Power in Prayer Celebration
for the Community
Everyone is Welcome!

Power in Prayer introduction:
In the not-so-ordinary events in our lives we are called and claimed by the Lord. Like Esther, may we find the courage to answer the call from the Lord. Esther 9.
Praise the Lord, for in our most dire moments, when even our earthly friends may abandon us, He is there for us. Ps. 124.
Wisdom does not interpret the world through rose-colored glasses. Wisdom’s vision is straightforward, clear and honest. James 5.
Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery.
It is especially good to be a part of the family of God. The family of God is grand. When we observe someone who is doing good in Jesus’ name, we should rejoice and be glad.
Jesus addresses an expansive, universalistic view of the church. As long as something is being done in the name of Christ they will “by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:41.

Scripture:
Make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor. Esther 9:22.
Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Ps. 124:8.
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16.
Whoever is not against us is for us. Mark 9:40.

Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels
Timothy Dudley-Smith

Not for tongues of heaven’s angels,
not for wisdom to discern,
not for faith that masters mountains,
for this better gift we yearn:
may love be ours, O Lord.
Love is humble, love is gentle,
love is tender, true, and kind;
love is gracious, ever patient,
generous of heart and mind:
may love be ours, O Lord.

Prayer:
Holy One,
hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards
of the fragile bounty of this earth
so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.

I have been Anointed
Steven Warner

I have been Anointed with the Song of the Lord,
A song of Love and Compassion, a Song to Set Me Free.
God is My Rock of Salvation, a Beacon for My Soul.
Alleluia! Amen! Alleluia!
Praise to the Rock and the Well Spring, Creator of My Soul!

Prayer:
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.

Our Help is in the Name of the Lord. Ps. 124 Song. Esther Mui.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please be our guide and help in contentious places:
as Esther prayed faithfully and worked courageously
for the deliverance of your people,
strengthen us to confront the oppressor
and free the oppressed,
so that all people may know
the justice and unity of your realm. Amen.

Eye has not Seen
Marty Haugen.

When pain and sorrow weigh us down,
be near to us, O Lord,
forgive the weakness of our faith,
and bear us up within your peaceful word.
Our lives are but a single breath,
we flower and we fade,
yet all our days are in your hands,
so we return in love what love has made.

Prayer:
Raise us up, O Lord,
for it is you alone who restores life and health
to the suffering
and to those who wander from the truth.
By your grace,
may we offer powerful and effective prayers
for one another and the world,
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

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

Sunday Sept. 27 – Blood Moon Community Celebration!

Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse

FREE Family Activities, Food, FUN!

5:00 Dinner 6:00 Lunar Activities & MORE

8:30 STAR PARTY! (weather permitting)

Connect with Your Spirit!

– List is Growing! – Mix in Your Suggestions!

United Faith Community Center, 921 S Mayne Street, Valley, NE

sponsored by Spirit of Peace, United Faith Community Church,

Pastors Michael, Cathy Hanus, Carl Ratcliff –

In Cooperation with AcademyScience.us, and the Valley and surrounding Communities

Spirit.Peace@outlook.com blog.peacelcmc.org

Check the blog! Contact Pastor! Thank You!

– RSVPs welcome for planning purposes. –

Tickets at EventBrite

Saturday Sept. 26 – Treasure Hunt Community Celebration!

FREE Family Activities, Simple Food, FUN!

5:00 Activities Wear Your Favorite Treasure Hunt Garb,

Talk Like a Pirate & MORE Activities

8:30 STAR PARTY! (weather permitting)

Connect with Your Spirit!

– List is Growing! – Mix in Your Suggestions!

United Faith Community Center, 921 S Mayne Street, Valley, NE

sponsored by Spirit of Peace, United Faith Community Church,

Pastors Michael, Cathy Hanus, Carl Ratcliff –

In Cooperation with AcademyScience.us, and the Valley and surrounding Communities

Spirit.Peace@outlook.com blog.peacelcmc.org

Check the blog! Contact Pastor! Thank You!

– RSVPs welcome for planning purposes. –

Tickets at EventBrite

Serve First Welcome Children Blessed Wife Celebration
for the Community
Everyone is Welcome!

National Back to Church Sunday
Sundays Can Surprise You!

Serve First Welcome Children Blessed Wife Celebration introduction:
Fear and Faith
What is the best way to describe faith? How does this differ from fear, and what do we mean by “fear” anyway?
Honor and Shame
The Lord in His World sees the concepts of honor and shame differently than those of us rooted in the material worlds around us. How do we reckon the two, ideal and real?
Mom and Wife “on Steroids.”
What character traits make the important woman in our lives so essential?
The key to greatness is to have a servant’s heart. Let us have a heart like Jesus.

