EChurch@Wartburg – 12.1.13

Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oasis-Bilma.jpgOasis – Bilma, Kaouar-Tal in Niger

If you are new to EChurch, please click on this link for an explanation


 

A Prayer of Thankfulness & Gratitude by Christine Sine link
God eternal, righteous and glorious One,
We give you thanks
For breath that fills me with your life,
For love that softens my heart,
For beauty revealed at every turn.
Christ redeemer, faithful and forgiving One,
We give you thanks
For renewal, transforming our lives,
For peace calming the chaos of our souls,
For hope restoring our faith.
Spirit sustainer, abiding and compassionate One,
We give you thanks
For caring when our hearts are aching,
For friends supportive in times of need,
For generosity lavish and overflowing.
Eternal One, Redeeming One, Sustaining One,
We give you thanks
For You.
Amen


A Prayer for Today-Faith and Worship  link

You are the God 
who calls us to be
a chosen people,
a living sacrifice,
a holy nation.
You are the God
who calls us to be
a light in this world,
a faithful people,
a people of praise.
You are the God
who forgives
and restores us,
the God we serve

To whom can we turn
when we stumble from the path,
and this world challenges
all that we hold dear?
To whom can we turn
when the walls that we have built
begin tumbling down
leaving us helpless?
In you, O Lord
will we take refuge,
our strong fortress,
the rock upon which we stand,
our faithful God.
Amen

Scripture Reading:  John 7:37-39 (NASB Bible Gateway)

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The guest speaker is Ben Sustar, International Missions Board (IMB) Missionary to Niger, West Africa


A Celtic Advent Prayer link

Taken from: A Celtic Advent Celebration
“Advent 2 – Light & Darkness Liturgy”

In the lonely places
The wilderness
Where we stand forlorn
Windswept and alone
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord

In the dark places
The shadows
Where we hide our fears
Embrace our tears
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord

For the desert places in which we walk
The streets we roam
The paths we cross
Guide our feet
Take us to places
Where you would go
Give us words that you would use
That in this Advent season
Of promise and preparation
We might point the way with John the Baptist
To the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

O come, Thou Day-spring, from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come again and with us ever dwell
Amen


A Prayer of Richard of Chichester (1200s) link 
Day by day, dear Lord, of you three things I pray:
to see you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 12.1.13 — 8 Comments

  1. I am so glad you have posted this. Ben Sustar’s talk was amazing. If one has not heard the story of Yacouba’s conversion, it too is amazing. Whoever says the gifts have stopped today just needs to hear Yacouba’s story and look into how God is using him in Niger today.

  2. Where can I find the story of Yacouba’s conversion? I’d like to hear or read of it.

    Thank you, Ben, for the reminder that the living water that fills each of us is meant to overflow onto others. Thank you and your wife for your missionary service.

    Thank you, Deb, for EChurch. The hymn “Above All” was especially beautiful. I was reminded of a time when I was watching a video of beautiful underwater dives. The multicolor fish were so wonderful and I asked the Lord why He bothered to make them in such a hidden place where very few people could enjoy their beauty. I heard Him say, “for my pleasure.” I wish everyone could know a God who is tender and loving enough to create beauty for His pleasure. If He cares that much for aquatic life, how much more human.

    At my age, sometimes memories fail. But thanks to EChurch, I am reminded of many fond lessons God imparted to me over the years. Just one reason I appreciate this ministry.

  3. Victorious: It may be in an archive sermon on Emmanuel Baptist Website, I will see if I can locate it for you. I heard it years ago before Yacouba went back to Niger. It also could be in a past post on Wade’s blog. It would be great if we could find it. I would tell it to you as I have never forgotten it, but it is amazing how God works sometimes.

  4. Debbie Kaufman wrote:

    It also could be in a past post on Wade’s blog

    Debbie, the search feature on Wade’s blog isn’t working right now, but he’s aware of it. I can do a google search and might come up with it; I just thought you might know off hand. I didn’t want to impose on you. 🙂

  5. Yes Victoria, in the comment section. This is just one of many stories. And it is never an imposition for me to look for something. I willingly do it. 🙂