E-Devo April 22,2010

Dear Friends,

Has the city seemed different to you this week? No, I don’t think the city has changed much, but maybe your perspective is becoming different. I hope God is cultivating a deeper passion in you for the welfare of our city. On Sunday, we talked about having a sincere affinity for the people of our community, a love that leads us to share Christ with them. We looked at scripture highlighting God’s care for the city, and I asked you to consider taking 3 steps with me: 1) Grieve for the sins of the city and join in repentance 2) Pray for the city especially for its protection and peace 3) Seek the peace and prosperity of the city in active ways around you.

Our hymnal contains a section titled “Social Holiness,” which is another way of saying we reflect the holiness of God by how we act in relationships with those around us. However, churches rarely sing from this section. I guess our favorites hymns are in other sections like “Prayer, Trust, and Hope.” Consider the last line of a hymn called “All Who Love and Serve Your City;” Let this be our living message…

Risen Lord, shall yet the city be the city of despair? Come today, our Judge, our Glory, be its name, “The Lord is there!”

This is CHILDREN’S SUNDAY and we talk about being a witness for God’s creation. Of course, we can “think globally and act locally” in so many ways…ways we will continue to live out in our Green VBS “Renew.” I’m thrilled that the preschool children will be joining us to help lead worship in celebration of God’s creation. Read below for some ways we need help! See you Sunday!

Peace,

Pastor Amber

Prayer Concerns-

· CRUMC church family grieves with Marilyn Moon and family on the loss of her husband, Rev. Jack Moon on Friday, April 16. Jack was a retired Methodist pastor from Pennsylvannia and the two have lived here for a year with their daughter. Services are being held this week in Pittsburgh.

Children’s Sunday, 4/25-

· We are collecting items for our Earth Day craft. Please let the office know or drop off these items by Friday if you have them available: empty toilet rolls, empty egg cartons (foam only), mini-muffin paper cups.

· We need 2 volunteers to set up and serve snacks to the kids during Children’s Church. They will be making “mud” with chocolate pudding cups, crushed oreos, and gummy worms. Yummy!

Coming Sunday, May 2-

· 8am Men’s Breakfast. All are welcome to attend!

· The Blood Mobile will be here 10:30am-2pm. Please set aside some minutes to “save a life!”