Beauty for Ashes
Pastor Joanie If you missed Sunday’s Sermon
Read or listen to Acceptance – Finding Beauty in The Broken (Freeway, Week 4)
Devotion 1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
-Isaiah 61:1-3
God is in the business of taking the broken and making it beautiful! 
Think about negative situations or events that you have experienced.
Write them down.
What are the positives that came out of that experience?
Write them down.
Spend some time in conversation with God. Look for the beauty in those negative experiences as you share with and listen to God.
God’s Words for This Week
Psalm 139 – It was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (NRSV, v.13-14)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – God: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” (CEB, v.9)
Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who is against us? (CEB, v.31)
This Week at Hood
Monday, October 16, 4:00 pm – Women’s Circles 1 & 2
Wednesday, October 18, 6:00 pm – Young-ish Adult Small Group (ages 25-45)
Wednesday, October 18, 6:45 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, October 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at The Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation (108 N Wilson St)
Sunday, October 22, 11:00 am – Homecoming: Freedom (Covered Dish Meal will follow Worship)
Coming Soon…
Saturday, November 4 – Cotton Festival
Sunday November 12, 4:o0PM – Veteran’s Day Concert
Sunday, November 19, 9:30 am – Church-Wide Thanksgiving Breakfast
Sunday, November 19, 6:30 pm – Community Thanksgiving (hosted at Hood MCC)