EChurch@Wartburg – 4.23.17

Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=8298&picture=jesus-is-alive-sand-sculptureJesus Is Alive  Sand Sculpture

Here Is Our Order of Worship

 

Blest Are You, Jesus link

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us a little child 
one of us, flesh and blood to share in our humanity
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as carpenter
and yet in whose creative hands a world was fashioned
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as fisherman
and yet pointed to a harvest that was yet to come
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as teacher
and opened eyes to truths that only 
the poor could understand
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as healer
and opened hearts to the reality of wholeness
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as prophet, priest and king 
and yet humbled himself 
to take our place upon the cross
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as servant
and revealed to us the extent of his Father's love 
for human kind
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

Blest are you, Lord Jesus, who rose 
from the ignominy of a sinner's death
to the triumph of a Saviour's resurrection
For God so loved the world
ALL: That all might have eternal life

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
for the sake of me
and you
and other sinners too
God so loved the world
Blest are you Lord Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer
Amen

How Often link

How often when weary 
do we sigh 'The spirit is willing, 
but the body is weak.'
How often when in prayer 
are thoughts distracted by
sounds or circumstance 
or prayers diverted 
by trivial concerns.
Baggage carried with us 
rather than left at your feet.
How often do we find ourselves 
apologising to you 
for our abbreviated prayer life. 
And yet you draw us still 
to be in your presence 
as you did the disciples at Gethsemene 
You want us to share in your life 
to play our part.
You told your disciples to watch and pray 
so that they might not fall into temptation
Do you ask the same of us 
and do we also fail you 
each time we whisper 
'The spirit is willing, 
but the body is weak.'
Grant us the strength, Lord
of body and of spirit 
to offer you the sacrifice 
of our lives
Amen

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 11:15,18 (NASB Bible Gateway)

15 He had written in the letter, saying, “Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”

18 Then Joab sent and reported to David all the events of the war.

The Lord's Prayer (traditional) link

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

(Taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662).

Easter Prayer: Book of Common Prayer link

How blessed is this day, when earth and heaven are joined and humankind is reconciled to God!
May the light of Jesus shine continually to drive away all darkness.
May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find his light ever burning in o
ur hearts
-he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 

Amen.

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 4.23.17 — 26 Comments

  1. Thanks, TWW, Emmanuel Enid, and Pastor Wade.

    Full disclosure: I always
    1-listen to the music selections first,
    2-then pray the prayers, and
    3-finally listen to the message, with the habit of rewinding at certain thought-provoking points.

    Afterglow: my favorite music selections are added to my playlist.

  2. Prayer requests from several Sundays ago that are still pertinent:

    *David/Eagle’s sweet mom died in California. Please pray for him and his family.
    They are heartbroken. She was a nurse. Her obituary: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Romona-Bonner&lc=7024&pid=184959996&mid=7357952

    **Niteowl. Mother died last month. Also Niteowl has been in ill health and recently got out of the hospital.

    *Dee. Her health and pain level.

    *Sightseer. Return of her husband’s cancer. Sightseer and her family have been in ill health due to a virus.

    *Wayne/Uncle Dad. His wife’s cancer returned. Please pray for their family.

    *Harley. Recovering from shoulder surgery in Texas and pain. (Also pray for her upcoming trip to see her daughter and son-in-law. And her celebrations of her birthday and anniversary.)

    *Shauna and her son Billy in Texas. – Dee previously wrote about their story on TWW.
    Billy continues to suffer night terrors from being abused by a church member. Shauna had an abusive part-time job at a grocery store. She is looking for other work. Please pray for them, their well-being, finances, etc.

    Billy is 6′ tall and growing fast. He is in high school. For those able to afford to buy and send him clothing that would be great. Sizes are here: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2017/04/08/echurchwartburg-4-9-17/#comment-319669

    I sent him a care package of some items that will be arriving on Monday in Texas, according to the U.S. Post Office. (I live in California).

