Category Archives: Devotion

Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness
Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness, Spirit of Peace

Opening Prayer and Lesson
Flood Prayer, Martin Luther

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, prefiguring this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood, and a lavish washing away of sin. We pray that You would behold (name) according to Your boundless mercy and bless him with true faith by the Holy Spirit that through this saving flood all sin in him which has been inherited from Adam and which he himself has committed since would be drowned and die. Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Three things that Luther’s Flood Prayer teaches us about Holy Baptism:

First, Holy Baptism drowns sin. Just as the flood drowned the evil and violent people in Noah’s day, and Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the Red Sea, so all sin in you is drowned and put to death. This includes both the original sin you inherit from Adam along with all the sins that you have ever committed. This drowning is not something that happens only at your baptism, but every time you confess your sins you are drowning them again. Luther says in the Small Catechism, “What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that that Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires.”

Second, Holy Baptism saves you. Noah and his family had a new life after the flood. The Israelites were set free from death and slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea. You have a new life in Holy Baptism. This is a pure gift of God because of His grace and mercy. In Holy Baptism you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who creates faith for you to trust in God and His gifts. The Holy Spirit will also keep you safe in the church until our Lord returns, just as He kept Noah and His family safe in the ark.

Third, Baptism leads to a life of service and praise. Luther prays that the one being baptized would serve God “all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope.” In baptism you are made a member of God’s holy priesthood and called to a life of service to Him. The sacrifices you offer are not the blood of sacrificial animals but the sacrifice of praise to God and acts of love towards your neighbor. This is the life to which you are called through your baptism.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more about baptism here in this prayer to meditate on throughout our life. In fact, you do not have to pray this prayer solely at baptisms. You can continue to pray this prayer for yourself as you give thanks for your baptism and pray that God keep you in true faith through His Holy Spirit, and you can use this prayer to pray for all of God’s baptized people. – Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn, IL.

Opening Hymn

Living Hope
Phil Wickham
https://youtu.be/9f2FXxDVO6w

Health and Wellness Presentation

Managing Physical and Emotional Stressors with Nutrition

  • Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Meal

Fresh fruit

Ham

Assorted Prepared and Raw Fresh Vegetables

Fresh fruit Dessert

Bug Out Bag BOB Presentation
BOB
Go Bag

Exemplary Bug Out Bag. You may choose to keep specialized personal items you keep ready to go.

A Bug-Out Bag or BOB is a portable kit that normally contains the items one would require to survive for 72 hours when evacuating from a disaster.

Discussion.

Exercise

All Are Welcome to Exercise with Pastor Michael!

Just 10 Minutes of Exercise a Week May Be Enough to Extend Your Life, Study Says; But more is better.

Exercising for just 10 minutes a week is linked to a longer life, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Several recent studies have found that even low-intensity exercise, done for a short amount of time, can have a meaningful impact on health. Still, the idea that exercising for 10 minutes a week, less time than it takes to watch a TV show, do a load of laundry or make a pot of pasta, may be enough to increase your lifespan is novel. It is also somewhat controversial, since the federal physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise or 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.
http://time.com/5553504/exercise-to-live-longer/

Citation
Beneficial associations of low and large doses of leisure time physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: a national cohort study of 88,140 US adults. – British Journal of Sports Medicine https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2019/02/26/bjsports-2018-099254

Chris Tomlin
Our God
https://youtu.be/O5d_gm9zrnY

Closing Prayer

Compassionate God, source of all comfort; We pray for the people whose lives have devastated by rain and flood.
Bring them comfort, we pray. Protect the vulnerable. Strengthen the weak. Keep at bay the spread of disease. Have mercy on all those working to rescue the stranded and to feed the hungry. May our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. – Christian Aid.

Go in Peace to Serve the Lord.
Amen.

