January 5, 2016 -- Issue #1

In today's newsletter:

1) One Minute Each Night

2) The Invisible Christ - Did You See Him?

3) Cups and Kisses Idea

4) Resolve to Run Faithfully

Super Heroes Bible Lesson Plans

Employment Opportunity

Part-time Children's Ministry Director position @ Church in the Gardens. Must be available to work at the church Sunday mornings, Wednesday for staff meeting (1:00-3:30 p.m.), and Wednesday evenings during the adult classes. Pays $1,000 per month. The individual for this position should probably live in the W.P.B./Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter Florida area. Contact: jeremyv@citg.org or call 561-622-4310.

1) One Minute Each Night

The following important message was sent to me, and now I'm passing it on to you. Please send it to anyone else who may want to join us. 

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><

P.S. I'm setting my phone alert to remind me!

"During WWII, there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central,7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop what you are doing and pray for America and for the revival of Christ's church in this great country. 

Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have."

                  Bible Lesson Plans

2) The Invisible Christ -- Did You See Him?

Did you see the invisible Christ on New Year's Eve? The entire world celebrated him, and yet I would venture to say that millions were unaware of his presence. But Jesus showed himself across the world, on international news no less! From Australia to China, from Iraq to Europe, and into the Americas he was celebrated!

Read on--do you have eyes to see Jesus?

3) Cups and Kisses Idea  

LOVED your post on the Kissing Cups! What a marvelous friend you have in that sweet lady! My plan is to share it in a shut-in ministry – filling [the empty Keurig cups] with Hershey “HUGS” (shaped just like the kisses but white chocolate with chocolate stripes) and tuck in a Scripture promise from GOD. SWEET! THANKS so much to your friend and to you for sharing that!

My sister, Carol, had a great idea too. She doesn’t have a Keurig, so no supply of cups. She reminded me of the red “mini” solo cups. I actually have some that are hard plastic. They are a bit larger than the K-Kups. She was concerned on how to make a top for them, but that’s easy if you cut them from paper like your friend did. Also – I think there are circle labels you can purchase that might fit that top – then the adhesive would already be there. These cups are a bit taller, so other small items could be added.

I will be having a Volunteer Appreciation gathering in February. I think I will fix some Kissing Kups for them – maybe figure out a game to play with them. I have time to think about that. I’ll let you know if anything develops!

Carol also said this reminded her of the “sunshine baskets” we used to make for people in the hospital or at home recovering. Did you ever make or receive one of those? We individually wrapped small items like candy bars, mints, note cards, votive candles, etc. and placed them in a basket with a little poem or instructions to open 1 a day – or to open one when you were feeling down.

Emmalea Butler

Sermon on the Mount
Bible Lesson Plans
 

4) Resolve to Run Faithfully

It’s no accident that God compares our Christian walk to running a race. Faith must be exercised. We cannot be expected to endure life’s hardships well without the proper spiritual training. As we begin the New Year, countless people will resolve, once again, to eat more healthfully, exercise more, and lose weight. Many Christians will rededicate themselves to having daily Bible devotions, praying more faithfully, and determine to be a better friend, sibling, child, spouse, and neighbor to others. 

In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the seed that fell on good soil is likely the part of the parable with which Christians identify. But are we not sometimes like the seed that fell on rocky ground? We hear the Word and receive it with joy, but when trouble comes we react with anger towards God. We blame him for it, become depressed or lash out at others, and fall away - maybe not from our faith entirely, but a root of despair or anger takes hold, and  we may doubt God’s love, or alienate ourselves from others. 

The Apostle Paul said, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a . . . 

Continue reading this New Year's devotional.

Teach the Parable of the Sower to Kids.

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