Acts 20:35

Good morning all,

 

As we approach the holiday season, let us keep all who have suffered losses or who are going through tough times in our thoughts and prayers.  Holidays can be a very difficult time for many.

  

Please keep us apprised of needs of families with needs or even those in need of prayer or spiritual encouragement.

 

Proverbs 22:9 “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

 

 

 

 

SPOONER HOUSE NEEDS:

Spooner House has 24 residents, 4 of which are women who have no families.  They could use toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos, conditioner, deodorant, soaps, hand-soap, etc.   If you would like to donate items towards this effort, please bring them in a zip-lock back and leave them in the container for Spooner House in the foyer.  Thanks for all of the donations which they are very grateful for.

 

For anyone who might like to bring a meal or make sandwiches, etc. please contact Liz Holcomb at (203)225-0455 x105 for details.

 

 

 

GIVING THANKS:

• A special thanks to Joanne Discala for leading last night’s Ladies bible study.  She did an outstanding job.

 

• Leo Froehlich’s procedure went well.  We hope and pray that this will help him to breath better and be sick less.

 

• We give thanks to God for the breath of life and all good things!

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

• Karen Ohrenberger’s parents are going through a difficult time.  Prayers for the family as they deal with the challenges of this stage of life.  Prayers for their Aunt Myra as well and the many decisions that need to be made.

 

• Callie Eddy has been quick sick this past week with a fever lasting 5 days. Prayers for healing.

 

• Mike Ross had another pain implant put in yesterday.  It was a long day for Mike but thankfully all went well.  Prayers for Mike’s pain to subside

 

• Continued prayers for Randy Springer who is making small strides, but has a long way to go as he recovers at Lord Chamberlain in Stratford.  Prayers for Karen as well as she continues to work and balance all that is going on.

 

• Patti Early’s husband Kevin had his heart procedure this past week but is continuing to have a fib symptoms.  He will see his cardiologist for next steps.

• Prayers for Marie Preteska , JoAnne, Toni and Greg's sister.

• Olivia Taylor has also been sick.   Prayers for healing.

• Brian Keller's company may be experiencing layoffs. Prayers that his position is not affected.

• Kristin Hubbell started a new teaching program which has some challenges. 

• Prayers for Darwin's job search. She interviewed at Yale for a great job recently & is waiting to hear back from them.

 

• Prayers for the lost to see God’s glory.

 

 

COMING UP:

• Nadine Keller will be leading the December 9^th Friday night bible study which will also be at the building at 7pm.

 

• Note:  For January, February and March we will meet at 9:00 AM on the second Saturday of each month at the building.  Great things are planned this coming year!

 

• The Tuesday ladies’ bible study will be on November 22^nd at 9:30 via zoom.  Watch for the link.

 

• Dan Cooper is heading up a 12 day inspirational trip to Israel & Greece from May 23 to June 3, 2024.  The fliers will be on the table in the auditorium.  Please see Nadine if you have interest in coming. So far there are several from our congregation who are planning on going, Lord willing.  See attachments at the bottom of this email for details.

 

 

 

Luke 6:38    “Give to others, and God will give to you.  Indeed you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands – all that you can hold.  The measure you use for others is the one God will use for you.”

 

God gives us all that we need.  We cannot outgive God.  God loves it when we give to others, whether it be with our finances, time or talents.  We can be a blessing to others by giving to them with a thankful and generous heart.  Whatever measure we use in giving to others, it will be used in measuring back to us.  What we sow, we shall reap.

 

God knows what motivates us to give, and he knows when we are reluctant to give.  He knows…and reads our minds and hearts. 

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

 

Our giving ought to be voluntary and spring from a cheerful attitude.  It should come from the heart.   Financial giving is but one part of our giving, however,  voluntary and cheerful giving goes far beyond the scope of money.  Serving one another as Jesus demonstrated, is about giving of ourselves and the giving of our hearts.  We need to serve, give or do what we are willing to give happily, without regret or complaint.    The point of the scripture is, giving is a matter of the heart!  

 

Our humanness tends to be critical.  There is an expression that says “never do something for someone if you’re going to complain about it later.”  

 

We learn in Proverbs 22:8 “God blesses a cheerful and giving man.”

Being happy and cheerful when we give is a big part of the process.

 

God not only knows when we give, how much we have decided to give, and our motives for giving, but he blesses those who give generously & from the heart.

 

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9

 

“You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.  For there will never cease to be poor in the land.  Therefore, I command you, “you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:10-11

 

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret, will reward you.”  Matthew 6:1-4

 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ”  Hebrews 12:2

This scripture stating Jesus..who for the joy set before him, endured the cross.   He followed His Father's will with Joy, knowing he would sit at the right hand of the throne of God.  

God loves a cheerful giver.

God gives us His grace daily.

 

God gives us His mercy daily.

 

God gave us Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for all sin.  Jesus who left behind the glorious riches of heaven to come to earth.  He suffered and died willingly, to give us eternal life.

 God’s nature is love beyond measure.  He gave us everything! 

 

“John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life…”

 

 

Give with generous hearts and watch the blessings that return.  Watch our cups overflow…

 

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

 

Acts 20:35  And Jesus said“…it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

KEEP SINGING…

 

IN MY LIFE, LORD, BE GLORIFIED…“Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy.”  Isaiah 66:5

 

In my life, Lord, be glorified,

Be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified, today.

 

In my song, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my song, Lord, be glorified today.

 

In Your church, Lord, be glorified,

Be glorified.

In Your church, Lord, be glorified today.

 

 

HOW BEAUTIFUL

 

How beautiful the hands that served

the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.

How beautiful the feet that walked,

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross.

 

How beautiful, 

How beautiful,

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

 

How beautiful

The radiant bride

Who waits for her groom 

With his light in her eyes.

How Beautiful

When humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives 

So that others may live

 

How beautiful,

How beautiful,

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

 

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news

And the love of the King

 

How beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread 

And the sons of the earth.

 

How beautiful, 

How beautiful,

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

 

And as He laid down His life,

We offer this sacrifice,

That we might live just as He died,

Willing to pay the price,

Willing to pay the price.

 

How Beautiful, 

How Beautiful,

How Beautiful is the body of Christ.

 

 

 

In closing, helping those in need lets us be the mirror that reflects the love of God.   The greatest gift we can give anyone is to help them gain eternal life. 

 

Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

 

In His service,

 

Bruce & Paula