5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 9 Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God; 12 and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work. Psalm 62:5-12
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We received the following communication about Laurel Ridge from Sister Lisa Mullen of the Board of Christian Education:
Laurel Ridge almost totally depends on the kindness and leadership of volunteers. If you are interested in serving during the summer of 2009 please submit an application. We need pastors, Christian Educators, and lay volunteers, too.
Thanks!
Rev. Lisa Mullen
Children and Family Life Commission
(336) 722-8126 or lmullen@mcsp.org
Beginning (4 p.m.) and regular band (5 p.m.) practice resumes Sunday, Feb. 15. New band members are welcome. Beginning band members should contact the director, Marie Hines. The following is the tenative band playing and practice schedule for the spring.
Sun. January 25 Prelude 1st Service No Practice
Sun. February 1 Prelude 1st Service No Practice
Sun. February 8 Prelude 1st Service No Practice
Sun. February 15 Prelude 1st Service Beginning & Regular Practice
Sun. February 22 Prelude 1st Service Beginning & Regular Practice
Sun. March 1st Prelude Both Services Beginning & Regular Practice
Sun. March 8th Prelude 1st Service, Beginning & Regular Practice
Sun. March 15th Prelude 1st Service Rounds
Sun. March 22nd Prelude 1st Service Beginning & Regular Practice
Sun. March 29 Prelude 1st Service No Practice
Sun. April 5 (Palm Sunday) Prelude Both Services Beginning & Regular Practice
Thursday, April 9 Prelude to Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Friday, April 10 Prelude to Good Friday Lovefeast
Sunday, April 12 Easter Resurrection Service
In an article for Guidepost, Eric Fellman describes his experience on a lake in a canoe. He writes that he had been on the lake in all kinds of weather. He had been frightened to be on the big water when the wind was whipping the surface into three-foot waves, threatening to swamp his small craft. However, he writes, his most memorable day on the lake was a day of perfect calm. It was just after sunset, and the air became so perfectly still that the water was as smooth as glass. The night was clear and cloudless, and the star-filled sky was perfectly reflected in the mirror that was the lake. He said he felt as if he were sailing among the stars, and that he could reach out and touch one with his paddle. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the perfect calm was gone, the wind returned, and the stars were swallowed up in the movement of the water. Fellman says that at first he was disappointed and angry, but after a moment he realized that to see the stars, he only had to look up.
How nice it would be if all we had to do to see God was to look up. How nice it would be if every cloudless sky would reveal the features of the one that Jesus called “Our Father in heaven.”
In the first phase of Dr. Green’s Through the Bible Class participants looked at the Life of Jesus, including a close look at material in the Synoptic Gospels, and then in Paul. Many were surprised to find so much historical tradition about Jesus in Paul. During the second phase of the Through the Bible Class we will be looking at Paul himself. The Jew of Tarsus rightfully deserves the title “Ambassador for Christ.” Naturally, the material will deal not just with Paul himself, but with his Jewish roots, his Roman Citizenship, the world stage on which his life and work unfolded, and the indispensable role that he played in the emerging church as “Apostle to the Gentiles.” This material is good preperation for anyone who wishes to better understand the New Testament in general, and the Pauline Epistles in particular. Though each class is designed to stand alone, the greatest benefit will accrue to participants who attend them all. Those who wish to participate should put the following dates on their calendars:
The class will meet on MARCH 1, 22, and 29, on APRIL 5 and 19, and on MAY 3. All classes will meet in the Banquet Room during the Sunday School Hour.
Practical Gifts
RSV Matthew 2:1-11
Several weeks ago I passed on the suggestion that if wise women had visited the Holy Family they would have stopped, asked directions, arrived on time, changed the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.
That was said tongue in cheek. Tradition has always maintained that the Holy Family used the gifts brought by the wise men to finance their flight into Egypt. Their gifts were practical gifts!
On this first Sunday of the New Year, I wanted to bring practical gifts to you. I do not bring gold, frankincense and myrrh. I do bring words that I hope will inspire in each of us a little comfort, hope, and tenacity.
Read the rest of this entry »
General Meeting for Circle Leaders and Circle Members – Monday, January 12, 7 p.m., Banquet Room
Craft Classes continue to be held on the first Wednesday of the month. There is a class at 1:30 p.m. after the Open Door Lunch and there is also an evening class at 7:00 p.m. In January, we will be working on finishing our turkey stakes for the yard and starting on Christmas ornaments and candle holders. Thank you goes to all who have been coming to the classes and all of your hard work.
Patterns for a Moravian quilt are being worked on and we hope to have kits to distribute at the General meeting. They will involve backstitching, and will be a great winter project!
Thank you to all who attended the Salad and Dessert Appreciation Dinner in December. Attendance was low because of the bad weather, but a wonderful time was had by all that attended. Circle Leaders have a copy of my appreciation talk and all the wonderful things our Fellowship accomplished in 2008.
Thank you all for your continued hard work, dedication and service to our Lord and New Philadelphia.
Happy New Year!
Darlene Reinhardt
