tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5696584909875597352024-03-19T23:34:16.544-07:00You are Important to GodIt is a message that has been proclamed for 1000s of years...it is a message proclaimed in the Good News of Jesus Christ...it is a message that I heard for many years, but I did not beleive. But, finally the wonderful truth of this message sunk in. Imagine, if 10% of the world's population heard, embraced, and acted upon this message, would not our world become a different place? Come engage in this message, so that you can share it too.
Yours in Christ, The Rev. John A. DonnellyThe Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-4034986099536439852021-12-16T09:17:00.001-08:002021-12-16T09:18:39.909-08:00 CHRISTMAS EVE SERMON for Dec. 24, 10am, @ Christ Church Quaker Farms<p> </p><h1 style="margin-top: 0in;">CHRIST By The rev. John Donnelly CHRISTMAS EVE SERMON for Dec. 24, 10am, @ Christ
Church Quaker Farms<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Perhaps one
of the most peaceful moments of the year will occur when later tonight after
we've received communion and lit our candles and start <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to sing <b><span style="color: red;">“Silent
night, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>holy night ,sleep in heavenly
peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 43.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we sang those beautiful words by
candlelight, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if your heart is open, you
will experience that heavenly peace to descend <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>upon this room and descend upon your very soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Famous
American author Mark Twain once described the human desire to find Peace of
Mind .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b><span style="color: red;">From cradle to
grave everything that a person does is designed to secure Peace of Mind
spiritual comfort for himself.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As usual
Mark Twain cuts right through all the spinning hype and gets right to the point
we all want Peace of Mind ; but Peace of Mind is an elusive commodity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How hard it comes and how easy it vanishes.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Individually we work hard to maintain secure employment , secure
homes, and to provide security for our loved ones in order that we might
achieve Peace of Mind for the present and future. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 43.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many of us strive to achieve Peace of
Mind and our health by exercising right, eating wisely ,securing the best
medical care which money combined. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 43.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We find additional security and
relationships at home , church or in places of employment or the like. No<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, in spite of our best efforts, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace of Mind, created by humans, is fragile and
fleeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How quickly is our Peace of Mind
shattered by sudden illness, or death, or accidents; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">but of course if we are honest with
ourselves, our Peace of Mind is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not only
disrupted by powers outside of us, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for
sometimes inner forces emerge from our own heart and shatter our Peace of Mind.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember coming home one night when <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in a foul mood. I snapped at my family.
And then I was surprised when everybody snapped back at me. And I preceded to
blame them for ruining my evening. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By my own resources, my Peace of Mind
is like the proverbial house of cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Indeed, the human quest for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>permeant peace of mind is bound to fail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The bible
tells us that God looked down from heaven, and saw the outer and inner turmoil destroying
humanity. So at Christmas, God gave the one and only source of peace…The Prince
of Peace, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You see,
Jesus was born for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God wants each of us to experience a
deep and lasting peace of mind, not just at Christmas, but year round.`<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the
shepherds heard from the angels, who said, “For unto is born a Savior, who will
bring peace to all people, with whom God is well pleased.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think about that. The greatest miracle
of all time the birth of God on earth occur so that you personally can find
peace now and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was born so that even when you face
problems or trouble, you can experience inner peace which will not fade away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most of my
life I never understood that the peace of heaven can be experienced in this
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Jesus says, <b><span style="color: red;">“Peace of Mind. I give to you my own peace I leave with you
not as the world gives where it's here today and gone tomorrow but lasting
peace therefore do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them be afraid for
this peace can overcome all the trouble of the world.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the testimony of many parishioners at Christ Church
Quaker Farms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 39.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of
course, we all face horrible tragedies at one time or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the inner peace, that comes from Jesus,
carries us through.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 39.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There Was a time in my life when I was panic stricken with
anxiety. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 39.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
Christian friend explained to me that that was because I had only partially turned
my life over to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus wants all of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I asked Jesus to forgive of my sins. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I prayed that He would enter my heart as
my Savior and Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the peace did not come immediately; but
Jesus inspired me to walk on the path with Him, as that I could grow to trust
Him with trust. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, through his grace, I experience more
peace of mind than anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks be to
God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Right now, you can ask the Prince of Peace to come and enter
or reenter your heart, and you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can find
the peace Jesus wants you to have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 43.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
is just as close to you as a prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 43.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if you are not part of a believing
Church, then find one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 43.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people will support you in your journey
of peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 43.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, true peace of mind often emerges in
the fellowship of fellow seekers and finders of peace of mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
conclude in Prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;">“O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cast out our sin, and enter in. Be born in us
today. How silently, how silently, the wonderous gift is given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soo God imparts to human hearts the blessings
of his heaven.” AMEN.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-29367456335981525502018-07-18T14:06:00.003-07:002018-07-18T14:06:45.335-07:00Seth Sowah, Minister of Music @ CCQF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-54471611006564295122018-07-18T13:57:00.002-07:002018-07-18T13:57:12.435-07:00Worship in Spirit & Truth By Seth Sowah, CCQF Minister of Music<div class="gE iv gt" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: auto; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; padding: 10px 0px 3px;">
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<span class="im" style="color: #500050;"><b><u><span style="font-family: .SFUIText-Bold;">WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH</span></u></b></span><div>
This happened in one of Michael Jackson’s concert:</div>
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Every once in a while, as the cameras panned out to show the fans response to Michael, you’d see tens and thousands of people holding on to every word Michael was saying, completely fixated, almost obsessed on Michael. Every zoom depicted people crying, reaping out their hair because of Michael. People were being pulled over the security rails by the guards because they had fainted, and passed out because of Michael. Wow! What was that? They were worshipping him; a man that would never do anything for them, wouldn’t provide for their needs or bless them. But they worshipped him.</div>
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But in church, during the 5 or 15 minutes we’re called to worship God who does provide every need in our lives and bless us, who does really love us and died and took all our sins upon Himself on the cross, <b><span style="font-family: .SFUIText-Bold;">we don’t even sing! </span></b>If<b><span style="font-family: .SFUIText-Bold;"> </span></b>our favorite artist comes on the radio, we sing and dance to every word. If someone talks about President Trump, we get all worked up over him. Everything else gets pushed aside when our favorite sports team and show comes on TV. But when it comes time to worship God who created and saved our lives, we stand as if we have no life. We are on our phones, texting or scrolling through our social media feed, having conversation with the next person; most of us.</div>
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Perhaps we don’t know what worship is. So what is it?</div>
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Worship is an activity of glorifying God in His presence with our voices and our hearts. Everyday of our lives should be an act of worship. The reason we converge here is to worship God collectively. Worship is therefore the direct expression of our purpose for living. A direct display of our inward beliefs; we are commanded to do it! It is a privilege, an honor, our proper response to God. The more we get to know Him, the better we do it. But how do we do it? What makes it awesome? Is it the band or the instruments? If the singing is bad, or wrong, is that worship?</div>
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Do we worship in Spirit and in Truth? When we sing, do you think about God or how you sound? Or the people around us? Are you completely focused on Him, or is your mind elsewhere?</div>
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In John 4 : 20 - 24, Jesus uses 4 words; <b><span style="font-family: .SFUIText-Bold;">in Spirit in Truth.</span></b></div>
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The Jews believed the Temple David built in Jerusalem was the proper location for worship. And the Samaritans believed Mt Gerizim was the proper location.</div>
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To this, Jesus explains it’s neither on the Mountain nor in Jerusalem... but in Spirit and in Truth. The real issue is not WHERE but HOW. We have similar issues today in the church. Some churches say hymns. Other churches say contemporary. Some, a choir. Others, a band, solo or acapella. Some churches prefer piano to organ. Charismatics raise their hands in worship, but in other churches, you can’t even sneeze. </div>
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In Spirit doesn’t even sound like something we can do. It sound like an out of body experience. What it simply means, however, is to have a Spiritual life, and be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. That is what happens when we are born again. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SPIRITUAL LIFE, YOU CAN’T WORSHIP IN SPIRIT. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to enable us worship correctly, with our whole heart engaged according to Roman 12 : 1. Nothing should grab your attention during worship. In Matthew 15 : 8, there are those who honor God with their lips, but with hearts far from Him. Always remember, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.</div>
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It is possible for our whole heart to be engaged but not in Truth. What is Truth?</div>
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In Truth means with true hearts, sincere; you mean it. Not just going through the motions. Do it because it’s true, genuine, real and authentic. It also means according to the Word of God, the Gospel; that we believe and trust that Jesus is Lord! In John 14 : 6, Jesus declared He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light... It is only through Him we have access to the Father.</div>
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Do you worship in Truth? Do you mean it, trusting who Jesus said He is? Do you believe the words you sing? Is your worship all about Him? OUR AUDIENCE IS JUST ONE; JESUS. Your voice can be bad and not scaled, but if you worship in Spirit and in Truth, you are a true worshipper!</div>
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In jail, according to our first scripture reading, Paul and Silas were set free as they prayed and worship. Jehoshaphat led the Israelites in praise and worship around the walls of Jericho and won the Victory. In a dispensation where the only way to approach God was through the blood of animals, David discovered a better way; he said enter His gates with thanksgiving and into HIS courts with praise. (If you did not enter with thanksgiving in your heart this morning, take a moment, step out and come back in with thanksgiving in your heart) <img alt="😊" class="CToWUd" data-goomoji="1f60a" goomoji="1f60a" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f60a" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> David’s only qualification to the throne was that he was a worshipper. David was just a boy but God called him a man after His heart, and made David a king. Your worship will do for you what prayer alone will not do immediately</div>
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To worship God in Spirit and in Truth means worship that comes from the spirit within and based on true views of God. Your emotions and thoughts must be engaged.</div>
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GOD SEEKS SUCH. Is that you?</div>
</span></div>
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The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-36826435211036672622017-10-20T13:12:00.002-07:002017-10-20T13:12:05.614-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-10561478412462931162017-10-20T13:10:00.002-07:002017-10-20T13:10:19.331-07:00DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once upon a time two
men held a conversation:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I have a mountain of
credit card debt”, one man told another. “I have lost my job. My car is being
repossessed and our house is in foreclosure, but I am not worried about
it. No, I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying
for me, and that way I don’t have to think about it.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “That’s
fantastic!” his friend replied. “How much does your professional
worrier charge for his services?”<br />
“$50,000 a year”, the first man answered. “$50,000 a year? Where are you going
to get that kind of money?” “I don’t know”, responded the first
man. “That’s his worry.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From today’s reading
from the SERMON ON THE MT., Jesus says, , please repeat after me, “ Do not
worry//about your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">EASY TO
SAY. HARD TO DO.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> For
Americans living in the 3<sup>rd</sup> millennium ---we are a people
