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2021 Peace through Jesus 3 29 21 Immanuel - God With Us 12 12 21 2020 Spirit Of The Living God 4 3 20 Think About Such Things 5 8 20 God's Ways 7 16 20 |
2019 Be A Blessing 3 28 19 2014 The Gift Of The Word 3 13 14 & 7 31 20 |
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Saturday, March 27, 2021 |
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Scriptures: John 14:1 (NIV) - "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:27 (NIV) - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (Please read the entire Chapter of John 14 in your Bible) Message: This past year has been filled with uncertainty, fear and turmoil because of the coronavirus and the political environment. The whole world has nearly come to a halt! It seems as if we are living in a science fiction movie! And yet, there is peace available if we turn to Jesus and His Word. In John Chapter 14 Jesus reassures His disciples and us. On that last evening before Jesus' arrest when He and His disciples gathered for dinner, He began teaching them by washing their feet, then telling them that lie would be betrayed and that He would no longer be with them physically. Can you imagine their distress over hearing that'? Jesus then offered encouragement and comfort to them promising that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name. Through the Holy Spirit Jesus would be with them and would give them peace. Those promises are true for us today, as well. When we seek Him, we will find Him and experience the peace that only He can give. Then we can praise Him and be thankful. Family Activity: Supplies: green construction paper and a wooden barbecue skewer (point removed). Draw round your hands 3 or 4 times on the paper and cut out the hand image. Write your praises and thanksgivings on the hand images. Stick the images to the skewer to make a palm leaf to wave your praises to Jesus. Prayer: Father, sometimes this world can be confusing and uncertain and yet we know that you are completely in control. We turn our hearts to you and ask that, in your divine mercy, you will bring your peace and your purpose to our lives. Amen. Helen Cross |
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Sunday, December 12, 2021 |
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Scripture: Matthew 1:23 (NIV) - "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel - which means, God with us." Message: God with us! Don't you find it amazing that God chose to come live with us through His son Jesus? And not just for the short time that Jesus walked on this earth, but still today? When Jesus returned to His place in heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within His followers. We have that assurance in John 14:16-17 (NIV), "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." Immanuel - God with us, in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit! For all who have chosen Jesus, we are not alone! We have a companion, guide, counselor, and advocate! Praise God! Jesus last words in the gospel of Matthew 28:20b (NIV) - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." are very comforting. Family Activity: As we light the Candle of Joy today, using a container of your choice (a bowl, a dish, a jar, a baggie, anything can work), ask each family member to write down their discovery of JOY for the day and store them. Have each person share their joy aloud as a discussion, or use them as things to be thankful for in bedtime prayers. Do this each day until Christmas (or keep going!). On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, pull out the "Joy Jar" and reflect, as a family, on the joys as a way to celebrate the joy of Jesus' birth. Prayer: Father, You are so good. You love us so much that You sent your Son and Your Spirit to show us the way to You. Open our hearts during this Advent season to grow even closer to You. Amen. Helen Cross |
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Friday, April 3, 2020 |
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Scripture: John 16:7 (NIV) – “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” Message: During that time Jesus was with His disciples at their Last Supper together, before His arrest. He taught His closest friends many important things, including the verse above. Surely those men sharing dinner did not understand. How could His leaving be good? But, because Jesus left physically, we all have His Spirit with us, even today! But what does that mean? The Bible gives us more explanations:
Jesus wants us to be filled with His Holy Spirit so that we may experience the fullness of His love and peace. Prayer: My prayer for each one of us and for our church is the hymn “Spirit of the Living God”.1 (Due to copyright law, please read it in your United Methodist Church Hymnal #393, or online) Helen Cross 1. “Spirit of the Living God” by Daniel Iveson (based on Acts 11:15). 1926 © Copyright. CCLI. Permission not required for Title only. |
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Friday, May 8, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Message: In these times of uncertainty and change when our lives have been turned upside down, it is easy to feel anxious and stressed. Paul has a prescription for that! He instructs us to focus on the good things in life. When I think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, my attitude changes. Try it! You could actually go from a frown to a smile! Then I am able to follow Paul's guidance in Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” and Paul finishes by saying, "And the God of peace will be with you." Prayer: Father God, You are our Hope and our Peace. Thank You for Your presence with us always, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Helen Cross |
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Thursday, July 16, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Message: Our entire world has been dealing with an unprecedented crisis called COVID-19. When 2020 began, we had no idea that not just our city, our state and our country would halt almost all activity, but even the whole international community would be required to go on a sabbatical. We don't understand why God allows such tragedies to happen, but we can trust that in His infinite wisdom and His immeasurable love for us, He will use it for good. Where have you seen good during this time? I was amazed that, after about a month the air had cleared so much across the world, mountains which had been obscured by smog for many years were once again visible. Our churches have had to learn new ways to keep people connected, even though we couldn't meet in the same building. Families have had time to spend together without so many outside activities. Sometimes we just need to slow down to gain a new perspective on life and, hopefully, through that new perspective, our ways will grow closer to His ways. Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your goodness, for Your love and for Your care for us. May we ever remember that Your ways are higher than our ways and we can trust that Your way is always the best way. In Jesus name. Amen. Helen Cross |
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Thursday, March 28, 2019 |
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Scripture: John 1:16 (NLT) - "From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." Message: As Christians, we are the recipients of so many blessings from Christ - His love, peace, faithfulness, grace, forgiveness and the list goes on and on. Jesus calls us not to keep these gifts to ourselves, but to share them with others. I am reminded of the words of the song, “Freely, Freely” by Carol Owens1 which is based on Matthew 10:8b “Give as freely as you have received!” You can also listen to the song and read the lyrics on the website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhMfCJzXqk Don't be too busy today to bless someone with a thank you, a smile or a kind word. We never know how much that can lift a person's spirit!Prayer: O Lord, I thank You for Your goodness! May Your blessings flow through me into the lives of others I meet today. Amen. Helen Cross 1. “Freely, Freely” written by Carol Owens. 1972© Copyright. Written for the Musical “Come Together: A Musical Experience in Love”. Copyright managed by EMI CMG Publishing. Permission not required for use of Title, and lyrics and video on official websites. United Methodist Hymnal #389. |
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Thursday, March 13, 2014 & Friday, July 31, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV) – “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Colossians 3:16a (NRSV) – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” Message: The importance of knowing God's Word is clearly stated in the Bible. It is the revelation of His character and it communicates to us, His creation, and His expectations of us. Eighteen years ago, as I engaged in God's Word through a Disciple Bible Study, not only did my biblical knowledge grow, but my relationship with God, through Jesus, soared to new heights as well. My life was forever changed! It is amazing how God can speak to you when you seek Him with an open heart! Over time, and through life's most difficult moments, I have experienced God's love, peace and reassurance through reading the Bible. It is truly God's gift to us. During this Lenten season, I challenge you to read, each weekday, one chapter of the book of John. It could change your life! Prayer: Gracious, Father God, Your Word says if we seek You, we will find You. My prayer this time is for a new, deeper relationship with You as the words of Christ dwell in my heart. Amen.
Helen Cross |
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