Friday, August 9, 2024

Hello Friends!

I just love to try to read a Psalm each and every day and today I gleaned these words from Psalm 86....

                  "Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
                                          (Psalm 86:11  NIV)

A divided mind. A divided heart. A divided tongue. We have all, I think, fallen prey to either our own double-mindedness, or what we would sometimes call a "two-faced" colleague or relative. We know from reading the letter of James that "a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways" and will not receive anything from the Lord.  (James 1: 7-8 KJV)
   
David cries out throughout the Psalms for God to unite his heart to fear the Lord; and we know from Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Israelites were commanded to worship God with their whole heart, mind, and strength. In today's "divided world," we must keep our hearts from being divided if we are to be in a position to help others. We must love and fear God with all our heart -- our whole heart -- and not just the convenient portion of it. 
   
So when you are setting priorities, or making financial or time management decisions, or even deciding what to watch on television, you can join me in praying... Unite my heart, O God. Amen. 

+++ In our worship on Sunday at 9:00am, we will be celebrating the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. I'll be continuing my summer sermon series, What Would Jesus Do? and this week's installment is "The Sociable Outcast". I'll be thinking about how Jesus just didn't fit in very well with the society of his day but still shows us how "sociable outcasts" can change the world for good. We've got some great Special Music planned and we'll be thinking about what it really takes to bring peace to our world. Join us Sunday as we gather to praise and worship God.  And if you can't be here in person you can always catch the worship service on the church's Facebook page.  We "live-stream" the worship at 9:00am and then it is available after worship ends on either the Facebook page or the church's YouTube channel. And if you're watching on Facebook... don't forget to say "Hi!" in the comment section! However you can join us, we look forward to "seeing you" in worship on Sunday! 

+++ Tomorrow, Saturday, August 10th is our annual Mini Golf for Missions event at Fairmount Golf Course! Registration starts at 8:30am and the shotgun start is at 9:00am and then it's back to the church for a wonderful brunch and prizes! Even if you're not registered...please join us in praying for good weather for this event! Thanks!  

+++ Tuesday morning's Chair Yoga class will be the last for a few weeks as the group takes a summer break and the leader gets a new knee! We will let you know when the class begins again!  

+++ On Tuesday, August 13th there will be a planning meeting here at 7:00pm for the upcoming Mission Trip to Vermont. Come and join Mike Block to get signed up or ask him for the ZOOM invitation and you can attend the meeting that way, as well! We need people with all kinds of skills (and limited skills, as well) to make this trip work. Speak to Mike today!

+++ Also on Tuesday, I will be leading worship at Camillus Ridge Terrace at 11:00am.  You are invited to join us that morning! 

+++ Our first session of Vacation Bible School was held on Wednesday night and will continue each Wednesday night during August. We had a great time together and you're invited to see Lorlie to get involved or register your child(ren)! Turns out our Food Truck Party theme is really popular with the kids!      

Make this day a great day and join me in praying, Unite my heart, O God. Amen.  
Pastor Jack