    *He still needs jeans (Jeans / pants: 30/32 he also fits 30/34);
    *Sweat pants / work out pants:
    * Medium and large; Gym Shorts: Medium – Large
    *He likes Nike – keep in mind we are not requesting any name brands just letting you know what he wears. Shauna: “I always find killer deals at Ross on those clearance racks are the best. Shoes: Size 11”

    Shauna says that Billy will be pleased with anything, just like last time that a Wartburger sent him clothing to start the new school year.

    Please email Deb here on TWW for Shauna and Billy’s mailing address if you are sending them a care package.

    deb@thewartburgwatch.com

    *Dennis. His brother Mike is lost in drug addiction.

    *Talmidah. Her health. And the health and financial needs of her family.

    *H.U.G. – his health.

    *Other regulars that we pray for here, as Talmidah reminded me last week:
    Daisy, OnlyEleven, numo, NMGirl.

    *Christiane – the recent death of her beloved sister-in-law. Please continue to pray for their family.

    Ishy – I will be praying for all these requests.
    I’ve been sick almost continuously since last June or so (when I had surgery + a load of antibiotics). I don’t have a very strong immune system to begin with, but I’ve been on antibiotics multiple times the past year, and it’s really torn up. I’ve had a cold for several weeks now that’s my third this year. I’m just tired of it.

    *Syria. Very sad situation.

    *Lydia – we were praying for her because we missed her comments here. She is back commenting.

    *Jeannette Altes. – That she is able to sort out her financial situation and obtain services in her community. And employment. (Note: TWW has instituted a new policy and GoFundM campaigns will only run for 2-months and are only for emergency situations.
    Dee and Deb are putting me (Velour) in charge of that page on the new website.)

    *If I have missed anyone’s prayer needs, please post them here.

    *Velour – my right shoulder and an injury to it that is several years old. I can barely raise my arm and I have to go back to the Sports Medicine doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
    ————
    For anyone else who needs prayer, please post them here and we will pray.
    Thank you, friends.

    Praises — please share with us!

    Praise: *The recovery of the kidnapped teenage girl from TN., found in my state of California by a sharp young man who noticed the Megan’s List wanted poster. (I was down on my knees praying for this teenage girl and pleading with God for her recovery.)

    *My – Velour’s – shoulder is doing better. Please continue to pray for my right shoulder/frozen shoulder. Like Harley I got a pulley system for over my door to practice my shoulder exercises.

  3. “Blest are you, Lord Jesus who came to us as prophet, priest and king ”

    The only prophet, priest, and/or king we need.

  4. @ Velour:
    Will pray for all these intentions this week. Thank you, Velour, for taking the time and trouble to give us this list. God Bless you, sweet child.

  5. @ JYJames:
    @ Velour:
    And, Velour, once your prayer list updates are posted, I pray the list.

    Thanks, Velour, for taking this on: Velour wrote:

    Dee and Deb are putting me (Velour) in charge of that page on the new website.

    Praise: About 10 days ago a financial need popped up without warning, with serious ramifications. An attorney from church and a banker gave recommendations. Then, by the grace of God, the exact sum for work we had accomplished came in and we paid up. Now, we’ll live tight for a few months, (had plans for that income that is now gone, but we will lie low). Thank God for the simple life.

  6. Christiane wrote:

    @ Velour:
    Will pray for all these intentions this week. Thank you, Velour, for taking the time and trouble to give us this list. God Bless you, sweet child.

    Thank you, Christiane, for praying for everyone’s needs!

    Thank you for your kind words to me!

  7. JYJames wrote:

    @ JYJames:
    @ Velour:
    And, Velour, once your prayer list updates are posted, I pray the list.
    Thanks, Velour, for taking this on: Velour wrote:
    Dee and Deb are putting me (Velour) in charge of that page on the new website.
    Praise: About 10 days ago a financial need popped up without warning, with serious ramifications. An attorney from church and a banker gave recommendations. Then, by the grace of God, the exact sum for work we had accomplished came in and we paid up. Now, we’ll live tight for a few months, (had plans for that income that is now gone, but we will lie low). Thank God for the simple life.

