DEVOTIONAL
Unnamed grace
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In the years I lived farther north, I loved this time of year, with the vibrant colors of changing leaves. Others would ask me about the species of trees, but I had no idea which tree was which. I knew only that I was seeing something beautiful.
Often in human life, we see something which speaks to us, though we cannot identify that "something" by name. I believe that most of those experiences involve a glimpse of God, of the divine at work among or within the human. Many people who turn away from religion find experiences of great depth and joy, and in those experiences, they see God but do not name the experience as related to God.
Jesus' critics attacked him when he cured a man on the Sabbath, but he maintained that the love of God far outreaches religion. He said that "something greater than the temple is here," saying of God, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice."
The powerful experiences and encounters we have in everyday life are God incarnate. We who seek God may not stop to recognize God in those circumstances. Others may not identify those experiences with God at all.
They only know that they have just seen something beautiful.
Psalm 38; Lamentations 2:8-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Copyright 2011 by Carol Mead. This material is copyrighted, but you are welcome to share it in its entirety with others. To subscribe, visit the website at www.holyordinary.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PROGRAMS:
Join us this Sunday as the Easom's will be teaching this week on "Turning to the Bible". This will be an interactive discussion and they are asking everyone to please bring a bible with them this Sunday to use for reference in our lesson. If you have extra bibles at home that you are not currently using, prayerfully consider donating your extra Bibles to our class. Anyone who donates a Bible will be able to share the story about their Bibles origin. Thanks in advance for participating and please note that there is an open invitation to donate Bibles.
OUTREACH:
We will be asking each couple to write two letters to the orphans in Georgia (see below for instructions). They will be your ticket to the Halloween party! If your last name starts with A - M, please write to Shalva Amaglobeli (7 year old boy; wants to be a policeman). If your last name starts with N-Z, please write to Mery Moichadze (6 year old girl; wants to be a doctor). For the second letter, please write something generic - there are several orphans who do not have a sponsor and these will be distributed to them. Please keep the letter upbeat and positive, but do not make any false promises (eg, we'd love you to visit us in America). It is ok to say things like "we love you" and "we are praying for you.". We will be distributing stationary in class over the next few Sundays, but you are welcome to use your own.
SOCIAL:
Please mark your calendars for a Halloween costume party at the Kelly's home on Sunday, October 30th at 4:00 pm. Bring the whole family as we will have a pumpkin carving contest for the adults and a pumpkin decorating station for the children. If you did not receive the EVITE please let Natalia or Elizabeth know.
Our social event in November will be centered around Thanksgiving therefore we will be partnering with Outreach for a volunteer project and a fellowship dinner. More details to come.
Please save the date for the LAF Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, December 10th at the home of Kevin and Jo Hodges.
TREASURER:
This year we are trying something new! We will be collecting "pledge cards" from each LAF couple during October so that the officers can set a realistic budget for our year. In past years, we've had a significant surplus of funds, but we're beginning to whittle it down. We are suggesting a pledge of $100 per couple but are leaving it up to each couple for a final decision. Look for pledge cards and a collection envelope in the weekly attendance folder. We hope to collect all dues by December 31st and will be tracking our progress with a fancy fundraising thermometer on the bulletin board. Please note that we will accept them after December 31st, but we are encouraging everyone to get them in by this date.
FROM MEG:
Also, don't forget that this Friday, a group of us will be meeting up at Grady Stadium in midtown to watch Lanny's team, the Blessed Trinity Titans take on Therrell High. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! The game starts at 5:30 and should be finished by 7:30. After the game, we'll go over to Mellow Mushroom on Monroe for dinner. Please e-mail Meg at mthomablackwood@gmail.com to let her know if you can join the group, so that we can make plans to meet up outside the stadium before the game. If you can't make the game, please join us for dinner. The Titans won their game last week against the Lovett lions in exciting form (a 48 yrd field goal with less than a minute left), so they are now #1 on their side of the region. Be sure to wear your green and gold to cheer on the Titans!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Blessings,
Malia, David, Susan & Wes
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:
10/1--Pete Wedersheim
10/7--Russ Greatorex
10/11--Sarah Moreland
10/20--Lanny Blackwood
10/28--Speight Knowles
10/29--Bobby Spencer
10/30--Graham McWhorter
10/1--Crews
10/2--Richardsons
10/8--Thomason
10/10--Greatorex
10/29--Hodges
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