Living Light – Prayer Chair
Pastor Joanie Settle into a chair, breathe deeply, and make the following prayer your offering to God.
For striving for material things just to fill a void… forgive me.
For times when our unburdening burdens the earth… forgive me.
Help us lay down the “shoulds” that dominate our lives, O God.
Help us let go of any unhealthy drive to succeed
and seek the journey of true fulfillment.
Help us to seek your kin-dom by focusing on
that which sustains love and justice, for this is the real treasure of this world.
In this moment I hear your promise:
“I, God, know your every need. You can let go of so much worry about the future.”
You do not ask us to suffer without the things we need, just to be mindful to live simply so that others may simply live.
We are your children, siblings to one another.
I bring my petitions to you this day, O God. Here are the people and things I am worried about …. (offer up to God your joys and concerns)
Holy God, who holds me close as a Loving Parent does,
I honor this life you have given me and this moment to remember what’s important.
I pray that your love will reign in all the earth and in my heart.
Give me what I need to get through the next 24 hours. No more. No less.
Open me to give and receive forgiveness when and if that’s needed
so that serenity will return.
Your world is precious. This moment will never pass again.
With this breath I offer my deepest thanks.
Put any worries in your God Box, if you have one. As an “amen,” take a deep breath before you leave the chair.
God Box Instructions
The God Box is a way of handing over the things that we worry (perhaps even obsess) about that are beyond our control. You can make a God Box out of a small box, perhaps shoebox size, and decorate it however you choose and place the Serenity Prayer on the lid (you could cut out the one below). Whenever worries pop up, you are invited to write your worries on bits of paper and put them in your God Box as a sign that you are letting go of that which you cannot control into the care of God. Replace the time spent worrying in your head with speaking the Serenity Prayer by H. Rienhold Neibhur, 20th century theologian. You could also keep your prayer papers in this box.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Miss the sermon this week?
Read it here: Un-busy: Lighten Up
Tuesday Night Small Group Study
The Bible is more revelatory, revolutionary, and relevant than you ever imagined. But too often people butcher it with stilted literalism and stifling interpretations. Join us Tuesday, April 2 at 6:15 as pastor/author Rob Bell’s “What is the Bible?” helps us discover how the Bible has more to offer than you ever imagined!
This Week:
Tuesday, April 2nd, 6:15 pm Small group
Wednesday, April 3rd, 1:30 pm Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, April 3rd, 6:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 4th, 3:00 pm Ladles of Love, Meal preparation
Thursday, April 4th, 4:00 pm Ladles of Love, Meal delivery
Sunday, April 7th, 11:00 am Worship
Upcoming Events:
April 13th, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Easter Egg Hunt/Fellowship at the home of Joanie & Jason Williams
April 26th, Lunch: Fundraising BBQ
April 27th, NC Regional Assembly, Barton College, Wilson, NC