A Voice in the Wilderness

2020-04-21

"Memory"

The cards were laid out in a table of five rows and five columns. Pairs of cards scrambled and placed face down. Turn two over and try to memorize where each card was. The goal was to pick up as many pairs as you can! I always played with high hopes…but rarely came out on top.

Memorizing didn’t seem to be a strong suit for me.

A few years ago, I read a book that challenged me to memorize Colossians 3: 1-17. And so over the course of several days, I committed this passage to memory. It was remarkable…not only that I was able to commit it to memory…but that I began to see how these verses informed and guided my everyday life. To this day, they continue to speak to me.

While some of us have extra time on our hands right now, I want to encourage you to take a go at memorizing a verse or two (or more) of scripture. This is a great opportunity to allow God to write his word in our hearts. Doing so can help us to know God in a deeper way, renew our minds, and encourage others.

You might start by memorizing a few of the following verses that are timely and true for our current times: 

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Philippians 4:6-8

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.

Whether you memorize one verse or several, ask the Holy Spirit to help you set them on your heart. Don't be surprised if you find them coming to mind in your everyday circumstances.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p.236)

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Join us for Worship this Week

Saturday: Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM 

Time: Apr 25, 2020 05:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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Sunday: Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM 

Time: Apr 26, 2020 09:30 AM Mountain Time 

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You can click the buttons below to download a PDF copy for either service.

The Gospel according to Matthew

Fr. Matthew is offering a study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday and Wednesday mornings at 11:00 AM (we will cover the same ground on both days).  Grab your bible and bring your questions as we open the scriptures together. 

On Sundays, our study uses our morning prayer link.

Bible Study: The Gospel according to Matthew
Time: Apr 29, 2020 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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Outbreak of Kindness

The Grand County Outbreak of Kindness aims to help close the gap and increase capacity where there are needs regarding accessing food or services, and to make simple grocery deliveries or errand runs to those at risk who need to stay home. Here is what we do:
• Reach out to and assist people 60+ or medically at risk and unable to leave their homes with basic errands and shopping. (Yes, we will deliver!)
• Recruit and train a volunteer force on behalf of Grand County and report to public health and the Joint Incident Command
• Share relevant, accurate local health information with our network
• Promote and support agencies that combat hunger and sudden food insecurity, and provide food sharing opportunities each Saturday at 1 pm in various locations around the county when other services are closed. (Big Shooters, Kremmling; St. John’s, Granby; Rural Health Network, Hot Sulphur Springs; Church of the Eternal Hills, Tabernash; Grand Mountain Bank, Fraser; and Fontenot’s, Winter Park)

Our intake volunteers will be trained to refer inquiries to the appropriate services in our county as needed.

Need assistance? Deliveries? CONTACT US: gc.outbreakofkindness@gmail.com (970) 363-6460

If you’re able, we need you to amplify our message within your community and join us. Please share our contact information and services with your staff, team, clients or anyone in your sphere of influence who might need them.
• Support us with donations of food or $ (payable to Grand County Rural Health Network/Outbreak of Kindness)
• Follow us on Facebook and invite your network to do the same.
• Spread the word throughout your personal, recreational, neighborhood, professional, and faith-based networks, *especially* to those who should be socially isolating and are reluctant to ask for help.
We’re here for each other; we’ll be here when we all come through this. Thank you for your service to the community in these difficult times, and for helping spread the word.

Thank you!

Thank you to all who helped with and participated in our holy week services. You can find pictures and information about all our services on our website here.

A word about giving

We recognize that there are a lot of folks who have been hit hard during this crisis and are grateful to the generosity of this community.

Some of you have asked what to do with your regular pledge and offering while we are not gathering together on Saturdays and Sundays. You may mail them to the church (we are picking up the mail every day) and we will put them in the offering plate and bless them during the service. You might also consider using billpay through you local bank if they offer that service. 

This Sunday's Readings

The lectionary readings for this Sunday are:

• Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17

• 1 Peter 1:17-23

• Luke 24:13-35

You can read them online here.

Church Directory

Now more that ever we want to make sure our church directory is up to date. If you have moved or changed phone numbers in the past year, please click here to fill out your current information.

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