“Asante” is a Swahili word translated “Thank You” in English. The Asante Children’s Choir is made up of children from East Africa, a region recovering from years of civil war and genocide that have claimed millions of lives leaving thousands of children and women as orphans and widows. The Choir is dedicated to spreading love, hope and joy while raising awareness for the desperate plight of orphans and other vulnerable children. Their colorful clothing, pounding drums and sweet voices demonstrate their hope and dream for a brighter future. Their inspirational stories of resilience have instilled hope in the hearts of all those who have seen them perform.  For more information visit:  www.asantechoir.org

Come  join us for this wonderful concert and invite your friends and neighbors.

None of like to think about dying, but we also know that death will come to all of us. How can help one another to live well, and to face death with faith and hope, surrounding the dying and the mourning with Christian love and community?

Worship this weekend — Special note – All services in air-conditioned fellowship hall!!

             5:00 p.m. Saturday – Worship

             8:30 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship

            10:00 a.m. Sunday – Contemporary Worship

 August 23-24 — Practicing Dying Well

Questions for the week:

• How can you help those who love you prepare for the end of your life?
• In times of grief, what words and acts have you found helpful?
• What words don’t help?

Hymn of the week:

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord,   Lead me home.

Devotions for the week:

Monday: I Kings 8:56; Ephesians 2:14

Lord, thank you for giving me strength when I feel the storms around me. Come near and calm my troubled heart and be with me.

Tuesday: I Samuel 2:2; I Corinthians 3:11

Thank you, Lord, for being my rock and foundation. Forgive me when I rely on my own construction instead of your strength.

Wednesday: Leviticus 26:5; John 6:11

You, Lord, are the one who feeds, fuels, and secures my life. Forgive me when I look to others instead of relying on you.

Thursday: Isaiah 65:24; Ephesians 3:20-21

Lord, thank you for not waiting for me to act or call on you. Help me stop scheming and notice all you are doing for me and saying to me.

Friday: Isaiah 8:17: Romans 8:25

Jesus, grant me patience, especially for the changes I don’t see or understand. Help be trust that you are working in all things.

Saturday: I Samuel 17:45; I Timothy 4:10

Thank you, Lord, for true security. Help me be ready to work and willing to be forgiven. Help me to share hope even in difficult times.

 

 

 

While most of our images of healing involve doctors and patients, there is also a long tradition of faith which focuses as much on wholeness and restoration of relationships. We pray and work for physical health, but also for spiritual and community healing.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

         10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship – on Church lawn (weather permitting)

August 16-17 – Practicing Healing

Questions for this week:

• Where does healing taking place in your life? Is it only in clinics and hospitals?
• When have you felt healing in the presence of God?
• When have you experienced the healing touch of other people?

 Hymn of the Week:  

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.

Devotions for the week:

Monday: Jeremiah 33:10-11; Mark 2:19

O Lord, you are good, and your steadfast love endures. Help me to share that love in my voice and hands this day.

Tuesday: I Kings 8:27; Ephesians 3:17

Thank you Lord for dwelling in my heart, head and hands. Use me to buildupon your wisdom, to that you may dwell in all hearts.

Wednesday: Psalm 6:9; Colossians 4:2

Thank you Lord, for listening to my praying, sighing, groaning, pleading, whining, and wondering. Your grace is beyond words.

Thursday: Deuteronomy 30:9; Luke 5:5

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings. Forgive me for clinging to them, and claiming them for myself. Help me to be open to you and others.

Friday: Daniel 11:32; Philippians 3:13

Make my attitude on of living, breathing gratitude, and help me to see what might be, and move forward in faith.

Saturday: Psalm 40:5; I Timothy3:16

How wondrous are your deeds O God! How wondrous that you invited us to trust you in Christ! Continue to reveal yourself to me and through me.

 

In a world where bad news gets far more attention than good, what would it be like if we could practice telling each other the good truths, our testimony, about what God is doing in our lives?

 Worship this week: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

                                   Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

                                                   10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship in Sanctuary this week!

 Questions for the week:

• Was there a time when you felt God active in your life? Can you tell that story, speak it out loud?
• Do you feel anxious when considering speaking about faith?
• Can your articulate the reasons for your anxiety?

Tasks for the week: Be deliberate about speaking out loud the truth that God is connected to your daily life: Bless your family members (out loud); Hand your worries to God, and say so out loud; Give yourself permission to testify to your faith

Devotions for the week:

Monday: Exodus 5:14; Mark 1:13-14

Thank you Lord, that even when I wander, your angels watch over me.Lead me, forgive my impatience, and assure me of your love.

Tuesday: Exodus 33:20; John 4:9

Lord, forgive my preoccupation with distant things when you want to connect to my present life through the love of your Son.

Wednesday: Isaiah 62:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thank you, Lord, for calling me by my name and claiming me as your own. Help me to let go of things past, and live as your new creation.

Thursday: Psalm 42:8; Luke 6:12

Help me to make prayer the key to the morning, the seal at the end of the day, and a constant conversation with you as I move through the day.

Friday: Psalm 63:7; Romans 8:38-39

Help me to trust when I don’t feel deserving, to stay connected when life seems to pull us apart, and know that nothing gets in your love’s way!

Saturday: Isaiah 60:2; John 12:46

Thank you, Lord, for coming as the Light that lightens our darkness, and the love that flows within us!

Next week: Practicing Discernment