bombarded by stress, anxiety, and worry, according to one author reporting on
recent polls. He writes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· <b>43% of all adults
suffer health effects due to worry and stress.</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· <b>75% - 90% of all
visits to primary care physicians are stress & anxiety related complaints
or disorders.</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· </span><b><span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Worry has been linked to all the leading
causes of death including heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents,
cirrhosis and suicide.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow. That’s
a lot anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It think it’s safe to
say that most of us expect some short term and minor anxieties, which we
typically face in a normal day of life. Most of the time, we can deal with them,
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>using our own personal resources and
coping skills. But the type of anxiety that Jesus is
discussing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is what I call </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MAJOR WORRIES.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The English word “worry” is actually
rooted in old English and German words, which mean to “strangle,” or to
“choke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When faced with upon
problems, which we cannot <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>resolve with
our own efforts and resources, many of us frequently react with “life choking
worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example--declining health and disease,
like cancer, heart trouble, Alzheimer’s may threaten us, or those we love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Or think of the many, many dangers that our
children face, including drug & alcohol abuse, car accidents, predators,
immorality, and the like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Financial concerns and loss of employment, in
a very uncertain economic climate, can cause us to worry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caring for infirmed parents or spouses can be worrisome—just
wondering if you have the strength to carry on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The potential dangers
we face are real---but what about our many unnecessary worries, that are
self-imposed? I am convinced that many of us, including me, have
lost many precious years of our lives by overindulging in unnecessary anxiety
and worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unnecessary worry has
happened in my life when a potential or real problem emerges, and I ponder it ,
in my mind, mushrooming the problem into some catastrophic disaster. So, there
was a time in my marriage when my wife and I would had a knock down, dragged
out fight, and we stopped talking to each other . I began worrying that we would
divorce. While that was a genuine fear of mine, it was not entirely
realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is, there is
conflict in all<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>healthy marriages, which
never results in divorce. But by anxious spinning out the worse case scenario,
I denied the power of God and the commitment of my to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· In this, and in many other
ways, Anxiety had taken over like some bully tinhorn dictator. Well, that was
it. I had had it. I wanted to over throw that dictator,
and put Jesus back on the throne of my life, where he belonged. So,
I decided to take some action. Now, it didn’t happen quickly. Indeed,
there were lots of fits and starts over the years, involving prayer and many
conversations with my loved ones, friends, and a therapist. But eventually, the
Lord led me to win over worry. And there were three major factors that led to
that victory: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. <b> FIRST,
SOME OF US NEED NEW PRIORITIES</b>. Across our whole culture,
too many of us are consciously or unconsciously on a quest for materialism,
which adds unnecessary anxiety to our lives. Materialism is doomed to let us
down, because the love of things can separate you from loving God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· Jesus points
out that some Christians are so worried about worldly rewards, riches, and
pleasures, that they cannot hear God’s word. They are like
seeds, planted in the thorns, which are choked to death before bearing
fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· It’s interesting
that the root word for “worry” in the Greek, means being of a double
mind. This is what Jesus means when he says, “</span><b><span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No one can serve two
masters. Either he will hate the one, and love the other, or he will
be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Rather than elevating money to such an
important place in our lives and being choked with worry, Jesus has a different
idea. He says, </span><b><span style="color: #339966; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Seek first my kingdom anomy righteousness, then all things will
be added to you.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. SO, SOME OF US NEED
NEW PRIORTIES, AND WE ALSLO NEED A NEW PERSPECTIVE.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instead of living
life, where we are whacked around by anxiety and worry, we need a champion who
can help us. For some of us, we need to confess our excessive worry as sin, and
receive God’s forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I choose to ask
for God’s help in that way---most of the time, I begin to feel my burdens
lifting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Would you please take
out the tricolored insert, and look at the line in blue, on the right side of
the center page: Repeat after me, </span><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Rest in my love.” (REST IN MY
LOVE.)</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> That
comes from Jesus words, when he said, “Come unto me, all you who travail and
heavy laden burdens, and I will lift your burdens, and give you
rest.” (Mt. 11:28) When I come to God in this way, I feel
released from oppressive worry, because I have humbled myself before God, and
articulated before Him and me, the true priorities of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 33.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s word is so encouraging in helping to
change our perspective from exhausting anxiety, to resting in
faith. Let’s look at another word: This one is printed in red, and
is one the right hand center page, above the red tulips. Please
repeat after me, </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Trust me, and I will not
fail you in anyway.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 33.6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As each of us grows to more fully embrace
God’s perspective that 'we are important to Him,' we will also learn to trust
him more, and not be so anxious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> And that leads to our third point of winning over worry,
which is to remember and to receive GOD’S<b> PROVISION.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Let’s look at the top right hand corner in blue, and
read together, where God says, “I am your provider.” </span></b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then let’s look at the very last line in blue
on the page, saying together, “I will give you good gifts.” </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And next let’s read the read line above the
center, which is in red, “Nothing that is good will be withheld from you.”</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
there is one last piece, in black at the top left side of the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us read in unison, saying, Do not be
anxious about anything.”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That particular verse goes on to give us the
antidote for worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND
SUPPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE KNOWN TO GOD.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The key word in this section
is “THANKSGIVING.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u> Tell God you are thankful for what
he has already given you.</u></i></b> If I give you a present, and
you never thank me, can you expect me to give you another? Giving
thanks to God is a powerful force that acknowledges the truth that we proclaims
every Sunday, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· When we thankfully
remember the ways He has already helped us, we find greater inner confidence to
believe Him. For the last while, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have spent some of my prayer time listing
ten or more things for which I am grateful to God---without repeating the same
one two days in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I can thank
God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for a nice note that I just
received; thank God for a beautiful day; and thank God that my new grass is
growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I will thank God how
He helps me to address issues and problems at church; thank God for you all;
for my family; for all little and big things. Consequently, my heart is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not filled up with worry, but with
faith. Yes, I have anxieties like everyone else, but they no longer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dominate my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, three steps to
diminishing anxiety involve perspective, priorities, and
provision. 1) Get God’s fresh perspective; 2) set Godly
priorities; and 3) remember & and receive God’s provision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You see, like the man
in the story at the beginning of the sermon, God hired a man to take all your
worries upon himself. He carried them to the cross and died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THEN HE rose from the
dead, lifting those burdens for all who come to Him. Through Him you have been
set free; AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, THROUGH
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-24531621021872917652017-10-06T07:27:00.002-07:002017-10-06T07:27:44.896-07:00"Blessed arfe the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."Note: This sermon was preached on Sunday, Oct. 8, the week following the sniper attack in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 1.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past
week, people kept saying,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How could that happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did he do it? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dumfounded by another senseless
massacre of innocent people; we all know that we have previously been here, and
many of us worry that we’ll cOme back here again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But many faithful
people, also ask another question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How
could God let this happen?” Silence<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boy, when people are grieving and
shocked, there is just no answer to that question. How could a loving and all
powerful God let this happen? This seems to be just another example of how our
world is going down the tubes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of us feel powerless to stop
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just stand back in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>horror, one more time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And where is God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know,
evil can take many forms. But this man of flesh and blood worked so hard to put
this plan of massacre together---meticulously arranging the details.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And his brother, in absolute shock,
says that he was just a normal guy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evil can be deceptive. Jesus warned
of wolves in sheep’s clothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
massacre makes no sense, unless you factor in the problem of evil; indeed,
those who try to make sense of such horror just go around and around in
circles; because , as the bible says, nonbelievers cannot understand the
workings of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spiritual world, which
directly impact our material world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible
tells us that the devil has been at work opposing God and murdering his
children, ever since the dawn of time. And on God’s part, his heart has been
broken by the cries of anguish from his children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since God is love, he does what we do. He
cries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
prophet Jeremaiah<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>quotes God saying, “</span></span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Let my eyes run with tears, day and night let them not cease, for
my hapless people have suffered a grievous injury, a very painful wound."
Jeremiah 14:17</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> (JPS)</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
author puts it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk494963390"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">1.
</span></strong></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">PRE-FLOOD in the times of Noah.</span></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth… and
it grieved Him to His heart" (Gen. 6:5,6 NRSV). <strong><i>YES, GOD CRIED.</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EUROPE (1096-1100).</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">
During the crusades, Christian soldiers enroute to the Holy Land slaughtered
Jews on the way. Some were herded into their synagogues. Cries of anguish
shrilled unto heaven as the wooden structures were torched. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this, plus the countless slaughter of
Muslims; followed by the Muslims slaughtering Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong><i>AND GOD CRIED</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">3. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EUROPE (1204-1799).</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">
Protestant blood flowed freely in Roman Catholic countries. The victims of the
so-called "Holy Inquisition totaled in the millions. <strong><i>AND GOD
CRIED.</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">4. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">CHRISTIAN WORLD
(1490-1850).</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"> Over 20 million Black Africans killed in
Middle Passage on way to slave markets for purchase by white Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong><i>AND
GOD CRIED.</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">5. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">EUROPE (1941-1945).</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">
Six million Jews were hunted, hounded, driven, butchered, gassed and burned in
the Holocaust. <strong><i>AND GOD CRIED.</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">6. HIROSHIMA
(August 6, 1945).</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"> A single atomic bomb claimed 129,558
victims and terrified the world. <strong><i>AND GOD CRIED</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">q THE WORLD
(1914- now)..</span></u></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">..</span></u></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">an estimated 225 million were killed as a
result of the insane policies of governments like Germany, Communist Russia,
Cambodia, radical Isalamic terrorists, other horrors etc. <strong><i>AND GOD
CRIES.</i></strong><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">Then there are the personal tragedies of loved ones endured daily
by hundreds of thousands—senseless death or mutilation on the highways, babies
born physically deformed or mentally deficient and victims of senseless crime.
Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other disasters steal the lives
of millions in their onslaughts of destruction and deprivation. Psychological
tragedies of dysfunctional families, drug addiction and the multitudes of
lonely, neurotic, homeless people in turn have left tens of thousands of
families emotionally scarred. <strong><i>AND GOD CRIES.</i></strong></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">Yes, these statistics fill the daily news, but only when they
strike us or our loved ones are we overwhelmed with the pain of tragedy.
