Wednesday, September 13, 2006
From the Lighthouse Keeper 6.08
Greetings, saints and lighthouse tenders!
God is good, all the time! Certainly you know that the attendance number is only one of many ways of evaluating a church’s health, but I rejoice to say that once again, I am encouraged in church attendance. There were no fewer than six first-time visitors in worship on Sunday, and I could count about as many “regulars” that weren’t with us that day, to boot. The Adult Sunday School kicked off with about sixteen in attendance. We looked at God’s promise to Abraham and talked about God’s timing and how very different it can be than our own timing.
Imagine how an hour can be either terribly short or terribly long. An hour of sleep can be wonderful but is nowhere near long enough to fully revitalize a person. An hour of a crying baby is enough to drive a person to their wits’ end. An hour can go by pretty quickly when talking on the phone to a loved one, yet an hour on the phone with the health insurance people seems like a day.
On this date in 1845 (the very year that Spring City heard its first sermon) William Walford's hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," first appeared in print in the "New York Observer."
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer / that calls me from a world of care, / and bids me at my Father’s throne / make all my wants and wishes known. / In seasons of distress and grief, / my soul has often found relief, / and oft escaped the tempter’s snare / by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
In prayer we escape the cares of the world and receive strength to face those cares. We are able to share our hopes and griefs with Our Father, and find relief in Him, thanks be to God.
I thank you for your prayers and your presence, and pray you are comforted. If you could remember in prayer today:
The Leadership of our church, which met last night in Church Council;
Members who have had surgeries lately, or who are facing cancer treatments;
Persons who live with addictions or depression, that God may free them;
Thank you, and God be with you. Looking forward to seeing you soon, at the Lighthouse on the Hill.
Pastor Kerry
God is good, all the time! Certainly you know that the attendance number is only one of many ways of evaluating a church’s health, but I rejoice to say that once again, I am encouraged in church attendance. There were no fewer than six first-time visitors in worship on Sunday, and I could count about as many “regulars” that weren’t with us that day, to boot. The Adult Sunday School kicked off with about sixteen in attendance. We looked at God’s promise to Abraham and talked about God’s timing and how very different it can be than our own timing.
Imagine how an hour can be either terribly short or terribly long. An hour of sleep can be wonderful but is nowhere near long enough to fully revitalize a person. An hour of a crying baby is enough to drive a person to their wits’ end. An hour can go by pretty quickly when talking on the phone to a loved one, yet an hour on the phone with the health insurance people seems like a day.
On this date in 1845 (the very year that Spring City heard its first sermon) William Walford's hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," first appeared in print in the "New York Observer."
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer / that calls me from a world of care, / and bids me at my Father’s throne / make all my wants and wishes known. / In seasons of distress and grief, / my soul has often found relief, / and oft escaped the tempter’s snare / by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
In prayer we escape the cares of the world and receive strength to face those cares. We are able to share our hopes and griefs with Our Father, and find relief in Him, thanks be to God.
I thank you for your prayers and your presence, and pray you are comforted. If you could remember in prayer today:
The Leadership of our church, which met last night in Church Council;
Members who have had surgeries lately, or who are facing cancer treatments;
Persons who live with addictions or depression, that God may free them;
Thank you, and God be with you. Looking forward to seeing you soon, at the Lighthouse on the Hill.
Pastor Kerry
# posted by Spring City UMC @ 8:41 AM 
