We have a Living Hope

Good morning everyone,

GIVING THANKS:

* Irene Aschen's surgery went well. She remains very grateful for the prayers of the church.

* Linda Cerminara's cataract surgery went well and it will be a few days before she gets back to normal. Linda will also have foot surgery next week. Our prayers continue for Linda as she goes through so many health challenges.

* Kenneth Pimpton's sister Ruby Scott had surgery on Thursday and all went well. She is thankfully home and recuperating.

* Praise God our grand-daughter finally slept through the night after 16 months. Thanks for all who prayed for Jody.

* Thanks be to God, we had 81 people worshipping with us last Sunday!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

* Karen Ohrenberger has asked for prayers since she will be having a craniotomy to remove a benign brain tumor on Friday September 29th. Please pray for a successful surgery and recovery ,with no physical deficits as a result, and for no infections. Our prayers are with both Karen and Kevin as well. Karen also deals with CIDP which is a Neurological disorder that involves progressive weakness and reduced senses in her arms and legs.

* Nadine is having a PET/CT on the 21st since she has been dealing with fatigue and migraines.

* Prayers for Yeremi who left on Tuesday to begin his Army Military service.

* Ron & Lisa have asked for prayers for Bill Heckler who are close friends and have worshipped here at Trumbull in the past. Bill was diagnosed with a Mass near his heart.

* Margaret has asked for prayers for her co-worker's daughter Kaitlyn who is young and diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast cancer.

* Prayers for our world with the Catastrophic events that are happening… flooding in Libya. Six thousand people perished with 10,000 people missing and entire villages have been washed into the sea; The earthquake in Morocco killing 3,000 people and many un-accounted for. Prayers for all of the survivors, rescuers, and for us all to recognize the brevity of this life.

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build one another up just as in fact you are doing.”

* It has been our tradition over many years to assemble care packages for our college students. There is a list of items that can be contributed on the back table in the auditorium. Thanks to all for your donations and encouraging them! For those who would like to write notes of encouragement and including scriptures, etc. please get them to the building by Sunday October 7th.

COMING UP:

* POT LUCK Sunday tomorrow – September 17th right after worship. Please join us in the fellowship hall for food & Fellowship.

* Tuesday Morning Ladies bible study begins this coming week on September 19th at 9:30 a.m. Watch for the zoom link. See Mary Lou or Lisa to get a book for the study of the book of James.

* The next Saturday Ladies Bible study will be on Saturday October 14th at 10:00 a.m. at JoAnne Discala's home at 175 Hilltop Circle, Trumbull, CT. JoAnne will be leading the lesson on our study of the book of Exodus – Courage over Fear. We will also assemble the students care packages that morning.

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER

* LADIES NIGHT OUT – Friday November 10th at 6:00 p.m.. Old Towne Restaurant in Trumbull. See Lisa Saracino for details.

In the wake of our Country's 22nd anniversary of the attack on our nation back on September 11th, the programming that has aired this past week, is sobering. The interviews of the survivors, the first responders, the people who were there at that place and time, is heart-wrenching. The extraordinary footage captured by news networks, eyewitnesses and people on the scene is grievous. The life & death decisions which were made that day, are moments we all hope to never endure.

For the Christian, we cling to a Living Hope, a hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A hope that brings us to the Joy of the Lord, and finds the peace that passes understanding.

Peter described Christian hope as a “Living hope”. Living Hope is hope that has power and produces changes in life, and within us.

Baptism is a new birth into this living hope! Jesus bore it all…for us. The hope of heaven is for all, but we need to be in Christ to be part of this blessing.

Our hope in Jesus Christ lifts us to a higher plane and eternal glory. This Living Hope connects with JOY which also connects with PEACE.

Peace and JOY go hand in hand…

Romans 14:17-20

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,

but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,

because anyone who serves Christ in this way

is pleasing to God and receives human approval.”

JOY is really rooted in who God is. He defines our JOY. This JOY is not fleeting or based on our circumstances, or on our worldly possessions, achievements or even loved ones in our lives. These can be blessings that make us happy however, scripture teaches that the source of all JOY is Jesus Christ.

God’s plan from the beginning, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, is rock solid, allowing us to navigate difficult situations without happiness while sustaining our joy.

Psalm 43:4 “Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.“

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.“

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. As, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.“

Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The by-product of Hope and JOY, is Peace.

Peace within our souls no matter what we are going through.

Peace within our souls no matter what the world is going through.

He is our Peace!

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world“.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.“

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

This quote is from one of the 9/11 survivors, Stanley Praimnath –

“I still have the shoes I wore to work that day. The soles are melted and they're caked in ash. I keep them in a shoebox with the word “deliverance” written all around it. They're kind of like my ark, a reminder of God's presence and the life I owe to Him.”

Appreciate LIFE….WE GET TO SING ABOUT OUR LIVING HOPE, OUR JOY, AND OUR PEACE:

MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS

My Hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness fails His lovely face

I rest on His unchanging Grace

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His Righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

The JOY of the LORD is my Strength

“Nehemiah 8:10

The JOY of the Lord,

Will be my strength,

I will not falter,

I will not faint,

He is my Shepherd

I am not afraid,