Happy Mother's day to all of our Moms,
A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion,
and of sacrifice and pain.
It is endless and unselfish,
and enduring come what may.
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away…
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking…
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty,
of the rarest, brightest gems….
It is far beyond defining,
It defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation…
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence,
of God's tender guiding hand.
By Helen Steiner Rice
GIVING THANKS:
* Thanks to all of our Mothers who are a true blessing from God
* We are giving thanks that the Eddy's new house closing will be at the end of the month, with a moving date of June 16th!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Teri Fernandes passed away on Monday. Please pray for her husband, Ray's brother Mike, during this difficult time. The family is grateful for all of your prayers. Teri was also extremely grateful for our love and support during this past year.
* Pray for the children who have no one praying for them.
* Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have lost their Mothers.
This is a note from Joe Nuzzo who lost his mother in January 2023.
Mothers Day is approaching and I’m reminded of our Mother, Pat who passed away in January of 2023. I’m searching for a song to edify her and remember her in our hearts. As I searched I found a message from our brother Matthew who had always taken care of our Mom. He spoke of our Cousin David’s daughter visiting Our Mom.
Here’s the note my brother sent us:
I woke her up once. She talked to me for a bit. I didn't ask if she recognized me. She is in the past right now so I'm not sure she did… I had to walk away for a moment and when I came back she was asleep again. She said she is beat today. She's been watching the kids and it takes a lot out of you and she's exhausted and our Dad, John needs to bring her a cup of tea.
Matt expressed to all of us this realization: “I think you all know that her time here is short”
After I read this and recalled her last moments in this life I decided It is with great effort that I touch the hearts of those who have lost their mothers in this short life that we are given. In Isaiah 66:13 it says: As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” Isaiah 49:15: “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Happy Mothers Day in Paradise I’m remembering you always, I’m remembering you always liked David Whitfields music so I found you a song. Love from one of your sons, Joe
COMING UP:
* Tuesday morning Ladies bible study will be on May 16th at 9:30 a.m. watch for the zoom link.
* There will be a memorial service for Suzanne Babcock on Sunday, May 21st at 3pm at the Sterling church of Christ, Sterling, CT. Gary is leading a workshop there so they will have the service that Sunday afternoon.
* The Danbury church of Christ will host a hymn sing on May 21st from 3-4:30pm at the Danbury Church of Christ. The address is 90 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT. 06810
NOTE: There are several other events being hosted by local congregations. See flyers on the table in the auditorium.
There will be a brief meeting after services on May 21st for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. Thanks to everyone for contributing towards this evangelistic event which will encourage y'all ages! Please see Jayden Rzasa if you are unable to attend.
NEW DATE:
The Secret Prayer Sister REVEAL that was originally scheduled for Saturday June 3rd at 11:30 a.m. at the church building will now be on Sunday June 11th right after worship, downstairs in our fellowship hall. Please note the date change and sign up for something to bring.
REMINDERS:
* Keep the donations of non-perishable food coming for the SPOONER HOUSE.
* TIDAL RIVER CHRISTIAN CAMP:
Nurses are needed for the camp sessions this summer.
Our congregation has been asked to provide food as we do every year.:
Cookies (15) packages (any kind)
Potato Chips (10) Large Bags (10+ oz Size)
Any craft supplies are welcomed as well.
There is a bin in the foyer of the church for your donations. Please bring them in by June 10th.
*Cash donations will also be gladly accepted.
or email tidalriverchristiancamp@gmail.com if you have any questions or delivery changes.
A MOTHER'S LOVE
This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day. This is a time of honoring Mothers for everything they've done for their families, and acknowledging all of the sacrifices they've made. Mothers sacrifice a lot from the nine months they carry the child (physically, emotionally), through the entire rearing process, to adulthood. It's beyond words what a Mother does. Beyond the hugs, beyond the bandaids, each and every moment of a child's life, Mothers pour themselves into their children, shaping their character. It is a lifetime of love. Christian Moms go far beyond, teaching their children about God, and shaping their faith in Jesus Christ. This requires deep sacrifice, painstaking diligence, being steadfast and having true commitment. Such a huge endeavor that impacts eternity. Mothers build a legacy of Faith and Love, that is passed down from generation to generation.
The scriptures share many accounts of Mothers, who loved their children sacrificially, and how God used them for His glory. Here are but a few that stand out, having made huge sacrifices that cut to the heart, and define the true love a Mother has for her child.
THE REAL MOTHER – KING SOLOMON's WISDOM
In the book of 1 Kings,Chapter 3:16-28, we read about a Bible story which illustrates the deep and sacrificial love of a Mother.
Two mothers living in the same house, each the mother of an infant son, came to King Solomon with a disagreement between them. They shared that one of the babies had died. Each Mother claimed the remaining infant as her own.
King Solomon used incredible wisdom here. Since it would be impossible to determine which of these women were the true mother, (they did not have the ability to do DNA sampling back then!), he called for a sword, and made the decision to have the remaining infant be cut in two, and for each woman to receive half.
One mother did not contest the ruling, declaring that if she could not have the baby then neither of them could.
