“Lord Jesus, after a Sabbath Day’s ministry of teaching and healing, you had to be refreshed in spirit and body.  We admire how you often sought to be alone with the Father in prayer.  As a human being, like us, you would give out so much and then you had to take in a renewed strength.  As God, you could give people a healing touch in their bodies, minds, and spirits. 

    
Our strength has to be renewed day by day.  We live such busy lives and there are many demands on our time.  We need to go apart from time to time unless we come apart.  We praise you for the refreshing blessings that come when we bow in your presence.  We are renewed in strength and courage.  Our minds are cleared and focused. You make us adequate to face our responsibilities.

    
May this pause for a time of meditation give this person what is needed for today.  Surround this one with your divine favor and grace.  We are blessed to call ourselves by your name – Christians!  Amen.

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS FEBRUARY 26 THROUGH April 6

We are approaching our Lord’s Passion Week, His crucifixion, and His Resurrection.  Palm Sunday is April 1 and Easter is April 8.  There are six Sundays before we celebrate our Lord’s victory over death on Easter.  Our services leading up to this most blessed of our Christian celebrations will prepare us to understand and participate in it with hearts of faith.  In music, in scriptures, in sermons – we will prepare our hearts through worship.  This is one of the best outreach times of the year to the unchurched.  We will have the added excitement this year of inviting people to come to the first Sunday in our new building and the Dedication a few weeks later.  Remember that a person who does not regularly attend church will respond to someone they know and trust who invites them.

UPDATE ON OUR NEW BUILDING

This week the sanding and staining in the Sanctuary is under way.  The tile has been laid in the social hall.  The kitchen cabinets have been delivered along with the sound control console.  The stained glass windows will be delivered in about four weeks.  The baptistery has been put in place.  The platform is being finished.  The landscaping plants have been delivered.  Yet to be done is lighting in the Sanctuary, carpet, and installing the sound system.  Most of the furnishings have been acquired and will be delivered when the building is ready.

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