Scripture:
Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. Mark 9:35.
Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37.
A capable wife is far more precious than jewels. Prov. 31:10.

One Friend
Dan Seals

I always thought you were the best,
I guess I always will.
I always felt that we were blessed,
And I feel that way still.
Sometimes we took the hard road,
But we always saw it through.
If I had only one friend left,
I’d want it to be you.

Prayer:
God, Wisdom of the universe,
you bear the pain of your people.
Grant us the gift of wisdom,
that we may discern your way
and live justly and graciously
amid the struggles of this world. Amen.

As the Deer
Christopher Warren

As the deer pants for the water,
So my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
And I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship you.

Prayer:
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.

Blessed Is He. Psalm 1
Kim Hill

Prayer:
God of unsearchable mystery and light,
your weakness is greater than our strength,
your foolishness brings all our cleverness to naught,
your gentleness confounds the power we would claim.
You call first to be last and last to be first,
servant to be leader and ruler to be underling of all.
Pour into our hearts the wisdom of your Word and Spirit,
that we may know your purpose and live to your glory. Amen.

Heavens Gonna Shine
Albert Brumley
– performed by Harding Concert Choir practice

Heavens Gonna Shine
I don’t know exactly how sweet heaven will be (will be) I don’t know what beauty or what glory I’ll see (I’ll see) I don’t know what I’ll behold that morning divine (I only) I know for sure that heaven’s really gonna shine It’s gonna shine.

Prayer:
O God, our teacher and guide,
you draw us to yourself
and welcome us a beloved children.
Help us to lay aside our envy and selfish ambition,
that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding
as servant of your peace. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

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

Holy Cross Day Celebration  for the Community

Everyone is Welcome!

Holy Cross Day introduction:
Christians have several days within the Liturgical Year to reflect on the Cross used in the Crucifixion of Jesus as representing an Instrument of Salvation. Holy Cross Day has a rich history that dates back to the Crucifixion. This Feast Day is named Yψωσις τοῦ Τιμίου καὶ Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ in Greek, Воздвижение Креста Господня in Russian, Exaltatio Sanctae Crucis in Latin, Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Roman Missal, Triumph of the Cross, and Feast of the Glorious Cross.
Lutherans classify this day as a “Lesser Feast Day.” We call it Holy Cross Day. We focus on the Gospel message that Jesus Christ grants us the freely given Gift of Salvation through His Death on the Cross for Our Sins. It is not our choice to accept salvation. Salvation is granted to us in the belief that Jesus Christ is our Savior. This belief finding its basis in Scripture is called “Justification.” This is our focus on Holy Cross Day.

I take this opportunity to explore our belief in salvation and its loss further. Our salvation is not dependent upon on our good works, although we freely engage good works that are pleasing to our Lord. We aspire to do our best to live good lives, for when we commit sin and persist in sin, we are choosing to turn away from God. This act of persistent turning away from God will result in loss of salvation. The sinner must repent and believe in Christ to be saved. Martin Luther. Lutheran Confessions. Galatians Lectures. Catechism. Smalcald Articles. Book of Concord.

Scripture:
Whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:15-17.

I Love to Tell the Story
Kate Hankey. 1866.

– performed by Alan Jackson

1 I love to tell the story  Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory,  Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,  Because I know its true;

It satisfies my longings  As nothing else would do.

I love to tell the story,  ‘Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story  Of Jesus and His love.

In the cross our need meets God’s redemption In confidence and hope, we bring the prayers of our hearts for the transformation of the church and the world. Amen.

Sing to the Lord a New Song. Psalm 98.
– performed by Kindred Community Church Choir

Prayer:
Accept our prayers, God of mercy, in union with Jesus the Christ, who offered his life for our salvation upon the wood of the cross and who now reigns with you in eternal glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall. 1868.

– performed acapella by Altar of Praise Chorale

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”  Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I, Whereby Thy grace to claim, I’ll wash my garments white, In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Prayer:
For the healing of the nations, O God, you raised up your Son on the wood of the cross and exalted him as the Lord of all creation. Grant that all who believe in him may have the gift of eternal life and share in the glory of your kingdom, where you live forever and ever. Amen.

Christ in Me Arise
– written and performed by Trevor Thomson

Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness. Christ in me arise with your power and your strength. Christ in me pour out your blessing and healing. Christ in me arise and I shall rise with you.