Everyday these statistics have faces—millions of faces of real people shattered
emotionally and mentally. The cries of sickness, sorrow, suffering and death
encircle the globe. Not one of us can comprehend the enormity of the total
sufferings of all humankind. Only God can and does see this humongous picture
of human miseries. <strong><i>AND GOD CONTINUES TO CRY.<o:p></o:p></i></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk494963390;"></span>
<br />
<strong><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So, we worship a God who
shares our sorrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But crying is not
his final word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God decided to take
defintitive action to defeat this evil. He sent the Mighty Warrior, Jesus
Chirst, head of the Angel armies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
God so loved the world, that He send His one and only Son, so that all who
believe in Him would not perish, but have ever lasting life.”<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Under Jesus, God is creating a force of resistence,
whom he calls “peacemakers.” Please repat after me, “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And God trains us not with guns and weapons , but with
what the Bible calls the sword of His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This training revolves around the changing of our own hearts—so <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that we would be inspired to fully commit
ourselves to his work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">What is his work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As we heard today, instead of hating our enemies, we
are to learn to love them the way that Jesus can inspire us to love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Instead of nursing hatred and anger in our hearts,
which is the root of violence, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seek Jesus to help us to forgive, the way He
forgives us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Instead of passively sitting by when we see conflict
in our lives, we are to be reconcilers and peace makers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, God’s Word says that we are to be
Ambassators of reconciliation, so that Jesus can make his case to the world.
through us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">God’s word also
calls us to pray for peace. This past week, I was rather incensed to hear
public figures ridiculing those of us take a moment of silence and who pray for
those who were wounded and murdered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They claim that “Prayer is simply an excuse for inaction. What we need
is legislation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I say to that
that prayer is the best action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
prayer, we support God and his angel armies who are winning the battle against
evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Because Jesus
Christ, who was torutured and murdered, because He rose from the dead—the
definitive battle has been won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
promises to return to defeat Satan and all his allies, sending them to hell
where they belong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 44.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then, as we heard
in today’s prophecy from Isaiah, Jesus, the prince of peace, will establish his
kingdom of peace on earth, with good will for all people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">So, in the end, it
comes back down to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previously we
have sung the old hymn, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that some of us think that
this song is quite corny, but the lyrics tell the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">And today, I have
one concrete way that you can be a peacemaker. Inside you bulletin, you will
see a homemade greeting card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
outside, it says<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I value you
because…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the inside, it is blank so
that you can write your message to the person of your choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 44.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I want to
encourage you to use this card to reach out to someone for whom you care,
someone with whom you may have lost contact, or someone with whom you have been
estranged, or to someone<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>whom you need
to forgive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 44.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I have given out
these cards previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One man in my
last church sent this card to his estrange daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first step, which eventually
resulted in reconciliation with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 44.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Indeed, this past
week I sent a copy of this card to someone one, with whom I need
reconciliation. Whether it works or not, I will seek to be a peacemaker, as
Jesus leads me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">You can choose in
small and large ways to be a peacemaker—you can even use your card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then, in our
lives, the Peace of the Prince of Peace will bubble up; and Jesus will be
glorified...and the world will be filled with the glory of God, as the waters
cover the sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-2775502456887522462017-10-06T07:24:00.000-07:002017-10-06T07:24:02.008-07:00George Sarris as "Jesus" Sermon on the MountDid you miss George Sarris' one act play on "The Sermon on the Mount" on Oct. 1? You can view it here: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="hover" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DA21VdV9xITY&h=ATPRAMzebfgxiQr5tvDgHTLBHM7_YR-5RvH8xd6o5CSqjwr4U2Z4LqnMfhmoLjoUaTWaQTamN9H6LR8g0Wameeq-O9yOIj5YhT9uDrXTusq5NxhhMLNe5NGwh7T1wOdIWf8ALvrfg9A6dNqO3mjcMkoA79bIhF-mgkxibqeiDpbj___MzI5f2Y4OE8FlQQzLHG_ex6HSQ7VsoKXemqQdK_xsdV-IeoLGcf9I4CIcYGWsGzCyNIUhryCfcmjrpDd-hALrdfvY0AGD21H66PCZhg__EKxojW9cm5D1TjWk0K-q3j0EmeDpJ75S" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A21VdV9xITY</a><br /> Many thanksto Andrew Peck for taping it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCLPY8Z0cxoOGshR36cQH4Hz01fHUMpVS3Y6aZWhyphenhyphenUFPngNGFZBIk8eb4QB-rkNqrLxQq0L3UyH2o6Wfp0faAEW6um-Taf5iuIVBufox9JJFyRw8__BJ9hYJwrOxOlEUYV0ZhYxoqKjqg/s1600/george+sarris+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCLPY8Z0cxoOGshR36cQH4Hz01fHUMpVS3Y6aZWhyphenhyphenUFPngNGFZBIk8eb4QB-rkNqrLxQq0L3UyH2o6Wfp0faAEW6um-Taf5iuIVBufox9JJFyRw8__BJ9hYJwrOxOlEUYV0ZhYxoqKjqg/s1600/george+sarris+3.jpg" /></a></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-91821773606693763472017-09-30T10:28:00.002-07:002017-09-30T10:28:15.506-07:00SERMON ON THE MT: Beatitudes, Part 1
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is my
pleasure to announce the beginning of our <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new sermon series on Jesus’ famous “Sermon on
the Mount,” which may be found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 5-7. This is
Jesus’ quintessential proclamation that you are important to God, and that you,
with Him, can change the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see,
Jesus was a change agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we
spiritually grow in our relationship with Him, he makes us change agents to
bring His Kingdom values into our homes, neighborhoods, schools, churches,
places of employment, and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is Jesus ambitious vision, which he lays out for all who have ears to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we are
discussing the first part of this sermon knowns as the “beatitudes.” The
beatitudes is simply a Greek term for “becoming happy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the values of Jesus can make us,
and our world, much much happier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
‘beatitudes” are meant to compare and to contrast with the 10 commandments,
which we just recited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moses, the patriarchal figure of the
Old Covenant, received the 10 commandments on the mountain of God, from which
he announced them to his people as the way to be blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus, the patriarchal figure of the
New Covenant, sits on the mountain and teaches his people about a new way to be
blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus made it clear, elsewhere in the sermon
on the mount, that he came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law
through grace. His approach is totally positive in contrast to the “Dos” and
“Do nots” of the 10 commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 10 commandments were laws given
by a distant God. Whereas the beatitudes are positive attitudes meant to be
voluntarily cultivated in our hearts, given by personal God in the form of the
human Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please open
your bulletin to page _____, and let us look at the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does anyone notice anything different about
the translation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, it says “happy,” where other
translations say “blessed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Greek and Hebrew, the word
“blessed” means, please repeat after me, “TO BE SET APRT FOR HAPPINESS.”
Indeed, this is the title of our upcoming Small group study, which begins next
week, where we will study the beatitudes in depth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, favor. So, Jesus is speaking to his
disciples, both then and now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disciples
are those who have made a commitment to follow and to learn from Jesus. Jesus
is saying that we are a people of privilege…we are a people of great privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are insiders in the 2000-year-old Jesus
movement, and insiders of his grace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, let’s
look at this Gospel verse by verse:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would
somebody read verse 3 for us? HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THEY ARE POOR IN
SPIRIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE KINGDOM OF GOD BELONGS TO
THEM.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1989, I
was standing on the Mt. of beatitudes in northern Israel, at the very spot
where Jesus had preached the sermon on the mt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had heard the words of today’s gospel 100s of times, but on this
occasion, it pierced my heart—and I felt loved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Happy are those who are poor in
spirit…or, happy are those who know they need God. Why? Because it is only when
we admit to God and to ourselves that we really need Jesus, that we can receive
him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Am I spiritually poor? Yes. I sin. I
lie. I envy. I dishonored my parents. I made my career and idol, and put it
above God and my family. Although to the world I may have looked like a
strongman of faith, but inside I knew that I had tried to operate on my own
power and not Jesus’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, we who are poor in spirit
are empty without Jesus forgiveness and healing. By making that admission to
God and ourselves, Jesus instantly and automatically comes by our side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, moving
to verse 4, let us all read this in unison, saying, ’HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO MOURN,
FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of all the millions of people
who mourn man’s inhumanity to man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of those Christian in the
Middle east, who mourn the martyrdom of their loved ones at the hands of
Islamic terrorists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the millions
of refugees who mourn the loss of their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of mourn the loss of their
homes, think of the hurricane victims who have lost everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of ourselves, when a loved one dies;
or a marriage dies; or when our dreams die, and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we, who mourn, be happy?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, Jesus’
mission is comfort the grieving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does
that when we come together to cry when it’s time to cry; to listen when
mourners tell their stories; to visit when it’s time to visit; to pray when it’s
time to pray; to give hope to the hopeless; and finally, to encourage our
mourners to accept the reality of now, and to accept that there is new life in
Jesus. Jesus is there is to help us resurrect from mourning, to find new life
for the rest of our lives, and beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And when you comfort those who mourn,
you are doing the work of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving ahead
to verse 5, the meek are those who are content with their lives and what they
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not people who will push
the other guy aside, or stab him in the back, just to get ahead. They are not
the folks who are so anxious about money, that they obsess about it and make it
an idol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meekness does not mean you are
weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meekness means that you take a
courageous stand against the rat race of the world, because you have found
contented and peaceful way to live, inspired by your faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at
verse 6, let us read that together. ‘HAPPY ARE THOSE WHOHUNGER AAND THRIST FOR
JUSTICE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD WILL SATISFY THEM FULLY.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look at the world, and see people starving
because their crazy /evil dictator is spending all the nation’s money on build
bombs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We look at
the corruption and selfishness in business and in government, realizing that others
are receiving illegal preferential treatment at our expense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we
seriously consider the millions of children who are hungry, both at home and
abroad, many of us wonder if God will do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God’s word says, “Let justice roll down
like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What that
means is that one day, the Lord will bring justice to the needy, and
retribution to their oppressors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile,
as we act with fairness towards all people, Jesus promises us that He will
treat us fairly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We must stop
here for now; we will finish up on the beatitudes next Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I want
to direct your attention to this door picture, which has the 8 beatitudes
printed on this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sum up what we
have heard today, one might say, “Blessed are you when you are poor in spirit,
when you mourn, when you are meek, and when you act and work for justice,
because yours is the Kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, this door, represents
heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The keys to open it here on
earth are spiritual poverty, mourning, meekness, and doing justice, and the
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how we will live together
in heaven once we go to our reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is encouraging us start practicing now—so that we can find our
heaven on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-80665540612636417902017-09-15T08:06:00.004-07:002017-09-15T08:06:52.891-07:00 Testimony by Cathy Lee<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<wbr></wbr> <span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.96px;"> TESTIMONY by Cathy Lee, Small Group Leader<span></span></span></i></b></div>
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Christ Church has so much to offer, not just to the children of our parish with Sunday school and our youth group. There is also a great opportunity here that shouldn’t be missed with our bible study groups for adults in order to strengthen one’s self in Christ and their family, weather young or old, married or single, and all newcomers are welcome as well.<span></span></div>
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I attended my 1<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup><span> </span>bible study group over 3 years ago, and have learned so much with each session, that I now look forward to each new study program.<span></span></span></div>
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The inspiration and knowledge I have gained through the study materials, daily prayer, and learning with other fellow Christians have all helped to stretch my faith and keep me seeking the Lord.<span></span></div>
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Each class has provided something valuable to me to walk away with and utilize, like communion now having a deeper meaning for me, the importance behind Jesus choosing the cross and the nails, my prayer time now feels more connected, and the unexplainable peace I feel through any circumstances.<span></span></div>
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I treasure the friendships that have been made in our group and how we share our accomplishments in Christ as well as our obstacles, and there’s nothing like having other fellow Christians helping each other with the support of prayers, ideas, and a deeper understanding of the Gospel. We have even shared in the joy of obstacles that have been turned into beautiful victories.<span></span></div>
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I encourage everyone seeking to learn more about Jesus and looking to experience the miracle working power of his word, or looking to have a deeper relationship, or understanding of the Lord in your life, to join one of these small groups.<span></span></div>
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This year’s material is titled “Set Apart”, which is a study on the Beatitudes of Jesus. This covers such a powerful message of Blessings that Jesus is willing to produce in us through the work of the Holy Spirit, and is available to each of us, as we yield our hearts to him.<span></span></div>
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The presentations in this study are inspiring, as they relate to everyday people living everyday lives just like us.<span></span></div>
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We welcome you to open your heart and come share in some great fellowship and learn what Jesus holds in store for all of us, as we unlock his promises for us to use in our lives, with an in depth understanding for those that are meek and who they are, those that feel empty, ones that need comfort, the merciful, those pure in heart, and one’s searching for peace.<span></span></div>
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This is just a highlight of some of the material we will be covering in this coming session, and I’m sure we can all relate to one or more of these in our lives.<span></span></div>
