Good News - Week of 9/4/2016

PRAYER OF THE WEEK
​Jesus, let me do more unbinding than binding. Become greater in my life so that I will be an encourager for others.  Amen.
(adapted from BWC Adventure Guide, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012)

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
A Prayer for the Anniversary of 9/11
by the Rev. Jeremy Pridgeon

O God, our hope and refuge,
in our distress we come quickly to you.
Shock and horror of that tragic day have subsided,
replaced now with an emptiness,
a longing for an innocence lost.

We come remembering those who lost their lives
in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.

We are mindful of the sacrifice of public servants
who demonstrated the greatest love of all
by laying down their lives for friends.
We commit their souls to your eternal care
and celebrate their gifts to a fallen humanity.

We come remembering
and we come in hope,
not in ourselves, but in you.

As foundations we once thought secure have been shaken,
we are reminded of the illusion of security.

In commemorating this tragedy,
we give you thanks for your presence
in our time of need
and we seek to worship you in Spirit and in truth,
our guide and our guardian. Amen.

from Discipleship Ministries

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A lost sheep, found behind rosemary plants. Catalonia. Public Domain.

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 - The coming conquest of Judah by Babylon will be like powerful hot wind that destroys everything in its path.


Psalm 14 -  This psalm was not addressing atheism, which would have been anon sequitur in the ancient world, but rather anti-Yahwism. The first line can be more accurately translated "Fools say in their hearts, 'There is nothing to [your] God.'"  Or even, “Your God is nothing!” It is an example of “trash talk” by an invading army. 


1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by identifying himself — and all followers of Jesus — as recipients of incredible mercy to show that God in Christ is out to save sinners.


Luke 15:1-10 - Lost sheep, lost coins, and celebration over one sinner who repents — Jesus' stories in response to criticism that he receives "sinners" and shares meals with them.
(From Discipleship Ministry)

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Sunday School

SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS AGAIN
Our Sunday School is starting again, beginning Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 9:15 AM. Come, share and learn more about the bible.

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Thanksgiving dinner

TURKEYS FOR THE HOLIDAY BASKETS
Help Beechfield UMC reach the goal of $400 to purchase 40 turkeys at $10 each for our Holiday Baskets to Feed the Hungry. Make checks payable to Beechfield UMC (put turkey on the memo line) or place cash in the pew envelope (write your name, amount and ‘turkey’ on the envelope).
Thanks in advance for your willingness to give!

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