Movie Season Celebration

Another Movie Season Celebration is upon us! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus, along with our Missional Ministry Staff, have the fellowship sharing desire to kick off another Movie Season Celebration! We are blessed to have generous resources to gather dozens of youth and adults every Movie Season from Valley and surrounding communities for a movie and lively fellowship at a meal nearby. If you are new to this Celebration and would like to join us, you are invited. Do not be shy, just contact us for a mutually available time. Spirit.Peace@outlook.com Feel free to call, leave a message and text 402-541-7019

Pastor Michael invites youth and adults to accompany him to movie theaters in the community for movie viewing, light meals, fellowship and lively discussion.

Dinner and a Movie at the Theater

“MMM”s: movie meet-ups, meals and mingling are a great way to enjoy the passing of time, energize our spirits and enjoy life.

If you have an interest in this activity in the missional community, please contact us at: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com

Free Health Wellness proper balance

Proper Balance Lunch n Learn

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach 

Opening Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Father,

There has to be more to more to life than just my work and duties.  I am a responsible person and most of the time I feel very guilty for wanting to step back and actually enjoy the pleasures of life. So, to avoid this guilt, I do not choose activities that incite this guilt. Doing this has made me very stressed and unhappy.

I have such a hard time finding that proper balance.  I need your wisdom and discernment of what to say: “No.” to so I will have more time for things I need to say: “Yes!” to.

Can you open my eyes to see what I am missing and how I need to fill in those areas?  Please show me what I need to omit from my schedule, too.

Help me to relax and really enjoy my downtime.  And in this relaxed state, I want to hear your still and quiet voice.  I have noticed that when things are crazy and hectic, I can not hear your voice. 

I can also see that in this busy-ness, I am losing my ground because I am not connecting with you like I should be.

Lord, I love you and you are all that I need. Help me to depend on you more and myself less.

When my life is over, I do not want to have any regrets that I did not spend time with the people who mattered most, especially YOU. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.” – Julia Shalom Jordan. Shalom be with You. May 21, 2013. 

Presentation 

Create Your Energy Roadmap 

Discuss the Circle of Life. 

Complications 

 ADHD. 

Food solutions: 

 Lower carbs 

 Increase Omega 3 fatty acid 

 Fish 

 Flaxseed 

Proper Balance Lunch n Learn

Meal 

Appetizer

 Celery 

 Natural ground peanut butter 

Braised Chicken 

Coconut oil 

Poultry seasonings 

Broccoli, green 

Brussels Sprouts, green 

Cauliflower, white 

Green Beans, green 

Sweet Potato, orange 

Vegetable seasonings 

Dessert 

Table grapes, red 

Crisp Apple slices 

Exercise 

Light Exercise Following a Meal Has Tremendous Impact on Triglyceride Levels. 

Many studies have demonstrated that the timing of meals and exercise is important for glycogen loading, muscle building and improved nutrient uptake and utilization by the body.  These studies have shown that even a single bout of exercise can change the body’s hormonal response that in turn positively affects nutrient metabolism in skeletal muscle, liver and even adipose (fat) tissue. 

 – Karen Hughes. MS. Cooper Institute. 

Reference: 

Aoi, W. (2013). Combined light exercise after meal intake suppresses postprandial serum triglyceride. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise, 45(2), 245 – 252. 

Exercise engaged:

We do our standard post meal light theraband muscle stretches Basic workout while seated. 

Closing Song:

Lives in the Balance 

Jackson Browne 

Closing Prayer 

Lord, help me to create a balanced life.

Help me to take time to enjoy life, 

to be a person full of gratitude.

Help me take time to love, 

to extend my hand in service to those around me.

Lord, remind me to take time to learn, 

to be disciplined and accountable.

Help me to make a difference in the 

small and big moments of my life.

Lord, help me to keep smiling, 

to be happy, and to try to be myself. 

Lord, infuse me with your spirit 

so I can create a life of balance, 

moderation, and simplicity.

And whatever my challenge, 

let it be an occasion to deepen my life’s purpose. Amen. 

 – Susan Burke. Notre Dame Prayer Book. Ave Maria. 

