut and conversation day at the Bread Ministry tomorrow and our huddles tomorrow evening as we engage with each other and others and help each other to enter and go further in this becoming journey! (It's attractive and draws us to it and it's what our journey looks like--becoming!) How's your "BECOMING" Journey going? How can we help you with that? How can we pray for you as we continue to work on moving from being one way to becoming another--a better person in Christ?

God has some great things ahead, even good things in the hard times that are all part of becoming! Thank Him and continue to surrender and hold loosely to what you were and look ahead to what he knows you can become! Ask someone to co-journey with you too. That is part of God's plan--becoming together! I am praying for you and us right now! What are you choosing to become today?

Upper Room: God's Way not Mine

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (NRSVUE)

I was sharing early-morning coffee and donuts with our daughter, the mother of two wonderful, energetic children. We were both going through rough patches in our lives. She had been through a painful divorce. I had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We shared the Bible verse from Hebrews above. Then my daughter offered an insight that amazed me. She said, “I think it’s awesome that when we are in trouble and can’t see any way through, God will surprise us with the solution.” Three years have passed since our meeting. She is now married to a fine Christian, and I have experienced only mild symptoms.

I often think that I’ve got the solution to life’s struggles, and in my prayers I try to convince God to see it my way. Now I just ask that God’s will be done in my life. And God’s answer is usually more amazing than I could have imagined. Great is God’s faithfulness, wisdom, and power!

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear God, remind us that you know what is best for us. We commit our will to yours. Amen.Our Daily Bread:

Charles Stanley:

The Word for You Today:

Sarah's prayer updates: (Add Kelly (Don's neighbor's daughter) Her lung tumor is non-cancerous. PTL! But still needs surgery to remove. Pray for shalom and healing.)

Hi everyone.....

  Happy Monday and to the beginning of a brand new week!  Even though we don't know what this week may

hold for each of us, we can be sure that whatever it is, God has great things in store so, keep your eyes focused 

on Jesus.....follow Him wherever He leads you. Yes, sometimes the steps may be difficult BUT, God is our refuge

and our strength and He WILL be with us always!!!!

Here are some prayer updates.....God is on the move and answering our prayers:

Chad (Lisa B's cousin and a friend to many) we were praying for healing after his heart attack. Today, improvements

were made.  He is still on the respirator, but his brain is functioning. His eyes have been open more since they 

have started weaning him off sedation. He has been using an IPad to communicate. He has been moving his hands and

legs on command. He is a real fighter.  Let's continue to pray for complete recovery.   Chad's family is very thankful for

for all our prayer support.

Winnie Iobst - had a fall, and is having upper respirator problems. He is at home recovering

Barb Sommer's sister Judy, is in stage 4 cancer. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Friend of Josie, Starla is dealing with chronic pain and would appreciate our prayers for strength

Althea Parry's son-in-law, Nevin - has another cancer tumor in his bladder. He will need more surgery in the

very near future.

Friend of Pastor Don's, Kelly, has a mass and is waiting results from her testing. Please pray for healing and peace.

Gina is asking for prayers for Hailey (her granddaughter who is 14 years old) she is having difficulty dealing with

situations in her life. Please pray that the Lord will put people, Christian people into her life to help her deal and process

things.

Also keep Hailey's parents and grandparents in your prayers as they support her.

Let us continue to pray for the wars that are taking place.  Praying for protection, and peace.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday......

  Don't forget Wednesday, 10-12 is Donut, Coffee and conversation - why not plan to join us!

Have a great Wednesday!!

  Blessings,

   Sarah

Good Morning Seeking, Listening, Following Disciples and Apostles of Jesus! Disciples are learners, apprentices. Apostles are sent ones. We are learning to be like Jesus and sent to represent Him to the world just as we are, right where we are placed for such a time as this. I don't think we can fully wrap our heads around what that actually means or how that will look as we step out in faith and trust God to use us and grow us. Al used to talk about building the airplane while we're flying it. That can be quite unsettling! Right? Too often I am reminded of my inadequacies and failures along the way as the Holy Spirit pinches me or Satan tries to rattle my faith and get me questioning God or myself. God has us right where we need to be when we have to depend fully on Him and not our own understanding. When we get to the end of ourselves and we have no clue what to do, where He is leading us or what's next we start to see His faithfulness and Proverbs 3:5-6 coming to life as we release ourselves and our efforts and desires and seek God and His help and direction. That takes faith! Often it begins with mustard seed size faith as we give it all to God and pour ourselves out before Him.

Trying to lead and shepherd God's flock while building the airplane can get quite perplexing, unsettling, uncomfortable, and well, lonely sometimes feeling like you're the only one seeking, trusting and willing to do what He desires. It's hard to build the airplane when the blue prints are only revealed as you go. It's hard to know where to lead and how to invite others along on the journey when you don't know where you're being led or if anyone is willing to ride along. I saw this Calin and Hobbs comic today that really summarizes this: 

All this comic needs is to have them in some kind of handmade airplane trying to get off the ground. Life in Christ and trying to learn to shepherd His flock like Him can often feel like this. The Tom Petty song just came to mind: "I'm freefalling"! And as I sit at God's feet and seek Him with all my heart, surrender my wants, hopes, dreams and desires to His Lordship, and trust Him to lead, direct and bring about His plans, you all come to mind. How unsettling to trust that God is really leading me and us. Satan prods and get's us questioning, "Did God really ssssay?" Is God really speaking to our leaders? Are they really following Him? Can I trust God and them enough to be all-in? What's my part? Am I willing to do it? Tomorrow evening our Pastoral Relations Commission meets to help Sarah and me discern if we are hearing and following God and leading His church well. Pray for them and us to hear God, discern together and recommit to following well. If you have any concerns about Sarah and me, if anything is bothering you or any encouragements please contact our PRC so they can be informed of the atmosphere of our fellowship and if some corrections are needed. Thanks! (Danny Reinsmtih, Kathy Canfield, Gail Lichtenwalner, Gina Fuhrman are our PRC. Thank you team for your service, faithfulness to God and willingness to help us be and do God's best!)