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Coming to church shouldn’t just be an obligation we think we have to God. It should be for fellowship with other believers in Christ, to worship God, and to learn to live the life Jesus died for us to have and enjoy. I am reminded of the passage in 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin.” In essence: By remaining attached to Christ’s body we become one by worshipping, loving, caring, & sharing together.<span></span></div>
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This promises to be an encouraging study to experience real happiness and comfort, and to feel the abundance of God’s grace that is available to each of us, as well as, the promises of his power working in us to accomplish what we alone cannot. With a positive and heart changing study, the positive effects can radiate out into our circumstances, relationships, and into the world, allowing others to see the Jesus in us.<span></span></div>
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There’s the added bonus of the deeper friendships you will gain with those you see on Sundays, and with a variety of groups running at different times, there are options to fit any schedule.<span></span></div>
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I hope you will take the time to attend one of these groups for a most fulfilling experience as a member of this beautiful family at Christ Church.<span></span></div>
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If you haven’t already signed up, there should be a card in your pamphlet today, so please join us by completing the card to attend, because we look forward to sharing this valuable life living & heart changing study with all of you.<span></span></div>
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Thank you</div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-58011522148558720402017-08-26T08:49:00.003-07:002017-08-26T08:49:14.430-07:00CHARLIE
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Charlie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lived in the Naugatuck Valley all my
life. Growing up, we lived in Seymour. I went to Western Connecticut State University,
where I met my future wife, Mary. After my son was born in 2010, we bought a
fixer upper and moved to Oxford. For the past 15 years, I have been selling
pharmaceuticals. I have made a good living and provided for my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2013, I was named my company’s national
salesman of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work hard, and I
am proud of what I can give to my family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I am not
what you would call a religious guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t like church growing up, and I don’t care much for it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OH, my wife, she goes to mass every week, and
makes sure the kids go to their CCD classes. I go with her every now and then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be honest, I find it kind of dull. It is
just the same old, same old over and over and over again—blah, blah, blah, week
in and week out. I’m not really friends with anybody their…except some
hypocrites, who are trying to look better than they really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The priest may not know these folk, but I
went to school with them and I will tell you what…they are no angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate when I meet these folks at church
because I must put on a fake smile and act like I like them. Then, like a herd
of cattle we go up to receive communion. I suppose it’s a good thing, but it
doesn’t do anything for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides, I
am not a church person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t claim to
be a church person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cuss. I lie. I
cheat on my income tax. I cheat at poker. There are all sorts of associates at work,
who have stabbed me in the back, and I don’t forgive them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t claim to be a saint. I have been
faithful to Mary, but I flirt too much with the girls in the office. And to be
honest, I envy some of the fat cats at the office, who work too little and earn
too much. Now, I work hard, and I am proud of what I can give to my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I had more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish we could have a bigger house, like one
of those McMansions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, I don’t
fit in with religious people. Ah, I believe in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I like to have fun. I don’t want to walk
around with a prune face. Always going to confession to ask for forgiveness.
That’s not for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, about
a year ago, Fed invited me to attend a discussion at his house one, and then to
go out for a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a good
excuse to get out of the house. When I told Mary where I was going, she
laughed, saying that I had better put in my sunglasses so that no one would
know me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived at Fred’s house, and
I felt a little embarrassed as I walked in the door. But then I recognized one
of the guys. The rest looked like regular folks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After introducing
everyone, Freed played a DVD of this crazy pastor, who wears a Hawaiian shirt.
He didn’t preach like others pastors; he just spoke to us, like we were his
equals. He said that most people really don’t know their purpose in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the DVD, we spoke about his ideas for a
while. No one was pressured to talk, and so I just listened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the next week, I got to
thinking about it. I work hard and I am proud of what I can give to my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to be honest, I feel like I
am in a rut. I work hard. I avoid the people I don’t like, and gossip with the
people I do like. I come home, talk to my family, go to bed, and then I start
all over again the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I went back to the group the
next week, and saw another tape. Then, I began to realize that there’s more to
God than just church. Some of the folks in the room spoke about God as if was their
friend. Then I got to thinking—working hard is good. Giving to my family is
good. But I wondered if I might be missing out on something?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following week, one of the women
in the group told us how her career had been flushed down the toilet, and how
devastated she was when that happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She spoke about learning to pray, not like a priest, but all by herself,
as if God was in the room with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps the thing that stands out in
my mind the most is the fella who told us about a severe illness in his family.
Now we keep everything confidential in in our group, so I am not going to tell
you about this fella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I will tell
you about the group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone is the group listened to
him. Everyone was concerned. Someone even shed a tear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several questions were asked, so that
fella spoke some more. One guy had had a similar experience, so he shared that.
He talked about how hard it was, but how he got through it with help from his
church friends,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One guy then said that he wanted us
to pledge to do everything possible to help this fella over the next several
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The one older woman had us pray for
the fella and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said all
the words, and I just listened; but others joined in, adding to her prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the time, we were done praying,
the fella was smiling. He said he felt better. He said that he had never had friends
like us before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well several weeks have passed, and I
have attended the group each week. I’ve even gone with Fred to his church a couple
times. Boy, this church is not boring like mine. This church has great music
and friendly people, who smile and laugh. But their priest—this Father John—he gives
such great sermons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have never seen a church like this.
My kids are going to come with me next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I am still not what I would
consider a religious guy, or anything. But I am so grateful that Fred invited
me to come to his group. I am learning that God is much bigger and more loving
than I ever imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am learning that
I am important to God. This is like the beginning of a whole new chapter in my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, the reason I am telling you this
is because you probably know a Charlie like guy: someone who might come to your
small group, if only you invited him or her. All Fred did was to ask me to come
one time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And guess what? If I had said “No,”
then it would have been NO BIG DEAL. But now I understand that Fred is not just
my poker buddy, but her is a true friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I bet you know someone who could use a good friend or two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have not signed up for a small
group, give it a try…you might like it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if you have signed up—what is to
stop you from inviting a Charlene or Charlie to go with you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(NO AMEN)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-4163698074624461382017-08-26T08:42:00.001-07:002017-08-26T08:42:22.788-07:00THE MUTUALLY SERVANTHOOD COMMUNITY
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus sent
out the disciples, two by two, to serve Him by going town to town to proclaim Good
News of God’s love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They returned back
with joy in their hearts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J<span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J<span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gospel reading confirms the themes of our
two previous Sunday sermons—that by serving God in worship and in helping
others, God repays us with His joy—that same joy that the angels proclaimed the
night that Jesus was born. This is one of the fundamental truths of the
universe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upon hearing the news from His disciples
, the Bible says,”<span style="color: black;"> <span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-text"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Jesus, full of joy, said, </span></span><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little
children.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The self-centered
wise, mighty, and super wealthy may not ever think about this; but Jesus has
revealed this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>precious secret to you and
me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we make a heartfelt commitment to serve Jesus, we break
the erroneous idea, planted in our hearts by sin, that most of our lives should
be souly focused upon our personal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>needs,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>our personal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>troubles, our
personal happiness, and our personal well being.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long ago, I attended a conference <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where the leader had us write down the major
topics of what we think about most in daily life<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My list was filled with concerns like my work, my money, my
friends (or lack thereof), my tv shows, my opinions on the daily news, my resentments,
and the like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were then asked to guess how much time we thought about
God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I was shocked and ashamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about God in my prayers, which were
not daily; but most the time I didn’t think too much about him, except when I
had problems, then I turned to Him in prayer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, what we really love, we think about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, a meaningful life should not be primarily focused
upon me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A meaningful life should extend
itself beyond our selves to actively care about our loving God and his
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that becomes a major
concern in our lives,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that’s when life has
full fulfillment, meaning, and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
so simple: Serving God and others results in joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now this has been proven scientifically. One study focused
upon serving God and others by being generous with our money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a recent Swiss psychological study, using
MRI scans, scientists discovered that generosity triggers a response in our
brain which is closely related to happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a controlled experiment, the group that gave money away was analyzed
to be much happier than the group of “self-spenders “only. They went on to find
an added benefit. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">QUOTE
“Generosity, and the happiness it generates, can improve wellbeing and
facilitate greater social success. UNQUOTE</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, look how God has wired us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made us to be givers and servers...and
such acts of self extention result in JOY. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like for us to reflect upon one context in which
serving others is especially rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This story comes from the business world:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">EVERYONE FROM SAM’S
TEAM KNOWS THAT HE’S “THERE FOR THEM.” He checks in with them often to see how
they are, and helps them develop skills they need to advance their careers,
even if it means they may move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam
also tries to see situations from others’ perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes the decisions with the team’s best
interests in mind, and ensures that everyone has the resources and knowledge to
meet their objectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam is an example
of a , QUOTE, “A SERVANT LEADER.”</span></span><span class="m-4805629504878429703gmail-woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is a
servant leader? A servant leader is a servant first; and also a leader, in that
the servant looks for ways to serve others on his or her team. This is a hot
concept in business, because it results <u>in less turnover</u> and <u>greater
success</u> than the top down structure of many old-style businesses. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever been on a team –where everyone is valued and cared for by everyone else? </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PAUSE</span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J<span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J<span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> This can be so exhilarating!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this is the true goal of Christian
community: a community of mutual love and service, where everyone is important
to each other, just as we are all important to God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, the
apostolic church, in the first 3 centuries AD, was built upon such small
communities, because local churches were very small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no church buildings. Different
types of people of different races, creedal backgrounds, and nationalities all
met in peoples’ homes for worship , fellowship, learning & service. They
were very secretive about their meetings, which were outlawed by the Roman
authorities. But their experience in these small communities made them
happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their fellow group members would
listen to them, because everyone wanted to hear from everybody.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They listened to one another with
empathy, listening to hurt feelings behind the spoken words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People experienced
healing—emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically, as they prayed for
one another and their loved ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They mutually experienced emotional
growth by interacting in a supportive community, their interpersonal skills
matured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And they grew spiritually ---for
there is no better way to super charge your growing faith than by participating
in a small group, studying God’s life giving word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you know
that millions and millions of Christians still experience this sense of mutual
serving in church settings all over the world today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens in small groups that meet for
bible study, prayer, new friendships and fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, this is what dozens and dozens and
even hundreds of people have experienced through our Small group program, which
is now beginning its 6<sup>th</sup> year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reality
is –you need to feed your soul, so that you can grow to serve God and others
until you receive His joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask yourself
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you experiencing the abundance
of joy, which God is ready to provide for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, are you caught up in a spiritual rut?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritual ruts can capture us, as we are
slowly </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">aestheticized</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to vibrant Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, don’t
take my word for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hear what
Carrie Stepek has to say.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-82903749487963948832017-08-19T10:40:00.003-07:002017-08-19T10:40:38.152-07:00Apostolic Church: Enter into the Joy of Your Master
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The parables
of Jesus, these powerful little stories, like today’s Gospel, are meant to be
understood on many different levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now on the
surface, this parable is about our stewardship of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the master gave his treasure to his
us, his servants, so the master expects that we would be faithful stewards of
that money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus doesn’t literally give
us 5 bags of gold; No, He gives us so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible reminds us that, first, he gives us
life. Then, he provides the world and our own God given talents and abilities
