Good Morning Refreshed in Christ Co-Laborers! Amen! He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls! PTL! Often that refreshing comes through us as we come alongside a fellow traveler who has become weary or downcast. We are gifted to not only grow God's Church but to encourage and bless each other. How's the fruit of that ripening in your life today? Jesus promises rest to the weary traveler that comes to Him and dons His easy yoke. He reminds us that He is gentle in spirit. How often do we wrongly view God as a harsh task master or demanding boss. That is NOT His nature. So, stop striving in your own strength and understanding or trying to meet some standard God has not set for you. Allow Him to renew your thinking and lead you to green pastures and refreshing waters of His grace and mercy. Go live and love like Jesus and encourage some others who need to feel God's loving presence through you. You are created, gifted, empowered and sent for such a time as this! PTL! Go! Love! Be renewed!

I am still struggling some with my health and sleep. BUT GOD! He is hearing our prayers and delivering me from the evil one and my season of weariness. PTL and thank you! Keep praying and let us be committed to coming along side each other, encouraging each other and helping each other to redirect and choose the best, healing, and refreshing paths. I actually had a great night of sleep going until the thunder around 1. Then the dogs tripped out and awoke us in nervous panting and crying. It's cool though because I had been sensing God wanted to talk. I have had little in me to spend deep time with Him this past month and today may have been a break through with that. PTL! I need to be refreshed and am readying for a very busy week ahead as our mid-week ministries fire back up, I have Anna Mae's funeral, some pre-marriage counseling and twins baby dedications this week. God will make a way and carry me through. He knows what lies ahead and is preparing me. He is awesome and loving! And yes, even in the busyness, His yoke is easy and custom fit for me, my circumstances and according to His plans. That allows me to choose to trust and follow and experience His peace and joy. How can I help you with that? Whom might He be sending you to help? Do it! Is there some random act of kindness God is putting on your heart that might bless a weary fellow traveler? He does have plans and people just for you. Step into those plans in faith and watch what He will do that will glorify His name and lead to worship. Let go and let God! Exhale the junk and breathe in a fresh breath of the rejuvenating Spirit and then go live and love like Jesus! He was always comforting and coming beside weary travelers and He still upholds us in His strong right hand when we need it. And He often sends us to be His helping vessels. Remember too that often the breakthroughs come as we let go, refocus and go bless others in spite of our troubles and weariness. Talk to God about that today and process that with some co-laborers and go bless others in the love of Christ. Someone that God is preparing, needs you today. I'm praying for you right now! I'd love to hear your stories of how God is using you! Maybe He will give us some praises to share tomorrow? Blessing others leads to our joy and refreshing. I know I need that! How about you? let us go live and love like Jesus a little more focused on Him today. he is working all things together for good for those who are called by His name. That's you, me and our Body! PTL! Pray for revival, refreshing, and readiness to go. Amen

Reminder: We have one more week off before restarting for the summer. Remind everyone that due to Pastor Don's health issues, we are pushing our Rita's hangout to next Wed, June 4th. Tues Zoom Huddle will resume Tues June 3 at 10. Thank you for your prayers and patience with me as we try to resolve several health issues. I am feeling your prayers! Please continue! I will be attempting to make several more specialist appointments this week. The main need is the need for sleep as I have been only able to sleep about 2-3 hours a night for over a month, even with sleep aids. It seems to be CPAP/pulmonary related.

See Sarah's update below.

Good Morning Amazed By Grace Worshipers! Isn't God's grace simply, well...amazing! Dwell and meditate on that this morning. What makes you go, "WOW!" when you think of Jesus, His Word, and/or what's He's doing? Check out ODB about that below, as well as, Sarah Young's devo about seeking God's face daily and putting on Jesus, His righteous, heart and mind. It's how we are able to live and love like Jesus and our courage, wisdom and strength to go make disciples. Seek first the Kingdom of God and He will add all we need to complete our missions. PTL!

OK, time to try to get some sleep as I was only able o log about two hours over night. I'm trying to be still, abide and rest in the Lord! help me, Lord! Heal and deliver me from Satan's testing grip. Thanks! Amen!

Sarah Young:

ODB

Sarah Update

Hi prayer warriors,

Dean Marks is asking for prayer for his oldest son, Ryan and family. They lost their dog on Monday, and Ryan's daughters are crushed. 

Their dog has been a part of their lives since they were born. The girls are 6 and 8 years of age. 

