Greetings 1st Church family --

   

Can I just tell you how blessed I feel to be part of a loving church family like we have! Greeting today for the Lenten service was another reminder of that gift. All I say is "good morning " and I get back from all of you hugs, sweet concerns about how I'm feeling, and so much love that my heart spills over with joy! Thank you.  You should give it a try! I'm not just trying to bribe you-- the blessings are beautiful. We need help at every service on Sundays and of course at the additional services during Lent. Please talk to me if you have questions. 

  

One reminder, please wear your name tags.  It helps us to learn your name if you're new, and makes it easier for us to acknowledge individuals when large crowds arrive at the same time. Thanks for your help with this and let us know if you need to order one. 

   

As you know, our focus this Lenten period is on prayer. You probably realize by now, that prayer is a huge part of my life, not just my faith life. In reading articles about prayer recently, God reminded me about an experience I had totally forgotten about. I was in 5th grade in Catholic school and there was a challenge to have us encourage our parents and siblings to recite the rosary every evening. Right!? Well it took courage and days but somehow I talked my parents into doing it! As I recall, it didn't last long, but maybe that was the seed for prayer being planted in me. I told you I'm a slow learner.  Now I can't imagine not turning to God in prayer for every situation from pleading to praise. Here are a few reminders that have helped me.. Prayer is talking to God. It's easy for us to complicate prayer, but it's not necessary. Access to God by prayer is possible through Jesus and what he has done. John14:6 says" I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Not simply by adding the name of Jesus at the end of a prayer, but to pray with the acknowledgement of what Jesus has done for us. It's normal to pray for things pertaining to our own lives, so it's easy to get repetitive. This can cause my mind to wander. I read once that to resolve this problem , we should pray the Bible, or to turn the words of scripture into prayer. The psalms are ideal for this, or, I've tried praying through parts of a scripture I've read. Of course, Jesus gave us the perfect model prayer in The Lord's Prayer, which is why I recommended that for our daily noon prayer challenge. Just imagine if everyone who worships here, or online and at the park joins us in this easy but mighty challenge! Invite your friends to join us.  I used to think prayer was a very private thing but I now feel it should be part of family life. Just as we pray together before a meal, I now know the huge blessing we get when husbands and wives , or family members pray together.  It has changed our lives!

  

Please watch for info on upcoming worship services and please let me know when you can help serve. Remember, I'm praying for you!