    Thank you JY James for praying the prayer list for folks!

    And that is awesome about your praise, a financial need met to cover a financial obligation.

  8. From the Open discussion thread:
    As most of you know, I have been in danger of losing my house for the last year (haven’t made payments since September). I love my house and I want to save it, BUT am i willing to rent a room to a stranger to have enough income to resume making at least some payments? That has turned out to be a much harder question than I would have thought.

    I’m asking a few things of the commentariat:

    How miserable would I be to downside to a one bedroom apartment in a crappy part of town and do nothing but work to keep a roof over our head (me + kitties + big dog)?

    I’ve lived alone for 40 years with only 6 unhappy weeks with my mother back in 2012. That went so well I haven’t spoken to her voluntarily since.

    How do I find the right renter? What questions do I ask and what red flags do I look for? The disaster I have made of the last 7 years does not make me real confident in my decision making.

  9. Velour, thanks for all the updates and the prayers. I don’t know how next months bills get paid. so working long hours driving for Uber as my Walgreens hours get cut.

  10. Thanks to all for your prayers. Shoulder surgery is not for wimps by any means. We are taking a much needed trip soon to see my daughter and husband. My sister and I are dealing with an issue in our immediate family. It’s difficult. I can’t explain it, but many of you have gone or are going thru similar situations with elderly parents. I think both my sister and I need a vacation. I pray she gets one soon. In the meantime other family members and friends are supporting us in prayer. Whoever said that old age was the golden years didn’t know what they were talking about.

  11. Velour thank you for posting prayer requests. Billy has been sleeping better these past few days since I stopped working at that store, maybe there was something to that. I’m home nights now and tomorrow im going back into the staffing agency. I may be able to get regular work right away either until I find something solid or I can get placed with this agency, who knows anything is possible. I’m excited please pray for me to get something fast as far as side work I need to cover some expenses (a little stressful but trying not to sweat it) this week. God is good and I’m thinking maybe this happened with my work to reveal what type of management runs that place and it was only meant to be temporary. The two guys I clean for beginning this summer will be out every weekend which will garner us a minimum of 700 a month just from them. These guys are a blessing to me and Billy. I put my services on an app to connect with neighbors and got a cleaning job for next month. It won’t be all the time since the couple live out of the country but it’s work. I also posted caring for horses and got a msg from a nice couple who will call me when they need their horses cared for if they go out of town. These are not immediate but that’s ok I’m networking. Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers. Billy also will be going to Northern California to serve at Lassen Pines Christian Camp. It’s a phenomenal place the director and other families took me in as a child and raised me. They will be a blessing to Billy. Billy was asked to life guard which the camp will cover the cost of him doing first aid and cpr. Billy will be able to take an educational leave from work so he can have his job when he returns. Billy is excited to go and he’s giving up making money this summer to serve others. We are praying about his plane tickets to get there and back. Anyways these are prayer requests for when you all are thinking of us.

  12. @ nmgirl:

    Good to hear from you NMGirl and your update.

    I guess my first piece of advice would be to change how you talk about yourself and your situation. I would encourage you to stop using the term “crappy neighborhoods”. Maybe you’ll land there, maybe you won’t. But let’s say you land there and it’s a roof over your head and space for your pets. That’s a blessing. You may even meet wonderful neighbors you would not have met any other way.

    Secondly, try not to beat yourself up. I know it’s hard for all of us. But what’s done is done in the last seven years of your life.

    Here’s some information on looking for roommates: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rent/2015/03/24/how-to-find-a-roommate-in-a-brand-new-city/#29b1810d71f9

    There’s always the supportive help of Debtors Anonymous, which deals with under earning
    and debt issues. http://debtorsanonymous.org/getting_started/index.php/find/phone_meeting?_ga=GA1.2.357200578.1490516406&PHPSESSID=cc1cc9652e42fdd55f0712203ba53231

    I will be praying for you too.

    Feel free to ask us all for more help and advice.