Valentines day devotion meal fellowship

Valentines Day Devotion for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Valentines Day Devotion introduction:
Saint Valentine (Valentinius) is a believer and a physician who was imprisoned and persecuted for his faith and coming to the aid of fellow believers in 270 A.D. Valentinius is recognized as a saint by the Lutheran and other Christian Churches. History supports that social behavior in Mid-February gives way to Celebration of Love. What Love Do We Speak of? For God so Loved the World, that He Gave His Only Begotten Son, that Whoever Believes in Him Shall Not Perish, but have Eternal Life. John 3:16.
Deuteronomy 26 witnesses to us that our redemption is found in the Lord’s faithfulness to His Word.
King David brings us a hymn of thanksgiving in Psalm 91.
In Rom. 10, Paul interprets Deut. 26 for us. The Lord’s Good News will grow inside of us.
In our gospel lesson, Luke instructs us that our ability to resist temptation comes from the Lord.

Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine

Prayer:
God of justice, I take this opportunity to remember all those Christians who lost their lives in your name. I pray that you may reward them for being selfless and truthful to your word. Bless the families they left behind and forgive their enemies. May you set aside a special place for them in heaven for they have passed the test and lived the faith. The Bible tells us that whoever stands by you on earth has a special reward in heaven. May you give our martyrs a worthy reward and let them be an inspiration to our lives. Amen.

Valentines Day Reflection Scripture:
You shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house. Deut. 26:11.
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. Ps. 91:14.
No one who believes in him will be put to shame. Rom. 10:11.
Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Luke 4:12.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way
William Cowper (1774).
http://youtu.be/6z0e_xSC8to

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Prayer:
Lord of the living,
through baptism we pass from the shadow of death
to the light of the resurrection.
Remain with us and give us hope
that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit
who gives life to our mortal flesh,
we may be clothed with the garment of immortality,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Name of All Majesty
Timothy Dudley Smith
performed by the Grace Baptist Sanctuary Church Choir and Praise Orchestra
http://youtu.be/cg_QlYIvL2U

Name of all majesty, fathomless mystery,
King of all ages by angels adored;
power and authority, splendor and dignity,
bow to His mastery – Jesus is Lord!

Prayer:
Lord of deliverance and freedom,
you taught the people of Israel
to acknowledge that all things
come from your bountiful hand.
Deepen our faith
so that we may resist temptation
and, in the midst of trial,
proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
now and for ever. Amen.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Leo Friedman and Beth Slater Wilson (1910).
performed by Pat & Shirley Boone
http://youtu.be/DG-ZPxman3w

Let me call you Sweetheart
I’m in love with you
Let me hear you whisper
That you love me too
Keep the love light glowing
In your eyes so blue
Let me call you Sweetheart
I’m in love with you.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Meal Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Three days of prayer

Three Days of Prayer

Three Days of Prayer 

Every congregation, member and pastor is being invited to set aside some time each day of January 1, 2, and 3, 2019 for prayer.  

Prayer is a gift that God has given to us as a means to approach the throne of grace with confidence, like that of a child coming to her parents sharing concerns, victories, defeats and every part of life.  It is an opportunity to express the deepest heartache and the greatest joy.  Prayer is a conversation between the Creator and the created … and the conversation began with God, for us, in Christ Jesus. – Rev. Mark Vander Tuig, LCMC Service Coordinator. 

Day 1. January 1st 2019. 

Confession. This is a day focused on confession. We have made our lives, our relationships, and even the church, in our own image. We confess that the church belongs to Jesus and not to us. We gather to lay down our pride, our sin and our agenda and ask the Lord of the church for forgiveness, which He gives freely and with mercy.

Day 2. January 2nd 2019. 

Petition. This is a day of petition. Pray for your congregation, for the pastor, for the leaders, for those who carry out ministries, for the Sunday School teachers, for the Confirmation leaders, for those leading adult Bible studies and for those leading small groups. Pray for those in hospital and nursing home ministries. Pray for all those connected to your church that they might know God’s redeeming love for all in Christ.

