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Keep the Faith
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| During these troubled times it's so hard to keep the faith. Now more than ever we need to hear God's word and support one another. During the Lenten Season we will be watching a DVD series entitled "Modern Parables." This weeks parable is the Widow and the Judge. It's a story in which our Lord is helping us to see that we must be persisitent in prayer. Even though our lives may be full of uncertainty and doubt we are told to keep on praying because God does listen and hear our prayers. So come and join us this Wednesday; first for soup supper and then for worship. Peace,Pastor Mark
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Reconnect
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Good morning! I just read the blogs and realized that it's been several months since I blogged! The summer is just zoooming by! Here's a few thoughts. First community is soo important! I went to confirmation camp and saw a wonderful and gifted group of college age counselors take kids who were strangers and by the end of the week they had become a community. Makes me realize that I need to stress community in our congregation. Then came White Water Rafting which had many good good points; however there were some tough times as well. You see the company I have rafted with was bought out in a merger that is attempting to combine 5 rafting companies into 1. The company that now runs the whole show was known as the place to go if you wanted to party down. AW, the company I'd rafted with all these years had the reputation of being a company that catered to large groups, churches, scout troops etc. What happened was what I called a "Clash of Cultures". Most of you know that I'm no prude when it comes to drinking, but there was just way too many drunks walking around! So I'll be looking for a different company to raft with next year. This experience made me realize how challenging it is for a Christian to live as St. Paul tells us, "We are to be in the world but not of it". Peace, PM
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A Summer Prayer
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| This prayer was written by Mellissa Lehman. "As summer slowly approaches, help us to stay focused on the important things of life. Let us enjoy extra time with our family and friends and keep us close together. Remind us to appreciate the company we have and enable us to love one another. Help us to glorify your name and share your love and grace as we experience new things and new people." God's Peace, Pastor Mark |
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An Election Prayer
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Here is a prayer by Mike Palmer it helped me as I ponder this election process. I hope it helps you. Pastor Mark "Dear God, we are 7 months away from another important presidential election.
Our new leader will have many challenges ahead of them. They will have to lead us out of economic uncertainty. They will have to decide if we continue to put our sons and daughters in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will have to decide if universal healthcare is going to be possible for all citizens and how to pay for it. We,therefore, pray that this person will have the answers that will actually solve the problems and not just pander to the latest polls or largest campaign contributor. Although we love our democracy it is hard not to be jaded by the influence money seems to buy." |
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Another prayer from our Assistant Ministers
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Rod Rohloff has written a beautiful prayer to help us as we begin a new week. Rod writes: "Lord a new week approaches. Guide us in our daily tasks. May our words and actions reflect the love with which you nurture us to those we meet upon our way. Forgive us when we fail. Be with us in the morning's dawn, be with us in the rush of day, be with us when we take rest at night. Holy Spirit, awesome God fill our souls with a yearning and passion to overcome our challenges, our sorrow and weakness. Enable us to see each day as a new and wondrous beginning and another step closer to an eternity in your presence. Lord in your mercy." Thanks Rod! Peace, PM
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An Easter Prayer
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Once again one of our Assisting Ministers, Jerry Foor by name, has written a prayer that needs to be remembered. Jerry writes: "Our Saviour has risen. The one who brings peace and understanding to all with renewed hope and salvation. On this day of resurrection let the victory of your emergence from the tomb enrich our souls and be the inspiration of your everlasting peace. Our Lord has risen in our hearts. remind us to shine in your light, to feel your compassion, and blossom in your love. At the close of each day when we quietly pray may our thoughts return to you Lord. The one who suffered and died for us. HE IS RISEN, INDEED!" Thanks Jerry. PM
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A Prayer
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| At St. John our Assisting ministers write their own prayers, which are used in worship. They do a wonderful job. Here is a prayer from last Sunday written by Scott Palmer.
Saviour in heaven, You search us and know us, and all that we are is open to you. We confess that we have sinned. Be merciful, Lord, and fill us with hope. When we show great discipline in pursusit of worldy wealth, but invest neither energy or enthusiams in the treasures of the Spirit, Be merciful Lord, and fill us with your love. When we confess you amongst our friends, but deny you when your enemies are close in, be merciful, Lord, and fill us with your Spirit. When we build our comforts and pleasures on the sacrifices of others, instead of sacrificing our privileges to build a world that all can share, be merciful, Lord, and fill us with your truth. When we demand instant results and scorn those who find value in waiting, in yearning, even in suffering, even in dying, be merciful, Lord and fill us with your life. When we look for an easier Gospel; a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, Be merciful, Lord----for we have sinned, and you are gracious.
Lord in your mercy,
Thanks Scott for sharing your gift with us.
God's Peace,
Pastor mark |
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Congrats to Nick
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Say Nick good job! thanks for the pat on the back. Now there is one thing you need to consider if you go to Dallas for your internship. Will you still be able to root for the Lions? Texans love their Cowboys, sooo be careful what you wish for. See you over Easter.
God's Peace,
PM |
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Joy and Humor
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Well I've got some ideas for a series on joy and humor in scripture and our faith. Last week I was talking with a friend and after our conversation I knew this is the right thing to do. So keep checking the blog and I'll give you updates on this series.
Peace,
PM |
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Joy and Humor
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| I don't know about you but these troubled times we live in are getting me down! So how about a sermon series on joy and humor in the bible and our faith? I'm looking at the four Sundays in April. Any suggestions of how to structure this?
Peace,
PM |
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It's cold outside!
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| It's Thursday and last night was the big snow, which fell on Ash Wednesday. As you can imagine very few folks were able to get out for service. We had a grand total of twenty five. This reminded me of last fall when I did the sermon series on Christian Community. the definition used for that series came form the words of our Lord. "Whenever two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them." So it was a good service! Sometimes we preachers get too caught up in numbers. That was a good reminder for me, and I think it can be good for all of us.
Peace,
PM |
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I'll try again!
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Well, once again I have been humbled. I wrote my second blog and somehow I lost it. I was rambling on about these terribly difficult times in which we live, and the many disappointments we all have experienced this past year. A great book to read is Philip Yancey's "disappointment With God" Yancey helped me so much that I've turned the book into a sermon series, and our great techo people have put it on the website. I hope you find it helpful
God's Peace,
Pastor Mark |
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Thinking about the Season
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| I've been thinking about the season and what it means to us. As Christians we take great joy in participating in the remembering of our Lord's birth. We call him the Prince of Peace. Yet how can we call Him the Prince of Peace when wars, famine, injustice and poverty stalk the Land? Our joy comes not from His birth as much as why He came. The Son of God/God in human form came to live with us. He came not searching for a safe place to live. He came to Save. He came because we needed him. What is at stake here is not the conditions that lead to His birth nor the conditions of the world in 2007. What is at stake here is the total human condition of sin and our inabliltiy to save ourselves. So God through His Son finds a way to save us. We celebrate that God will not be denied and that against all odds God has found a way, and His way is Jesus. Merry Christmas! Pastor Mark |
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Blogging
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| Written by Pastor Mark Evans |
| Ok, I'm trying my first attempt at a blog. so I've got some questions. When you BLOG to all you bloggers what is the purpose of blogging? Is this a long version of email, or is it something else. As regards to the something else is it to be used for in depth discusssions of various topics or concers? Is it an electronic newsletter or what? So to all you who somehow read this reply and let me know. Peace, PM |