Elbaville United Methodist Church
February 21 to February 28
Daily Devotional Guide
"Getting Ready to Serve"
Invocation: Eternal God, who calls and equips me to serve your creation, help me to live in constant readiness, so that upon your return I may be numbered among those wise maidens who carried sufficient oil to keep their lamps burning. Through the power of Christ. Amen.
Psalm 51
Sunday: Luke 4:1-13 Monday: Luke 16:1-13
Tuesday: Matthew 20:20-28 Wednesday: Philippians 2:1-11
Thursday: Hebrews 12:12-17 Friday: I Peter 4:1-11
Saturday: John 12:20-36 Sunday: Luke 13:31-35
Readings for Reflection from Why, O Lord? by Carlo Carretto
I have long known that if I want to be happy on earth I must fall madly in love with God and the things of God.
Then, all things being equal, in time of suffering the easiest way to ease the suffering, especially if it is really sharp, is to get out of myself - yes, get out of myself; visit someone who is suffering worse than I am, do something to remind me of the sufferings of the world, set my heart in order if I feel a growing dislike of someone, write a check for the world's poorest mission, answer a tiresome letter from someone who wants me to tell him whether hell exists, or what he should not do to leave his nasty possessive wife.
In other words, perform an act of love that requires patience and honest.
From With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen
When you pray, you profess that you are not God and that you wouldn't want to be, that you haven't reached your goal yet, and that you will never reach it in this life, that you must constantly stretch out your hands and wait again for the gift which gives new life. This attitude is difficult because it makes you vulnerable.
Prayer - thanksgiving, intercession, praise, confession, and offering
Silent or Written Reflection
Benediction: Lord, help me remember the wise maidens and those foolish ones who were unprepared for your return - that I may choose the better way. Amen.
Devotion adapted from "A Guide to Prayer for All God's People" by Rueben Job
and Norman Shawchuck, Upper Room Books, Nashville, TN
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.
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, Gertrude Robertson, Billy Minor, Betty Spry, Neville Storey, Jimmy Minor, John Tott, Wanda Bradley, Pat Edwards, Scot Freeman, Kyle Estrana, Harold Tuttle, Chris VerWiebe, Sue Lynch, Shirley Hillegaart, Chase Doby, Graham Hendrix family, Mary Ferraiolo, Jackie Paige, Bob Minor & family, family & friends of Carolyn Barnes, family & friends of Ruby Ayers, Mark Friday & family, Lib Myers & family, Bonnie Helsabeck
Our Presence: February 14 Worship Service: 30 Sunday School: 20
Our Gifts: February 14 Offering: 871.50 Human Relations Day: 46.00
Our Service:
February 21 - 9:00 - Fellowship Gathering
10:00 - Sunday School
11:00 - Worship Gathering
3:45 - United Methodist Youth Fellowship meet at Advance UMC for trip to
District Youth Rally at Center UMC in Midway.
We will return around 7:30
February 23 - 7:00 - Bible Study - Acts 9-10 - The Conversion of Paul & Cornelius
February 28 - 9:00 - Fellowship Gathering
10:00 - Sunday School
11:00 - Worship Gathering
5:00 - United Methodist Youth Fellowship at Advance UMC
Elbaville UMC has First Sunday night worship services each month.
Leaders are: Bobby Minor, Ken Blakley, April Livengood, Anita Minor, Debbie Livengood
Upcoming Events:
District Training Event for members of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
led by the Rev. Sylvia Wilhelm at First UMC, Lexington - Sunday, February 28 - 3:00 to 4:30
Sunday, March 7th, Bishop Larry Goodpaster will be at First UMC, Lexington at 6:30 to discuss planning and visioning in local churches. All church leaders are invited.
ReThink Church training event for church leaders at Tyro UMC - March 13 - 9:00 to 3:00
Event cost - $8.00 - includes lunch and training materials.
Rev. Kirk Tutterow will be in Tupiza, Boliva Feb. 24 through March 10 with a United Methodist Building Team. While he is gone, the Rev. Cheryl Skinner will be on call. She can be reached at Advance UMC at 998-7750 or at home at 998-4352.
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.