Come and See!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/3/11)

Announcements
  1. We will have Men’s Breakfast Saturday at 8:00am tell your friends that don’t have email.
  2. TEXAS STEAK – OUT Sirloin Steak and all the Trimmings, $25 per person Friday, April 1, 2011 6:30 PM Guest Speaker Scott Zesch Author, “The Captured” (The Story of Area Children Captured by Indians) Join us at the Coke Stevenson Center for a wonderful meal and program! Contact Frederica Wyatt 325/446-4219 
Scripture
Psalm 13:1-6 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? [2] How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? [3] Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, [4] lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. [5] But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. [6] I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Knots of the Faith #3
Why Isn't God Answering? - Psalms 10 and 13

  • Many Christians struggle with the fact that some of their prayers seem to go unanswered. That struggle is our focus this week.
  • Within that general theme several other sub-themes will be present: the nature of God as the one to whom we direct our requests, the discipline of prayer, the nature of faith and how we trust God when he doesn't grant our requests, and our honesty with God about our struggles.
Questions to Reflect Upon

  1. What is it like to feel ignored?
  2. How hard is it for you to wait for an answer?
  3. What questions went through David’s mind as he waited for the Lord’s answer to his prayer? (13:1-2)
  4. What emotions did David reveal in this psalm?
  5. What two character traits of the Lord’s encouraged David in his despair? (13:5)
  6. What negative emotions do you struggle with when you find yourself in a difficult situation?
  7. How do your emotions change when you remind yourself of God’s character and what He has done for you in the past?
  8. How does your memory of the past change your perspective on the present and future?
  9. What is one step you can take this week to protect yourself from doubt and discouragement?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/27/11)

Announcements
1. Gully and Mystle are both doing well.
2. Worship will be in our sanctuary Sunday morning and Sunday school classes will meet.

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" [22] Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. [23] "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. [24] When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' [27] And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. [28] But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' [29] So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' [30] He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. [31] When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. [32] Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. [33] And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' [34] And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. [35] So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Questions to reflect upon
1. What makes forgiveness difficult?
2. What acts of mercy have you seen or heard about recently?
3. What are some situations others have faced that you would find difficult to forgive?
4. How likely are we to forgive someone once, twice, or even three times?
5. How likely are people to forgive someone beyond three times?
6. How are we to interpret Jesus’ answer, “seventy-seven times”?
7. If God is so willing to forgive us, why are we sometimes unwilling to forgive others?

Sunday Worship & Prayer Request

Friends,

We apologize that our plans have not been finalized sooner, but we feel that it will now be best to have worship here in our sanctuary Sunday morning.

Because of various school events and committments the others churches have, we found out earlier this week that our group will not be as big and our worship will not be as community wide as we had hoped. Still, we will have a lot of student guests and possible some of their parents Sunday morning, a group of students from Schreiner that will provide all our music, a guest preacher who is a good friend of Jim's from their youth director days in Florida and a lot of excitment and enthusiasm.

FYI - if you want to really 'fit in' all those who are particiating in the events this weekend will be in very casual dress and you are welcomed to join them if you so desire!

We also have a prayer request - Gully Cowsert had a complication with a procedure done this morning in Kerrville and he is now in TexSan Heart Hospital in San Antonio. Please keep him and Polly in your prayers.

Finally, a prayer joy - Mystle Brown, Steve's daughter, is still in critical condition, but has shown some signs of improvement. She is still on a ventelator, but was alert this morning, laughing at her father. Prayers are still needed for the doctors to find exactly what is wrong and work to treat it. She was moved late yesterday to the main Methodist hosptial in San Antonio and is in the neurologocal ICU there. Please continue to keep the whole family in your prayers.

We hope to see you Sunday! All Sunday school classes will meet as usual.

Grace and Peace,
Laurie and Jim

Friday, March 18, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/20/11)

Announcements
1.    Please say a special prayer for Guy Snodgrass and his family who are being moved from his base in Japan back to the USA while Guy remains with two other officers to close the base.
2.    Our Lenten Bible study will begin Tuesday at noon. The study is on the second half of Romans and will look at what it means to be in Christian community. Bring a lunch and come join us.

Scripture
Job 2:1-10 (ESV) 
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. [2] And the Lord said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." [3] And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason." [4] Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. [5] But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face." [6] And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life." [7] So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.  [8] And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. [9] Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."  [10] But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

John 9:1-9 (ESV) 
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" [3] Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. [4] We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. [5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." [6] Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud [7] and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. [8] The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?" [9] Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man." 

Questions
“Why Do Good People Suffer?” Knots of Faith #2
     1.    What physical ailment do you fear suffering from the most?
2.    What question did Jesus’ disciples ask Him about the blind man’s condition?
3.    Why had this man been born blind?
4.    How should we respond when trouble comes?
5.    Why is it easy to accept good from God but not trouble?
6.    With what condition were you born so that God might be glorified?
7.    Through what disability or weakness can you glorify God?
8.    What work has God given you to do while you still have time?
9.    What is one thing you can change about how you respond when bad things happen?

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/13/11)

Announcements
1. During Lent beginning Tuesday March 22nd instead of the 15th because of Spring Break we will meet in the church fellowship hall for a Bible study on Romans chapters 12-16 each Tuesday at noon through April 15th.
2. We are beginning a new sermon series this week called Knots of the Faith. This series of worship services explores seven tough questions and struggles that Christians often face. This week is How Can I Know the Will of God?

Scripture
Psalm 16:1-11 (ESV)
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. [2] I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." [3] As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. [4] The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. [5] The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. [6] The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. [7] I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. [8] I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. [10] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. [11] You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ephes. 5:15-21 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Questions to reflect upon
1. To whom do you usually go for advice and why?
2. In what specific ways did David experience the Lord’s guidance? (16:7-8)
3. How far did David’s confidence in the Lord extend? (16:10)
4. How can remembering God’s guidance in the past encourage you about the present or future?
5. In what areas of life do we often need wisdom beyond what we have?
6. In what ways can we turn to God to guide us?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Update on Jim

Dear Friends,

Many of you heard that I was in the hospital in Fredericksburg yesterday afternoon and evening. I went to the Dr. because my chest was still hurting. The good news is that my heart and lungs are clear. The Dr. said I have something going on with the chest wall itself. The diagnosis is noncardiac chest pain. His treatment is pain relievers and rest. Thank you for your prayers and concern.

There will not be a meeting of the Hill Country Region tomorrow at our church and there will not be a worship service tomorrow morning.  The youth will be meeting tonight at the regular time.

Yours in Christ,
Jim

Thursday, March 3, 2011

YOGA

Come join a beginner’s yoga class lead by Brittany Whitworth.
First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, Thursday Mornings
Starting March 4, 2011
Arrive at 10:15 a.m., Yoga Practice is 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Bring Yoga Mat, Water Bottle, Wear Comfortable Clothes
No Charge – Tip Jar is Available
All are welcome!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/6/11)

Scripture for Sunday's Sermon
Deut. 11:1 (ESV) 
"You shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always. 

Deut. 11:18-21 (ESV) 
"You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [19] You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [20] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, [21] that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. 

Deut. 11:26-28 (ESV) 
"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: [27] the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, [28] and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known. 

Questions
1.    What rules in your home were you expected to obey as a child?
2.    What do you think is the most important law in this country? Why?
3.    Whom were the people of Israel told to love?
4.    Who was supposed to be taught the laws of the Lord?
5.    What was the Lord setting before Israel?
6.    What do you think God considers to be His most important law?
7.    What happens when we fix God’s law upon our heart and mind?