“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 

3 John 1:2

Prayer for Today

Loving God, my shield and hiding place,

give me the courage to come from behind the shield,

give me the faith to leave my hiding place,

so that I might be willing to go into every place:

places of tears and trauma, places of disillusion and despair

as well as places of fun and fulfilment.

Displace my complacency and replace it with a spirit of boldness.

May I serve you till in heaven I take my place.

Until then, I place into your hands the things I should do, safe in the knowledge that you are my abiding place,

my dwelling place and my resting place. Amen.

Inspired by Psalm 8

It Is Well With My Soul

All Glory Laud and Honor

Prayer through the Ages

O Lord, you are the beginning of all our goodness, the wellspring of all our loving and the source of all our freedom. Let your grace continually work within us, that your will may be done through us, and that we may always rejoice in your presence; now and for ever. Amen.

Mary Ward (1585-1645)

VUMC tradition is our Coffee Hour after service on Sunday's. It enables us to catch-up with our church family members who we probably have not seen all week. It is a chance for those in our congregation who may be isolated during the week to be with others. Its a chance for you to be a welcoming host encouraging the fellowship and joy enabling us to go forth into the world to do God's work.

Thank you to those who have volunteered but We have no one for this coming Sunday. February 9. Will that be you?

Thank You!

Today we pray...

I like being busy, and I believe you created me to be productive. But time and time again I get into a pattern of saying yes and adding one more thing to my already full calendar. Pretty soon I end up physically exhausted and wanting a break from everything. Forgive me Lord for relying on my own strength instead of calling out to You for help. You are my hope and the answer for this struggle. In the name of Jesus I pray...

For Valhalla United Methodist Church. Help us as we welcome some new families to our church family, work at our ministries, and continue the conversation with our Bishop about retaining Pastor Kevan for another year.

Help all those federal employees who have had their lives disrupted by the changes being made in an abrupt and impersonal manner.

For our leaders in Washington who are dealing with the changes being made. Help them to listen to those who have a different voice or offer a different perspective and work to keep the lines of communication open. Guide them to work together for the good of all Americans, putting aside their personal agendas.

For Eleanor Carney, who celebrated her birthday on January 30;

For Rita, the sister of Bill Carter who suffered a stroke while hiking a few weeks ago;

For Kristi Badi’s cousin, Courtney, who learned that her aggressive cancer has returned and is facing surgery and treatment;

For Jennifer Wolfthal, one of our Nursery School teachers who is recovering from surgery;

For Stacy Atkins, the stepdaughter of Pastor Kevan’s brother, Jon, whose cancer has metastasized;

For Marilyn VanTine, who is under palliative care on Martha’s Vineyard;

For the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires who lost their homes and loved ones;

For all those experiencing food insecurity, for all those who are suffering from depression, dealing with anxiety, fighting addiction,

For those who are lonely and alone, and all those who have no one to pray for them.

That as we observe Black History Month we will remember the important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.

For all those who are being affected by the new administration's decisions regarding federal employees and immigrants. Help them to cope with the impact the actions of the new administration is having on their lives.

For Bishop Bickerton, District Superintendent Law and the Cabinet as they begin the process of evaluating the pastor assignments to the churches throughout the NYAC and specifically their response to our letter requesting we keep Pastor Kevan for the foreseeable future.

God of goodness, We thank you for the light that shines – The light that we see In the glory and wonder of your creation, In icy peaks and snow-white meadows. Thank you for the light that shines through young and old, who remind us of your presence in tears and laughter, teaching and learning, order and disruption, work and play.

I give you praise today for giving second chances. You never give up on me, and You provide the answers I need for the off-balance life I’ve been living. Thank you for grace, mercy, and for leading me into the balanced life You offer through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hunger is here — right where we live

Children and adults from all walks of life go hungry, in every community.

Although Westchester is a wealthy area, wages remain low and stagnant for the working poor, and the cost of living continues to rise. With fixed expenses like rent and childcare, groceries are often the first family expense to be cut.  

Feeding Westchester is a nonprofit organization that feeds 229,000 people each month and advocates for programs that mitigate food uncertainty: universal school meals, increasing the minimum SNAP benefit from $23 per month to $100 a month.

Food insecurity is real in America. The price of everything--not just eggs--continues to skyrocket. You can make a difference. To learn more go to feedingwestchester.org 

A contribution can be made directly to Feeding Westchester in honor or memory of a loved one. And, if you know someone who needs assistance with food, you can find a location for help with groceries.

God of the Universe, thank you that every good and perfect gift comes from you, the Father of lights. Your word says that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Please bless your church financially that your work may continue in this world. Inspire your people to give generously to support the ministry of VUMC.

Thank You!