Day 3. January 3rd 2019. 

Vision. This is a day for vision. Pray that the Holy Spirit will again move through the hearts and minds of leaders and pastors that God’s vision for His church might be revealed and fulfilled. This is a time of prayer for renewal, revival and encouragement. Pray for God’s vision.

What Is Your Allergy

What Is Your Allergy?

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Opening Prayer

Blessings of God

The day is coming to a close,

and, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus,

we pause to break bread together.

May our eyes be opened, and,

in this act of common sharing,

may we see the risen Lord in one another.

May we see the Lord of Life in our food,

our conversation and lives shared in common.

May the blessing of God,

His peace and love,

rest upon our table. Amen.

– Edward Hays.

Presentation

Remedies, Natural Relief

Treat Low Blood Sugar with Real Food

Anomalies

Causes

Genetic anomalies

Vitamin deficiencies

Breads

History

Wheat, biblical

Original, oldest species fourteen chromosomes

Over time, grew to twenty eight chromosomes

Norman Borlaug, 1970s R&D, Nobel Peace Prize

Modern, GMO grains tailor to modern conveniences

Exacerbates Nutritional Exchanges in Human Gut

Eventually AutoImmune processes develop

So respond with consumption of anti-inflammatory foods

Gluten

Allergy

Sensitivity

Emotional Responses

Modern Beneficial Oils, Medium Chain Triglycerides

Choices

Organic Whole Grains

Natural Whole Grains

Processing Methods, too fine for the human gut

Natural Organic Farm Fresh Luncheon
Natural Organic Farm Fresh Luncheon

Meal

Appetizer

Organic Jack Fruit

Organic Celery

Natural Peanut Butter

Banana Slices

Main Dish

Natural Garden Fresh Spaghetti Squash

Garden Butternut Squash soup

Garden Fresh Organic Spinach

Garden Fresh Peppers

CRaisins

Dessert

Moon Grapes, natural non-GMO

Closing Hymn

Gift Finest Wheat

Richard Proulx

Cathedral Singers

Autumn Luncheon Fellowship

Autumn Luncheon Fellowship 

Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach 

Holistic Health
Holistic Health

Meditation Reflection 

Prayer Invocation 

Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship.

Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts.

Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide.

Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty.

Help us move towards our goals with determination and always with an abundant sense of humor.

Thank you for food in a world where many know only hunger; For our faith in a world where many know fear; For friends in a world where many know only loneliness.

Please bless this food we are about to share, those who prepared it, those who serve it, and those who have worked to make today the special occasion that it is.

For all of this we give you thanks.

 – Izola White. 

Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash Soup

Meal 

Garden vegetables 

Butternut squash soup 

Chunk Butternut 

Blend

Purée 

Pour over 

Carrots 

Kale 

Broccoli 

Tomatoes 

Peppers variety 

Radish 

Dessert 

Red Seedless Table Grapes 

Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash

 

This Day Forward

This Day Forward (2018).

A woman struggles to keep her faith and family intact after her husband is diagnosed with stage three brain cancer.

This Day Forward (2018)
This Day Forward (2018)

Come visit with Pastor Michael as he leads us on an “mmm” movie meet-up, meal and mingling adventure in the missional community. This meet-up will take us to a special showing of a movie release prior to its west coast premier scheduled for this upcoming November. We will have a live opportunity to meet members of the cast and family story the movie was written about.

https://livingchurch.org/2017/11/02/video-this-day-forward/

 

Healthy Braised Chicken with Autumn Garden Vegetables

Healthy Braised Chicken with Autumn Garden Vegetables

Pastor Cathy Hanus
Holistic Health Coach

Opening Prayer:
Thankful Hearts

We thank You Lord, for all you give; the food we eat, the lives we live; and to our loved ones far away, please send your blessings, Lord we pray. Help us all to live our days with thankful hearts and loving ways. Amen.