so that we can make and manage money; and in thanksgiving to Him, we give God a
percentage return from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it
doesn’t stop there, because Jesus says that if we give, than even more will be
given to us, just as it was to the 2 faithful servants in the parable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But this
parable is not just about money---for on a different level, the money in this
parable represents a far greater treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It represents you and me and the people of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As some of you know, all people are important
to God. Humanity is God’s precious treasure; and we, as His servants, are meant
to be good stewards of all his children, at home and abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the time of the apostolic church,
which we have been discussing, this was such a radical/ counter cultural
movement, which eventually exploded throughout the Roman world. Before that, All
people were not important to the Romans, who slaughtered whole towns and
nations, in order to terrorize the world into submission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BUT IN THE Apostolic Church, all people
are important: men, women, the young and the old; the rich & the poor; the
slaves and the free; people of all races, creeds, and national backgrounds
Every soul was valued by the apostolic church because every soul is important
to God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is an
absolutely vital message in our country in our time, because you see, millions
and millions of Americans <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do not feel
valued by God, and/or valued by the communities in which they live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The abuse of African Americans, goes
back through 300 years of slavery and has continued into modern times,
resulting in generational wounds, in desperate need for reconciliation, healing
and liberation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But let’s go further—seeing the poor,
the sick, the dying, the needy, the unemployed or underemployed, the homebound,
the lonely, the overburdened and over taxed tax payers, neglected and abuse
women and children, and the list goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are all these people in important to God? You
bet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And God’s response to this
misery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please repeat after me: God so
loved the world, that he agave his only Son//so that we would not perish//but
have eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eternal life refers not just to
heaven. Eternal life begins the moment you accept Jesus into your heart as your
personal Lord and Savior. Eternal life open up the possibility of eternal
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well done, good and faithful
servant…enter into the JOY of your master.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So as God’s
servants, we were created, in part, to share the joy of God by loving all
people. Jesus said, “It is too light aa thing to just love the people you
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the godless and the heathen
do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I tell you that you shall Love
your enemies.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do you love your enemies? Oh, it’s
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I love, say, the North
Korean dictator and terrorist, Kim Jung Eon?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Martin Luther King once said that
loving your enemies begins within your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It starts when you <u>embrace</u> <u>the Biblical truth</u> <u>that
there is</u> <u>some good</u> <u>in every person</u>…some good in every person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PAUSE</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I was
praying about this, and I said, “Lord, that is too hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no desire to see anything good in such
enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the harm, they do
to others, the idea is repugnant just to think about it. “<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And what did
Jesus say aback to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “John,
if I stopped loving sinners, then I wouldn’t love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every single soul is important to me; and
especially those who have chosen to embrace evil, for they are perishing now,
leading to their ultimate damnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, Vengeance is mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I decide
to begin a process…a process of serving Jesus by loving my opponents and enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to try to pray for Dictator Kim, asking
Jesus to confront him with his sin, and to lead him to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">complete repentance</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>for the evil he has done, and the evil he is
contemplating. I told God that even though I cannot understand, that I would choose
to accept by faith that there must be something good about him; something which
maybe only Jesus can see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">PAUSE</span></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next time I prayed about Him, I prayed
“thy will be done.” And so far, that is the extent to which I have tried to
love that enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, all
over the world, in our country, and in our towns and homes, there is a human
mindset which can turn people into enemies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is called “We versus them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are right, and they are wrong<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are good, and they are bad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been hurt, belittled, or
robbed by THEM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if this attitude is left
unrestrained, it will escalate to further conflict, mutual hurt, and finally
into violence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’ Good
News frees us from the “We versus them” mindset. You see, since all the people
of the world are important to God; and we are called to be His servant is
loving them on His behalf. Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>because
we are called to His servant peacemakers—through calm conversation,
forgiveness, and the recognition that we are all on the same team—Team Jesus.
And the people on His team seek changed hearts that we might share his LOVE
with one another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in
earlier this year, when we held discussions at the annual meeting and you all
filled out surveys, many, many of you spoke of the warmth and acceptance that
you experience at CCQF. Since 2011, your Rector and leadership have sought to
diffuse “we versus them” conflicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Christ, there is no “we versus them.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ, there is only US, together, all
working together to serve the same Team Captain, Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now CCQF is not perfect, but the Holy Spirit
is leading us to even greater harmony, cooperation, forgiveness, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as we serve Jesus in this way, he releases
His joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps that’s why some local
folks, who worship elsewhere, call us “THE HAPPY CHURCH.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From this
launching pad, we can take this out into the world as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>servant stewards of all God’s children, most
of whom we will never meet. But as we grow in the truth that all people at
least, have some good in them---then, like the good servants in today’s Gospel,
we, too, will enter into the Joy of our Master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-69122616241142684962017-08-04T13:10:00.002-07:002017-08-04T13:10:40.579-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGbhWvnHq_JvIZTRPM7b1zX59Dz8ObTKaNwCnZo4OyyHyPz4gUfyDK-IliPmzLkfdr3ywfaYiMXqPeSR-7G0-wsxLY91Sm2HrGTH0P-sF4PR8QxEl0G_k9J9fpalYC4VkerS7DJGRsBX8/s1600/smiley+face+super+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGbhWvnHq_JvIZTRPM7b1zX59Dz8ObTKaNwCnZo4OyyHyPz4gUfyDK-IliPmzLkfdr3ywfaYiMXqPeSR-7G0-wsxLY91Sm2HrGTH0P-sF4PR8QxEl0G_k9J9fpalYC4VkerS7DJGRsBX8/s320/smiley+face+super+happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-51726741269920609952017-08-04T13:09:00.001-07:002017-08-04T13:09:22.100-07:00APOSTOLIC WORSHIP<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;">So, as you can see, we have 2 churches heRE. Both are rectangular, both have steeples ; both
have crosses. On the outside, they look
very similar. But on the inside on
Sunday mornings, they look very different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;">This church is very traditional –they have done church in the same way, at
the same time, for 250 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">They rigidly follow the prescribed
liturgy from their prayer book.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">No one laughs.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Choir sings; most others do not.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sermons to often focus upon our
sinfulness.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Very few smiles on faces.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The children have to be bound and
ganged to bring them into the service
after Sunday School.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Most of the people coming to receive
communion look like they are attending a funeral, and not a celebration of the
Lord’s resurrection.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Announcements are brief, because
there is nothing happening.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This next
Church was the way Christ Church was last Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The order of the service was modified,
so that we could hear an inspiring testimony on healing from Seth. </span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sermons focus on the reality that we
are all important to God.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">People sung, prayed and said the
responses enthusiastically.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Some people laughed.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Some prayed right put loud, inviting
those present to join them in their prayers and thanksgivings.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The children eagerly came into the
church to receive communion with their families.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Those receiving communion did so with
deep gratitude, and many smiled to receive the Risen Lord.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">While communion was being
distributed, the Prayer Team was praying for the concerns and needs of others
with those who solicited their prayers.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">The announcements took a little
while, because there is lots going on.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Joy permeated the room. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Black", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">(PAUSE)</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Which church
would you prefer to attend? Some of us
would prefer to attend the first service, which is quite traditional and fairly
common in most churches on any given Sunday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">And to those who prefer that type of
worship, I need to tell you that I know where you are coming from, because that
is the way I preferred to worship up until 1990. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">But over those years, I began to see that this
style of worship lacked the <b><span style="color: red;">(Mini pause)</span></b> <b>WHOLENESS</b>
of the full worship experience that Jesus wants for us when we gather together as one family on
Sunday morning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> There is a time and a
place for quiet worship, which I love.
But when the whole parish family is together, through the resurrection
of Christ, <b>we</b> <b><u>are</u></b> <b><u>meant</u></b> <b><u>to</u></b> <b><u>celebrate.</u></b>
</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">JJ</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Worship as experienced in the early
church was </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>not characterized by church buildings; they had none; <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">it was
not characterized by clergy; they had none; was not characterized by liturgy;
they had none.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Rather true Christian worship
was characterized by the free movement of the Holy Spirit, who was embraced by
those worshipping.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now to
understand this better, please look at the sermon insert, where you will the
ONE MIGHTY RIVER OF FAITH, which comes from God. Worship which is complete, which is whole (w-h-o-l-e)
and Holy (h-o-l-y) taps into the river of faith is 3 ways:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 1. <span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is catholic. We are not talking about Roman Catholic.
Rather, this word means the one universal church, of which Jesus is the head.
This stream of worship is manifest through the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist. This was central in the life of the early
church, just as it is central to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.2. <span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is apostolic in teaching, focusing
upon the Bible, the Word of God;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And finally, it is Holy---being
empowered by the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many
churches are fed by one of these streams; most of fed by two; but rare is the
church that drinks from the full river of life, made up of all three streams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Now, if you would turn to page 11 in
your bulletin, there is a paragraph in the middle of the page, that refers to
the 3 streams. This paragraph begins
with the words,</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Christ
Church Quaker Farms is dedicated to …. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I invite those of you, who are willing to join
me in reading, saying,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christ Church Quaker Farms is dedicated to JOYFUL WORSHIP
utilizing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Relevant,
encouraging, & positive Biblical preaching;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Treasured
traditions of the Episcopal church, including Holy Communion and upbeat hymns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Spirit-filled worship (which includes
appropriate informality, contemporary songs and creative enrichments) to our
services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, just what
is Spirit filled worship? Jesus said, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“The hour is coming, and already
is, when true worshippers will worship in SPIRIT and in truth; for such worship
is pleasing to the Father.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Spirit filled
worship is empowered by that presence//that power// which enlivens our words
and songs, and makes them meaningful. Spirit filled worship occurs when a significant
# of worshippers are open to the Holy Spirit, who is invited into our hearts
individually, and as a family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1. The Greek word for worship means
Kiss.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> 2. Worship is our actively expressing our Love to God by enthusiastic
singing and praying; by hearing and applying God’s word to our lives; by
seeking and receiving forgiveness of sin; and by sharing Love through the
PEACE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3. Spirit filled
worship is not a spectator sport where you sit passively and watch the choir sing
and the clergy pray. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">4. Spirit filled worship is a participation activity of YOU expressing
your love to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You notice,
the name of our worship is called, “The service…the worship service.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Once there
was little boy who came to Sunday service, and he noticed the memorial plaques
hanging at the church entrance. He asked
his father,” Dad, who are those people, whose names are listed there?” His
father responded, “Well, those are people who died in the service.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">FOLLOWING THE
SERVICE, the boy greeted the pastor on his way out. “Pastor, today my Daddy
said that the service was so boring that he could just die. Those names on the
plaque—are they people who actually <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">died of boredom
in the service here at our church?” </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Service. The worship
service. We are intended to serve God by expressing love—whole hearted love, to
Jesus. “You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Whole hearted
worship results in in blessings falling upon us...and this occurs
automatically. This is what our Song of Praise meant when we sang, ”Come, now
is the time to worship…for the greatest treasure remains for those who choose
you now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, we want
to express our love to God, and one way we do that is through our financial
offerings; and another way is through the altar flowers; or serving as an
Usher, or the like. Another way we express
our love to God is creative enrichments to the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We serve the Lord by bringing Him
glory by enthusiastic singing of both traditional and contemporary music.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We serve the Lord by sharing our
prayers, as we pray out loud for those we love;</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We serve the Lord by articulating
our gratitude to God, during the Prayers of the People, or through testimonies,
like the one shared by Seth last week. </span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We serve the Lord through creative
enrichments, which include our periodic family Eucharists, designed for the
entire parish family.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Also, we make liberal use of
visual aids, because a picture is of better than a thousand words.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The bible
warns us, “Do not quench the Spirit…but in everything, give thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And as we do
all of this, what does it produce? JOY </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Today our psalm says, pls repeat
after me, “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> BE JOYFUL IN THE
LORD…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> SERVE HIM WITH
GLADNESS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Over the
years, it has been my joy to watch hundreds, thousands of faces enter into whole
hearted worship. As that happens, I see many of those faces light up with
smiles—or tears---or relief---or hope.
