LET YOUR. Smithton Church of the Nazarene. Vance Havner LIGHT SHINE IN THE DARKNESS. Thank Thoughts

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1 Smithton Church of the Nazarene 157 Fitz Henry Road Smithton PA The saints in Rome did not have the blues because attendance would be cut by a gladiatorial contest in the Coliseum. They had a robust, world-shaking power of their own that eventually put the Coliseum out of business. Vance Havner LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE IN THE DARKNESS Thank Thoughts We have woven into the fabric of our lives Thanksgiving Day. From history.com: In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. Abraham Lincoln in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November. Our traditional celebrations evolve as our culture changes. Today our giving of thanks seems to be centered around food, parades, football, and shopping. I commend those many who spend the day serving the less fortunate than themselves and/or providing a celebration meal for a local community and adopted loved ones. Reading and thinking on these activities has brought me to these thoughts today. I am thankful for God, the Gospel message and redemption, a great wife, family (biological and adopted), calling, church, friends, answered prayers, freedom (personal and political), enjoyable activities, and music. There are many individual people or things in each of the major thanks for(s) listed. Things I hope and pray for: Kingdom growth, redemption of close loved ones and friends, spiritual growth and church unity, peace between individuals and peoples, spiritual protection of children, health, cultural morality, financial security, safe future. Perhaps the challenge to us this Thanksgiving season centers around what we are most thankful for. And what do we long to be thankful for? Nationally we need to re-hear the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln from 1863 entreating all Americans to ask God to commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife and to heal the wounds of the nation. Of utmost necessity to we who call ourselves Christian is the challenge of sowing the Gospel seed and its growth Matthew chapter 12. Perhaps we could pray this prayer together as written and shifting from I, me and my to our, we, and us: Father, Thank You for all that I have been blessed with. Thank you for those persons You have providentially given to me. Thank you for the place of value in the Kingdom You have called me to. Lead me in the way everlasting. Guide me with Your Spirit. Convict and hear my prayer when I err. Comfort me in hard times and allow me to rejoice in Your Presence. For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Amen On the Kingdom Road, Pastor Mike

2 Thursday, November 16 6:30 PM Everyone is welcome! Invite your family & friends. For attendance, please RSVP on foyer table or by calling church office at by Sunday, November 12. Please see Julie if willing to provide a turkey, side dish or dessert. Men s Breakfast Saturday, November 4 8:30 AM Meet at Denny s. Mission Emphasis Sunday, November 5 6:00 PM Emphasis for November is Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund. We will receive this offering on Sunday, November 19. Fellowship Luncheon & Decking of the Halls Sunday, November 20 After Morning Worship Eat first, then decorate! Signup on the foyer table. Friday & Saturday, November 3-4 5:00 PM TO 5:00 PM What to bring: ~ Craft supplies, tools, machines, etc. ~ Extension Cord for machines or lamps ~ Snacks to share ~ Pillow, air mattress, sleeping bag, toiletries, towel (if you want to shower), etc. ~ Drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate provided) ~ Provided: Pizza rolls (Friday), Bagels (Saturday Breakfast), Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup (Saturday Lunch) Please RSVP to Julie by Thursday, November 2 This is a time to work on a craft of your choice while fellowshipping with other ladies in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Friday, November 10 7:00-8:30 PM Bring your favorite game and a snack to share!! A fun time of fellowship for everyone! Every Thursday from 6:30-7:30 PM Bible Story, Craft, Snacks, Puppet Show, Games & much more! For all children thru age 12. Received MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT FISCAL YEAR (as of 10/22/2017) Needed Balance $45,365 $56,125 -$10,760 NMI Funds Paid WEF & Faith Promise $1,080

