Prayer Concerns, Announcements, Scriptures & Questions (Sunday, 2/7/10)

Prayer Concerns:

• Please keep Victor Herbst in your prayers, he is in the hospital in San Antonio.
• Charles Hagood had surgery this morning and is doing well and should be home Sunday or Monday.

Announcements: We will have Men’s breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:00am

Scriptures:

John 9:1-12 (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." [10] So they said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" [11] He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." [12] They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

Questions to Reflect Upon

1. What goes through your mind when you see a disabled person?
2. How do our sins affect us physically or emotionally?
3. How do our sins affect others?
4. In what way has God healed you?
5. How did your family and friends respond when you put your faith in Christ?
6. Through what shortcoming in your life will you ask God to glorify Himself today?

February 2010 Dates & Events

Tuesday, February 2nd

• Elementary After School Program, 3:30-5

Wednesday, February 3rd

• God and Church Program, 3:30-5
• Youth Group, 5:30-7

Saturday, February 6th

• Men of the Church Breakfast, 8 AM

Sunday, February 7th

• Communion
• "Souper" Sunday

Tuesday, February 9th

• PW Circle, 9:45 AM
• Elementary After School Program, 3:30-5
• Session, 6 PM

Wednesday, February 10th

• God and Church Program, 3:30-5
• Youth Group, 5:30-7

Sunday, February 14th ~ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY~

Tuesday, February 16th

• Elementary After School Program, 3:30-5

Wednesday, February 17th ~ ASH WEDNESDAY~

• Lenten Luncheons Begin, noon
• God and Church Program, 3:30-5
• Youth Group, 5:30-7

Sunday, February 21st

• Care Center Service, 3 PM

Tuesday, February 23rd

• Lenten Bible Study, noon
• Elementary After School Program, 3:30-5

Wednesday, February 24th

• God and Church Program, 3:30-5
• Youth Group, 5:30-7

Scriptures and Questions for Sunday (1/31/2010)

Luke 12:22-34 (ESV)

And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. [24] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! [25] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [26] If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? [27] Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! [29] And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. [30] For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. [32] "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Questions for Reflection

1. About what do people you know tend to worry?
2. Why did Jesus start talking about worry?
3. What does worrying accomplish?
4. What situations bring out the worrier in you?
5. When have you seen the truth that God knows your needs and meets them?
6. When can you pray today to hand over your worries to God?

Scripture and Questions for Sunday (1/24/10)

Scripture

Luke 6:27-36

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. [29] To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. [30] Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. [31] And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. [32] "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Questions for Reflection

1. Why do people often call revenge “sweet”?
2. Who have been some of your enemies through the years?
3. What results will those who practice loving their enemies obtain?
4. What does it mean to “bless those who curse you”?
5. When is forgiveness most difficult to give?
6. How did Jesus in this sermon say His followers were to be distinctly different from the ordinary pattern?
7. How can you remember to do good to someone who is unkind to you this week?

Scriptures and Questions for Reflection (Sunday, 1/17/10)

Luke 4:16-30 (ESV)

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. [17] And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, [18] "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

[20] And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. [21] And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." [22] And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" [23] And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." [24] And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. [25] But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, [26] and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. [27] And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." [28] When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. [29] And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. [30] But passing through their midst, he went away.

Questions for Reflection
1. What are some of the best things that happen when a person comes back home after being away at school or in the service?
2. What does the old saying mean, “You can never go home again”?
3. How did Jesus’ experience in His hometown illustrate the fickleness of a crowd?
4. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of worship?
5. During this incident, in what ways did Jesus demonstrate the importance of knowing the Scriptures?
6. How could you improve your present habit of Bible reading?

News of Praise and Scripture (Sunday, 1/10/2010)

News:
Odean Allison went home to be with her Lord yesterday afternoon. Services have not been scheduled as yet but I will be sure to send out an email when they are.

From Betty Leep:
Praise God! I started chemo again in Dec-a new treatment as the other has damaged my bone marrow too much. In 2 weeks my white count was down to normal!! So I'm off treatments, in remission, feeling good. I believe that God had his hand in this and thank everyone for their prayers. Please take my name off the prayer list as I hope to continue in good health. Betty

Announcements:
We will have elder training Saturday morning at 8:00am in the fellowship hall. Please let me know if you cannot attend.

Scripture and Questions:

John 2:1-12 (ESV)
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. [2] Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. [3] When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." [4] And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." [5] His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
[6] Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. [7] Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. [9] When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom
[10] and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." [11] This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
[12] After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Questions:
1. What makes an event miraculous or supernatural?
2. What was Jesus’ response to His mother?
3. What was the banquet master’s response?
4. Why did Jesus perform this miracle?
5. What things has Jesus done that have caused you to have faith in Him?
6. How will you enjoy today the new life Jesus has given you?

January 2010 Dates & Events

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Sunday, January 3rd

• Communion

Saturday, January 9th

• Elder Training in the Fellowship Hall, 8 AM - noon

Sunday, January 10th

• Called Session Meeting between Church School and Morning Worship
• Ordination / Installation of New Elders

Tuesday, January 12th

• PW Circle, 9:45 AM
• Session, 6 PM

Sunday, January 17th

• Annual Meeting following Morning Worship