Dean is also praising God for the great service and brunch on Sunday - he says thanks Mike and Lori!  His parents were in attendance

and really enjoyed their day with St Matthew's!

** ** **

Today Pastor Don received a call from Anna Mae Diefenderfer's son: He shared that his mother is currently in the care of Hospice at

Ephrata Manor, and is nearing her time on this earth. She is patiently waiting for the Lord to call her home. Please keep her family

in your prayers during this difficult time.

** ** **

I have also included our May Financial update for you to look over.

St Matthew’s Financial Update

The figures for the “General Fund” include all revenue and all expenses for the month. This includes all revenue from offerings, rent, and other income. The expenses reported above are actual expenses for the month. The totals reported for Missions and the Rebuilding Fund are also included in the “General Fund” figures.

Please continue to keep Pastor Don, Pastor Mike and myself in your prayers as we continue to serve the Lord in many 

unique ways, sharing God's love, peace and hope with those we come in contact with.

We all covet your prayers for our health, safety, and wisdom.

Praying you all have a good rest of your week.

   Blessings,

     Sarah

We will never forget those, who like Jesus, were willing to and actually laid down their lives for our freedoms. Meditate on that today and pray for all our service personnel, families and all our first responders. May God bless them, keep them and provide for all their needs. Amen

No blog today--just worship and praise God for allowing us to be born in the land of the free because of the brave! Freedom is not free!

Here is Sarah's update from yesterday. Thanks Sarah, Mike and all for covering for us and for leading us to worship. I needed that, Mike! Thanks!

Good afternoon, warriors,

What a great day of worship today! Thank you Pastor Mike for your unique message through the Word and music!!

   We also had a great yummy brunch. Thank you, Lori and team that helped to make our May brunch a success.

Praying that we all follow through with what Pastor Mike suggested - making the most of our worship time; remembering 

that Our God is for us, then who could ever stand against us.

   Reflect on the beautiful name of Jesus......saying the name of Jesus changes and affects your heart. What a powerful name of Jesus.

And even when we don't see that God is working, He is STILL working, He never stops. What a comforting feeling.....knowing that God is STILL working even when don't feel that He is......don't forget that!

   We have been given the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us.  So remember each morning, and through whatever you may be 

going through, allow the Holy Spirit Lead YOU!!

Here are the praises and prayer needs this week:

Dean Marks son, Bret - continue healing from back surgery

Karen Kern's father, Russ - currently in hospital with spine infection

Terry - recovering from hip surgery

Gary Bastin's relatives: Mary - having stomach issues - having a biopsy to see what is happening

                               Howie - currently in hospital, having difficulty getting out of bed, and heart issues.

Darlene Geiger - son in law's stepfather - going through chemo - Jeff

Ken - Sandy Ritter's husband - some grey areas with his MRI, waiting for more information.

Jim Handfest's friend, Bruce - battling cancer

Randy Schmidt requested prayer for healing of his leg. He also reports that his Mom is doing good.

Prayers for the young couple's family from Israel that was shot and killed in Washington.

Pastor Don and Karen - prayers for healing throughout Pastor Don's body.  Prayers for Karen  as

she has added work responsibilities on her plate.

Praises:

Kay Paul's relative, Dean, had a stroke this past week, he had surgery and is back home, and is back to his normal

routine.

Lisa Wenner had a wonderful time in TN and was amazed at all the Baptist church she saw on her trip.

Sally Williams praising God for her daughter being cancer free for over 20 years.

Thanking God for all the opportunities presented to use to share HOPE and LOVE and PEACE to our community.

** ** **

Praying you all have a great week, remember to allow the Spirit to lead!

   Rita's even has been moved to the month of June.

Blessings,

  Sarah

Good morning. Thanks for your prayers. I am improving but surely have a ways to go yet. I slept over 20 hours from yesterday into this morning. I'm still tired and have a month of sleeplessness to catch up on. We thought it best that I stay home today, so we are. Praying for Mike as he brings the Word, for Sarah as she leads, and for all of you to worship in spirit and truth. I still have a couple of specialists to see, but hope to see you next week.

Shalom!

Reminder: Tomorrow after worship is our monthly 2 Peas in A Pod Brunch. Bring a friend! Pray for  Mike as he brings God's Word to us.

Update: Pastor Don is still struggling with health issues. We will continue to be on spring break this week. Tues Zoom Huddle and Wed Dinner Huddles will tentatively will resume the first week of June. Stay tuned for updates. Let everyone know that our Rita's gathering is now Wed June 4th and that will kick off our summer gatherings.

