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Elections: When We Gain the Whole World & Lose Our Soul

In the 8th chapter of the Book of 1 Samuel, the leaders of Israel met with the prophet Samuel in Ramah and said, “Give us a king like all the other nations have.” Scripture tells us that Samuel was very upset by this request and “wen to the Lord for advice.” And this is what God said in response to the people’s request to have a king of their own and to be like other nations: 

“Do as they say, for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually forsaken me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about how a king will treat them.”

So Samuel goes back to the people of Israel and tells them about all of the hardships that will be created for them when they submit their lives to a human king … just like other nations. The people refused Samuel’s warning, and said boldly, “Even so, we still want a king. We want to be like other nations around us. Our king will govern us and lead us into battle.” 

Samuel told God what the people had said, and God replied, “Do as they say and give them a king.” And so Samuel did, and King Saul brought all the hardships to the people that Samuel had warned them about, and Saul turned out to be a corrupt ruler and an egotistical self-centered man of the world. And the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, has never been the same since. 

Even to this day, Israel is a nation like most other nations in the world: militaristic, self-exalted and only concerned about their own people. And by the way, if you ever go to Israel, you will find a land filled with walls of separation, fences of isolation, and police checkpoints that dominate the landscape. All because these “people of God” have failed to reconcile relations with their neighbors (enemies), the Palestinians, even after more than 2000 years of living together on the same land. 

And I think to myself; the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Just look at the United States today. In my lifetime, I have never seen the people so passionate and aggressive about an election as they are for this one. We are acting like the winner of this election is our chance, finally, to be taken to the Promised Land that God has intended for us and to be saved from all our troubles and hardships. The Trump supporters think he will do this for us, and the Biden supporters think he will do this for us. In either case, the people clearly believe that there is a lot at stake in this election. If only we could see the truth about elections. 

There is not a human being alive who can take us to where we really need to be. Not even Oprah! But yet, we still want a “king” and we still want to be like other nations … only better! 

What if there was another alternative to reach our promised land. Just as ancient Israel missed the opportunity to be led by God and worship God alone, so we too have missed that opportunity. If our people were as intense and enthusiastic about worshiping God as they are about worshipping two candidates for president this year, then 2020 could be a transformational year for us. But instead, even though we know the reality of politics and the truth of government, we have set all that aside for now so that we can openly and sincerely worship our next king, whether it is a Donald or a Joseph. 

Imagine instead if there were a multitude of yard signs that copied the one in Marie Norvell’s yard: “Jesus Christ – For Lasting Change.” What if there were as many billboards about the love of Jesus as there are about the presidential candidates? What if the millions and millions of dollars spent on electing our next “king” was spent instead on serving the most in need in our land. Just think about the “promised land” that could create right here and now! 

And there could be more: constant commercials about the life of Christ and His unconditional love; brochures in the mail everyday about scripture and how it impacts our daily life; flags waving from the back of pick-up trucks with nothing but the Ichthus fish symbol (<><) on them; and my favorite, a national holiday every year when all the people could gather for one big love-festival with music and food and fellowship and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When I run for president, those are the kind of things I’ll be advocating! 

I don’t mean to make light of politics and its potential to bring goodness and healing to a nation. But that’s not what’s happening in our land. We keep electing Saul, regardless of party. And until that changes, nothing changes, and the more things stay the same — just as they were in the Book of 1 Samuel. And until we have a leader whose heart belongs to God, like King David, our fate is sealed as people who worship false idols and expect them to be God-like. 

However, there is hope! There is already an undeniable and unchangeable truth that surrounds all of us even as we stray from God and sink in to the toxic cesspool of self-centeredness and sin that politics has become. And you know that truth in your heart. And it is ready and available to us right now. But to receive it, we must stop wanting to be like other nations … or like anything else of the world for that matter. We must desire God alone. When we do that, then we are on the right path … the one that leads us to our promised land.  

I believe that God is calling us today to change our path. I believe that someday we will forego our earthly kings and idols of the world and come back home to our one true God. I believe that it could happen today, in each of our hearts, if we but faithfully ask God to help us. If we would only try, then I believe that God will respond, and make us a reflection of the Way of Jesus. Yes, we’re a long way from that today, but anything is possible with God. Just read the Bible if you have any doubts. 

