Thoughts: Throughout history, people have been known by a defining word. A long ago king of England was called Ethelred the Unready. Another king was Edward the Confessor. Russian czars include Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great. One of Jesus’ disciples was Simon the Zealot.
In today’s scripture we read about Blind Bartimaeus. Assuredly, this was not the way he wished to be known. When he knew Jesus was passing by, he called out to him. “Thy faith hath made thee whole,” Jesus told Bartimaeus and restored his sight. Blind Bartimaeus became Blessed Bartimaeus. Discussion: What defining term would you like to have attached to your name? Activity: With loving care, commend other people on their shining moments. ”You are always so kind.” “You make the best muffins.” “You are so faithful in your care of our church flowers and shrubs.” Remember in prayer this week Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Sylvia and Wallace Peacock, Wanda Payne and Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter and Barbara Strozynski’s niece, Sarah. Rummage Sale week is underway. Help is still needed. Come on Friday to help with our shoppers from 9 – 5. Saturday we need help from 9 until noon and then from noon until 3 for clean-up. Sunday is Trick or Trunk from 2 – 4pm. Come and bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends.
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Thoughts: “Mama, am I pretty?” the little girl asked.
The mother put down her sewing and cuddled the little girl in her lap. “I think you are the most beautiful little girl in the whole world,” she told her daughter. This mother gave what was hers to give. She gave her daughter her undivided attention. With all her heart, she believed her little girl was the most beautiful little girl in the world, and she told her so. She did not try to give what was not hers to give. She did not promise her little girl that she would be homecoming queen, or that she would be Miss America. When James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on his left and on his right in heaven, he told them, “That is not mine to give.” Discussion: What is in our power to give? Activity: Give your attention to a lonely person. Remember in prayer this week: Sarah Defenderfer (Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter & Barbara Strozynski’s niece), Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Betty Leach, Brenda Michaux, Scot Miller, Sandy Northey, and Wallace Peacock. Also, our sympathy to Marie Watson on the death of her mother, Constance Henderson. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 15th, from 3:00-9:00pm at E. J. Mandziuk & Son Funeral Home, 3801 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights with service at 7:00pmconducted by Pastor Weatherly at the funeral home. This week is your opportunity to clean out your closets, basement, attic and garage! Drop off times for your rummage will be this Sunday starting at 11:30am through 3:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. Also, Monday and Tuesday from 9:00am to 3:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. This year the sale will be all day on Friday, October 23rd, with the 1/2 price and bag sale on Saturday, October 24th, 9:00 until noon. This means we need many more people to help on Friday during the sale. There are two shifts but anytime that you can volunteer would be appreciated. We are looking for a few good men to sit and monitor hallways, doors and shoppers. Everyone from the church working the rummage sale will make the 2015 rummage sale one of our best ones yet! Sign up this Sunday or call Sandy Sands to volunteer. Thoughts: Few people would choose to be old and poor. But how about being young and rich? All right? All right!
Mark 10:17 says “…one came running and kneeled” to Jesus. If you can run and then kneel easily, you are young. Biblical scholars call him the Rich Young Ruler. He must have been irresistibly appealing in his looks, his speech, his demeanor, because “Jesus beholding him loved him….” We may not be young. We may not be rich. But when Jesus looks at us, he loves us. We are blessed. Discussion: Why did Jesus choose these six particular commandments (Mark 10:19) to test the Rich Young Ruler? Activity: What tangible possession do you value most? Remember in prayer this week Sam Clay, Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Spencer Harrison (Joyce Bauman’s grandson), Sarah (Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter and Barbara Stroszynski’s niece), Brenda Michaux, Sylvia and Wallace Peacock, and Thelma Welbaum. This Sunday is Bible Sunday and Stephen Ministry Sunday. Hope to see you on October 11th. You have 12 days to prepare your rummage for our drop-off days: October 18, 19 and 20. The sale is Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th, and we still need workers. Devotions, memories and holiday happenings are needed for our 2015 Advent devotional booklet. Please email your literary contribution (in Word as an attachment) to Sara Matthews at saraleematthews@aol.com. Turn on some Christmas music, have a cup of tea to put yourself in the right mood for creating your unique story. All submissions are due by November 1 in preparation for our first Sunday in Advent, November 29. Thoughts: Children are cuddly and contentious – precious and predatory – treasured and tiring. Jesus welcomed children. He hugged them and blessed them and told his listeners, “…of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Did these children shrink from a stranger? Did they pull his beard or fuss or squirm to get away? Did they sit quietly on his lap and gaze up at his kind face? Were some of them old enough to remember? Perhaps, years later, they told their own children about it. “He smiled at me.” Jesus loves me, this I know. Discussion: If you were in charge of the children’s time during worship, what would you do? Activity: Each week, learn the name of one child in our church family. Remember in prayer this week Sam Clay, Connie Gill, Vivian Hansard, Wallace and Sylvia Peacock, Scot Miller and Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter and Barbara Strozynski’s niece, Sarah. This Saturday is Hands4Detroit. There is still room to go. We’ll meet at the church at 8:00am to carpool. This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. There are envelopes in the pew pads for your use. Also this Sunday, the Trustees are having an Open House at the Parsonage from 12:00 to 3:00pm. All are welcome. |
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January 2021
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