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CHRIST FIRST UMC
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Day 121 | Saturday, 18 July 2020

7/18/2020

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Day 121  |  Saturday, 18 July 2020
 “In truth, the only evidence that matters at all is changed lives.” -Stephen Farris

 Exercise Group #1
1.   Wall Pushups
2.   Upper Body Stretch
3.   Leg Curl
4.   Hip Extension

 An Affirmation of Grace and Truth (John 1:14-17; Exodus 19:6; Psalm 86:15; 103:8; Leviticus 11:45; Joel 2:13; Romans 12:1; Jonah 4:2;1 Peter 1:15-16; John 8:11)

  “We believe that the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 We believe that you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

 And so, we believe we are to be for God a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.

 We believe that the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

 And so, we believe that the LORD has said, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

 Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.

 We appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 For we, along with the reluctant prophet Jonah, know that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.

 And so, as he who called us is holy, let us be holy ourselves in all our conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

 For we believe Jesus speaks to us all in grace and truth when he says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
 
Prayer forTruth
“There are so many voices, O Lord. We are assaulted from every corner. We are surrounded by a myriad of calls and offers and temptations. There are offers of salvation, there are promises of prosperity, there are threats and coercion toward conformity. There is so much, O Lord, that we often feel like we are drowning in a sea of confusion and despair.

How do we cut through the darkness? How can we know where to stake a claim for our lives? How can we know which path is right when so many lay claim to our souls? How can we know which words to call our words and claim for our own?

O Lord, the modern world has given us so much to believe in but has made us so cynical we hardly know if truth is even a possibility anymore. We pray that you might guide us through this maze of conflicting ideas. Take our hands as children and steer us through this confusion and doubt. Gently turn our faces away from the shadows toward the light. Help us to know that there is a truth to which we may commit ourselves - not an idea or confession, not a proposition, not a theory, not a principle, but a person.

Heal us, O Lord. Lift our bowed heads and help us say with one voice, "We believe in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in his Son, Jesus Christ."

Teach us to say this not as a mere ritual affirmation, but as humble recognition that our voices are joined with others saying the same words.
​
And let the words and the truth behind them form a new world, and silence the cries and lies, and scatter the darkness, and make us whole. Amen.”
 
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    Rev. Douglas Knopp, Pastor Emeritus

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  • Home
  • Giving & e-Giving
  • The Pastor's Pen
  • About Us
  • Meet the Staff
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Local Food Pantries
  • Newsletter/Weekly Connection
  • Contact
  • The Organ