When this happens, we will discover that undeniable and unchangeable truth: that despite all the kings and princes and principalities of the world we live in, God is still the ruler of heaven and earth, and Jesus is still our one true King. Now that’s a campaign we should all get behind and support!

Jesus is …                                                                                                                                                                                 Peace in our hearts & light in our darkness,                                                                                                              Pastor Bob <>< 

        

  


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THE LOST SEASON … and the story of 7 seniors whose stars never got to shine.

As I talked about in last Sunday’s message, it was later in life that baseball became a ministry for me. As a kid, and as a high schooler and as a college player, baseball was all about me. It was my time to shine. It was my pedestal, and I savored my awards and trophies. But as God moved into my heart and changed my way of seeing the world, baseball was part of the transformation. 

Since then, baseball is about something much more than me … and much more important than me! God moved into my life and changed everything, and baseball became a ministry about serving others and God.  And, as many of you know from first-hand experience, when God comes into your life in a mighty way, everything in your life gets altered. Today, baseball is just another platform for God to work in my life, which brings us to “the lost season of 2020.”

Three years ago, when I moved to Arthur as the new pastor at Vine Street Christian Church, another opportunity became available. I was offered the head coaching position for the ALAH baseball program. Because baseball was now a ministry in my life, it seemed like a great way to become part of the community here and to meet some young guys who could help me in my own walk of faith. And that’s exactly has what happened. 

So, three years ago my coaching tenure for the Knights began. That first year we had 2 seniors, and the next year, we had one. So, as this season approached, there were 7 players that had been part of the team for three years, and they were ready to shine as seniors! 

But, as we all know, that didn’t happen. Those 7 players, who had invested countless hours into their own development as baseball players and as young men of character (this is a big emphasis of our program), never had the chance to do what we quietly but confidently we’re hoping for in 2020 – to make a run for a Class A state championship in baseball. 

Winning that championship was a goal … a hope … a mere possibility. But spending a full season with those guys, and a solid group of underclassmen as well, was really what I was looking forward to. Wins and losses in baseball are funny things, sometimes very hard to predict. That’s the nature of the game. But playing through the season together is what the experience is really all about. Going through the ups and downs together, celebrating the victories and surviving the losses, builds camaraderie and a fellowship among guys that is hard to replicate, and that stays with you for years … even a lifetime. 

That didn’t happen in 2020. We lost that whole experience. We didn’t just lose the chance to play games; we lost the opportunity to become a team together; to walk with each other through a season and become linked by our common goal in a way very few things in the lives of young men can do. And that’s not fair! But then, neither is life.  

So, here in this “church newsletter” article, as high school sports have resumed competition and games get played once more, I would like to honor those 7 players who lost their senior season at ALAH and never got a chance to shine on the ball field in 2020.

MASON BERNIUS — the gentle giant of the team; loved and respected by all of us, “Bernie” (as we called him) was everyone’s favorite teammate. Not only did he win the award for best teammate, but he lived it out every day with us. Mason is more football than baseball. Baseball didn’t come naturally for him. But he dedicated himself to getting better every day, and all our coaches were looking forward to getting him more playing time his senior year — he had earned it. Still, I’ll not remember Bernie as a player, but as a mature young man, the adult in the room on a baseball team full of kids (including the coaches!). Honk that horn on your truck one more time, Bernie, for the lost season and your fellow seniors. 

JAKE HOLLINGSWORTH — my “right-hand man” even though Jake is left-handed. Jake was one of the key leaders in our program who loved everything baseball. He would lead our “open workouts” when coaches were not permitted to do so, and he hardly ever missed a workout, a practice or a game. We thought of Jake as a “pitcher-only” — but I believed his senior year was going to be different. When not pitching, I was hoping Jake would be our right fielder … and I could see him having a great senior year on the mound and at the plate. Finally, I loved to watch Jake pitch. A relatively quiet and unassuming kid, he turned into a “bulldog” on the mound and was willing to face any team, anytime. And I love that about any pitcher! 

