Volume 42 | October 11, 2020 |
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Greetings!
We hope this week's Evotional brings you all the news, information and insight you've been wanting. Please feel free to comment on or share your weekly message with friends, family and co-workers.
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Sunday, October 11, 2020
Rev. Dr. Mark McDonough
Please join us for our virtual service at 9:30 a.m.
To watch this service anytime, click here.
And click here, to download the bulletin for this service.
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- Please pray for Sandra Hopkins, Bud & Mary Eastman, Marilyn MacCaughey, Bob & Mary Johnson, Sharon Campbell, Steve Simpson, Mary Lou Schuler, Evelyn Vanderheyden, Bill Blandford, Kay Mahl, Mary Ralston, Louise Shapley, Don & Nancy Tobias, Marlene Wilson, Mary Jane Johnston, Larry & Ellen Cardwell.
- Prayers for Mary—sister of Carrie Massey, Betty—grandmother of Jenny Humphrey & Jessica Smith, Charlie—niece of Carrie Massey & Kathi Wilson, Gillian and Ben—friends and former pastors of First Presbyterian.
- Continued prayers for those serving—Col. Jay Brooke, Nicholas Hansen, Evan Humphreys, Mary Workman, Chad Lawrence, Jared Smith, Jordan Smith.
- Thoughts, prayers and love for all those who have lost loved ones. May they know some peace and comfort.
- Continued prayers for all students, parents, teachers and staff.
If you have anyone to add or remove for our prayer list, let Shelley know.
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A Prayer for Strength
Lord, I’m weary. My energy is sagging, and my motivation is lagging. And I am so in need of you. I need your strength and your fresh touch to get back on track again. Your Word says the joy of the Lord is my strength. If that's true, then I need your joy to replace all the bone-tired parts of my mind, body, and soul.
The pressures of life sometimes push me into a corner, rendering me helpless to move forward. A hundred voices call my name, and I feel paralyzed at times to answer, not knowing where to turn. Lord, help me not to quit, to keep running the race faithfully, and to find strength in that safe, secret place of yours, under the shadow of the Almighty.
I need your strength to say no when I'm tempted to surrender to harmful things, or when selfishness clings to my clothes and won't let go. I need your strength to say yes, when cowardice and fear nudge me to deny the convictions of my heart. I need your strength to reach out in love to those both close to me and all around me. When don't I need your strength, God?
You are my rock, and I run to you today, believing that you will lift up my heavy arms, that you will fuel me for the tasks you've given me, and that your joy will completely consume the weakness of my life and make me strong again. I don't want to stay grounded, crippled by limitations and failed attempts. I'm tired of feeble efforts. Lord, I want to mount up with wings like an eagle and not just fly. I want to soar.
Renew my strength, Lord. Fill me with your supernatural power to overcome each obstacle in my path. With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. Thank you, Lord!
In Jesus's name, Amen
(Prayer by Rebecca Barlow Jordan)
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The breath you give
is the breath you receive
is the breath that whispered
this planet into atoms,
blew spirals of night
into galaxies like glass
and spindled out the flesh
of your ancestors.
Yes, we were connected
by a dark sigh
before we had names.
Our lungs are the bellows
of the Maker.
Don't waste a single exhalation
complaining about this world.
Choose beauty.
The gift will not appear
until you are grateful.
Under the snow, seeds listen.
Are you singing to them?
Why not?
The softer your voice of praise
the more they reach up,
unfurl their golden cups
of thirst and yearning.
This is the secret:
Creation happens quietly.
Stillness swirls from
inside out.
You could be the cause
of Spring.
Click on the title above to hear the poem read by Margaret McDonough.
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Contemplative Prayer is offered online via zoom every Thursday at 4:30p.m. Each prayer will begin with an introduction to guide our prayers followed by 15-20 minutes of silence and concluding with a few minutes for people to share their experience with one another. When it is safe to do so, we will offer Contemplative Prayer at the church.
To register for Contemplative Prayer, please email the church at office@firstpresracine.org. You will receive an email invitation to participate. You will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with microphone, speaker, and camera to participate via zoom.
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You will have two opportunities to participate in an online Bible study via zoom: after worship each Sunday and at noon on Wednesdays. To register, email the church (click here) and indicate which session you plan to attend - Wednesdays or Sundays.
Those attending the Wednesday sessions will receive a zoom invitation via email. Those attending the Sunday sessions will be sent to the Bible study break out group following worship. The scripture for discussion will be the ones used in worship so the sermon will serve as a prompt for the discussions. The scripture readings for each Sunday will be posted online the week before.
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For direct access, please click on the appropriate title below:
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Do you have ...
- Change of address?
- New email account?
- Different phone number?
Remember to share any changes in your status with us, so that our church family can stay connected!
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