Inside Faith MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - JULY 2018

Transcription

1 Inside Faith Congregational MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - JULY 2018 PASTOR S PEN Invite new people to Faith and Grow in our relationship with Christ. These, I believe, will become two incredibly important areas of focus for us at Faith Church over the next five years...and hopefully, beyond. This month for my newsletter article, I d like to focus on Prayer, an essential element to spiritual growth. At Faith Church we value everyone s journey of faith. We all come from different religious backgrounds and recognize how our relationship with God can grow in a variety of environments. I m sure we have all found prayer to be helpful no matter where we have been in our faith journeys. I want to share an article with you this month that I found at the website of the Archdiocese of Boston. It contains a wonderfully concise overview of the different types of prayer we can use in our spiritual lives. I hope it is a blessing to you. Yours in Faith, Pastor Rob Hunter

2 Four Basic Forms of Prayer 1. Blessing and Adoration (praising God) 2. Prayer of Petition (asking for what we need, including forgiveness) 3. Prayer of Intercession (asking for what others need) 4. Prayer of Thanksgiving (for what God has given and done) Prayer of Blessing and Adoration In this prayer we express praise and honor to God. We praise God for giving us life, for the wonder and beauty of our world, and for all the many blessings we enjoy. We open ourselves up to praise God for all the wonders of creation. This form of prayer encourages bodily expression, such as standing with arms raised or dancing. Prayer of Petition This is probably the most familiar prayer form of prayer. We are often taught to ask God for the things we need, but asking and praying for them are not necessarily the same. When we pray our petitions, we are asking God, who loves us very much, for something that we believe is good for ourselves or for others. By using this form of prayer we are mindful of the needs of others as well as of our own needs. We are aware that God wants us to bring our problems and worries to prayer knowing that he will always hear and answer those prayers. God may answer our prayers in a different way and in a different timeframe than we are seeking but God will always give us what we need. Prayers of petition serve to remind us that God expects us to care for one another and for all his creation. We can pray about the ordinary experiences of life for people who are sick, for someone who needs a job, for help in our school work, for a safe trip. We pray for peace in our families and in our world. We can also express our sorrow and contrition to God in our prayer. Prayer of Intercession This form of prayer is prayer on behalf of others. This form of prayer can be a source of blessing upon others, the Church, and our world. Such prayer can bring us great strength and courage and also great peace of mind and heart. Prayer of Thanksgiving This form of prayer helps us to be grateful for God's many blessings, spiritual and temporal, and helps us to recognize and appreciate all the good things God gives to us. Reserving some time to praise and thank God for his gifts the gift of life; the gift of our families and friends; the gift of food, clothing, and shelter; and the numerous other gifts we often take for granted helps us to form a true spirit of gratitude.

3 Tips for praying: 1. Find a quiet place and time. Prayer can be done anywhere but it is good to have a place that is conducive to relaxing and focusing our attention on God. Finding a regular time to pray each day can also be helpful to making prayer an important daily routine. 2. Calm yourself and put away distractions. It is important to be relaxed when we pray by finding a comfortable posture. 3. Use formal prayers or speak what you feel to God, or a combination of each. It is important to note that there is no right way to pray. Experiment with styles and forms of prayer. Prayer is an ongoing, developing relationship with God. 4. Take time to listen. God does speak to us in prayer but we need to listen with our hearts. Be open to what God is telling you rather than just on what you want to or expect to hear. 5. Use the Bible in your prayer 6. Keep a journal of prayer 7. Have a proper attitude. Prayer requires openness to God and a desire to worship and get to know God better. Meditative prayer Meditation is one of the many styles of prayer. Meditation engages our head and heart in seeking a deeper union with God. It enables us to slow down and quiet our hearts so that we can hear God s voice and communicate with God in a deeper way. Mediation can last a few minutes or hours. It can strengthen our relationship with God and allow us to get in touch with ourselves. The process of meditation can involve several steps: Find the time and place which is conducive to meditation. It is important to pick a time when one is alert and able to focus and a comfortable and quiet place. Prepare to pray by relaxing your body so that you can devote your attention to prayer. Some people use muscle relaxing exercises and breathing exercises. Choose a word or phrase to focus your attention on God. Some people use Jesus or Abba or Jesus saves or Jesus loves me. Connect the word or phrase with your breathing. Silently repeat the word or phrase in tune with your breathing. Let the word resonate within you. The repetition helps to focus on and remain open to God s presence. If you become distracted, focus again on repeating the word or phrase.

4 READINGS FOR JULY 2018 July 1 Psalm July 2 Psalm July 3 Psalm July 4 Psalm July 5 Psalm July 6 Psalm July 7 Psalm 119:1-88 July 8 Psalm 119: July 9 Psalm July 10 Psalm July 11 Psalm July 12 Psalm July 13 Proverbs 1-3 July 14 Proverbs 4-6 July 15 Proverbs 7-9 July 16 Proverbs July 17 Proverbs July 18 Proverbs July 19 Proverbs July 20 Proverbs July 21 Proverbs July 22 Proverbs July 23 Proverbs July 24 Ecclesiastes 1-4 July 25 Ecclesiastes 5-8 July 26 Ecclesiastes 9-12 July 27 Song of Solomon 1-8 July 28 Isaiah 1-4 July 29 Isaiah 5-8 July 30 Isaiah 9-12 July 31 Isaiah Nancy Gaunce 8-Ed Hesser 9-Wilma Schmitz 12-Andrew Geraci 12-Jaylan Mathurin 18-Arlene Lauer 20-Paula Akucewich 21-Steve Pinney 21-Sharon Ruzga 23-Anita Pfeil 24-Elmer Donor 25-Charlie Moreland 27-John Hatcher 30-Margie Eplion 30-Jim Phillips 31-Lauro Arroyo 28-Millie & Elmer Donor

5 COMMUNITY KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Table Set-up Wait Staff Drink Stations Bus Person Greeters Dish room Pick up Bread/Desserts See Karen Overly or Patty Hesser for more information. Have you recently experienced a significant loss? Would you like the support of others who have been there too? Every 3 rd Tuesday Next Meeting July 17, 7:00 pm at the Church For more information speak to Gladys Dolan or Pastor Rob. FAITH STAFF Pastor Rob Hunter Choir & Music Director Hazel Graham Administrative Assistant Frank Grieco STEERING OFFICERS President Marcia Steiner Vice President Wilma Osterhoudt Treasurer Kelly Phillips Secretary Paula Akucewich MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH Community Outreach Ministry Patty Hesser Discipleship Ministry Bob Santom Property Ministry Rich Pecho Stewardship Ministry Ron Knepshield Worship Ministry Carol McDonnold

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Cody Dad Tara Mom Aiden Brother

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat A Two Way Street OFFICE CLOSED Independence Day No Bible Study Community Meal No Sisters in Faith Celebration of Life for Bob Schmitz 11 am What is the Recipe for Strength? No Stewardship meeting Steering 6:30 pm 10 am No Ladies Brunch Community Meal What Difference Does Faith Make? Shepherds 10:15 am Growing through Grief 10 am Community Meal How Does Shepherd Jesus Tie it all Together? 10 am Community Meal What is Paul s Prayer for You?