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Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48
Thoughts: Clever use of repetition is effective in speeches. Remember President Lincoln’s brilliant tricolons in the Gettysburg Address: “we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow this ground,” and the concluding “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Martin Luther King, Jr. has engraved upon our memories his poignant words “I have a dream. . . . ” Jesus was a master of effective repetition. In the first part of his Sermon on the Mount – seven times in 48 verses – he introduced a new subject with “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time . . .,” followed by “But I say unto you . . .,” directing his listeners to a kinder, gentler way of living. Jesus’ final directive is to command that we be perfect. “Impossible!” we protest. Let’s remember John Wesley’s directive that we “. . . go on to perfection.” Never attained, but always our light shining in the darkness. Discussion: What did Matthew think of the Old Testament? Activity: Read Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 23:6, and Psalms 41:10. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Megal Corera, Bob Grusnick, having moved to Brookdale Center, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, Brenda Michaux, on the death of her father, Jan Bancroft (a recent visitor) on the death of her mother, Pat Eldridge on the death of her brother, and Claude Leach, in a rehab facility in FL, recovering from a severe case of the flu. You may send Claude a card at Claude Leach, Health South, 12440 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34613, or call him at 352.592.7849. Concerns and Joys from Sunday, February 19: Concerns: Diann Scheuerman – Her Dad, Richard needs to stay healthy for his knee replacement surgery next week. Judy Stone – For her nephew, Jon, having an insulin pump put in this week. Jennifer Fry - My co-worker, Geraldine, who we prayed for last week, passed away. Please continue to pray for her children, Niko, 18 and Devon, 17. Karen Belt – Has some major decisions coming up and could use prayers to help with those decisions. Sheila Wilson – For her brother’s friend, Ron, who just Sunday lost his battle with cancer and for my brother, who always considered Ron as his brother. Joys: Michelle Freeman – Thanks to Fred Laws for 53 years of choir service! BUT, will anyone step up to fill his chair in the choir loft? John Northey – thanks for another birthday, family and friends. Karen Belt – Davis, my 10 year old Grandson scored the one goal that won their game yesterday. Hopefully his team will win today. Grandma is very proud of him. Megal Corera – Megal and family thank each and every one in our church family for your love, prayers, get well cards and condolences in the passing of Francis. Our love to all of you. God Bless. On Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10-11am, there will be a rehearsal and training for all scouts that want to take part in Sunday’s festivities for All Scout Sunday. This coming Sunday is Camp Sunday and Scout Sunday, you won’t want to miss all the action!! Any interesting /amusing/unique auction items are more than welcome by the Youth Group, to help support their mission trip to PA, in late June. Do you have a green thumb? How about offering gardening/planting skills? Do you like to sew? How about offering some costume making or even repairs? We are open to any & all these hidden talents at Troy First UMC. The youth need your support. This Sunday is the last day to purchase a ticket for the auction which is March 5, at 4:30pm, including a strolling dinner, and lots of items to bid on. You DON’T want to miss this exciting afternoon of fun and frivolity at Troy First.
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Thoughts: Clever use of repetition is effective in speeches. Remember President Lincoln’s brilliant tricolons in the Gettysburg Address: “we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow this ground,” and the concluding “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. has engraved upon our memories his poignant words “I have a dream. . . . ” Jesus was a master of effective repetition. In the first part of his Sermon on the Mount – seven times in 48 verses – he introduced a new subject with “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time . . .,” followed by “But I say unto you . . .,” directing his listeners to a kinder, gentler way of living. Jesus’ final directive is to command that we be perfect. “Impossible!” we protest. Let’s remember John Wesley’s directive that we “. . . go on to perfection.” Never attained, but always our light shining in the darkness. Discussion: What did Matthew think of the Old Testament? Activity: Read Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 23:6, and Psalms 41:10. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week the family of Francis Corera, Betty Dietz, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, June Lamm. Concerns and Joys from Sunday, February 12: Concerns: John Northey - Prayers for Mary Ellen Doatlick, dear friend, with her battle with cancer. Gauls - Neighbor, Marilyn Cooper, was hit by a car waling for exercise on January 19th. Still at Crittenton. In her 80's. Sheila Wilson - For my friend and co-worker's mother, Joan Mulholland, who is in her last days after years of suffering with Alzheimer's. Jennifer Fry - My co-worker, Geraldine, diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer 2 weeks ago and now in organ failure. Praying for peace for her family. Doug Smith - My brother's Agent Orange caused cancer and has returned. Kristin Truelove - My father has aggressive prostate cancer. I'm flying down to be with him when he has surgery on February 24th. Prayers please for safe travels and successful surgery. Thank you. Laurie & Brian Urbach - Pray for a nephew who is suffering through spiritual and emotional issues in his life. Also for his wife who needs strength through this time. Joys: The Leverenz Family - Congratulations to Athens High School. They