worship preview for Saturday and Sunday

In his Press Conference last night, President Obama acknowledged that many people remain skeptical of his national health plan.  His hope last night was to speak to the nation in a way that addressed the concerns, answered some questions, and reduced some of the skepticism swirling around his proposal.    This Sunday we will meet someone who was skeptical of an even larger plan.  The skeptic wasn't an insurer, a health care provider, or a patient, but a prophet.  In 1 Kings 19, this prophet, named Elijah, expresses skepticism over the viability of what might be called "God's national faith plan."  This plan was put in place on Mt. Sinai in the book of Exodus when God promised Israel He would be their God and they pledged to be His people.  The law was then given to Moses and the people promised to honor and worship God.  300 years later, Elijah looks around and sees only evidence that this plan has failed.   In our worship, we will again put ourselves in Elijah's shoes to explore the similarities between what he experienced then and what so many people are experiencing today.  In his disillusionment, fatigue, and hopelessness, Elijah embodies the struggle that many of us find ourselves in.  Reflecting on what Elijah was feeling and how God responded can give us insight, strength, and hope for our own struggles.   Please read I Kings 19:9-8 and ask yourself:  why do you think God asked Elijah the question he did?  what does Elijah's answer tell us about Elijah?  why does God respond the way he does with the wind, earthquake, and fire?  what is the significance of God speaking in the still whisper?  Can you think of times when you sensed God speaking to you in a similar way?  Why is hearing God in this way so difficult?    Please also be in prayer for our gatherings both on Saturday at 5:30 pm and Sunday morning at 10 am.   In Christ,   Bryan

worship preview

One day I was walking across the church parking lot and noticed a hole the size of a silver dollar.  When I looked down into the hole, I saw that there was several feet of empty space beneath the top layer of ashphalt.  I immediately contacted Keith Mc Bain, our property elder, who erected a makeshift barrier around the damaged area.  Apparently some of the ground around the storm drain located in our lot has disappeared, causing the problem.  The barrier, of course, is to make sure that no cars put pressure on the site until it gets fixed.  The last thing we would want is for the ashphalt to give way and crumble as someone drives over it.  Hopefully within the next few days, workers will be able to fix the problem.   Ashphalt, of course, isn't the only reality that can crumble under pressure.  We humans can do that as well.  We might appear fine on the outside and yet, when pressure is applied, we can collapse internally into fear, anxiety, anger, and resentment.   A case in point is the prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 19:1-8, we read of Elijah's collapse.  The pressure being put on him isn't a physical weight, but an emotional one applied by Jezebel, the queen of Israel.  In a fit of rage, Jezebel has sworn to kill Elijah and he responds by running away and asking God to end his life.   This Sunday we will ponder Elijah's predicament because all of us are under great pressure today.  And how we handle that pressure is crucially important.  My hope is that Elijah's example can show us how we might emerge from these stressful times blessed and restored by the grace of God.    To prepare for Sunday please read the Scripture in 1 Kings as well as Matthew 11:28-30.  The texts are included below.  As you read these passages, you might reflect on these questions:  what are the sources of stress in my life today?  what impact are these stresses having on me physically, spiritually, and emotionally?  what does Elijah's example have to teach me?  what would responding to Jesus' offer look like?   Please pray for our gathering that God might encounter us in His love and grace.    --Bryan   1 Kings 19: 1-8   1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."  3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.       All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.  7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank.   Matthew 11:28-30   28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Amazing amazing amazing! Once again God showed up big time for our mission team. We finished up our final day of work today and I am so proud of our team. They truly allowed God to work thru them and never stopped. I have come to expect nothing less but it makes my heart soar when I see it.

Tonight we celebrated with a community BBQ. We invited the kids from kid club, parents, area residents... There were possibly 200 people joining us for a night of eating and music. What an awesome ending to a great week. The topper was our closing worship time. The youth work staff washed the group leaders feet and we in turn washed our kids' feet. It was a deeply emotional time as we all understood more deeply the grace and servanthood Jesus showed the disciples when He washed their feet. Upon finishing, we washed the feet of the staff and prayed with them. It was a wonderful way to end our week in philly.

We will sleep here tonight then head to a rafting trip and dinner with Dave and Kristal Smith and their kids tomorrow. We are all looking forward to the fun tomorrow and though we are physically leaving philly- this community will remain etched in our hearts.

God is awesome! Pray for safe rafting and travel.

Dan

Wow! What a day. We started different work sites today and were able to experience some much different mission situations. Bryan and TC's group which were previously with a group of young kids in the park, went to a salvation army church and fed an elderly group and a homeless group and then had a chance to visit with them and even play bingo with them! Courtney's group continued their ministry at a homeless shelter for families with children. I took my group to a new location- a salvation army day camp for children in need. We had the difficult task of accompanying them to a state park with a huge outdoor pool! We split up and helped supervise the groups while swimming! The kids loved having us play and spend time with them and tomorrow we will be with them again. We are all tired but continue to serve to the best of our abilities. Tonight we attended a wonderful worship service at a baptist church downtown. It was fun and an energizing evening! More tomorrow!

Dan

Tuesday: Cheesesteaks and Philly History

Hi Geneva Family:

Today was day 2 at the worksites we all were doing the same type of work as Monday. Tomorrow we are switching work sites (most of us).

Tonight we took the L downtown and had a scavenger hunt for historical Philidelphia information. What a great city chock full of our nations beginning events. As Courtney pointed out, "Dan, just picture inside that very building- that's where they signed the Declaration of Independence." It was a fun night and it was a great reminder of what our founding fathers did. Tomorrow we will be attending worship at a Baptist church and we look forward to praising God together. Please continue prayers for diligence, patience with difficult surroundings, and God's blessing in all we do.

In Christ,

Senior High Mission Team