This blog began as documentation of my journey into formal ministry. Now that I have received a call it will continue to function as a place for me to address concerns, celebrations and anything else that might catch my fancy. Please remember to "Be A Blessing To Someone Today"! God Bless, Roy
Last Sunday was the 2nd Sunday of Advent and here at Woodlawn that means we light the "Peace Candle". The sermon covered the verses concerning Zechariah’s Prophecy after the naming of John (the Baptist) found in the first Chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Peace is an elusive and an evasive thing, at least as far as 'Earthly' peace is concerned. In order for us to find lasting, permanent, and enduring peace... we must reach to God. For true peace is found only in a relationship with the Almighty, any other momentary peace we find in this life is just that, momentary, fleeting, and honestly an illusion... true 'Peace' comes from our faith in Christ and our relationship with Him. Be a blessing to someone today! God's peace and love to you all! Roy
Luke 1:67-79 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Zechariah’s Prophecy 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior[a] for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon[b] us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Footnotes: a) Luke 1:69 Gk a horn of salvation b)Luke 1:78 Other ancient authorities read has broken upon
Last Thursday Night was our first night after changing the time from 7 pm to 6 pm, which was done for just the winter months. Our turn-out was a bit off and I suspect several people forgot that we were moving up an hour. Also, as the weather has continued to get colder, I have noticed more and more folks watching the 'Livestream' on Facebook that were coming to the service when the weather was a bit more favorable. This really is not a concern, the important part is that folks are taking in the service, no matter which route they take they are still being reached... Praise God. The sermon covered the fact that in our lives we will never know peace if we are expecting that peace to come to us from the world... The only place we can find peace in this life is if we focus upon God and find comfort and reassurance in His love, grace, and peace. Be a blessing to someone today! In God's peace, Roy
Philippians 1:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Salutation 1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[b] and deacons:[c] 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians 3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart,[d] for all of you share in God’s grace[e] with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. Footnotes: a) Philippians 1:1 Gk slaves b) Philippians 1:1 Or overseers c) Philippians 1:1 Or overseers and helpers d) Philippians 1:7 Or because I hold you in my heart e) Philippians 1:7 Gk in grace
