Worship Service Prayer Teams

Pastoral prayers or congregational prayers – both are usually one-person praying.  One uplifting, encouraging practice we have found very helpful is to have prayer teams.  Two person teams will station themselves around the worship area, and attenders at the service are invited to approach a team with their personal requests. 

The teams are usually current or former elders and their spouse; we want to have people with biblical knowledge and some counseling and prayer experience.  Having a man and a woman on the team seems to provide a welcomed comfort level.

Those remaining in their seats are encouraged to pray. Sometimes small clusters will organize themselves for group prayer.   

We often find there is not enough time; there is a dynamic where it takes a while for the first few prayer seekers to stand up, but then there is a rush; sometimes we wish we had more teams.  So, we encourage people to seek out prayer from friends who are not in the teams.

Astonished

In the very first chapter of the book of Mark, Jesus commands incredulity, respect, and wonder.

John the Baptist had predicted to great crowds that one greater than he was coming, one who would not just baptize with water like he did, but with the Holy Spirit (vs8).   Even so, most people must have been awestruck when Jesus shows up and is baptized with water by John, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends, and the Father proclaims, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased” (vs 10-11).

Jesus teaches in the Capernaum synagogue; the people were astonished because he taught as one with authority.  He was proclaiming the truth, not just interpreting the scriptures (vs 22).

He cast out demons; the people were amazed at this new teaching.  His fame spread throughout the region (vs27-29).

The whole city gathered at his door; he healed the sick and demon-possessed.  Not only did the people recognize a miracle worker in their presence, but the demons knew who he was – the Holy One of God (vs 24, 34).

And he declared his mission clearly.  He proclaimed the gospel of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”  (vs 15).  And he did not stay long in any one place, saying, “let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”   The miracles were to get people’s attention; Jesus’ mission was to preach the good news – the kingdom of God had arrived and the scriptures were being fulfilled in this Holy One of God.

Pun Intended

Becoming a vegetarian is a huge missed steak.

Need an ark?  I Noah guy.

Windmills for renewable energy?  I’m a big fan.

Tried to borrow some bread from my Indian neighbor, but he said he had naan.

 

 

Thanks, Linnea!

Baptism

This morning thirteen children were baptized at church.  It was a joy to watch as the parents read a verse and said a prayer for their little one.  It was not like back in the day when I was baptized…

 

My neighbor Vicki and I were the only ones who had not yet been baptized when we went through the communicant’s class at the neighborhood Presbyterian Church.  So she and I became members at the early service, and all the other kids joined at the later service.

The only thing I remember about the service is the envelope they gave each of us at the conclusion of the ceremony. Big, white, official looking, with my name printed in calligraphy. Actually, I don’t remember the envelope, but I remember how the envelope got us into trouble.

The baptism was at the beginning of the service and then the sermon started.  Vicki and I sat by ourselves over on the side of the sanctuary.   Our moms were at the other end of the row.  The church was fairly empty, being the early service and all.

We listened quietly until Vicki wondered what was inside her envelope. This was one of those stiff almost-cardboard containers that don’t bend easily.  She slowly lifted up the flap –screeeech.  Then she pulled out the certificate – scriiittch.  Then she read it and put it back in the envelope – scriitchh, and closed it up – screeeeech.

Then it was my turn, since Vicki hadn’t shown me her certificate.  So, screeeech, scriiittch, read it over, scriiittch, screeeech.  Evidently those things were noisier than we thought because our moms told us in no uncertain terms what a commotion we had made and how embarrassing it was to them, and we were never to do that again, etc.

 

I guess one good thing is that I do have a memory of my baptism day.  Most of the babies this morning won’t remember much, but they all have pictures galore to remember it by.  Mobile phones had not been invented back in the day and flash cameras were probably too noisy.

Disappointment

Mrs. Green answered the phone to hear a distressed voice on the other end saying, “Ma, this has been the worst day of my life.  I’m going crazy. The kids are all sick and home from school.  I don’t have any food in the house.  I have a doctor’s appointment in fifteen minutes.  I’m going out of my mind.”

Mrs Green says, “I’ll come over, but I don’t know why Oscar can’t take care of the kids.”

“Who’s Oscar?”

“Your husband.”

“My husband’s name is Walter.”

“You must have the wrong number.”

“Oh, does that mean you’re not coming over?”

One of Paul’s Prayers

In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul prays several times for his friends.  In particular, verses 9-11 asks for them that

  • Your love may abound more and more
  • Your love will be filled with knowledge and all discernment
  • You may be able to approve what is excellent
  • You may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
  • You may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes from Christ
  • You may glorify and praise God

Not bad for a one-sentence prayer!

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Like most Isaac Watts hymns, this one uses multiple bible references, including Galatians 6:14: “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

 

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God: all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

The writer repents of pride, boasting, and vain things that charm. He confesses Christ as God, the Prince of glory, and Lord.  He writes that the blood of Christ was caused by both sorrow over man’s sinful nature and even greater love for those created in His image.  And, the gift offered by Jesus cannot be repaid, ever.  My proper response of gratitude is to offer my whole self.