This Sunday's Theme:

"Come into the Light!"

John 3:14-21

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Hello Church!

I have been reading about a deeper spirituality. One of the points of reflection has been, “When Jesus went up a mountain and prayed all night long, what did he pray about?” Did he take a “to do list?” That’s not all bad. I wouldn’t function without a to do list – both physically written down and one that is also seared into my mind. But did he pray about anything else? Even though Jesus was God, he gave up his divine nature to live among us as a fellow human. As a human, he had feelings: he was sad – he got angry – he grieved – he wondered – he was astonished. So, I have to think that he prayed about those feelings too.

Something that I have been learning about (as I shared with our prayer team that meets at 1pm on Thursdays) is that it’s a good thing for me to pray with God, about my feelings. If I’m angry, should I remain angry or should I do something about it? What I learned from my Northern European ancestry, also known as my family system, was to bury negative feelings. And that hasn’t worked so well for me in the past.  So, I decided to try and pray through my feelings. Feelings that I learned to ignore; anger – hurt – sadness – loneliness – fear - jealousy. What I learned is that when I share these with God, God listens to me and reveals to me issues and people with whom I need more conversation. As I prayed about these feelings, I began to see how Jesus could spend a whole night praying. My point in sharing this is to invite you to pray to God about everything. Even the things that you are uncomfortable with bringing up. God can do such amazing things – bringing peace and wholeness and reconciliation. We are halfway through Lent. Why not practice a deeper form of prayer?

In the meantime, join us on Sunday as we take a look at a beloved piece of scripture. We will share John 3: 14-21 and our theme will be “Come into the Light!” If you are not traveling for Spring Break, we would love to welcome you in worship!

Pastor Steve

• We pray for Ilana, who is currently experiencing abdominal pain. We pray for a diagnosis and effective treatment.
• We pray for healing for Eli, who is home following a trip to the hospital. We pray that he would experience complete healing.
• Prayers for a friend of Charlotte, named Sadie, whose dog Remy was diagnosed with cancer. We pray for Remy's healing.
• We give thanks for Laila Barr's successful surgery and quick return home. Provide her with strength and complete healing as she undergoes radiation.
• We pray for complete healing for Breezy, a friend of Cynthia Carsten, who was recently diagnosed with cancer for the second time.
• We pray for Ilana, that her providers can discern a diagnosis and treatment for her and that she would experience healing.
• We pray for Goldie McMahan as she undergoes tests and imaging prior to her followup appointment this week. Continue to provide healing for her and give her heart, body, and soul, your presence and strength.
• Prayers for complete healing for Seth as he completes his chemotherapy. Continue to strengthen him and his family.
• Prayers for Keenan, Charlie Brichta's uncle, who was diagnosed with lung cancer. Prayers for strength and resilience as he undergoes treatment, and that his body would be fully restored.
• Prayers for healing and hope for Roxana Mullenhoff, friend of Dave and Debby Andrews, who has not yet found relief from headaches since suffering a head injury fourteen months ago.
• Prayers for healing for Will Wartenburg who is undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for Uncle Ronnie's health and safety and for his family, that they may all feel strengthened and experience God's peace during this difficult time.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.