3 Date Psalm OT Epistle Gospel Wed Nov 1 am: 119:49-72 pm: 49, 53 Ezra 6:1-22 Rev 5:1-10 Matt 13:10-17 Thur Nov 2 am: 50, 59, 60 pm: 66, 67 Neh 1:1-11 Rev 5:11-6:11pm: Rev 19:1-10 Matt 13:18-23 Fri Nov 3 am: 40, 54 pm: 51 Neh 2:1-20 Rev 6:12-7:4 Matt 13:24-30 Sat Nov 4 am: 55 pm: 138, 139 Neh 4:1-23 am: Rev 7:4-17 Matt 13:31-35 Sun Nov 5 am: 24, 29 pm: 8, 84 Neh 5:1-19 Acts 20:7012 Luke 12:22-31 Mon Nov 6 am: 56, 57, 58 pm: 64, 65 Neh 6:1-19 Rev 10:1-11 Matt 13:36-43 Tue Nov 7 am: 61, 62 pm: 68 Neh 12:27-31a, 42b-47 Rev 11:1-19 Matt 13:44-52 Wed Nov 8 am: 72 pm: 119:73-96 Neh 13:4-22 Rev 12:1-12 Matt 13:53-58 Thur Nov 9 am: 70, 71 pm: 74 Ezra 7:1-16 Rev 14:1-13 Matt 14:1-12 Fri Nov 10 am: 69 pm: 73 Ezra 7:27-28, 8:21-36 Rev 15:1-18 Matt 14:13-21 Sat Nov 11 am: 75, 76 pm: 23, 27 Ezra 9:1-15 Rev 17:1-14 Matt 14:22-36 Sun Nov 12 am: 93, 96 pm: 34 Ezra 10:1-17 Acts 24:10-21 Luke 14:12-24 Mon Nov 13 am: 80 pm: 77, 19 Neh 9:1-15 Rev 18:1-8 Matt 15:1-20 Tue Nov 14 am: 78:1-39 pm: 78:40-72 Neh 9:26-38 Rev 18:9-20 Matt 15:21-28 Wed Nov 15 am: 119: pm: 81, 82 Neh 7:73b-8:3, 5-18 Rev 18:21-24 Matt 15:29-39 Thur Nov 16 am: 83 pm: 85, 86 1 Chron 10:1-14 Rev 19:1-10 Matt 16:1-12 Fri Nov 17 am: 88 pm: 91, 92 1 Chron 11:1-25 Rev 19:11-16 Matt 16:13-20 Sat Nov 18 am: 87, 90 pm: Chron 13:1-14 Rev 20:1-6 Matt 16:21-28 Sun Nov 19 am: 66, 67 pm: 19, 46 1 Chron 14:1-17 Acts 28:14b-23 Luke 16:1-13 Mon Nov 20 am: 89:1-18 pm: 89: Chron 15:1-29 Rev 20:7-15 Matt 17:1-13 Tue Nov 21 am: 97, 99, 100 pm: 94, 95 1 Chron 16:7-36 Rev 21:1-8 Matt 17:14-21 Wed Nov 22 am: 101, 109 pm: 119: Chron 20:1-8 Rev 21:9-21 Matt 17:22-27 Thur Nov 23 am: 105:1-22 pm: 105: Chron 21:1-27 Rev 21:22-22:5 Matt 18:1-9 Fri Nov 24 am: 102 pm: 107: Chron 22:1-19 Rev 22:6-13 Matt 18:10-20 Sat Nov 25 am: 107:33-43, 108 pm: 33 Isa 65:17-25 Rev 22:14-21 Matt 18:21-35 Sun Nov 26 am: 118 pm: 145 Isa 19:19-25 Rom 15:5-13 Luke 19:11-27 Mon Nov 27 am: 106:1-18 pm: 106:19-48 Joel 3:1-2, Pet 1:1-12 Matt 19:1-12 Tue Nov 28 Wed Nov 29 Thur Nov 30 am: 121, 122, 123 pm: 124, 125, 126 am: 119: pm: 128, 129, 130 am: 131, 132, 133 pm: 134, 135 Nahum 1: Pet 1:13-25 Matt 19:13-22 Obad Pet 2:1-10 Matt 19:23-30 Zeph 3: Pet 2:11-25 Matt 20:1-16

4 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Prayer Guide for Families and Children Since the church began, there have been some who want to stop the Gospel from spreading. They will harm and sometimes even kill Christians. This treatment of Christians is called religious persecution. In many places around the world, religious persecution still happens. In some countries, the governments have made it against the law to be a Christian. In these places, Christians may suffer for sharing the Gospel or preaching in public. Churches must meet secretly. How do we help the persecuted church throughout the world? The best way is to pray for them. On Sunday, November 12, Nazarene churches all over the world will participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This annual day of prayer is a great day to pray with your family and your church for Christians who are persecuted around the world. If you, your family, or your church should miss this special time of prayer, you can always plan your own time of prayer for the p e r s e c u t e d c h u r c h a n d encourage others to join you in prayer. Here is a weekly prayer guide for you and your family to help you pray for persecuted Christians all year long. Sunday Pray for pastors of persecuted churches. Monday Pray for church members who are persecuted. Tuesday Pray for Christian children who may be persecuted for their faith. Wednesday Pray for Missionaries who help those who are persecuted or may be persecuted themselves. Thursday Pray for those in your own country who help the persecuted. Friday Pray for those persecuting Christians, that they may eventually come to Christ. Saturday Pray for all persecuted Christians around the world. Nate Owens Children s Ministries

5 Join us for Sunday School 9:45 AM Morning Worship 10:45 AM Evening Gatherings 6:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Father, Teach us again and again that...love is stronger than hate,...integrity more important than image. And generosity and gratitude are cornerstones of the good life. Amen. Neil B. Wiseman Let gratitude for the past inspire us with trust for the future. Francis Fenelon Men s Breakfast 8:30 am Craft Around the Clock 5:00 PM TO 5:00 PM TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HR! 5 Daylight Savings Time Begins 6 7 Election Day Veteran s Day 6:00 PM Mission Emphasis 12 Prayer for the Persecuted Church Board Meeting 7:00 PM :00 PM Family Game Night :00 PM Table Talk 19 Leftover Luncheon & Decking the Halls No Evening Gathering 26 1st Sunday of Advent No Evening Gathering :30 PM Thanksgiving Dinner Happy Thanksgiving Remember to give thanks for God s many blessings! Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. Henri J. M. Nouwen