These folks, like us, can learn again, that the JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR
STRENGTH. AMEN.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">When we serve
the Lord in worship with gladness in our heart, He returns the favor of
releasing His joy from within us, through the grace of the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Amen.</span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-18113163884610842802017-04-21T08:39:00.001-07:002017-04-21T08:39:20.133-07:00Easter Sunday @ Christ Church Quaker farms, 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cvWZde7v_GZq1a9y3Mfq05Fhz-CKRJj51X66GVZVudHa9W3gUBllJ3H7sItKRlenK-pLT8MsEY2NgWVnxFmCUhrWS7YGGp8rRd78xvnADLELWOI55pgRr3j7CUZ9KLhbr6h2eQ0EBfZ4/s1600/easter+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cvWZde7v_GZq1a9y3Mfq05Fhz-CKRJj51X66GVZVudHa9W3gUBllJ3H7sItKRlenK-pLT8MsEY2NgWVnxFmCUhrWS7YGGp8rRd78xvnADLELWOI55pgRr3j7CUZ9KLhbr6h2eQ0EBfZ4/s320/easter+2017.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-32138744744037036362017-04-21T08:37:00.000-07:002017-04-21T08:37:05.155-07:00 Part 1 of Easter Sunday Sermon 2017 by John Donnelly
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprised
by Joy: Easter Sunday <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">O, poor Mary
and Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were crying and grieving
over the unjust execution of their Master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They saw Him die on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They received His dead body once it came down from the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wrapped his dead body in linen, and
where there when the placed Him in the tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His death was deeply engrained in their hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then Easter
morning comes, and surprise!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially, this was a surprise
beyond belief. How could this be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
can one be dead one day and alive 2 days later?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were surprised by joy---a deep joy, life changing joy---a joy that
would stay with them forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
so joyful that they ran into town to share the Good News, which they continued
to share for the rest of their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bet that
many of you have been surprised by joy at one time or another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised by joy when my children were
born. WOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birth is not an unusual
occurrence: it happens many times every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this was first time it happened to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I intellectually understood what was going
to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when Patrick was born,
and then 2 years later when Anna was born, I was so surprised by joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was high as a kite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to tell anyone, who would
listen, of this miracle of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this
day, it still seems incomprehensible. We were thrilled that Jesus had answered
our prayers with these two lovely children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the surprise of their birth changed me: I just wanted to give and
give to my family, and was inspired through the 20 odd years that they were our
responsibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many of us
have been surprised by joy in marriage, through children, through graduations,
through reconciliations with formerly estranged friends, through new jobs,
through hard won accomplishments, through major purchases, like a car or a
home, or whatever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, some of us here today feel like we
have been robbed of our joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Severe
financial down turns, poor health, the loss of a job, or a or a home, or the
death of a loved one, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can devastate us
and leave us without hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not
denying the reality of pain & suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However,
there is good news for both joyful people and not joyful people: The
resurrection of Jesus Christ can be the basis of a permanent & eternal joy,
which can never take away from us. You see, when we decide to embrace and love
Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, His spirit comes deep within us. He works
in our hearts to plant a fountain of joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it may seem like that fountain goes dry; but it always bubbles
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what
King David is saying in our reading from the Psalms: Though David was beaten
and assaulted by His enemies, David was surprised how God’s love saved him and
filled his heart with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, we
need to understand that there is a difference between “happiness” and “true
joy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness is based on the
circumstances of my life—the good, the bad and the ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But true JOY is based in the fact that Jesus
rose to the dead, and pours his joy into our hearts now, tomorrow, and forever.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what
the bible says, “Those with faith can expect JOY; but the hopes of the wicked
come to nothing (Prov. 10:28)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">C.S. Lewis
was one of the great Christian authors of the last century. Many of you may
know of his most famous book, <u>The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u>One of his famous books is entitled, “Surprised
by Joy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this book, remembers the joy
that he had with his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his
mother died tragically and unexpectedly, and he spend years looking for the joy
of his childhood. He describes his spiritual journey of coming to love the Risen
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With each new step, as he grew
spiritually, he. discovered mile posts of joy…. which kept getting better, and
better, and better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, he
made a commitment to love and serve God forever, and His life changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was surprised by the joy he
experienced—which was deeper and richer than any he had experienced before.
This joy provided and undergirding for all his life, even at the untimely death
of his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appropriately grieved,
and soon God’s joy began to return.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have heard
from some members in our local community that Christ Church is known by some as
“The Happy Church.” They see and hear of all the exciting and fun gatherings,
where all are welcome and included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
those who visit us see something in addition--- they see our JOYFUL
WORSHIP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyful worship is a chief
priority of Christ Church, because every Sunday is a mini celebration of
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>first Easter. So, we experience joy
through song, praise, prayer, and positive preaching. We experience joy because
for us, worship is not a spectator sport; but it is a time when we express our
love to God, who in turns releases His joy as we put our whole hearts into
worshipping Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, some of
you may be wondering if this joy is really as wonderful as described by the
Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, let us see how God’s joy
has worked out in the life of one person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today, Cathy Lee has agreed to tell us some about her experience with
God’s joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, let us welcome her, shall
we?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">--The Rev.
John Donnelly<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-41089969778893791322017-04-21T08:33:00.002-07:002017-04-21T08:33:22.201-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3yPQONnbJLfXU3Dll0Wl819D4JH2mI9rL3PDVfSg3Lhk3JKxBJF9Nwu5DYo-qkqioXNJXqGnxqwzR6xiyqy5a2kGI_dUg6_oO9IbBpsbTL-sOr5FB5A9Ze68XdLRBwbDf7ogEzBHUsw5/s1600/dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3yPQONnbJLfXU3Dll0Wl819D4JH2mI9rL3PDVfSg3Lhk3JKxBJF9Nwu5DYo-qkqioXNJXqGnxqwzR6xiyqy5a2kGI_dUg6_oO9IbBpsbTL-sOr5FB5A9Ze68XdLRBwbDf7ogEzBHUsw5/s1600/dove.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-32286596308592824662017-04-21T08:32:00.001-07:002017-04-21T08:32:27.219-07:00Part 2 of Easter Sunday Sermon by Cathy Lee
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Part 2 of Easter Sunday Sermon by Cathy Lee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Finding Grace within Our Difficulties<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I know everyone walks through
these doors under different circumstances, whether under the happiest of
circumstances and just wanting to be closer to the Lord or under difficult
circumstances and looking for the Lord to guide them. As for my family, our
journey may not have been under the happiest of circumstances, while my husband
was battling terminal cancer, but I had a strong calling from the Lord to come
back. I did not feel the Holy Spirit move in my life right away, but received
the warmth and guidance of Father John and Renee immediately that was needed
and welcomed to sustain us through his passing. Upon heading home to tell my
boys that their father passed, 2 years ago today. I prayed fervently that the Lord
would give me the grace to say the right words and he went above and beyond. I
felt surrounded by God’s love and when I began to tell my boys, a dove appeared
on our railing that became a very impressionable Jesus moment, showing me that
he heard my prayer and sent the sign of Peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I began a deeper quest after that by
pressing in and prayed for him to fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide me
with wisdom and grace to get my children through this life. Nothing happened
right away, but through my perseverance to make him Lord and Savior of my life,
he has filled me with such joy in the midst of our circumstances that surpasses
all understanding. I know now that it was necessary because only a few months
later would be the unexpected passing of my mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A simple procedure turned to sepsis
and she went to be with the Lord within 10 hours. I began reading scripture
even more and I would not have been able to cope with back to back losses
without Jesus in our life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This little voice reminded me that there
was still too much to do because my father suffered for a long time with
Parkinson’s and he still needed me. It occurred to me that the promptings and
internal feeling I was having was indeed the Holy Spirit. We spent many days
with my father to feed him while he transitioned to pureed foods, and there was
always an overwhelming feeling of love and joy to just be in my father’s
presence. He began to decline rapidly after a few months and I felt the Lord
preparing me to stand firm and face these challenges, knowing I had such a fear
of being left all alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The day came 6 months after my
mother’s passing that my dad would join her as well. I didn’t face my father’s
death afraid however, it was a need to be with him and help him with his
transition to heaven and that his job here was done. I prayed over him that the
Lord would keep him free of pain and suffering and he didn’t let me down once
again and my father went so peacefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I began a quest to read scripture
daily and I could see certain verses more prominent on the pages that the Holy
Spirit began to show me were relevant to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Phil. Ch. 4 it says, “Stand firm
in the Lord”, which is necessary to face the challenges in everyday life.