Prayer: Through suffering and rejection, O Lord, you bring forth our salvation, for in Jesus you embrace our humanity and transform our lives by the glory of his cross. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may rebuke the lure of this world, take up our cross, and follow your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
God be with You Until We Meet Again
– performed by Jim Reeves

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!

Contact Us with Special Requests!

Behind Me Satan Reflection  for the Community

Everyone is Welcome!

Behind Me Satan! introduction:
Although Peter had just moments before declared Jesus as the Christ, he turned from God’s perspective and viewed the situation from man’s perspective, which brought about the stern rebuke: “Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus goes on to explain: “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:33.
Jesus’ stern reprimand did not make sense to Peter. However, Jesus’ indictment presents a profound message for us. We can easily see that Peter has the wrong perspective of God’s plan for Christ’s suffering and death. We must also see how easily we can become an unwittingly spokesperson for Satan. This is especially true when we lose sight of God’s plan for us. This comes about when our main and ultimate focus is on our careers, our possessions, our security, the things of the world rather than upon sacrifice and service and the proclaiming of God’s message. When Peter’s focus shifted to his own desires and plans, Jesus rebuked him in order to get him back on track. May our focus always be on God and His plans, that we may never experience a similar rebuke from our Lord. Amen. – Got Questions Ministry.

Get behind me, Satan! Mark 8:33.

God of Justice We Must Go
– performed by Tim Hughes

God of Justice, Savior to all, Came to rescue the weak and the poor; Chose to serve and not be served.

Jesus, You have called us, Freely we’ve received, Now freely we will give.

We must go, live to feed the hungry, Stand beside the broken, we must go.

Stepping forward, keep us from just singing, Move us into action, we must go.

Prayer: O Lord, Wisdom of the universe, you bear the pain of your people. Grant us the gift of wisdom, that we may discern your way and live justly and graciously amid the struggles of this world. Amen.

Psalm 116
– performed by Esther Mui

Prayer: Move us to praise your gracious will, for in Christ Jesus you have saved us from the deeds of death and opened for us the hidden ways of your love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee
– performed by the Oak Ridge Boys

I am weak but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Prayer: Redeeming Sustainer, visit Your people  and pour out your strength and courage upon us, that we may hurry to make you welcome not only in our concern for others, but by serving them generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.

Christ in Me Arise
– written and performed by Trevor Thomson

Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness. Christ in me arise with your power and your strength. Christ in me pour out your blessing and healing. Christ in me arise and I shall rise with you.

Prayer: Through suffering and rejection, O Lord, you bring forth our salvation, for in Jesus you embrace our humanity and transform our lives by the glory of his cross. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may rebuke the lure of this world, take up our cross, and follow your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
God be with You Until We Meet Again
– performed by Jim Reeves

God be with you till we meet again by his angels guide and pull you,

With his sheep securely fold you God be with you till we meet again

Till we meet till we meet till we meet at Jesus feet,

Till we meet till we meet God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again need his wings protect and hide you

Daily I still provide you God be with you till we meet again.

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!

Contact Us with Special Requests!

New Horizons “My life is well-rounded and I am becoming a more comfortable version of myself, not the neurotic, boring person that I thought I’d be without drugs.” JFT. N.A. Page 266.

Is there really life without drugs? Newcomers are sure that they are destined to lead a humdrum existence once they quit using. That fear is far from reality.
Narcotics Anonymous opens the door to a new way of life for our members. The only thing we lose in NA is our slavery to drugs. We gain a host of new friends, time to pursue hobbies, the ability to be stably employed, even the capacity to pursue an education if we so desire. We are able to start projects and see them through to completion. We can go to a dance and feel comfortable, even if we have two left feet. We start to budget money to travel, even if it’s only with a tent to a nearby campsite. In recovery, we find out what interests us and pursue new pastimes. We dare to dream.
Life is certainly different when we have the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous to return to. Through the love we find in NA, we begin to believe in ourselves. Equipped with this belief, we venture forth into the world to discover new horizons. Many times, the world is a better place because an NA member has been there.
Just for Today: I can live a well-rounded, comfortable life, a life I never dreamed existed. Recovery has opened new horizons to me and equipped me to explore them.
(C) 2007. NA Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

New Horizons – FlyLeaf

So you’re tired but you’re alive, So open up your eyes,

And you can get your sleep when you are dead.

