And Not Hearers Only

C. S. Lewis says we get into trouble when we make assumptions about each other instead of actively praying and acting. In his book, The Screwtape Letters, he writes from the perspective of a demon attempting to distract people from God.

When two humans have lived together for many years it usually happens that each has tones of voice and expressions of face which are almost unendurably irritating to the other. Work on that. Bring fully into the consciousness of your patient that particularly lift of his mother's eyebrows which he learned to dislike in the nursery, and let him think how much he dislikes it. Let him assume that she knows how annoying it is and does it to anny - if you know your job he will not notice the immense improbability of the assumption. And of course, never let him suspect that he has tones and looks which similarly annoy her. As he cannot see or hear himself, this is easily managed. - From The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

It is Wednesday, August 26 which means that we once again will be offering a Wednesday night supper at the church tonight at 5:00!! If this is your first visit you eat for free! See you there!

Be Doers

On Sunday, we will hear our pastor speak about the passage in James where we are encouraged to be "doers of the word, and not merely hearers."

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."

Church is not where you attend... Church is who you are. Don't simply go to church, Be the Church!

Wednesday night suppers begin again and if this is your first time as a visitor, your meal is free! Join us at 5:00 for a delicious meal with friends!

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

When is it exactly we find our hearts most troubled? It seems that the more we consider difficulties from our own limited experiences, the more we give credence to the idea that we are not truly trusting God. And the less we trust God, the more troubled our hearts are just naturally going to be.

We had fun at the park with free ice cream sundaes! Coime join us on Wednesday night for our last summer potluck supper at 5:30! I am going to be making Italian macaroni and cheese from a Southern Living recipe......

Have a Great week!

I'm coming in on Fridays now..... We are still having ice cream sundaes at Delano park on Sunday at 5:30!

Matthew 4:18-19
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the seas - for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

Our task is not to build better singles programs, youth programs, music programs, children's programs etc.... UNLESS we are actually making disciples with these programs. We are not a community organization to either join or not based on what we offer.... we are a church with a given task to make disciples of all the world.

Go in Peace and have a great weekend!

Don't forget that we are gathering for ice cream sundaes in the park on Sunday at 5:30 over at Delano Park!

My God, thank you for the physical sight to see both light and darkness around me. Thank you too for the insight that comes with the vision to tell the difference.

Lord, hear me as I say, "Let my eyes be opened." Amen. - From Visions of a World Hungry by Thomas G. Pettepiece

Good advice as we seek not only what to do... that which is in the light.. but as we seek what to avoid!...that which is in the dark...

Have a blessed week!

Come out to Delano Park on Sunday at 5:30 for some ice cream sundaes as we prepare for a new season of worship! It is always fun to eat ice cream with friends and watch the children play.

And now, think about this:

Only when we have come in touch with our own life experiences and have learned to listen to our inner cravings for liberation and new life can we realize that Jesus did not just speak, but that he reached out to us in our most personal needs. The Gospel doesn't just contain ideas worth remembering. It is a message responding to our individual human condition. the Church is not an institution forcing us to follow its rules. It is a community of people inviting us to still our hunger and thirst at its tables. - From Reaching Out by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Back from upper state New York! Beautiful setting on Lake George and great weather while we were there. You simply cannot visit a place like that and not acknowledge God! Happy 70th birthday mom!

We continue to celebrate the season of Pentecost where the church is encouraged to share the Gospel and make new disciples!

O Christ, my life, possess me utterly.
Take me and make a little Christ of me.
If I am anything but thy Father's son,
'Tis something not yet from the darkness won.
Oh, give me light to live with open eyes.
Oh, give me life to hope above all skies.
Give me thy spirit to haunt the Father with my cries.

- From Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald

Not much you can add to that! "Make a little Christ of me."

II Samuel 7:18
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?"

Thomas à Kempis (ca.1380 – 25 July 1471) was a late Medieval Catholic monk and probable author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the best known Christian books on devotion. While contemplating this same question, first asked by David, Kempis wrote, "My Lord Jesus, I beseech you, do not be far from me, but come quickly and help me, for vain thoughts have risen in my heart and worldly fears have troubled me sorely. How shall I break them down? How shall I go unhurt without your help?"

The paradox of faith. I know you are there. Are you still there, Lord?