Good Morning! 

Today think about those, who like Jesus, were willing to lay down their lives for our freedoms and paid the ultimate price. Pray for their families to be cared for. Pray for our wounded warriors and God's provision of healing and help. Thank God that we live in the land of the free because of the brave. Ask God how He might want to use you to bless a family of our freedom fighters and to be one who leads others to freedom in Christ. Ask for help to live and love like Jesus and courage to do so. Amen!

Keep worshiping, praying and preparing to follow Jesus. He has great plans for you! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you an may He give you His peace. Amen!

Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you and yours! Amen!

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Yes! PTL! What does that mean to you? Tell God and others about the many blessings of knowing, loving and being forgiven by Jesus! 

Thank you for all your prayers! God heard and continues to answer! We had a great birthday day with Karen and I finally slept decent last night. Time for day two of celebrating! Keep covering us, worshiping and just loving God and others. he has plans for you today!

Good Morning God's Good News Delivery Company--Disciple-Multipliers! God's got a plan just for you and a role to play as He gathers us, prepares us and sends us to love like Jesus and make disciples! You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ to go do all he planned for you! yes PTL! be still and know. Reload and go. Find some friends and seek God together too. keep praying and believing! he hears and answers and is even preparing 30 new ones for us to mentor and grow with! Yes PTL!

Gotta fly but check out the two days of I to We devo. What's God saying to you? How is He preparing and equipping you? Who are you processing, praying with and preparing to go and love with? he has great plans! Discover and step into them in faith and obedience today. Maybe even invite someone to brunch Sunday!!! I'm praising God for you, our gathering and unity and our focus to go love well and multiply disciples of Jesus! Praise and pray with me and ask God to reveal His plans for you. Amen!

I to We

ODB: Time to believe, live and represent the truth today. Open your heart and mind to truth and pray for others to be open too!  Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life! be Jesus!

UR: Jesus is Our Healer (YES! PTL! Receive it and pray for healing for others. God has been using us to heal! and that is drawing people to Him. keep it up! Grow your faith!)

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” - Mark 9:24 (NIV)

In 2020 I met a man who was recovering from a double organ transplant. He joined our faith community, but because of the fragility of his condition he connected with us primarily through online worship, phone calls, and handwritten letters. Once a month he and I would meet to share conversation and Communion. He always marveled at his healing and reminded me that being alive is truly a miracle.

I think of those visits when I consider today’s reading and marvel at the restored life Jesus gave the child after his years of suffering. I am also amazed at another healing in the story — the restoration of the father’s faith. After witnessing his son’s pain since childhood, this parent found his faith wounded and in need of being made well. His heart-wrenching confession, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” led Jesus to have compassion on the father as well. He assured him with the faith-building words, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

When challenges wound our faith, Jesus meets us with compassion and a willingness to help. Jesus restores our faith with his healing presence and life-giving words. He makes it possible for us to believe again and to know with deep assurance, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your compassion in our times of need. When life challenges our ability to believe, help us to trust your loving care for us. Amen.

Good Morning Church! We are the Body of Christ--His Temple! Love the reminder from the Upper Room that we need Temple maintenance! I know I sure do and often pray that I could do that Romans 12 :1 thing--

Help me/ us Lord to be a living sacrifice! Help us to die to self, take up cross, renew our thinking and follow Jesus well. Thanks! Come! Have you way with us and prune and prepare us for the great fruit to come! Thanks! May all we think, say and do be an act of worship and glorify and point to you! Unite us as Your Body on mission and in prayer! Come! Thanks! Amen! (Maybe we should start Zomba or some kind of exercise classes? Chair Yoga?)

God is for us! Who are you depending upon? Are you leaning on your own understanding? Demanding your way? Resisting the temple maintenance. Ask for help to lay it all down, humble self, die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus today in the strength and faith God has given you! He's there, with you! PTL! Reach out. Connect. Abide. Then you will be ready t thrive! PTL and Amen!

Off I go! Have an awesome time with the Lord and processing with some friends! God is for you, with you and has great plans! PTL! Abide! Know shalom!

UR: Temple Maintenance

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. - 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)

One day during morning devotions, I was thanking God for living in me. I thought about Paul saying that our bodies belong to God, calling the body God’s temple. When I went to do my exercises that morning, I decided that I would call them “temple maintenance.”

Words are powerful. Temple maintenance is a lot more fun when I am thinking about doing it for God than it was when I just called it exercise. Now I have not missed a day, except for Sundays.

