Romans 5:1-5

Thoughts:         These few verses contain an interesting list of nouns:  faith, peace, grace,hope, glory, tribulations, patience, experience, hop (again), and love.
 
The first five words are positive – indeed wonderful.  We are blessed to know faith, peace, grace, hope, and glory.
 
But then we encounter tribulations.  We do not consider tribulations to be blessings.
 
Patience is admirable – difficult, but admirable.
 
Experience is valuable, although we don’t always like the courses which teach us experience.
 
Again we find the word hope.  The first hope followed faith, peace, and grace.  But the second hope came after tribulations, patience, and experience.
 
And finally – love.
 
Discussion:  Is hard-won hope more precious than hope that comes after blissful days?
 
Activity:  Memorize 1 John 3:1.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God….”
______________________________________________________________________________Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Nancy Dolehanty, Joan Doptis, Jack Gill, Jr, Vivian Hansard and Mildred Wyse.
 
This Thursday Connections will have a meaningful fellowship as Mark Bauer engages them in a discussion about “Sharing our Faith with Others.”  You don’t want to miss it!!!
 
Reservations for “Spring into Summer” luncheon are due Sunday.  You really don’t want to miss this!!!
 
If you pledged a CROP Walker, be sure to get your money to them by Sunday.  If you were a CROP Walker, please turn in your envelopes to Betty Kalvoda by this Sunday.