Pleasant Grove Community Church

May 13, 2020
TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Sarah Caples

Has anyone had an increase in worry and anxiety during this time? I think many of us have. So, if you are experiencing more anxiety, please know you are not alone. I was talking with my friend the other day and she was sharing about her increased anxiousness and how it is affecting her mood and interactions with her husband and children.
 
I want to offer her and anyone else feeling this way some encouragement and hope.

I am reminded of some of my favorite words in Scripture. In this passage, Paul gives us ways for dealing with our worry and anxiety. Let’s take a look at what he says.

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

In these inspired words, Paul gives us concrete ways to combat our anxiety. Here are my biggest takeaways:

Pray - Take everything to God. God wants to hear from us. He wants us to lay everything at his feet. He will give us peace and will guard our hearts.

Rejoice - Do you know the greatest antidote for fear and anxiety? It is gratitude and thankfulness! There are research studies that show you cannot be anxious and grateful at the same time. I think this is what Paul is pointing at here, because what does he tell us to do next?

Think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. When we think on what we are grateful for, think on God’s promises, God’s goodness, and all the ways God has provided for us, that brings about peace and trust.

So, if you have been struggling with worry and anxiety, I want to challenge you do to these 3 things:

  1. Pray to God. Give it over to Him.
  2. Give thanks. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Start a gratitude journal and write 3 new things you are grateful for each day in your journal. This will help program your mind to start looking around you to find all the good.
  3. Meditate on God’s goodness and His promises. Put your attention on what is good and lovely.

Try these things for a week and see how they will lower your anxiety.
SHARE YOUR ART
Photo by Muriel Menig


Do you have original art that you created and would like to share? It can be paintings, drawings, crafts, sewing, photography, sock puppets...If so, send a picture of the piece to us at 1730pgccoffice@gmail.com .
NEW BOOKS OF THE BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Last week's Word Search was so well received we're taking it up a notch and offering a more challenging one this week. If you did last week's puzzle, you'll find some of the books of the Bible quickly, but then...good luck.
Answer will be posted next Wednesday.
If you'd like to print a copy of this puzzle, CLICK HERE.

There are 30 books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, "The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight." Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus. There really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found. God Bless.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Do you need help? Someone to talk to? Running out of food or supplies? Please reach out and contact us. We are trying to make sure everyone in our congregation gets a call, just to check in, from someone else in our congregation, but it's a long list and sometimes we have the wrong information. You don't need to wait for a call, you can contact us. We are here for you.

SHOPPING ASSISTANCE
If you are at high-risk and/or not able to do your own grocery shopping, please request assistance through the PGCC Shopping Assistance Program. If you need assistance, please call the church office at 916-771-4447 and someone will contact you to make arrangements.

STAY IN TOUCH
Call us at 916-771-4447 (If no one answers, please leave a message.)
Email us at  1730pgccoffice@gmail.com
Prayer Requests to  prayerandpraisetree@gmail.com
Write us at 1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747


Blessings, PGCC staff


SEE OUR SERVICES and other videos on our  YouTube Channel .


If you know of someone not receiving this email, they can request to receive it by emailing  keapgcc@gmail.com but they must request it themselves.
Pleasant Grove Community Church
1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA 95747
(916) 771-4447 www.pgcc.church
Email: 1730pgccoffice@gmail.com