It was a natural progression to start calling my morning devotions “inner-temple maintenance.” Doing the outside maintenance is still a hard job, but I am hoping that as I continue, it will get easier. The joy that I receive throughout each day from my glimpses of God and hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me are the blessings of keeping a well-maintained temple.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for the miracle of the Holy Spirit living in us. Give us the courage to tell others the difference the Spirit makes in our lives so that they can experience your love and grace. As you taught us we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.

TWFYT

Another sleepless night in Boyertown, so here we are! Good morning Good News Bringers! yes please Lord!

Two things to share today: The Upper Room about God's Good News and a flash back to out Good News Deliver Company handout from Sun. What's God saying to you? Who are you processing with. How are you praying into this? What might God be leading you to do or to whom might He want you to share that Good news? Meditate on those things while I try to get a nap before I hit the road at 8.

God's got some great plans custom made for custom made you! Step into them and rejoice! Shalom friends!

UR: God's Good News

[Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

Years ago at an evangelism seminar, I met a young woman named Shanthi who shared her amazing story. After hearing about Christ, Shanthi decided to enroll at a theological college to learn more about Christ’s ministry. Later she started a school for young children where she taught them Christian songs. When the parents asked Shanthi about the meaning of the songs, she was able to share the gospel with them. Her ministry grew, and with the help of the villagers she built a church.

Her story reminded me of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. She was convinced that she had met the Messiah because he told her everything about her life. She was overjoyed and ran back to the town to tell everyone. Because of her testimony the whole town came to see Jesus and hear the good news. (See Jn. 4:1-30.)

Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to help others experience the forgiveness, love, and grace of God. Just like Shanthi and the Samaritan woman, may we never shy away from sharing the good news of God’s love with everyone we meet — by word and action.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, thank you for your gift of salvation. May we faithfully spread your love through what we say and what we do. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Handout:

Happy Thurs. Bloggers! And a special sweet 16 to my love, Karen! Happy birthday honey! (Please pray for me. We have fun plans for today! It's 2 am and I've been up two hours not feeling well and some stomach issues too. God will make a way! I so want to bless her everyday, but especially today!)

Good Morning Loving Like Jesus Friends! Today began with two devos on agape love--dying to self, sacrificial love like Jesus loved us. I pray to be able to do this constantly. Help us/me to agape like You! Help me/us to lay down our lives take up cross and follow Jesus well. Amen.

Let's just focus on that today (well everyday would be good too!). There are threads through this to our other devos. I'll let those for you to digest and process with God and your teammates. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as Jesus loved you. That should keep us busy for awhile! I'm praying for you, me and us to be known by our love! Amen!

Good Morning Patient Teammates! Well I hope so, as we patiently wait on the Lord together, as we patiently abide in the Vine, as we patiently persevere in prayer and faith. Help us Lord! Maybe some of you have been patiently awaiting this blog (yeah right!) I had a very bad sleepless night and finally got some sleep around 4. Late rising had me wanting to skip my quiet time and blog and just get to the busyness of the day. And then I said to myself, "What are you thinking! Get down to your prayer room and be still in His presence awhile. Thanks Lod! Great time with Him and a Word or two for you! I love God and my time with Him! He's always speaking and guiding and wanting to help or include me in something! PTL!

So what has God been saying to you? has He spoken to you through the message yesterday about us all having a role in His Good News Delivery Company? Has He been revealing something to pray about or maybe a teammate or four to partner with? Today's Our Daily Bread speaks into the importance of partnering together and being better. Check it out prayerfully below. God is calling us to partner up. I think about the woman's prayer teams that just formed. How cool is it to know you have a team to pray with, cover you and pray for God's Kingdom to come! We are better together and really do need each other. Below you will also find a photo of the handout from yesterday to use to talk with God as you seek your part or how to pray. We are also called to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. The I to We devo below reminds us of the importance of abiding and of serving and praying together. Check it out and ask God to use you and direct your steps. Finish up with the connections blog and prayer starters. Yes God is speaking and He has some custom plans just for you that will lead you that sweet spot in Christ of being who you are created to be, doing what you are created, gifted and empowered to do, and of partnering with some great teammates. God loves you and has gathered you with us to go share the Good News, to pray and to encourage each other! PTL! So what's your part? Who are the one or two God is bringing to mind for you to team with or to pray for or to reach out and love on? Abide, listen and follow well today! I'm praying for you!

here's a link to the closing song from yesterday: Faith to Save:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSHljGO8rc

ODB

Handout:

I to We:

Connections