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Thoughts: Thessalonica was an important city, located at the junction of the main land route from Italy to the east and the main route from the Aegean Sea to the Danube River.
It was the first place where Paul’s preaching achieved a numerous and socially prominent following. Thessalonika remained faithful to Paul’s teaching and was a triumphant crown to his efforts. Today’s scripture abounds with the joy the Christians in Thessalonica brought to Paul, and the love he sent to them. He prayed that they “…would increase and abound in love, one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” Discussion: In what ways do we members of Troy First increase and abound in love, one toward another? Activity: During December, be a Secret Santa to another member of our church family. Remember in prayer this week Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, Betty Leach and the family of Wallace Peacock on his death this past week. Don’t forget the Troy Clergy Thanksgiving service tonight at Northminster Presbyterian Church at7:00pm. Pastor Weatherly is preaching and our choir is singing with the combined choirs. Happy Thanksgiving. The office will be closed Thursday and Friday. Next Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent, Communion and Noisy Sunday. You may pick up your Advent devotional, Angel Tree and list for the Baldwin store. The Health Pros will be in the Christian Life Center to check your blood pressure.
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Thoughts: David was a Renaissance man before the Renaissance. He was a shepherd who was entrusted with his father Jesse’s flocks when he was only twelve years old.
He was a musician who played the harp, an instrument which demands a discerning ear. He was a warrior who killed the mocking Philistine enemy Goliath when he was still a boy. He led victorious Israelite armies against their foes. He was the second king of Israel, reigning successfully from 1000 B.C. to 960 B. C. He was a poet, whose genius is evidenced in verse four. “And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” Exquisite. Discussion: What do you do well? How can this talent enrich our church? Activity: Write a note of appreciation to someone whose talent blesses our church. Remember in prayer this week Joan Coval, Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase and Wallace Peacock. Tonight is our Annual Church Charge Conference at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. This Saturday is Advent decorating with breakfast at 9:00am. Bring your family. Sunday is Commitment Sunday. A letter has been sent with pledge cards and they are available in the pew pads also. Next Tuesday at 7:00pm is the Thanksgiving Community service at Northminister Presbyterian Church, 3633 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy. Pastor Weatherly will be preaching. Thoughts: Melvin was an elderly man who was deaf and almost blind. Friends from his church, where he was a long time member, were good to take him to every service.
One of Melvin’s young neighbors asked, “Hey, Mel, you can’t hear and you can’t see. Why on earth do you bother to go to church?” Melvin tried to straighten his bent frame, and he fixed his rheumy old eyes on his insensitive neighbor. “I go,” he said, “to show what side I’m on.” “Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith ….” Discussion: What do we gain by drawing near with our faithful attendance to our church? Activity: Set yourself a goal of perfect attendance to Sunday morning church for one year. Remember in prayer this week Kaj Ostergaard and family on the death of Kaj’s father in Sweden. His funeral is this week. Also remember Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter and Barbara Strozynski’s niece, Sarah, who had a bone marrow transplant and is doing well, and great niece of Hornbecks and Sharon Aho who suffered a severe concussion in basketball practice at Indiana University. Wednesday is Veterans Day. Take a veteran to breakfast, lunch or dinner. You just have to pay for your lunch as all veterans get a free meal at many local restaurants. Even Krispy Kreme gives veterans a free donut and coffee. Let’s continue celebrating our veterans. This Sunday please sign up in the CLC for Advent decorating on November 21st. Breakfast begins at 9:00am with decorating to follow. There are crafts for the children while adults decorate. Also Sunday, sign up for poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary for Christmas. Our Annual Church Charge Conference is Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm. All members have voice and vote. This will be our first Charge Conference with Pastor Weatherly and her new boss, Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue. Come for the excitement, intrigue and surprise. Thoughts: Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch is the story of an indomitable little widow with five children.
A rich young debutante learned about Mrs. Wiggs’ struggle to support her family and arranged to send them a Thanksgiving basket which included a turkey. Mrs. Wiggs’ oldest child, fifteen-year-old Jim, told his mother they should sell the turkey, because this money would buy them “hog meat” for a long time. Sadly, Mrs. Wiggs agreed and then, brightening, she said, “One good thing Jemmy – if you ain’t never tasted turkey, you don’t know how good it is.” Poor, hard-working Jem died shortly before Thanksgiving. The debutante wrote a heart-wrenching story about Jem and his family, and a newspaper published it. Money and food and clothing for the Wiggs family poured in. One old man in thin, ragged clothing came into the newspaper office. “We ain’t got much,” he told the debutante, “but I told my wife we could do without somep’n’ and gib a quarter.” The poor widow in the gospel of Mark “… of her want did cast in all she had …” Discussion: What can we do without to give a quarter? Activity: Give generously to the next appeal for Thanksgiving dinners. Remember in prayer this week Joan Coval, Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Wallace and Sylvia Peacock, and Wanda Payne. Our sympathy to Kaj Ostergaard and family on the death of his father in Sweden. This Sunday is Veterans’ Sunday. Veterans, please arrive by 9am. This Sunday, the youth will be filling Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Please bring your gifts by this Sunday. Tuesday, November 17th, is our Annual Church Charge Conference. All members have a voice and vote. Thoughts:
Mary (reproachfully): Lord, couldn’t you have come sooner? Jesus: I came as soon as I could, Mary. Mary: But if you had been here, my brother Lazarus would not have died. Jesus: Mary, I am so sorry. But I am here now. Please – show me where you have laid Lazarus. Aaron: I’ll show you. Gershom (muttering): If he’d been here, he’d know where they laid him. Malachi: Why couldn’t he have come sooner? Josiah: Exactly. He always acted like such a great friend of Lazarus. Laban: Martha told me that she and Mary sent for Jesus three days ago. Naphtali (sniffing): Some friend! (Jesus weeps.) Aaron: Well, maybe Jesus did care, after all. Gershom: I’ve heard he can make blind people see again. Malachi: But can he bring dead people back to life? (They come to the cave in which Lazarus is interred.) Jesus: Take away the stone. Martha: Lord, Lazarus has been dead for four days now. There will be a terrible odor. Jesus: Martha, haven’t I told you before that if you believe, you shall see the glory of God? Martha: All I know is that my brother was terribly sick, and we sent for you, and you didn’t come. Jesus (praying): Father, I know that you always listen when I talk to you. But the people here need to understand that you sent me. (Pause) Lazarus, come forth! (Lazarus emerges from the burial place in the cave. He is covered with graveclothes.) Jesus: Take off his graveclothes! (Lazarus is restored to Martha and Mary.) Josiah: We should go tell the Pharisees. Laban: They’ll never believe us! Discussion: When are we apt to question Jesus? Activity: Try to give special care to someone who has lost a family member. Remember in prayer this week Vivian Hansard, Martha Meyer, Wanda Payne and Sylvia and Wallace Peacock. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour this Saturday night. This Sunday is Communion and All Saints’ Sunday. We will be remembering our Saints and celebrating our Memorial Gifts. The UMW Book Sale is in Mercer Hall this Sunday. Advent booklet articles are due this Sunday. Email to Saraleematthews@aol.com. This is a special memory or thoughts about the Christmas season in your personal or church family. Remember to help our youth with Operation Christmas Child by bringing shoeboxes and assorted children’s items as listed in the Tidings article or by the donation box on the Welcome Center. (Due by November 8) If you have candy left over after Halloween, would you please bring it to the church on Sundays, November 1, 8 and 15. The youth will be preparing care packages to be sent to the college students. |
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