Mount Lebanon UMC Newsletter
www.mtlebanonumc.com
January 4, 2009
Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
-Albert F. Bayly
Lord, whose love through humble service bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken, offered mercy's perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart,
Consecrating to your purpose every gift that you impart.
Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, your deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul,
Use the love your Spirit kindles still to save and make us whole.
As we worship, grant us vision, till your love's revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight,
Making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to tireless striving your abundant life to share.
Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go
To the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show;
Hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give,
That your servants, Lord, in freedom may your mercy know, and live.
Reading through the Bible together in a year. The numbers following the name of the book refers to whole chapters, so you may want to think of splitting each day into morning and evening readings. Try to share what God shows you throughout the week with someone else (Co-worker, neighbor, family member, etc.)
Monday, Jan. 5 Genesis 12, 13 & 14 Matthew 5:1-26
Tuesday, Jan. 6 Genesis 15, 16 & 17 Matthew 5:27-48
Wednesday, Jan. 7 Genesis 18 & 19 Matthew 6
Thursday, Jan. 8 Genesis 20, 21 & 22 Matthew 7
Friday, Jan. 9 Genesis 23 & 24 Matthew 8
Saturday, Jan. 10 Genesis 25 & 26 Matthew 9:1-17
Sunday, Jan. 11 Genesis 27 & 28 Matthew 9:18-38
A Devotional Thought from Rick Warren's, The Purpose of Christmas
In The Purpose Driven Life I explained that everyone lives at one of three levels: survival, success, or significance. Most of the world lives at the survival level. Half of the world's six billion people live on less than two dollars a day. Over one billion people live on less than one dollar a day. That's the survival level.
If you live in the United States, you live at the success level, even if you feel poor. Most of the world would love to have our problems. But success doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live on and still have nothing to live for. You can be so busy making a living that you fail to make a life.
You were made for far more than success. You were created for significance. But you'll never find significance in possessions, pleasures, or positions. Significance comes from service -giving your life away for a purpose greater than yourself. Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to truly live. (Mark 8:35 TLB)”
When you finally begin living your life for the purpose God created you for and Jesus saves you for, you realize, “This is my niche! This is why I am alive! This is my reason for being. Now I know why I exist.” All the success in the world will never give you that deep satisfaction. There will always be a hole in your heart because you were made to know, love, trust, and serve God.
Sunday, Jan. 4 noon Board meeting
5:30 pm Open Prayer @ the Church
6:00 pm Evening Bible Study
7:00 pm Praise Band Practice
Monday, Jan. 5 6:00 pm Women's D-Group @ Betty's
Men's D-Group @ Sean's
Tuesday, Jan. 6 7:00 am Church Breakfast @ Frisch's
Wednes., Jan. 7 6:30 pm Evening Bible study in Luke
Kingdom Kid's Bible Time
Thursday, Jan. 8 7:00 am Church Breakfast @ Frisch's
6:00 pm Lifeline meeting @ Town Square Bank
Email:pastor@mtlebanonumc.com