Thankful Hearts
Thankful Hearts

Cultivating a thankful heart is a necessity. Without gratitude we would not be a world that goes round and round. Reciting prayer before meals is a great way we can continue to build our thankful hearts and cultivate authenticity. Remembering the Lord and everything that goes into every meal is extremely important. Whether it is the person preparing the meal, the farmer growing the food or even the dear friend that orchestrated the time to be together having a thankful heart created by prayer. – Beliefnet.

Presentation
Meditation
Mindful eating
Harvest season
Squash
Pumpkin
Spaghetti
Green zucchini
Yellow
Gourds

Healthy Braised Chicken with Autumn Garden Vegetables
Healthy Braised Chicken with Autumn Garden Vegetables

Meal
Healthy Braised Chicken with Autumn Garden Vegetables
Basmati rice – high in fiber, slower to digest.
Tomatoes – good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper; and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium and Manganese.
Pumpkin – fiber
Carrots – betakerotine
Onion – Onions are rich in powerful sulfuric compounds, responsible for their pungent odor. Studies suggest onions may lower high blood pressure, reduce heart attack risk, and even help protect against cancer. WebMD.
Black radish – important function of black radish extract encourages the liver to produce fat- and protein-digesting bile
Kale – crucifer vegetable, one cup of raw kale, about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces contains:
Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
Manganese: 26% of the DV
Calcium: 9% of the DV
Copper: 10% of the DV
Potassium: 9% of the DV
Magnesium: 6% of the DV
It also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus
This is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.
Chicken – protein, prepared with coconut oil and spices.

Dessert
Garden Watermelon

– Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach. Spirit of Peace.

Memorial Prayer

Safely Home
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
oh, so happy and so bright!
There is a perfect joy and
beauty in the everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.
There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand,
do it now, while life remains
you shall rest in God’s own land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
oh, the rapture of that meeting
oh, the joy to see you come!

God Needed an Angel in Heaven
God needed an angel in heaven
to stand at the Savior’s feet;
His choice must be the rarest
a lily pure and sweet.
He gazed upon the mighty throng
then stopped and picked the best,
our loved one (child) was His chosen one
with Jesus she [he] is now at rest.

– Pastor Michael Hanus. Spirit of Peace.

Strength for Your Journey

Strength for Your Journey

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

God Loves You
God Loves You

We can trust the Lord to be our strength in tough times. 

Habakkuk 3:16–19. Psalms 137–139. 1 Corinthians 13. 

Hinds Feet on High Places, a classic allegory of the Christian life, is based on Habakkuk 3:19. The story follows the character Much-Afraid as she goes on a journey with the Shepherd. But Much-Afraid is scared so she asks the Shepherd to carry her.

The Shepherd kindly replies, “I could carry you all the way up to the High Places myself, instead of leaving you to climb there. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds’ feet, and become my companion and go where I go.”

Much-Afraid echoes the questions of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk; and if I am honest, my questions too: “Why must I experience suffering?” “Why is my journey difficult?”

Habakkuk lived in Judah in the late seventh century BC before the Israelites were taken into exile. The prophet found himself in a society that overlooked social injustice and was immobilized by the fear of imminent invasion by the Babylonians. Habakkuk 1:2–11. Habakkuk asked the Lord to intervene and remove suffering. Habakkuk 1:13. God replied that He would act justly but in His timing. Habakkuk 2:3. 

In faith, Habakkuk chose to trust the Lord. Even if the suffering did not end, the prophet believed that God would continue to be his strength.

We too can take comfort that the Lord is our strength to help us endure suffering and will also use the most challenging of life’s journeys to deepen our fellowship with Christ. – Lisa Samra. Daily Bread. 

God, sometimes my suffering seems too much to bear. Help me to trust You and continue to walk with You on this journey.

God Loves You 

God Will NEVER Abandon You 

Amen. 

Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus 

Spirit of Peace Church