Standing means we are stronger than we think we are and putting this into
practice means the God of peace will be with you and to me it’s not just peace,
but a piece of God within me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am reminded daily of all of God’s
blessings in my life from the beautiful parents he chose for me that adopted me
and the wonderful upbringing with their guidance to the love I got to
experience in this life, and the beautiful healthy boys I have that need that
same love and nurturing. I have also formed some new deep friendships with the people
he has placed in my path that I am so thankful for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I know we can all feel at times that
we might be in the middle of nowhere, but the Lord has turned that word around
for me to show me “He is Now Here”. He was here with my husband’s cancer, he
was here holding my hand in the midst of my mother’s passing, he was here
guiding me to help my father with his last breath, and he is now here helping
me this day and with all my future days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Broken moments or crises in our
lives are where God does his best work in us, and these moments don’t need to
hold us back from walking into the Joy Christ has for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am thankful that even though my
circumstances aren’t perfect at the moment, the Lord is working through me to
show my children the Joy in me that I hope in turn makes them want to love God
even more, and make a difference in the world. I am choosing to focus on Jesus
and do things that empower my spirit by holding onto joyous thoughts and
praising him for all the blessings and good things he is doing in our lives
like youth group, small groups, our church family, meaningful friendships, and
reaching out to serve others. With things like this we can all burst forward
with resurrection power by focusing on the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There will always be things that try
to creep in to take a hold of us and steal our joy. In these moments we should
all remember that Jesus was thought to be the biggest failure and was ridiculed
while turning out to be the Greatest Victory the world has ever known.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I encourage everyone to see through
and beyond whatever you see as a battle or hurt in your life and let the Lord
help you overpower the things of this world. Through his word, God can do the
impossible by helping us find our strength during a loss, help one overcome
feelings of anxiety, cure that bad diagnosis, help us see we have much when we
have little, change that problem, and even take our fear by filling our soul
and mind with the joy of faith in the middle of nowhere by showing us he is Now
Here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am finding joy everyday while God
is taking me from Glory to Glory and I am on the continuous lookout for the
Dove of peace on my railing and refuse to let fear, what people think, or any
circumstances try to have a hold on us. I know that by being faithful, God can
change any resentment, loss, or any challenge into our greatest joy by
catapulting us to our greatest success and with one touch of his grace, he can
turn it all into a beautiful testimony making it God’s happiest and
praiseworthy moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wish all of you and your families
a Happy Easter and Thank You for listening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">By: Cathy Lee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-9577846085363925622017-04-12T10:05:00.002-07:002017-04-12T10:05:52.546-07:00Jesus The Bread of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxfbo8iqXjwJRpadoBehPYWjgtFxtZJxiV6x5bvscXnZlPyP58sfBTOMZ9HwIO18I0JtOeRFU8VL8bBkeBtvEwi8GeIuBC3U-yRjrrTEobUXTXOOfhY87bj8pQqkuWPPC1kKzCcixGAOM/s1600/Bread+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxfbo8iqXjwJRpadoBehPYWjgtFxtZJxiV6x5bvscXnZlPyP58sfBTOMZ9HwIO18I0JtOeRFU8VL8bBkeBtvEwi8GeIuBC3U-yRjrrTEobUXTXOOfhY87bj8pQqkuWPPC1kKzCcixGAOM/s320/Bread+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-79387960438815861782017-04-12T10:04:00.003-07:002017-04-12T10:04:55.011-07:00Maundy Thursday 2017
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MAUNDY
THRUSDAY<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 13, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beginning at our first wedding
anniversary, my wife and I celebrated. Of course, this involved a special meal—either
out, or at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first ten years
of our marriage, we listened to the cassette tape of the sound track of our
wedding. We look at all the photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
we gave thanks for the covenant of marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually one of us asks, “Honey , if you know what you know now, would
you still have married me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, of
course, we both respond with an enthusiastic ,”YES.”our wedding anniversary
celebrates the vows we made in the past, and the vows we live by day after day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is another love anniversary—the
anniversary of the established of the Jesus’ New Covenant of Love with us all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like many wedding banquet, Jesus lovingly
planned this Passover dinner with meticulous detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, tonight, our Seder dinner was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lovingly planned <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and prepared with meticulous detail, as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And soon, we will partake of the 2<sup>nd</sup>
meal, the sacrament of the New Covenant of love between Jesus and us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We remember the events of that night,
not by looking at wedding albums, but listening to the word pictures described in
the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We see Jesus washing the feet of His
disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We hear Him command them, and us, to
Love one another as he has loved us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We hear his words of commitment and
promise, “This is my body…this is my blood, given for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is with us tonight as we
celebrate his incredible gift of love. Some of us can feel His presence and His
love—right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others of us may not
feel it , but we know it to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now,
throughout the rest of gathering with Jesus—Savor His love; love given at a
price; for You.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-11525982112200591732017-04-12T09:41:00.003-07:002017-04-12T09:41:40.137-07:00Jesus blood dissolving our sins (magic trick)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CSiE_mQv2OoGir07Mtszx4w4avzKFgujS5YUcRABBOZwfZoZ8tlOXvZ1USoyZ5u9PW6XlOvYxHPzZcsvmim2_kYrdGhn9l7xa-02WTZ8LE9CRmC-B26npnPgByZOybHvtSni2_cRrT4m/s1600/Washing+away+our+sins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CSiE_mQv2OoGir07Mtszx4w4avzKFgujS5YUcRABBOZwfZoZ8tlOXvZ1USoyZ5u9PW6XlOvYxHPzZcsvmim2_kYrdGhn9l7xa-02WTZ8LE9CRmC-B26npnPgByZOybHvtSni2_cRrT4m/s320/Washing+away+our+sins.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-48708685734493033582017-04-12T09:40:00.001-07:002017-04-12T09:40:02.316-07:00Blood of Jesus washes away Sin
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PALM SUNDAY<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2017 CCQF<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just heard a very sad story of Jesus being
crucified on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does anyone know
why Jesus was crucified and murdered on the cross?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To forgive us of our sins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sin is Jesus’ enemy, because sin
causes pain in our lives—like hurt feelings, upsetting our parents, fearfulness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>guilt, lying, stealing, fighting; but sin
also causes diabolical pain throughout the world---like war, world hunger, poverty,
torture, killing innocent people, sexual <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>abuse, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, if we want to be forgiven of our sins, what do we have to
do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have to tell Jesus we are sorry,
and then poof! We are forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I have a
little demonstration to show just how quickly Jesus forgives us of our
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>( Help?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay—we have a bowl of water
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a piece of paper, which
represents my sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let’s see if we
can wash away my sins with water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, now we are going to add some
red food coloring in here to represent the blood of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Parents, this water is perfectly safe
(drink some)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay—now let’s put this new sin
paper, and see if Jesus can wash away my sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus forgives sins instantly, if we ask Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that is great, then shout “Thanks be to God”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, we have
a short song that we’re going to teach you about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choir willsing it first, then we will sing
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SONG:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, in a moment, I am going to invite all of you to make a
witness that you are grateful for that Jesus forgives your sins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children: We are going to give you
some pieces of paper<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the word
“sin,” written on it, to represent your sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then we’re going to put them in the red bowl, and watch them dissolve—which
represents how Jesus dissolves our sins when we ask him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adults & teens—we are going to
invite you to join us .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please open up
your bulletin to the inside back cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now take off your sin papers and hold them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the appropriate time, we are going to make
an offering of this symbol of our sins, by placing them in bowls of red
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are bowls up on both sides
of the balcony; and there are 2 bowls up here in the front pew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those wishing to make this offering, I
invite to come up clockwise---so that we don’t have a traffic jam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why would you want to do this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a powerful symbol to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ourselves, to this church, to the world, and
to God that you appreciate Jesus’s sacrifice to demonstrate our gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Week after week we tell Jesus we are
sorry from the comfort of our pews. We remain anonymous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by making this symbolic offering---if you
mean it—you will touch the heart of God, and you’ll receive His gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, let us begin with a prayer. Please repeat
after me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord Jesus,// by this
symbolic offering// that we now make,// we will give you the honor, glory, and
praise// that you deserve;// because your blood was not shed in vain.// AMEN</span>The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-39705027764941797512017-02-19T10:56:00.000-08:002017-02-19T10:56:21.688-08:00civility: A Sermon<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Civility: A Sermon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
The Rev. John Donnelly, Christ Church
Quaker Farms, Oxford, CT. Feb.19, 2017<o:p></o:p></div>
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The follow is an exert from a column by Leonard Pitts, Jr, which is entitled,
“Whatever happened to that quaint relic called ‘Civility’”?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Can we be candid here? The
public is a bunch of rude, obnoxious jerks.
Yes, there are exceptions. I am
not such a bad guy and you, of course, are a paragon of civility. But the rest of them? A cavalcade of boors,
boobs, buns & bozos.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i>So, it is small wonder that the tale of Steven Slater has hit a
nerve. Slater, a flight attendance for
Jet6blue, got into it with a women who cursed him when he asked her not to
stand up and retrieve her bags while the plane was still taxiing. At some point, Slater was apparently hit in
the head; his attorney says the woman slammed the storage bin on him.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i>This is much is for certain: Slater went to the plane’s public address
system and, as quoted by one witness, declared, “To the passenger who just
called me a ___ _____, I ‘ve been in
this business 28 years and I have had it.”
He then grabbed a beer from the service cart, deployed the plane’s
evacuation slide, slid down to the tarmac and drove home. He was arrested soon after.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i>To concede the obvious: Yes, it was a dumb stunt. He’s lucky no one on the ground was injured
by the slide. But still...it seems to
me that the episode speaks more pointedly
to the growing incivility in all our daily lives.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now I read this column while we were in San Francisco several years
ago. I read it the same day that we were
caught in a horrible downtown traffic jam.
I kept trying to change lanes so that I could get off at my exit—but no
one would let me in. <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> I couldn’t believe it. To be honest, despite the bad rap about New
Jersey drivers, I never have trouble in switching lanes. I find that people understand that we are all
in this traffic jam together, and that most drivers are happy to let you head
of them in line.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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BUT NOT IN CALIFORNIA!!! No way! They see you trying to switch lanes
and they put their foot on the accelerator, just to make you move out of the
way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After this happened about 5 times in a row, a bunch of 4 letter words
were beginning to form in my mouth. But,
my family was with me, so I just bit my tongue.
Instead, I yelled a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Recent polls report that three quarters of Americans are disturbed and
annoyed by the increasing amount of disrespectful, rude, and uncivil behavior
throughout our land.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Let’s review this for a moment:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It used to be that it was an exception when
children openly defied their parents and teachers. Now, it’s a national pass time. Such defiance is how kids can become popular.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In the past, our television heroes were
Superman, Gunsmoke’s Matt Dillion, and Dr. Quin, Medicine Woman. Today, our
television heroes include<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The drug dealer hero from “Breaking Bad”;<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Dr. Dexter, who murders people each episode;<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Real promiscuous wives from wherever”;<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->And Lucifer, the loveable devil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Children used to bully other children on the
playground. Now, they will anonymously
post lies and attacks on social media so that the whole school can laugh at the
joke. Unfortunately, these vicious
pranks have had some utterly tragic results involving suicide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, the rude behavior , which most pollsters say upsets most
Americans is the use of cell phones in public places. You can be minding your own business at a
restaurant or a store, and the loudest voice you hear is some wind bag talking
on his/her cellphone, as if by yelling, their party will be able to hear them
better; unaware that he or she is annoying everyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Of course, America’s most uncivil activity is politics. It is a shame, but civil discourse about the
issues that impact us all seems almost impossible, not just in Washington, but
even in daily conversations that you and I might have. Such discussions can degenerate into name
calling, personal attacks, interruptions, shouting, and demonization.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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WHAT ARE GOOD PEOPLE TO DO?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been influenced on this topic by Stephen Carter, who is a Yale
professor and an advocate for renwed civility in public life. <b>Carter defines civility as , <i>“the sacrifices that we make for the sake of
living together.” </i></b>Carter says
that we all need to make sacrifices in our speech and behavior for the common
good. It’s a question of not thinking
about our own rights and freedom, but focusing our manners, our behavior , and
our language in a way that expresses consideration and respect for all people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To many abuse our freedom of speech and freedom to act, without taking
responsibility for the hurt that we may inflict upon others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Do you know that apparently the term “incivility” is based on an ancient
Greek word meaning, “Not to be a citizen.”