God has commanded us to humble ourselves before Him and examine our hearts to make sure we are right with Him. He knows us and still loves us and wants to help us move towards His best for us. The difference between us and the world is our willingness to humble ourselves, receive God's patient, correcting love, and take steps to repent (change our thinking and ways) and to move towards His best. Yesterday during our circle-up time we began to discuss what God is saying to us as we sometimes don't represent Him well in the world. I wish we would have had another hour to process together. Again, that is why it is so important to have some accountability partners and small huddles to grow together in Christ well. Who do you have to process with? What are you doing to make that happen? That is part of what God wants us to learn and work on with the reading the gospel of John challenge this fall. He's calling us to the next step. It will be uncomfortable for most of us. It may feel like jumping in the wagon with Calvin and Hobbs. Are you willing? Are you wanting to be all-in like Lazarus' sister Mary and pour yourself out before Jesus? Are you moving towards being like the virgin Mary and offering yourself to God to have His way with you even though you have no clue what that really means? Are you willing to trust God like Abraham and follow Him to unrevealed destinations or to listen to His voice when He asks you to sacrifice something so precious as your child? We really need to humble ourselves before God and examine our hearts with Him! And we need the help of others to process well! Really pray into that! Ask God to lead you to some intimate fellowship and accountability. Pray with me as I am seeking God for this to become alive at St. Matts in the new year and actually start some accountability huddles or small groups that seek and process together. People willing to be all-in and help each other move towards that.

God has great plans for you and us. Remember that when you feel like you are freefalling! God sees, knows, cares and will catch you before you crash and burn. He's in front of you leading the way and lighting the path. He's beside you encouraging you and whispering His loving directions into your heart. It doesn't matter if you are 12, 30, 60 or 90 years old. God has custom made you for His custom purposes for such a time as this. He is at work in and around you to lead you to His best and for the good of those who believe or will believe. We, our faith, and all we have are a gift from God, enabled and enacted as we come to Christ, willing to become more like Him as we strive towards our fullest potential in Him. When we offer all to Him with faith the size of a mustard seed, He is faithful to allow us to know His love and see His hand in everything and to lead us to it. He is faithful to direct our steps to His best and perfect plans. So are you willing to die to self, take up your cross and follow Jesus as commanded? Or do you think you have a better idea like Judas and Lucifer? Or maybe you are, and I think this is most of us, more like the disciples that are still learning and hesitatingly sort of willing to do what Jesus reveals, even when they don't get it and it often seem like He is asking them to jump in that wagon with Calvin and Hobbs?

Jesus gave His all for us. All He's asking is that we give Him all He's given us and trust Him to lead us to his best. He is faithful and trustworthy! Amen! So, I'd really love to hear what He is saying to you right now and what you think He may be asking you to do about that? I'd love to hear who He is stirring you to process with and how you are planning to make that happen. Text, email, call, or chat with Sarah or me about that! God DOES have great plans for you and us to discover together as we fly that plane and launch that wagon off the cliff! Rejoice! Get in that wagon! Keep plugging away with the Lord until your part is complete and He calls you home. He's preparing you for a great eternity! The best lies ahead for those who keep humbling themselves and inviting Jesus to be their Lord and joyfully trusting and following Him. Is that you? Is that our church?

Geez, maybe God just wrote Sunday's message? What is He saying to you? I'd love to hear and process with you! Check out these devos from today that thread through this and led me to share my heart today. Meditate on John 14 and 15 and answer and journal those three questions too: What's going on? What's God saying to me? What measurable response am I willing to do? Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life--life to the fullest--abundant life! He is the Vine and we are His branches that often need some pruning of our Vine Dresser. He has placed us in this Body for such a time as this and called us to encourage and help each other to His best. Come on! Jump in the wagon with me! Help me to build the plane as we follow our Shepherd together! We are on our way to becoming...! Becoming the people and church we were created to be! Becoming Kingdom expanders! Becoming Jesus to those around us! Becoming a dynamic movement of God! Becoming! PTL! How "becoming" are you to Him?

We are in for the ride of our lives that takes us to our eternal purposes! Amen! PTL! Jump in the wagon! Shalom Shalom! 

Charles Stanley:

UR: The Spirit Intercedes

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. - Romans 8:26 (NIV)

My faith journey is not always smooth sailing. I often face challenges that cause me to lose my close connection with Christ, sometimes even to the point that praying becomes difficult. Loss, guilt, grief, stress, and unanswered prayers can derail my prayer life.

An inconsistent prayer life weakens our relationship with Christ. In those moments, we may wonder, Where do I begin? How do I rekindle my relationship with Christ? Often we have so much to say, and yet it seems as though the right words are just not there! It can seem like we should wait to rebuild the connection at the right moment when we know the right words to say. But Romans 8 reminds us that the Spirit intercedes for us.

The Lord knows our hearts, so we don’t have to be discouraged by the obstacles we are currently experiencing. We don’t need to wait for the perfect moment to reestablish our relationship with Christ. All we need to do is ask the Spirit of God to intercede for us, either through silent prayer, or when we cry out to the Lord.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, you know our hearts. We have much to share, but words may fail us. We need your Spirit to intercede for us. Amen.

ODB: