Posts in 2019
Pray Like This: Prayer Stations [Family Sunday]
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Today’s Message:

February 17th was a Family Sunday and we continued our series in the Lord’s Prayer by engaging with various prayer stations after our time in worship together. 

If you missed our time together, here are some ideas for your engagement with praying through the Lord’s Prayer

Journaling: You will find journaling paper and pens at the journaling station, feel free to take a sheet of paper and return to your seat for meditation and reflection. 

Prayer: Using each line of the Lord’s prayer as a prompt, take time this morning for an extended time of prayer.

Worship and thanksgiving: take time praising God for who is and all He has done for you and for the world throughout history 

Intercession, submission and surrender: What in your life do you need to surrender to God’s will? Where in the world are you longing to see God’s kingdom and will being done?

Provision: Ask God to care for your needs and the needs of the community and world.

Confession, and giving forgiveness to others: How have you sinned against God and against others this week? How have you sinned in your actions, and words? How have you sinned by not speaking, or acting? How have you sinned in your thoughts and attitudes? 

Asking God for strength: Where in your life do you need God’s guidance, and deliverance? How do you need His strength to come along side you in this upcoming week?

Meditation: Here is a way to meditate on the Lord’s Prayer, by simply saying the prayer very slowly and very meditatively. 

“St. Ignatius suggested to those who were searching to grow in prayer to pray the Our Father very slowly and silently in harmony with the pattern of deep, relaxed breathing. Pray only one word with each slow breath, letting the mind, heart and imagination dwell on that single word.

St. Ignatius also suggested a second method: become relaxed and dwell on the first word of the Our Father, for as long as it is meaningful. Then, move on to the second word. (A young novice once asked Teresa of Avila, “Mother, what shall I do to become a contemplative?’ Without missing a beat, Teresa responded, ‘Say the Our Father – but take an hour to say it.’).” - Sister Janet Schaeffler, O.P.


Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

NOTE: There was no recording of this message.

Pray Like This: Your Will Be Done
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Today’s Message:

When we pray the words ‘your will be done,’ we are acknowledging God’s good intentions for earth, the reality of the present evil that is against these good intentions, and our own longing to see His will fulfilled. Praying this prayer will cost us both our worldview and our will as we are invited to partner with God in His good intentions for creation.

Sermon Series:

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

Click here for resources for this series.

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Pray Like This: The Kingdom We Long For
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Today’s Message

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

The first thing that Jesus teaches us to pray is “Your Kingdom come.” But many followers of Jesus do not understand what are we praying for. Some think the Kingdom is a political realm that we must persist in creating. Some say it is purely spiritual and something that we spiritually align our lives with. Still others say it is the rule of God which will be established at the end of time. So what IS the Kingdom Jesus taught us to long for?

Click here for resources for this series.

This week’s message notes

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES:

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Pray Like This: The Identity That Inspires Us
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Today’s Message

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

Jesus teaches His followers to pray: “Hallowed be Your name.” What does it mean “to hallow”? Why would Jesus teach this? and How does this practice shape our identity?

Click here for resources for this series.

This week’s message notes

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Pray Like This: The Setting We Pray In
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Today’s Message

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

Click here for resources for this series.

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.7-13

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES:

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Pray Like This: The Foundation For All Prayer
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Today’s Message

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

Jesus teaches His followers to call God, “Father”. Why are we encouraged to do this? What does this teach us? And can people who have horrible fathers ever consider calling God Father? These are some of the questions today’s message seeks to consider.

Click here for resources for this series.

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.5-13

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

Click here for the message outline.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES:

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Pray Like This: A Preface to Prayer
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Today’s Message

There are at least three things common to everyone alive: birth, death, and, in between those two, prayer… I have never met a person who has not prayed. It may be a spiritual prayer born of deep faith or the desperate cry in hopes that Someone might be listening after all. Everyone, everywhere, and of any age has prayed. It unites ancients, moderns, and post-moderns.

At times it is as natural as breathing while at other times it is difficult and painful. Prayer can be both easy and challenging; inspiring and disappointing; gratifying and exasperating; comforting and distressing. At times our longings are abundantly fulfilled and at other times we can feel ignored and our affections betrayed.

The One who prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsakened me?” taught His followers how to pray and what to pray for. This series is a reflection on the prayer Jesus gave us.

Click here for resources for this series.

Today’s Scriptures | Matthew 6.5-13

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Matt. 6:7   “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matt. 6:9   “Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. 
Your will be done, 
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

Click here for the message outline.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.