SCOTT McCLAIN — the soccer player who became a baseball player. Scott was one of the guys who early on took on the challenge of becoming a baseball player, not just a kid who played baseball. He worked very hard at the game, and it paid off. Scott earned his 2nd base position and I’m sure his senior year was going to his best. Baseball is a game that doesn’t come naturally to all athletes, and it didn’t, at first, for Scott. But he proved the old adage true once again, that if you want something bad enough and you’re willing to work for it, things will come together in your favor. 

CODY MILLER — I love free spirits, and Cody was the free spirit of our team. Quiet almost to a fault, but a great athlete and wonderful long hair! I suspect one reason I liked Cody so much was because his hair would flip out beneath his hat, forming wings, just like mine used to do when I had hair! I still wear the bruise Cody left on my back by hitting a sharp screaming line drive right back at me during cage work. But my favorite day of Cody’s was the day he came right up to me and declared boldly that he could handle playing shortstop just fine, thank you very much. So I put him there. And he played it beautifully. And from that day forward, Cody was our shortstop. I’ll miss his slick defense, and his flowing hair — but not the bruise on my back! 

LUCAS OTTO — a superior athlete who played football, and basketball for a while, but Lucas was born to be a baseball player. And he is continuing his baseball career in junior college. But one of my biggest regrets of the lost season is not getting to see Lucas be that totally dominant high school player that he worked so hard to become during the three years we spent together. Frankly, the baseball stuff was not hard for him … but the leadership role was something he had to grow in to. And he did. As Lucas prepared for his senior year, he became a self-directed and disciplined player who was willing to lead the team and himself to a higher level. And he did that too! I am anxiously looking forward to Lucas playing at the next level, but I’ll always regret not seeing him perform as a senior for ALAH.

WYATT SCHLABACH — If Cody was the free spirit, and Lucas the star, then Wyatt was the glue that kept all of us on an even keel and did all the little things each and every day that help make this tough and challenging game a pure joy. As far as I can tell, Wyatt hasn’t had a bad day in the 3 years I’ve known him, and he always, always, always, put a smile on my face and reminded me that baseball is supposed to be fun! He was the first winner of the Best Teammate award, and I have considered naming the award after him! Wyatt accepted every role he played on our team with gratitude and grace, and I especially loved watching him run the bases — his reckless abandonment with a big broad smile on his face always made me feel good. 

RYAN YEAKLEY — I’m sure Ryan was born with baseball in his blood, and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t do something special on the field — whether hitting, fielding or pitching. Without a doubt the most versatile high school player I’ve coached, Ryan could literally play all 9 positions and play them well. He was attuned to the details of the game (and there are a lot of details in baseball!), and walked onto the field each day with a confidence and passion that many players lack. Ryan was a worker, a hustler, a hard-nosed full speed player who would be the first in line to dive for a ball or take an extra base — he would’ve had a great highlight video if we had played in 2020. Ryan has one more important gift as well — he mows my front yard like it’s a major league playing surface — now that’s special! 

When God brought baseball back into my life — I learned to love players in a new way — not as players only, but just for who they are. I love each and every one of these “seniors” and I will hold them in my prayers as life goes on. Because life does go on. But I’ll never forget the Lost Season of 2020 and the 7 seniors, whose stars never got to shine, 

Faith, Hope & Love … But most of all — Love,

Pastor Bob Silvanik


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How to be a Sponge By Jackson Silvanik

Throughout my life, and particularly over the last few weeks – which I’ve spent poring through books and writings and devotionals in a search for meaning, clarity and inspiration – one thing seems to hold true: wisdom and insight will often be found in the places that you aren’t deliberately looking. 

Sometimes the Great Cosmic Synergy aligns itself perfectly: everything syncs up, the various writings seem to all touch on the same subject and small truths about your life are revealed. Other times, though, it’s not so easy or simple. The lessons don’t seem to apply to you, or the wisdom imparted on the page doesn’t really work for your spiritual needs at the moment. You might turn to the next chapter annoyed or frustrated that you’re putting in the effort to better yourself and aren’t quite hearing what you wanted to hear. 

These are the moments where you must set aside your expectations and become a sponge. My dad, believe it or not, has a large library of books scattered all over the house – and not just now; I have been lucky to grow up surrounded by books of all sorts. Lois, my grandmother and my dad’s mom, would often send me home with a book or two from her own library when she’d watch me and my sister as we grew up (she still does, and now she’s added my wife to her book club). 

