Elbaville United Methodist Church
March 14 to March 21
Daily Devotional Guide
"The God Who Seeks"
Invocation: O God, whose love is forever seeking communion with us, help us not to hide from you but to present ourselves to you with open hearts. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Psalm 107
Sunday: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Monday: Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday: Matthew 18:10-14 Wednesday: Ezekiel 36:22-30
Thursday: Jeremiah 30:1-10 Friday: Hebrews 2:1-18
Saturday: Romans 5:1-11 Sunday: John 12:1-8
Readings for Reflection from Glimpses of Grace by Madeleine L'Engle
If Jesus was a threat to Herod two thousand years ago, he is still a threat today, because he demands that we see ourselves as we really are, that we drop our smug, self-protective devices, that we become willing to live the abundant life he calls us to live. His call is too strong, so we react by trying to turn him into a wimp come to protect us from an angry Gather God who wants us punished for our sins: not forgiven, but punished. But our fearful response to God's loving call hasn't worked if we refuse to let God see as we really are, and we're left even more frightened and even more grasping and even more judgmental. God seeks, not our false self that we project to the world, but our true inner selves. It is too this inner self that God offers healing and forgiveness.
Prayer - thanksgiving, intercession, praise, confession, and offering
Silent or Written Reflection
Benediction: In this moment, my Lord, I have struggled to be honestly present with you. Thank you for staying with me. Go with me, stay with me the whole day through. Amen.
Devotion adapted from "A Guide to Prayer for All God's People" by Rueben Job
and Norman Shawchuck, Upper Room Books, Nashville, TN
Our Prayers: Our Prayers: Soldiers & families, Mary Zimmerman, Lois Cornatzer, R.J. & Mildred Markland, Edith Myers, Mattie Tucker, Mabel & Grady Watson, Hazel Phelps, Jaxon Secrest, Henry Livengood, Betty Spry, Neville Storey, John Toth, Scot Freeman, Shirley Hillegaart, Mary Ferraiolo, Jackie Paige, Bob Minor & family, Mark Friday & family, Lib Myers & family, Bonnie Helsabeck, family & friends of Nan Livengood, Louise Isley, Vincent Ziglar, Alan Walker, Henry Hendrix family
Our Presence: February 28 Worship Service: 24 Sunday School: 24
March 7 Worship Service: 26 Sunday School: 25
Our Gifts: February 28 Offering: 834.00 Paving Fund: 100.00
March 7 Offering: 1024.00 Paving Fund: 65.00 Building Fund: 20.00
Our Service:
March 14 - 9:00 - Fellowship Time
10:00 - Sunday School
11:00 - Worship Service
5:00 - United Methodist Youth Fellowship at Elbaville UMC
March 16 - 4:00 to 7:00 - Poor Man's Supper at Fulton UMC
7:00 - Bible Study - "The Mission to the Gentiles" Acts 11 - 12
March 17 - 7:00 - Worship Team Planning Meeting - Emily Robertson, Carmen Minor, Christine Welborn, Annette Minor, April Livengood, Jimmy Blakley
March 21 - 9:00 - Fellowship Time
10:00 - Sunday School
11:00 - Worship Service
5:00 - United Methodist Youth Fellowship - Destination Unknown
meet at Elbaville UMC at 5:00
6:00 - Senior Citizen's Dinner
March 23 - 7:00 - Bible Study - "The First Missionary Journey" Acts 13 -14
March 24 - 7:00 - Mission & Ministry and Administrative Council Meeting
Upcoming Events:
Trustees Meeting - March 29 - 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday Community Worship at Advance UMC - April 1st - 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday Community Worship at Elbaville UMC - April 2nd - 7:00 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt & Luncheon at Fulton UMC - April 3rd - 11:00 a.m.
Easter Sunrise Service at Fulton UMC - April 4th - 6:30 a.m.
Pancake Breakfast to follow
As United Methodist Christians, we pledge to support our local church and God's church throughout the world with our prayers, our presence, and gifts, and our service.