  13. @ Shauna:

    Welcome, Shauna.

    Glad Billy is sleeping better.

    I tracked the boxes. They have left Houston, TX today and are on the way to Montgomery, TX.
    The should be delivered to you and Billy tomorrow. Some things for him; some things for you.

  14. nmgirl wrote:

    Velour, thanks for all the updates and the prayers. I don’t know how next months bills get paid. so working long hours driving for Uber as my Walgreens hours get cut.

    Welcome!

    I have another response to your other comment, but it has some links and is waiting ‘to clear customs’ here.

  15. Harley wrote:

    Thanks to all for your prayers. Shoulder surgery is not for wimps by any means. We are taking a much needed trip soon to see my daughter and husband. My sister and I are dealing with an issue in our immediate family. It’s difficult. I can’t explain it, but many of you have gone or are going thru similar situations with elderly parents. I think both my sister and I need a vacation. I pray she gets one soon. In the meantime other family members and friends are supporting us in prayer. Whoever said that old age was the golden years didn’t know what they were talking about.

    I am glad you are on the mend, Harley.

    Praying for your vacation.

    And for your family and your sister. Your sister needs some much needed respite from elder care.

  16. Shauna wrote:

    Billy is excited to go and he’s giving up making money this summer to serve others. We are praying about his plane tickets to get there and back. Anyways these are prayer requests for when you all are thinking of us.

    Does anyone have any ideas for Shauna and Billy about how to buy him a round-trip plane ticket from Houston, TX to Sacramento, CA?

    Does anyone have any frequent flier miles that they could donate so that Billy can attend this Christian camp in Northern California?

    Shauna: What will Billy’s dates of travel be?

  17. We are not sure on the date just yet but Billy gets out of school the first week of June. We are making sure he doesn’t have to do summer school. His grades dropped a bit due to lack of sleep and missing school as a result of his night terrors. If he doesn’t have to do summer school then he can leave Texas by the second week of June Velour wrote:

    Shauna wrote:

    Billy is excited to go and he’s giving up making money this summer to serve others. We are praying about his plane tickets to get there and back. Anyways these are prayer requests for when you all are thinking of us.

    Does anyone have any ideas for Shauna and Billy about how to buy him a round-trip plane ticket from Houston, TX to Sacramento, CA?

    Does anyone have any frequent flier miles that they could donate so that Billy can attend this Christian camp in Northern California?

    Shauna: What will Billy’s dates of travel be?

  18. This is the first time I have seen the website wow it’s amazing. http://www.lassenpines.org

    The man who started it he and his wife took me in when I had nowhere to go. I was 12 years old at the time. The families that served and knew him took turns having me live in their homes. They never asked my parents for support after they abandoned me. They are incredibly loving people who have a total heart for the ministry of kids, seeing them come to Christ. If there is any ministry to pray for or even consider giving to or serving in this is worth every cent and time given. This is home to me. I grew up not living in a controlling environment but a loving God centered place. Anyways I saw the website and have spoke to the director recently, I felt compelled to share them with all of you? This Christian community here reminds me of these people who give without any thought to themselves and whose lives reflect Jesus in my eyes.

  19. nmgirl wrote:

    BUT am i willing to rent a room to a stranger to have enough income to resume making at least some payments? That has turned out to be a much harder question than I would have thought.

    I have been praying about your situation and thinking about it. Isn’t your debt to the I.R.S. and they have a lien on your home? Would they be willing to accept some income? Did you run it by them first?

    Whomever you owe money to, you need to run your theory by them first to see if they will accept payments. If they won’t, then you have your answer.

    Also, if they are going to foreclose on your home, it might make you tense to stay there with someone else renting, and put that person in a difficult position too. I think it would be best not to do that.

  20. @ Shauna:

    Yes, it’s a nice camp. I checked it out yesterday.

    I am so glad that you have had such supportive, kind, good Christians there in your life, Shauna. And I’m glad that Billy will have the opportunity to spend time with them this summer.