All inconsiderate, indifferent, and rude behavior & speech weaken
our institutions and our relationships.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Recently I received a birthday card which encouraged me about
this. The cover of the card featured a
large birthday cake with about 150 candles, all over the page. The inside of the card read, ”The more
birthdays you , the more you glow.” I believe
that it is up to us adults, of all ages, especially Christians, to lead the
way. Jesus commands us to love our
neighbors as ourselves. Even though we disappoint & hurt Him by our own inconsiderate
speech and actions, He forgives us. He
died on the cross and rose from the dead, that we might show the world that we
are Christians by our love. And the
civility that Jesus wants from us
involves not just doing no harm; but making sacrifices for the good of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A number of years ago , there was a wonderful movie called, “Pay it
Forward.” In the movie, a ten year old
boy does random acts of kindness for the people he meets. The recipients were so touched, that they
wanted to pay him back. But the boy said, “Don’t pay it back. Pay it
forward. Be kind to someone else>” Well, the recipients were so touched that
they went and did as they boy suggested; and soon, random acts of kindness caught
on. People were surprised and delighted
by the unexpected kindness shown them, that they went and did likewise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I saw this phenomena within my own life, a number of years ago when I
was a hospice chaplain. Our office was
located in a state hospital for the mentally and physically handicapped; and it
was not a happy place. Some of the
employees called it “the kingdom of darkness. “Indeed, I was surprised that on
my first day, no one smiled, no one looked up when passing me, and no one greeted
me. Well, this went on for a while,
until I decided that I was just going to get into everybody’s face with
kindness. As they looked down at the
floor while passing me, I’d say, “Hello.
Hope you have a good day.” I
greeted people in the hallway of my office on a daily basis, and soon they
began to greet me back. I began to see
more smiles. While, my floor became down
right friendly. Now, I am sure that this
was not due to me alone—but my contribution certainly helped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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So, you , to, can see this, even if you are considerate to perfect
strangers. They may be grateful, or not;
besides, you will probably find that Jesus will be the one to pay you back.<o:p></o:p></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-72042403572160439272017-02-16T12:09:00.003-08:002017-02-16T12:09:36.879-08:00"ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, MARCHING AS TO WAR”—STATE OF THE PARISH ADDRESS <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>"ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS,
MARCHING AS TO WAR”—STATE OF THE PARISH ADDRESS</b> <i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(abridged)</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> By the Rev. John Donnelly, Rector, Christ
Church Quaker Farms, Feb. 12, 2017<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Throughout the Bible, God’s word uses the symbols of “warfare” to
describe the conflict between good vs. evil.
Indeed, Jesus , Himself, said, <b>“I
came not to bring peace, but a sword.”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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So, with this as the background, I can now deliver my annual State of
the Parish Address for CCQF. The State
of the Parish is that CCQF won the Battle of 2016. WE WON THE BATTLE!!!! How
so?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Sunday attendance was up some in 2016 over 2015,
as <b>we joyfully worshiped</b> our Savior
and King.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>The Good
News of Christ’s amazing love</b> was preached from this pulpit, every Sunday
& studied in our Sunday School, Youth Group, & Small Groups, thereby
equipping us to fight the good fight through the love of Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Over the past year we have lost some good friends
who moved away and left us; but we gained some new friends, too. Indeed, 6
newcomer families made pledges of close to $10,000 to our annual ministry in
2017.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Indeed, the total # of pledges, to date, rose
from 55 in 2016 to 60 in 2017.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We have a wonderful # of soldiers in the army of
God’s love, who cheerfully serve the people of this congregation. We reach out
to parishioners in need through our healing ministry, prayer chain, home
communion visitations, repast ministry, and short term counseling through your
rector.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Many of
you serve</b> on Sunday mornings on our Altar Guild, Ushers, Choir , and the
like.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Fellowship
activities</b> are hosted by the ECW & Kid and Family Friendly Ministries;
along with all of you who host coffee hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->During the past year, our <b>Building & Grounds Committee</b> served us by upgrading our water
system & overseeing the renovation of the floor in our Parish Hall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->But, our cheerful service is not limited just to
our own church—but <b>we have taken God’s
love into the world to help the needy.</b> Your support of Spooner House
Dinners, the foodbank, ECW outreach, the Youth Mission trip, the Chapel on the
Green, the Kenyan orphanage, Shady Knowles’ worship, ETO, and much much more
shows that Christ Church is shining the Light of Christ’s love into the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, we had some major victories for the Lord in 2016; <b>but in addition to thanking all of you, we
need to thank the one who deserves thanks and praise, our Mighty Warrior,
Geenral Jesus Christ, our Lord.</b> He won the victory over death & the
grave, and enables us to share in his victory here on earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, as we look ahead to the Battle of 2017, we are in good shape.
However, we do face some challenges in 2017 and beyond.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]-->Since
we ban the process of congregation renewal & revitalization back in 2011, <b>we have seen substantial growth in all
program areas, </b>including Stewardship.
Indeed, annual giving was around $95,000/year in 2011; now it is
$135,000 in 2017. That is incredible
growth, of which any church would be proud.
However, Stewardship continues to be challenge because yearly, we spend
more than we take in. Thankfully, we do
have some reserve funding. Such stewardship growth is a multi-year process, <b>requiring patience, work, and a growing
commitment by all.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Another
challenge that we face is the rapid rate of change within our culture and
society</b>. This “Future Shock” results
in a “psychological sense of insecurity, fear, and resistance, when people perceive
that there is just too much change in too short a time.” This rate of change has overwhelmed people
and institutions, leaving many dazed and confused. As our world changes, we of
the church need to discern how God is leading us to serve Him in this ‘brave
new world.’ This is the purpose of the
Vestry’s Long Range Planning Committee, which is asking for our input. As a
part of this long range planning, the Vestry is seeking your input so that we
can best assess how we are doing now, so that we can make plans for the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-569658490987559735.post-51899143667060036982016-11-23T13:05:00.001-08:002016-11-23T13:05:52.412-08:00 THANKSGIVING SERMON 11.20.16<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">THANKSGIVING SERMON 11.20.16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Our Gospel tells the story of the story of 10 people who had
lepersey—all who were miraculously healed by Jesus. While this was perhaps one of the greatest
healing miracles of his ministry, but it was an event lost to most. It came and
went like a Thanksgiving turkey supper, because most of those healed never
returned to thank Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Now, why is that? Why wouldn’t they return to thank Him? Well, this is not scriptural—but I have some
ideas on my own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The first man did
not return to thank Jesus, because he didn’t think he would fit in with the
disciple crowd. He saw them as too unconventional and pushy about their
faith. So, he kept away from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 2nd healed
man was afraid that Jesus and his associates would ask for money in return for
his healing; so he sneaked away without anyone seeing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 3<sup>rd</sup>
person was afraid that his friends might see him hanging around the Jesus
crowd, and he was afraid that his friends would ridicule him for being a Jesus
freak. He did not want to draw attention
to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 4<sup>th</sup>
person was mad that Jesus had only healed him, and not the world. “Bet you
won’t heal my sister!”she yelled at Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 5<sup>th</sup>
man was mad that Jesus healed him. He
had made all his income by begging. He
liked living off of charity. Now
everyone knew he was healed. He was going to have to go out and get a real job
for the first time in his adult life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 6<sup>th</sup>
woman believed that Jesus had not healed her; rather , she claimed that she had
healed herself with lots of sunshine, exercise, good organic food; and dietary
supplements. Therefore, Jesus deserved none
of the credit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 7<sup>th</sup>
person wanted to go watch a football game, because all the big games were
coming up, and he didn’t want to miss any of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 8<sup>th</sup>
person didn’t return to give Jesus thanks, because he was too busy with his
job, his family, his finances, and other pressures. Instead of thanking Jesus, he decided to take
a nap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 9<sup>th</sup>
person was so happy, that he went to see Jesus, but stopped at a bar on his
way. After a couple drinks with his friends, he forgot all about Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Now, none of
this is scriptural—but I will tell you what is: What is scriptural is Jesus’
grave disappointment in not being thanked.
Have you ever noticed the large # of pictures of Jesus—where he is not
smiling? He’s always got a serious of melancholy
look on his face. Why does he look so
sad? Because most people do not really
thank him for all that he gives to us.
Who knows—Jesus could have performed any more miracles in the past, or
even in our time, but if no one gives Jesus the credit, it is as if they had not
occurred. Oh, some people may feel some
since of gratitude in their heart—but
gratitude not expressed doesn’t do any good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thanks givng
which touches the heart of God is expressed in public—like the 10<sup>th</sup>
person in today’s Gospel. This man was a
Samaritan, half breed, whom had faced hundreds of years of racism at the hands
of the Jews. He wasn’t supposed to even be seen in the company of Jews, like
Jesus. But that man shouted out his
gratitude in a loud voice. He wanted one and all to know that He was grateful
to Jesus. And Jesus, on his part, was
greatly moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Too many
Christians take Jesus for granted. We receive and receive, but most of the
time...9 out of ten times, we do not express our gratitude in front of someone
or in public. But when we do make an intentional –visible expression of our
gratitude—Jesus is touched. Jesus
smiles, And Jesus multiples and expands the blessings that He gives us…because
He wants others to know just how generous He can be for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Grateful
Christians are also known as disciples—who express their gratitude by taking a
stand for Jesus in public. So, if we were to describe what grateful disciples look
like, who like the 10<sup>th</sup> man who was healed, what might that look
like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Public gratitude
might look like John Carson. John arrives before anyone at church on Sundays to
plug in the coffee pot. By the time I arrive before the 8 am service, the heat
is on, the lights are one, and John greets me with a “Good morning. Jesus loves you . I know because Jesus loves
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Karendale
Waskiewitz is a smiling greeter for our Grades PreK -3 Sunday School Class on
Sunday mornings. She welcomes them, gives them a hug, and gives them an
original picture for coloring—one that she has drawn herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Between the 8:00
& 10:00 am service, there is another group that thanks God through song. As
I am sitting in my office preparing for the 10am service, I hear the choir
rehearse with such commitment and faith, which is so touching. They rehearse prior to each Sunday service, thanking
God in song and smiles, as you come through the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">You can see other
grateful people in the altar guild, the ushers, the acolytes, the readers, the
Vergers, Greeters, and the Ministers of
Communion. Instead of sitting , they are
so grateful that they serve in the
service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Other grateful
people demonstrate their gratitude by just showing up. I agree with Woody Allen
that 90% of life is just showing up for worship and to receive communion. This is especially true of our children, who
receive communion with such eager
expectation. On the night Jesus died,
Jesus invited us to receive the bread and wine as the sacrament of his
presence, and in gratitude for his life, death, and resurrection. By
demonstrating your faith in this way, He is touched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, we are going to offer
another opportunity for each of us to publicly express our gratitude to Jesus,
by making an offering of our 2017 pledge cards at the altar. Each year, as we do this—heaven takes notice,
because these pledge cards are an outward and tangible expression that we are
grateful for what Jesus has given us, and we are grateful for what he will give
us in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Rev. John Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01451312576578537347noreply@blogger.com0