April 2009

Love INC Walkathon

Submitted by David on Thu, 04/30/2009 - 4:04pm
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Were looking for those willing to walk in the Love INC annual walkathon. It takes place on Saturday May 16 at 9:00 am in Wythogan Park (Knox) with registration taking place at 8:00 am. If you are willing pick up a donation sheet. If you are not able to walk but want to help, find someone who is walking and make a donation. It is one way to help people in Statke county. Remember, you are making a difference.

Preschool

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

 
We are blessed to be able to support two classes of preschool (September through May).  Children ages 3-5 are welcome.  3 & 4 year olds have class on Tuesday/Thursday and 4 & 5 year olds have class on Monday/Wednesday/Friday.  Parents can expect their children to learn their colors, numbers (even in French), and letters right alongside Christian basics for children (loving each other, God, nature).

UMW May 3rd - 10th Food Drive

Submitted by David on Wed, 04/29/2009 - 10:59pm
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The UMW are helping to lead the service on Mother's Day (May 10th). They are also requesting that when you come to church on May 3rd or the 10th to bring food for the food pantry. There will be containers located in the church narthex. So come, bring food and worship. You can make a difference!

Introduction

There is a yearning deep within us to know God. We might try to deny this, but sooner or later we wonder if "this is all there is" and we begin seeking the "more than." St. Augustine wrote that our hearts are restless until we rest them in God. It is this restlessness that continues to drive us toward God, but too many times we allow our lives to become fragmented and God is pushed out of our lives. Some might begin attending church in order to connect with God. However, many discover that attending church once a week, or perhaps even a bible study doesn't seem to take care of the restlessness. The reason why is that a couple of spiritual practices once or twice a week doesn't give us enough time with God. When we commit to intentional daily spiritual practices we discover that they can create space in our lives for God. Over time we realize that we are being transformed by God's love and grace. Little by little the disharmony in our lives is replaced with peace. We find that we aren't as restless as we once were.

Here are a few daily practices. My suggestion is to find a practice and live with it for a while. Use it daily. If it doesn't resonate with you, try a different one. The important thing is that you find some time each day to spend with God. Create space in your life for God to move and God will!

Journaling

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

Journaling - Journaling can be a powerful practice in our spiritual life. As we read Scripture, as we pray, as we live, we write. Writing things down allows us to revisit and see how we have been transformed over time. We see how God has worked!

Scripture Reading

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

Scripture Reading - Scripture is God's word to us. Yet, many of us either neglect reading scripture, or we turn it into an 'informational' practice of knowing facts and figures but not allowing it to master and transform us. As we read Scripture we always want to read it prayerfully. Yes, the bible is a book, but it is a book unlike any other. Our task is not to master the bible, but to allow the bible to master us.

Meditating on Scripture

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

Meditating on Scripture - Scripture is God's word to us. As we mediate on Scripture we are placing ourselves before God. As we read Scripture our goal is not how much we can read in one sitting. Instead, our goal is to allow God, through Scripture to change and transform us. Check out Zondervan's web page for some bible reading plans.

Formative Reading

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

Formative Reading - There are many masters of the spiritual life. Throughout Christian history faithful men and women have created road maps to the spiritual life. We can gain much inspiration, challenge and instruction. See The Christian Classics Ethereal Library for a list of recommended books.

Lectio Divina

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

Lectio Divina - An ancient Christian practice of reading, listening, praying and living. This method causes us to slow down as we seek to hear God through Scripture and prayer. See How to Practice Lectio Divina for more information.

 

SOAP

NOTE: This page might change from time to time with different (or more) links and information.

SOAP is a method for reading scripture, prayer and reflection. SOAP stands for: Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It is a method that can be used by anybody no matter if he or she is new to the faith or someone who has been a Christian all his or her life. It doesn't matter if you are a Bible scholar or not. It is easily explained and easily practiced. The wonderful thing about the SOAP method is it helps us to intentionally develop our faith.

 

Before you begin, decide on some type of reading plan. Perhaps you are reading through the bible in a year, or reading through the Psalms. The amount of scripture you read isn't important. It is more important that you are paying attention to what you are reading.

Spend some time in prayer. Try quieting your mind. Remind yourself that this time is for God. Keep a pad of paper handy. For some reason this will be the time we will remember all the things we need to do. When we write those down, we have a tendency to be able to also 'let them go.'  The SOAP method has four movements; Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

S - Scripture: Read through the passage slowly. There's no reason to rush. You can read through it two, three, four or even more times depending on the size of the passage and the amount of time you have. As you read your passage for that day pay attention to anything that grabs your attention. It might be a verse, two verses, or a sentence. When you have that scripture, write it down. Writing it down is important. Write down the whole verse.

O - Observation: What do you observe about this scripture? You might know some background on why or when it was written.

Places Of Interest

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