Kill the clock inside your head, Bring your normalcy to the edge,

And watch it drown in new horizons, New Horizons.

You said I’d only have to wait until I die, And that’s in no time,

How did we come to thinking this was funny?

Cheering and laughing at the dying, While we’re riding the line in You.

Prayer To Overcome Addictions

Dear God,

I come to You as I come to no one else.
I am so sorry.
I have nearly thrown away my life, my body, my soul;
through addiction.
But recognition of my addiction
has never given me power to control it.
You know this.
You never blame me.
You know the truth.
Addiction is an attractor field, a low vibrational level.
I wound up there because I was trying to escape pain,
Or I was trying to experience something transcendent,
And I got stuck.
But there is a better way to escape pain,
And there is a better way to touch rapture.
I can receive an authentic calling from You.
Therefore, I surrender myself to what I can be,
to that highest level to which You call me.
I demand, now, in this moment, Father, that You call me,
that You call me loudly.
You call me and raise me up out of addiction,
and into a higher level attractor field.
And as You raise me,
So do You raise all of Humanity out of addiction,
and into a higher level attractor field.
Together we rise, as one force in You, one at a time and together.
You raise me because I deserve a better life.
You raise me because I am ready to be raised.
You raise me because the world needs me.
I rise and keep rising; I do not fall.
I rise because You need me.
I am Your Thoughts, Your Voice, Your Hands.
I rejoice in my inherent holiness.
For I am where You reside.
You lift me because I have asked,
and because you love me so very much.
By Your grace, as I read this,
My mind and energy align with Yours.
By Your grace, the power of my mind
Is multiplied exponentially by all who read this.
Aligned with You, we are more powerful than any evil,
or any substance,
Can ever be.
Together WE form a conduit of love.
It reaches into my need for addiction and I am healed.
By healing myself, I help heal Humanity’s need for addiction.
Joy fills my soul. My gratitude is infinite.
Thank You, Beloved Creator.
And so it is. Amen. – Prayerforce.

We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15

Every time I get close to a rosebush or a bouquet of flowers, I am unable to resist the temptation to pull a flower toward my nose to savor the fragrance. The sweet aroma lifts up my heart and triggers good feelings within me.

Writing to the Christians in Corinth centuries ago, the apostle Paul says that because we belong to Christ, God “uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.”  2 Cor. 2:14. Through His strength we can live a victorious life, exchanging our selfishness for His love and kindness and proclaiming the goodness of His salvation. When we do this, we are indeed a sweet fragrance to God.

Paul then switches to a second image, describing Christians as a “letter from Christ.” 2 Cor. 3:3. The letter of our lives is not written with ordinary ink, but by the Spirit of God. God changes us by writing His Word on our hearts for others to read.

Both word pictures encourage us to allow the beauty of Christ to be seen in us so we can point people to Him. He is the One who, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:2, “loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Lawrence Darmani. Daily Bread.

Lord, let Your splendor fill my life, that I may draw people to You. Help me walk in the way that spreads the fragrance of Your love to others. Amen.

Our actions speak louder than our words. Amen.

INSIGHT: Paul had a strained relationship with the church in Corinth. Within this troubled church were those who undermined unity, holy living, and sound doctrine. The Corinthian church was the recipient of three visits and multiple letters from the apostle Paul. Yet despite all the problems the church was facing; doubting Paul’s authority, allowing and perhaps bragging about sin, suggesting there is no resurrection; Paul continually reassured them of both his own affection and God’s affection for them. Paul’s message is clear, for Corinth and for us. Yes, we will experience problems that need to be corrected, but our position in Christ is secure. – J.R. Hudberg

Will I Ever Forgive Myself?

“WE ASKED HIS PROTECTION”

We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. – ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 59.

I could not manage my life alone. I had tried that road and failed. My “ultimate sin” dragged me down to the lowest level I have ever reached and, unable even to function, I accepted the fact that I desperately needed help. I stopped fighting and surrendered entirely to God.

Only then did I start growing! God forgave me. A Higher Power had to have saved me, because the doctors doubted that I would survive. I have forgiven myself now and I enjoy a freedom I have never before experienced. I have opened my heart and mind to Him. The more I learn, the less I know, a humbling fact, but I sincerely want to keep growing. I enjoy serenity, but only when I entrust my life totally to God. As long as I am honest with myself and ask for His help, I can maintain this rewarding existence.

Just for today, I strive to live His will for me, soberly.

I thank God that today I can choose not to drink.

Today, life is beautiful! – A.A. Daily Reflections, September 8.