The Psalms are right in the middle of your Bible. You could think of the Psalms as the hymnbook of sacred scripture. But, is that all you know?
Tag Archives: scripture
The Upper Room
Get your copy or The Upper Room at Pender UMC each month in regular or large print versions.
The Upper Room magazine’s mission is to provide a model of practical Christianity, accessible in varied formats, to help people feel invited and welcomed into God’s presence to:
- listen to scripture as God’s personal message, linking their stories to God’s story;
- commune with God in prayer;
- see their daily choices and small acts of obedience as part of God’s work;
- realize our connection through Christ as a universal family of believers;
- encounter the living Christ and be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
From Chuck Knows Church. The Upper Room. It’s the place where Jesus had his last meal with his disciples, but it’s also the world’s most widely read daily devotional guide. Chuck explains the significance of this “little book”.
Wonderful Words of Life
I’m acquiring the title of an old hymn for this next post.
After I was finished with the long diagnostic process [of Cushing’s Disease], surgery October 2, 1987 and several post-op visits to NIH, I was asked to give the scripture reading at my church. The man who did the sermon that week was the survivor of a horrific accident where he and his family were hit by a van while waiting at an airport.
i thought I had written down the verse carefully. I practiced and practiced, I don’t like speaking in front of a crowd but I said I would. When I got to church, the verse was different. Maybe I wrote it down wrong, maybe someone changed it. Whatever.
This verse has come to have so much meaning in my life. When I saw at a book called A Musician’s Book of Psalms each day had a different psalm. On my birthday, there was “my” psalm so I had to buy this book!
Psalm 116 (New International Version)
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, save me!”
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
11 And in my dismay I said,
“All men are liars.”
12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
I carry a print out of this everywhere I go because I find it very soothing. “when I was in great need, he saved me.” This print out is in a plastic page saver. On the other side there is an article I found after my kidney cancer. I first read this in Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul and is posted several places online.
The Best Day Of My Life by Gregory M Lousignont
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate!
Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.
I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God’s seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.
Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I’ll make someone smile. I’ll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don’t even know.
Today, I’ll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I’ll tell a child how special he is, and I’ll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.
Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don’t have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me.
I’ll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.
And tonight, before I go to bed, I’ll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.
As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!
When I’m feeling down, depressed or low, reading my 2 special pages can help me more than anything else.
~This is adapted from a post on another of my blogs at Cushings & Cancer
Sunday October 20, 2019 at Pender UMC
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am services on October 20, Carol-Anne Kaye will preach on “Unity: What is My Part?” based on scriptures Ephesians 4:2-6, 11-13 and John 17:20-23.
Our Lord calls us to unity in the gospel of St. John. Paul calls us to unity in the epistle to the Ephesians. What does that look like to each of us? What does that look like for Pender Church? We will explore the meaning and implementation of unity in our lives as Christians.
We hope to see you in church on Sunday.
See you on Sunday!
Carol-Anne Kaye
Also this week.
Welcome to Pender!
What can I expect on a Sunday?
Who are we?
What if I haven’t been to church much?
Getting to know people at Pender?
What can I expect on a Sunday?
- Three Worship Styles – Learn more about each Worship Time here
- Traditional-Blended Worship @ 8:15 and 11:00 am
- Modern-Contemporary Worship @ 9:30 am
- Sing ‘n Celebrate @ 7 pm monthly
- Real People
- Lots of Children. Children are welcome during the services or our nursery is located downstairs. We provide infants and toddlers (newborns through age 4) with a safe and caring Christian environment
- An Opportunity to Connect with Others
- Time to Reflect Upon Jesus in our Lives
- Outstanding and Varied Music
- A Sense of Having Done Something Important with your Day
We are an “Access for All” church, meaning it is important to us for people with wheelchairs or other challenges to have easy access to doorways, hallways, bathrooms, ramps and elevator, seating (places for wheelchairs), and kid friendly (coloring books, booster steps for toddlers, high chairs).
Hearing aid and large-print hymnals are available during the service. (See one of our ushers.)
Who are we?
Our hearts cry out for more of God. Pender is a “big place” with a “huge heart.” We care about being a community.
In Fairfax, we know it’s possible for us to live a totally anonymous, distant-from-one-another life. At Pender, we desire a different kind of community and life together. We believe Jesus has called us to be a very special community who cares about the world. It’s the essence of what “makes us tick.”
Our mission statement says it this way, we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ. For us, that takes a very special passion for real community.
What if I haven’t been to church much?
Pender is a warm and inviting place. We actually want to meet you!
Many of our folks started coming to church more recently as adults rather than as children. Some of our people have come all of their life. Some seem to know a lot about the Bible and faith. Others are just beginning that interesting journey.
Getting to Know People at Pender!
We would love to help you “get plugged in” and feel like you know other people. The best way is to jump into a Sunday School class, small group or join the next “Welcome to Pender” or “Coffee with the Pastors” time.
Our “Welcome to Pender” or “Coffee with the Pastors” times are opportunities to get to know the pastors and a few key leaders – as well as other newer folks at Pender. These class times are advertised in the bulletin, and generally held in the Fall and Spring.
Pender has many vibrant small groups who meet together weekly or bi-weekly to support, encourage, pray and be great friends together in faith. We believe everyone needs a place where they are cared for and known more deeply. To help newer people “get into” a group, new groups are starting just about every month.
We are the kind of church where you can earnestly explore, ask questions, and discover new pieces about God throughout your lifetime. None of us “have arrived.” Some can help others; some need the “basics” explained.
The messages are geared towards explaining the Bible and how it applies to real life. And, several of our classes are “for beginners only.”
If you feel like you need help when you arrive, please know that there is a “bulletin” that lists out what pages the songs are on from the hymnal book (song book) in the pew racks.
Also, there is an “offering” time at all of our worship times. Please do not feel obligated to give money, but do know that the money given is used to provide services to the congregation, community and world. You’ll see when other people stand (for singing) and sit (for prayer and listening). And, always feel invited to ask someone about what’s going on. They’ll love being asked!
This community takes Jesus seriously. How can we live our lives faithful to God? How can we know and act upon what the scriptures say? Where is Jesus at work, and how can we glorify Him? How can we love God with everything we’ve got, and also love one another just like Jesus?
We are people on a journey following Jesus to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
News and Views 