      It’s often in those moments of poking around the shelves of books that something reveals itself to me. It might be the title, or an author that I recognize. It might be the size of the book, the colors or the design. Regardless, if I’m looking for something that I can’t quite define, something will reveal itself to me. More often than not, I’ll find what I was looking for purely by chance. 

Other times, though, wisdom doesn’t come from my own interpretation of something that I’ve read, but becomes clearer when I share my recently learned insight with others and get their feedback. My wife and I view the world through slightly different lenses: she likes facts, specific timetables and sticking to a schedule. I struggle with structure, often choosing to let things play out however they might and rolling with the tide. One of the most valuable tools at my disposal during this journey of self-improvement has been her perspective. I’ll often tell her about things I’ve read and notes that I’ve made, and she’ll listen, offer feedback and add her own response in ways that dramatically affects the ideas that I’ve been working towards. 

That’s what a partnership is all about. We all need someone to challenge us, to make us better, and to give us perspective that enhances our attempts to become better people. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to learn how to be a better partner when I had such a great example just sitting right in front of me. As I have sat and read and meditated and listened, she gave me feedback at every turn and shared her own insights and reflections. 

It was yet another reminder to be humble: you can’t fix everything on your own. It’s a team effort. Whatever is challenging you, surrender to the moment and let people in. Keep your eyes wide open and look for meaning and inspiration in every corner. You never know where the right combination of words might come from. Share what you’ve learned, listen to what others have to say about it and take that into account. 

I’ve thought that the idea that “it takes a village” was a little corny, but truthfully, it does take some cooperation. Living in a silo is hard. Let people in, let family be family and let partners be partners. I spent a long time trying to handle things on my own, but opening up and letting wisdom find me in whatever form is a pathway to peace.


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Quiet Time By Jackson Silvanik

Over the past week I’ve been doing many small things that I haven’t done in a long time, such as reading physical books, writing in notepads and simply sitting quietly without a phone or tablet to siphon my attention. One of the first things that I noticed is how hard it is to write; not just deciding on a topic or finding the right words, but the actual act of writing with a pen. My handwriting has deteriorated significantly, and it wasn’t easy to read in the first place.

Another thing that I noticed was that the more you sit and search for answers, it soon becomes clear that you aren’t even sure what questions you should be asking. When thinking about various aspects of your life that you wish to improve, you inevitably end up circling back to the biggest questions: how, why, when did things go off the rails? These are the large-scale questions to which there is no immediate answer, and precisely why they can be so frustrating, and without the gratification of a quick result, such reflection can feel fruitless. How can you tell if you’re making progress if you can’t easily mark or define it, or explain it to others?

One of the other things you notice when you sit quietly is just how remarkably loud life can be. Certainly, the world is more accessible now than it ever has been. You can look up anything you want to know, talk to anyone you might need to reach out to, and stay on top of the news just as it’s happening. Consequently, there’s also myriad ways for the world to reach out to you at any moment; to remind you of the bills there are to pay, the tasks you still need to accomplish, to buy this or that. It can come via text or email, endless robocalls, targeted ads in your social media, and it can come at any moment. Simply turning it off for a moment drives home how conditioned we are to such a volume of constant interruption. 

I’ve recently developed a series of small rituals to help give some structure to my day, something that I let go of during the ongoing pandemic, where working from home and the new demands of parenthood have shaken up the 24-hour dynamic, and though I have always been a night owl, it’s made sleep even more distant and anxiety a more constant companion. Starting the day with a devotional has been a welcome tool that helps me start to put one foot in front of the other. Each one concludes with a few meditation tips; things to focus on as you simply sit and breathe for a few minutes. 

One recent reading describes the burden of worry as akin to being a tree trying to stand up against the wind. The mystery and spirit of God is constantly moving all around us, and out of pride and ego, we often try to resist, and worry batters us to exhaustion. One solitary tree cannot bear the burdens and challenges of the world alone, but when we sit and breathe and let the wind move through us instead of flailing against it, the burden can be lightened. The spirit fills the entire forest, and even the still air is always subtly moving. The experience is meant to be shared.