The other mother begged Solomon, “Give the baby to her, just don't kill him!”
The king declared the second woman the true mother, as a mother who would give up her baby – even if that was necessary – to save its life! The true mother offered sacrificial love, which was evident to the King.
JOCHABED
Jochebed was the Mother of Moses and demonstrated unconditional love to her children. Exodus 2:2-9 we read that she loved Moses so much that she defied the Egyptian King's order and kept Moses alive for 3 months. When she could no longer hide him at home, she made a basket out of reeds she found along the river Nile, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed Moses in it. She hid him in this basked that floated close by, and instructed Miriam her daughter to watch him closely, trusting that God would preserve the life of her son. Her fearless efforts to keep Moses alive were rewarded when King Pharaoh's daughter found the baby crying in the basket in the Nile River, and brought it home with her to raise him in the palace. God blessed Moses with life, and used him to lead the Israelites out of bondage.
HANNAH
In 1 Samuel 2:19 Hannah was the mother of Samuel. Hannah struggled with infertility for many years. She prayed to God and asked him to bless her with a son. She promised God, that if He gave her a son, that she would give him back to God, to serve Him. Her prayers were answered and Samuel was born. When he was old enough, she brought him to the Temple to serve the LORD with the Priest Eli. Hannah's gratitude to the Lord could not be measured, and her sacrifice in returning her son to serve the LORD would honor Him. Samuel grew to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel's history. We read in 1 Samuel 2:19 that “His mother made him a coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.” Samuel was always on Hanna's mind and heart.
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS
When Mary received the angel Gabriel’s message that she would conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, she was afraid. She knew that the circumstances and the potential peril of being a virgin and unwed mother were threatening. In Luke 1:29 “Mary was greatly troubled at his words,” referring to the angel Gabriel. Despite her fears, uncertainties, and questions, Mary trusted God’s divine plan for her life. She surrendered to God’s will.
In Luke 1:38 Mary shares “I am the Lord’s servant”, and tells Gabriel, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary’s desire to serve God and surrender was greater than her fears. Mary’s greatest honor and ultimate source of suffering was being the mother of Jesus.
Mary treasured all of her moments with Jesus in her heart, as we read in Luke 2:51 “his mother treasured all these things in her heart.“
Mary witnessed Jesus's ministry from his birth unto his death. She watched him endure intense ridicule, opposition, and a brutal crucifixion. She endured great pain and suffering, watching Jesus suffer. Yet she understood God's plan for her son, to be the savior of the world.
As Jesus was suffering on the cross, he was worried about His mother and who was going to take care of her after He was gone. John 19:26-27 “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman here is your son,” and the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, John took her into his home.
A MOTHER'S LOVE
- A mother's love is unconditional and everlasting.
- A mother's love is a special bond between a mother and her child that can never be broken.
- Mothers will give up their own happiness for the sake of their children.
- A mother's love is as big as the sky and as deep as the ocean.
- Mothers do everything for their children without expecting anything in return.
- Being a mother is a job that is 24/7, 365 days a year.
- There is no force on Earth more powerful than a mother's love.
- Memories of moments shared with a mother will last forever.
- The mother and child bond begins at the moment of conception, and continues throughout a child's life.
The love a mother has for her children cannot be measured or described in words.
A MOTHER'S PRAYER…
This post was written by Casandra Martin who passed away in December of 2015.
“I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” ~Abraham Lincoln
Our prayers have the power to outlive us. We tend to think of prayer as being time-bound, but when we lift them into heaven, God begins to work those prayers out in the hearts of the people covered in those prayers. Sometimes the answers come in the moment. Other times, however, God plants seeds, introduces relationships, releases blessings, uncovers talents, and whispers invitations that take a lifetime to fully bloom.
The prayers you pray today are sticky. They will help to shape your children and your grandchildren for decades to come. Pray big things for your loved ones. Dream big dreams. Ask God to ignite passion and purpose in their hearts. Pray for the things that they are not yet able to pray for themselves. Pray that they value holiness, cherish wisdom, follow faithfulness, ache for awe, and hunger for His presence. Those kinds of prayers will cling to them as they walk through life.
If you have a mother or grandmother who prayed for you, be thankful. Stand back and catalog the ways that their prayers are still bearing fruit in your life. If you are a mother or a grandmother, pray now. Pray big. Pray hard. Pray long. Pray sticky prayers. If you don’t have children, pick a child and pray for them. There are too many children who walk uncovered by prayer. Yours can make a difference.
My Jesus Resolution today is to pray. A mother’s love funneled into prayer is a powerful thing. I am blessed to walk in the shadow of my mother’s and grandmothers’ prayers. My prayers have the power to pave the way for my children, open doors into His presence, spark surrender, and provide a platform for His purpose to take shape in their lives. God listens to our prayers, and He acts on them. When we pray, those prayers stick to our children as God works out His good and perfect plan in their lives.
We give all of our Mothers praise and thanks for all they have done.
Keep loving, keep praying, and keep on keeping on!
May God be glorified as we serve Him.
Our love in Him,
Bruce & Paula