were able to surpass their goal and raised over $155,000 for the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation in one week. The Sonquists - Birth of Grandson, Thompson Sonquist. This Wednesday at 1:00pm the United Methodist Women will be making sandwiches in our kitchen for the N.O.A.H. project. Many hands make light work, pray for our loving hands. The Connections Adult Fellowship Group is showing the award winning movie, “Ocean of Pearls” this Thursday evening, February 16th, in our own church theatre. Join us at7:00pm to enjoy the show and popcorn! This coming Sunday there will be a special offering for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Envelopes are available in the pew pads. Please pray about this important donation. If you purchased Girl Scout cookies, they will be delivered this coming Sunday in the CLC BEFORE worship from 9:30 to 10:00am and following worship during coffee fellowship. Thoughts: (suppertime with Zebulon and Zillah and their children Zephania, 5; Zerah, 3; twins Zacharias and Zephyr, 8 months)
Zebulon: I tell you, Zillah, it was a powerful sermon. I wish you could have heard it. Zillah (helping Zerah drink from her cup): How very kind of you, Zebulon. Zebulon: You would have liked Jesus’ point about being angry without cause. Zillah (cutting Zephaniah’s meat): I’m sure I would have – if I knew what it was. Zebulon: Jesus said you’re not supposed to leave a gift at the altar if you know your brother has anything against you. Zillah (spooning bites alternately into each twin’s mouth): As far as I know, my brother is very happy with me. Zebulon: But if you knew he wasn’t, you should make things right with him first and then present your gift to the altar. Zillah (spreading butter on Zerah’s bread): So, Zebulon, before you leave any gifts at the altar, you should make peace with your brother Abinadab over that field your father left him. Zebulon (rising angrily): What! You mean that invaluable big piece of pasture land by the river? That was completely unfair, Zillah! I’ll never forget it! How could my father do that to me? And why couldn’t Abinadab offer to share that pasture with me? Oh, no! His cattle grow sleek and fat, while my cattle are thin and _______. Discussion: Why does what we perceive as injustice continue to rankle? Activity: How can we learn to make peace with the hurt? ___________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera in RO Beaumont, Betty Dietz, Bob Grusnick at Heartland, Vivian Hansard and Eunice and Bill Kraase. From Sunday, February 5: Concerns: Leverenz Family - Prayers for Judy Thompson and her family as her parents are both battling stage 4 lung cancer. Cathy Miller - Prayers for my father's healing. Debbie and Rob Hagelstein - Prayers for family and friends of good friend, Danny Friedman, who passed away this week. Larry & Jo Hornbeck and Sharon Aho - Prayers for dear friends Lee Ann and Justin Sokos for a safe and healthy delivery from complications. Prayers for family friend Lonnie Bradley who is in the hospital from pneumonia and is on ventilator. Joys: Holly Goudie - The Noisy offering collected last week was $137.57. The next collection will be in April. John Northey - Thank you for supports and prayer in sad times of loss. This room was filled with love for Sandy. God bless. Marie Leverenz - Praying for peace in the Leverenz house this week as a team which includes 3 church members: Jeff Stover, Mike Rumel and Mike Leverenz take on the reigning champs, Elise Leverenz's team in the Charity volleyball tournament on Wednesday at 6:30 at Athens High School. Come out and support the teams and the "Believe in Miracles Foundation." This Sunday is Blanket Sunday. $5 buys a blanket for people all around the world. We are saddened to let you know that Francis Corera passed away yesterday afternoon. Please pray for Megal and their family. There will be memorial service later in the spring.
Thoughts: In Biblical times, salt symbolized hospitality, durability, and purity. Salt was used in sacrifices, and it was indispensable to the Hebrews to prevent food from spoiling in their warm climate.
If you ate the salt of the king, you would owe him your utmost loyalty. If you ate bread and salt together with another person, the two of you made an unbreakable bond of friendship. When God told Lot and his family to flee from Sodom, he ordered them not to look back. Lot’s wife disobeyed. She looked back at Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt. How ironic that an act of disobedience turned her into something so useful! Discussion: List the ways the word “salt” is used. Activity: The American Heritage Dictionary lists 18 meanings for the word “salt.” How many did you list? ___________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera in RO Beaumont, Bob Grusnick at Heartland, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, June Lamm and John Northey and his family. Next Sunday we will celebrate Communion during 10:00am Worship. For those of you with Smart Phones, tablets or IPads, we are exploring an additional format option for the Word@Home which will enable to read it more easily on your mobile device. Please reply to this email to notify us of your interest. From Sunday Worship Concerns: Debbie & Bob Hagelstein - Prayers for the Van Housen family on their baby recovery from serious surgery. Cathy Miller - My friend Lisa has stage 3 breast cancer. Prayers for healing. Olsavsky family - Prayers for co-worker with stage 3 lung cancer - friend with stage 3 colon cancer. Mary Jo & Dale Johnston - Prayers for Mary Jo's dad (Jerry Seward) in hospital with bacterial infection in his lungs. Megal Corera - Francis is in RO Beaumont gaining strength and healing. We appreciate your prayers and cards and support. Joys: Dick & Millie Parker - Thanks for prayers, cards, visits, food, friendship and support as Millie is home and beginning outpatient therapy. Lisa Head - Pack 342 had their Pinewood Derby yesterday in our CLC and they had fun. Those cars traveled at speeds of over 196 mph. (real time in derby scale) |
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