The words “pride” and “ego” have stood out in the different texts that I’ve been reading. It’s a concept that I obviously am meant to absorb. Many of my own challenges stem from the fact that I must learn how to share my fears and worries, to not fear vulnerability and to embrace that you’re rarely alone; you just convince yourself that you are as to appear successful, confident and strong. Mostly, we crave to be in control, and feeling it slip away is stressful. 

Some tips have helped me better calm down and find sleep in the night, one of which is to breathe in slowly and deeply with fists clenched, and then slowly open your hands and extend your fingers as you exhale. The physical act of imagining the pressures of the day releasing from your hands lightens the load just a bit. Sitting, breathing, reflecting and writing have helped me find a few tools to add to the toolkit in the search for improvement; perhaps finding “quiet time” throughout the day will reveal more.


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When Church Comes to You By Jackson Silvanik

I have no problem acknowledging that I am not a typical churchgoer; that is to say, I don’t

regularly attend church in a familiar sense. I haven’t had what I’d consider a home church in

years – I do not wake up each Sunday, put on nice clothes and make my way to a particular

congregation to mingle. Most often, moments of spiritual importance have come to me in

moments of solitude – and as someone with, admittedly, some degree of social anxiety,

fellowship with others isn’t always at the top of my list when it comes to spiritual needs.

Sometimes church isn’t necessarily a place you go, but a state of being that finds you wherever

you are.

I did grow up in the church, though. I went often, and grew up with youth group trips and retreats

and small group gatherings. I attended a Christian high school, and in a sense, you could say I

attended “church” almost every day. I sang the praise songs, learned the Bible via weekly Bible

verses, and recited the Pledge to the Christian Flag every morning. In some ways, I wonder if

the frequency and monotony of the rituals distracted from the real magic of God. What is God,

anyways, if not magical and mystical and spiritual? Sometimes it felt like a chore, or a

homework assignment coming due – often overlooking how big, wondrous and powerful the idea

of a higher spirit and state-of-being can be.

Church is not simply the act of engaging in rituals – it’s an ongoing process of letting life speak

to you when you aren’t expecting it, and finding small moments of peace when you need it most.

The closest thing I have lately had to a “home church” has usually been wherever my dad has

found himself in his pastoral journey. As is typical of Disciples of Christ pastors, his journey

takes him somewhere new every so often. Arthur, as it turns out, has ended up perhaps the

most “home” church that I have experienced for myself in years.

It may be that my life has taken on such new meaning in the time that he has been here. As you

undoubtedly know, my son was recently born while my parents live here. My mom learned to

quilt here, and made him a lovely blanket that we’ll always treasure. My wife and I have visited

numerous times to mark holidays and spend quiet weekends away from our jobs and lives. It’s a

lovely town and there’s something special about it.

The pandemic may have kept people from gathering in-person, but it’s driven home how much

the church is so much bigger than a physical building. I’m happy to turn on a device back in

Lexington and watch my dad deliver a service live from the Vine Street sanctuary.

There’s something special here – an open-minded discussion about racial justice in the wake of

George Floyd’s death, for example. I had the chance to sit in for some of a board meeting about

re-opening the church as Covid-19 continues to surge. What I heard was nothing but

compassion and concern about fellow churchgoers – no politicizing the issue just to open the

doors back up. Not to mention, the kind of town that has an entire festival dedicated to cheese,

and the largest sheet of fire that I’ll likely ever see in-person each July.

Arthur is a wonderful town and I am so glad that you’ve welcomed our family. I’m here now

because the birth of my son has not only been joyful and miraculous, but because it has

amplified issues of my own that I need to work on – finding the ability to let love in, for one, and

try to deal with my worldly anxieties. Coming here is a bit of an escape; a retreat. One of the

things that Christianity always shouts at us is to love others, yet often it seems that we forget to

be loved ourselves. We search in all sorts of places for satisfaction, self-worth and validation,

and yet most of the time we miss what’s already there in the form of our family and friends.

Those little moments of peace are here to be found in Arthur. 

You should be proud of the spiritual community that you’ve created. It will always be a piece of me and my family.


