Daily Archives: September 25, 2024

New Study of Book

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Have you ever had an encounter with God?

A “religious experience” of any kind?

And if you have, were you afraid to tell anyone for fear they would think you are crazy?

You are about to have a place to share your experiences, if you choose to do so.

And if you have never had such an experience, it will be a place for you to hear the accounts of others.

For everyone, it will be a place to discover that God is real and that God is at work in our lives (whether we are aware of that reality or not).

My last study of my book, Discovering God, before publication will begin on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 9:45.

It will meet weekly at that hour for the rest of this year. (And breakfast will follow the class each Sunday.)

Be prepared for a life-changing study.

We have found, with our recent class on NDEs, that faith is deepened when we talk about the most profound experiences of life.

And our reading of scripture is enriched.

If you have never had a “religious experience,” you may come to see more clearly through this study that God has always been at work in your life.

Your participation in the class will be a big help to me. I will use this class to develop the study guide which will be published along with the book.

It may even add material. Members of the NDE class have shared accounts that will end up in Discovering God.

I’d like to have a skeptic or two show up—even an atheist.

I think no one can resist the evidence. God loves us and works in our lives.

Sunday, Oct. 6, 9:45.

Max’s Corner

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The Passing of Bill Parker

Bill passed last Saturday. He was 78 and a vital and beloved member of this church. He will be greatly missed. Our love goes out to Linda and their sons. The memorial service will be held after the cremains are available. Bill moves on with his life. Thanks be to God.

Choir Sings

And they sang beautifully, too. We welcome the three new members. The anthem this Sunday is called Mercy.

Chuy from 4Stage, the company that does our lights/sound work, arranged our microphones for us. So—the recording of the anthem was better than ever.

NDE Class Ends

This is the last Sunday. We will be answering questions that have grown from our study of NDEs this Sunday—some of the “big questions” that most Christians have. (For example, “What happens to children who are stillborn or who die very young?”) We welcome guests for this session, even if you have not attended before.

When my sister’s class ends, I will begin a study of my book, Discovering God. So, we will continue lessons at the same time each week.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This week is another “We-Bring.” It’s up to us eaters. Feel free to help. We serve a lot of people each Sunday.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

I wrote about this recently. Now I am preaching about it: Does God Get Angry?

How do we deal with Paul’s words about “the wrath of God”? Where does Jesus stand on this?

I would rejoice to see you in worship.

God Bless,
—MB

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings, dear church and friends of the church,

I bring you peace and love in the name of the risen Christ. I returned Sunday from the beautiful state of New York. The memorial service for John McIntosh was beautiful. The service was held in a chapel built in the late 1700s. John’s family participated in the memorial, sharing touching stories and sentiments about their father, grandfather, and uncle. John’s great nephew, a professional opera singer, filled the wood and stone chapel with his powerful voice. There was a naval flag ceremony at the graveside that was incredibly moving.

At the same time, I missed you all terribly. My heart is broken, as is yours, over the loss of our dear brother Bill Parker. The thought of John greeting his friend Bill just inside those pearly gates was the thing that kept me going through this difficult weekend. I am grateful to God that I will see these men again, that their suffering is no more, and that they are busy watching over us in heaven.

I have spoken to Linda, and she sends love and thanks for the cards, text messages, and prayers. Bless you all for gathering her up in your arms as you have done for so many who have lost loved ones. I know that when I look out at you, I am in the presence of angels.

My love to all,
Mary

Kids’ News

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Did you know there are two stories about how God created people? In Genesis 2, we see a closer look at how God made the first human. God took dust from the ground and breathed life into him. Then, God planted a beautiful garden with trees and water and asked the human to take care of it. But God saw that the human shouldn’t be alone, so God made a helper. Together, they became the first team to care for God’s world.

You might notice this story is a little different from the first one in Genesis. Some people say there are two versions to help us understand God’s big story better. What really matters is that God shows us we need each other. We’re meant to help one another and take care of the world around us.

See you in church on Sunday!
Blessings…