II Corinthians 5:16
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.

William Cowper (pronounced 'koo-per') was born on November 15, 1731 in Great Berkhamstead, England. He had a shy and somewhat sad childhood and was never able to fully outgrow his tendency towards depression. He later moved to the small village of Olney where he met a former ship's captain who was responsible for transporting thousands of slaves from Africa. John Newton was so ashamed of this practice he gave up the sea and eventually wrote one of our most famous hymns, Amazing Grace.

Hundreds of hymns would be written because of the friendship formed between these two men, including Cowper's O for a Closer Walk With God

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Christian ministry is more than doing good. Ministry is an act of service performed either consciously or unconsciously in the name of Christ. Ministry is Jesus Christ expressing his life through us. It is born, therefore, not in activity, but in solitude, where through the Spirit we experience the power of life from within. No one becomes a "minister." Rather in trust we so open ourselves to the Spirit that Jesus Christ can express his ministry through us....To know this intimacy we have only to let go. Instead of relying on our own initiative, where we are in control, we discover that we are participating in what God has already initiated within us. - From Ministry and Solitude by James C. Fenhagen

Suffering is increasing in the world today. People are hungry for something more beautiful, for something greater than people round about can give. There is a great hunger for God in the world today. Everywhere there is much suffering, but there is also great hunger for God and love for each other. - From A Gift for God by Mother Teresa

When we think about the daily mana we think we need, we are reminded to think in terms OTHER than of our physical needs.

Our Sunday evening chapel service begins again on Sunday! Come join us at 5:00 in the chapel.

Exodus 16:4
Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not."

Of course the people of Israel did NOT follow the instructions and attempted to gather in MORE than they needed. hmmm trying to acquire more than was needed... Good thing we don't have THAT problem! Be grateful for what you have and know that God will continue to provide what is needed! A hard lesson to learn, but taught repeatedly in the Bible.

Didn't Summer just arrive yesterday? Why does it seem as if it is already approaching the end?

We are the agents of the Creative Spirit in this world. Real advance in the spiritual life, then means accepting this vocation with all it involves. Not merely turning over the pages of an engineering magazine and enjoying the pictures, but putting on overalls and getting on with the job. The real spiritual life must be horizontal as well as vertical; spread more and more as well as aspire more and more. - From The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith

Not bad... Don't just read the Bible looking at the pictures, but get into life itself and do the work we are called to do!

Have a blessed week!

Revelation 21:1-3
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;"

We already know the end of the story! Death and crisis and sadness and sickness and confusion all take their turns harrassing us from chapter to chapter of our lives, but the end of the story has already been determined, and it is a good one!

Movie night here at Central UMC on Friday night! And we hope to

See you on Sunday!

Lord, we do not hope in ourselves, our technology, our governments, our laws, our tenacity, our courage, or our will, though these things are all necessary to conquer hunger and provide justice. We hope in you. Amen - From Visions of a World Hungry by Thomas G. Pettepiece