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THE BLESSING OF THE OFFERING

One of the most gratifying aspects of this COVID-19 church-shutdown that we’re in is to see how so many in our congregation make such an intentional and deliberate effort to get their weekly or monthly offering to the church. That shows that many of you care deeply about Vine Street Christian Church. It turns out that a very high percentage of our regular givers are from the ranks of our seniors. The weekly offering has become a part of their religious lifestyle and a representation of their relationship with God. 

Of course, many others give to our church regularly, and generously. But the practice of regular giving is not necessarily an embedded part of their religious life. Many folks give a little when they come, and sometimes a lot. And I wonder if that’s how their relationship with God works; “I know you’re there for me when I need you, and I’ll call on you when I get desperate enough!”  That’s probably not a very effective system for sustaining a local church over the years.  But it sure beats the alternative. 

The truth about the offering is that it provides a way for Jesus followers to complete the act of communion with Jesus on a regular basis. It becomes a spiritual practice and an important part of one’s relationship with God. And … oh yeah … the part we don’t like to talk about much; it provides money for the operations, staffing and maintenance of the church. I don’t shy away from that reality because I see it as an amazing aspect of church life that churches all across the world – through all the ages – have been supported essentially by their members and friends. Actually, it’s very unique in our own American culture. There’s really nothing else quite like it. 

Thus, I see the offering as a win-win for the church. Individual believers are provided the opportunity to make a specific sacrifice for God from the own resources, just as God made a specific sacrifice for each of them through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. And, it’s also a way to sustain the church, and be able to offer everything that an institutional church with Jesus’s name on it things that it should be offering. 

So, on behalf of all of us who benefit directly from your offerings, we say THANK YOU! To each and every one of you who has placed a coin or dollar in the plate or given online … this church is for you, just as Jesus died for you. And, if you’re not yet in the habit of using sacrificial giving as one of your regular spiritual practices, then you may want to consider praying to God about it. That’s the best way to approach anything you do in your life! 

This prayer below is for all of you. For the givers, I hope you find it inspiring and affirming of your giving to the church. For others, I hope that the practical realities of the church offering lifted up in this prayer touch you in your heart and show you a way to join in the financial support of the our church as a regular giver – for your own spiritual benefit. 

In either case, I’d love to know what you think about it! 

AN OFFERING PRAYER WE ALL NEED TO HEAR!

“We offer to you, O God, this money and rejoice in all it will buy and pay for. We thank you that some of it will pay for baloney and cheese from Wal-Mart to feed hungry people.  A few dollars will pay for the work sheets our children carry home after Sunday school. May what they learn here help shape their character and life values. 

“Some of this offering will pay the electricity and heat for this building where we come to worship you, where homeless people come for help, and where other groups meet to help each other and our community.

“We thank you that this offering will pay for our pastor’s salary and the salaries of the church staff who devote themselves to organizing this congregation to make disciples of Jesus to transform the world. May our work here be wise and courageous. And a small portion of this money will help pay our regional office ministers and support the work of all of our DOC ministries around the world.

“We thank you also, God, that the money will not be spent on things that we might desire but that will not really bring us happiness. We thank you that when we give to you, we learn to seek our happiness not in things but in you, and we find a truer happiness this way.

“We thank you, God, that when we give to you rather than spending more on ourselves we fulfill the trust you have placed in us by blessing us with so much. You have blessed us with life, strength, intelligence, abilities and resources, and we thank you for the opportunity to give you joy by being generous to you and others. It is a great blessing to be able to give this money. 

“We know that the way we use the money we have shapes our hearts and affections. So we are grateful that we will love you more as a result of giving this treasure to you. May we give even more to you this coming week so we will love you even more.

“We also remember that some of us who have given the fewest dollars have been the most generous, and some of us who have given more dollars have not given as sacrificially. Still we rejoice in this money we present to you, God. We delight in it. We delight in what it will buy and what it will not buy because we didn’t keep it for ourselves. We love giving you this money, God. Thank you that the Word became flesh and began this earthly Christian movement of love, inclusion, justice, beauty and joy so that we might give our dollars to help fuel it. In gratitude for the blessing of being able to give our money, we pray. Amen.” 

(Acknowledgements to Rev. Dean Snyder – Foundry United Methodist Church, Wash., DC) 

Praying for God’s Love in All that We Do & Give! 

Pastor Bob <>< 


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