God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:25.
Barbara grew up under the care of the British government in the 1960s, but when she turned sixteen, she and her newborn son, Simon, became homeless. The state was no longer obligated to provide for her at that age. Barbara wrote to the Queen of England for help and received a response! The Queen compassionately arranged for Barbara to be given a house of her own.
The Queen of England had the right resources to help Barbara, and her compassionate assistance can be seen as a small picture of God’s help. The King of heaven knows all of our needs and sovereignly works out His plans in our lives. As He does, however, He longs for us to come to Him, sharing our needs and other concerns, as part of our loving relationship with Him.
The Israelites brought their need for deliverance to God. They were suffering under the burden of Egyptian slavery and cried out for help. He heard them and remembered His promise: “God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” Exodus 2:25. He instructed Moses to bring liberty to His people and declared that He would once again release them “into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3:8.
Our King loves it when we come to Him! He wisely provides what we need, not necessarily what we want. Let us rest in His sovereign, loving provision. – Ruth O’Reilly-Smith. Daily Bread.
Discussion:
Why is it important for us to bring our needs to God in prayer?
Focus
Connect with God
How can you learn to rest in God’s provision, whatever that may be?
Acceptance
Peace
Serenity
Serenity Prayer
Serenity Prayer
Reinhold Niebuhr (1934).
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Sovereign Burning Lights
Chris Tomlin (2013).
Sovereign
Closing Prayer:
Loving God, thank You that I can bring my needs to You. Help me to be content in whatever paths and provisions You choose. Amen.
May Your Spiritual Connectivity with Our Sovereign Lord Bring You Serenity and Acceptance. Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus
Dear Lord, Thank you for Your amazing power and work in our lives, Thank you for Your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that You are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for Your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that You are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for Your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Please forgive us for when we do not thank You enough, for who You are, for all that You do, for all that you give. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on You afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with Your peace and joy. We Love You and we need You, this day and every day. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus Christs Name, Thank You. Amen.
– adapted from Crosswalk.com
How Can We Pray for You Today?
Prayers over and for the Missional Community
In our offering basket today, each and every one of us has placed written examples of
1. Demonstration that our Community is Broken and in Need of Healing; and
2. Demonstration that God is at work within our Missional Community today.
Pray for families. Families are a crucial social presence, and they can weather some significant challenges. Pray for the parents, aunts, grandparents, uncles, cousins, siblings, children, and all family members in our community.
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your presence in families in our Missional Community. We pray for strength and understanding between the marriages in our community. We ask for loving, strong bonds between the children, teenagers, adults, and grandparents. We pray that each branch of the family would demonstrate love for one another.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for relationships between neighbors. Healthy relationships between neighbors create a loving and compassionate community, Pray that neighbors will learn from each other’s differences and find common ground in the community.
God Almighty, we ask for healthy, thriving relationships between neighbors. We pray different cultures will be able to understand and care for one another in our community. We pray that the diversity of your people will be celebrated by all neighbors, just as you affirm and love each one of us.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for schools. Pray that schools will be a place of positive influence for students in the community. We hope to see schools that contribute to the social fabric of the Missional Community and equip our adults and children to achieve and thrive.
Father, we pray for the Community teachers and school administration staff who devote their days to shepherding our students. Please be present as these leaders make impactful decisions. We ask for guidance and patience for the parent volunteers as they serve our community schools. We pray that our schools will be a safe, positive community for our students.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for local churches. Churches in the community are too often disconnected from the communities in which the physical building resides. We hope to see congregations committed to serving the residents and representing the hands and feet of Jesus.
Lord God, we pray for your guidance for our local pastor and ministers as they nurture Your congregation and seek to serve those around them. We pray congregations will welcome neighbors with open arms. We hope for residents to find a place to experience community with the body of Christ as they grow spiritually.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for safety and peace. A community where all residents feel welcomed and safe is one we strive to create. Pray God would allow our neighbors to find safety in their living situations.
God, our Prince of Peace, we ask for your presence in the streets and homes of our community. We pray for local law enforcement, for their safety and wisdom and compassion in all circumstances. We pray your comfort for those who have experienced violence, and we ask your protection for all our neighbors.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for local politicians and leaders. Many communities experience marginalization when important decisions are being made. Pray for community voices to be heard in matters that impact them at all political levels.
Father, we ask you to give our political leaders wisdom make decisions affecting our community. We pray they will be thoughtful in their decisions and listen to the voices of the community. We pray for courage to stand up for our community and to live with grace and dignity in our community.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Pray for residents. Pray for each neighbor by their name. Pray that your neighbors and residents of the community will know Jesus more deeply in their lives and have the opportunity to flourish as a community.
God, we ask for a flourishing community, where neighbors learn to love each other and come to know Jesus. We pray that we can be good stewards of Your love to each one of our neighbors. We ask that You help us to learn from our community, and it may be a place where all are welcomed. Amen.
– adapted from fcsministries.org
Supplications:
Peace to All who are present here. Amen.
Peace to this Missional Community, in the Lords Name We Pray. Amen.
Inspiring Peace Songs
https://youtu.be/pGQ7uEFY4Og
Inspiring Peace Songs
This articulated service has ended. Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord. Amen.
Bats are God’s creatures sent to us in order to assist in maintaining a safe environment with fewer disease carrying mosquitoes. One bat feeds on many mosquitoes in one night. During our waking daylight hours, bats need a restful, comfortable, safe home for rest and relaxation. We will Design, Build and Launch this Project!
Bat House
Please Join Us! All Are Welcome!
Bat House Build
Light Meal, Engaging Fellowship!
Saturday, June 29th, 11 am – 1 pm or so
Spirit Mini-Park 105 N Spruce St. Valley, NE 68064
Spirit of Peace loves its volunteers! The caring spirit and abundant energy that it’s volunteers bring to an activity is priceless!
We Love Our Volunteers
This activity brought us many people from the community to offer healthy prepared food and snacks to, engage in activities with, and distribute gifts to.
One Arts and Crafts activity we enjoyed was painting honeybee hive bodies.
Honeybee hive
The honeybee pollinators will surely enjoy their brightly colored homes in the hive this year!
Peace and Joy to the Community! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus, Spirit of Peace
If only men were granted absolute liberty, and were compelled to obey no one, they would then voluntarily associate themselves in the common interest. – AS BILL SEES IT, p. 50.
For our group purpose there is one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
Discussion:
One Ultimate Authority
Responsibility
Being God
Discuss no need to fix
Choices v Told
Freedom to choose
Dominance v Subservience
Getting along with others
Follow the Rules
Dont tell me what to do
Building character
Good Old Days
AA. Big Book.
Twelve and Twelve
Principles
Quitting drinking easy compared to dealing with the -Isms
Memorial Day Service at the Valley Veterans Memorial American Legion Post #58
All Are Welcome!
Memorial
Today we remember the men and women who gave their lives in military service. We thank God for their example of courage and selflessness that beautifully reflects John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – Daily Bread.
Let us remember and pray today for all our heroes, their families, including those currently serving in our Armed Forces.
Let Us Pray.
Dear Loving Father, God of comfort and unfailing grace, We pray for those who mourn loved ones today. Surround them with your peace, strength, and provision. Lord, protect those who continue to serve our country. May Your faithful promises be their shield. Amen.
