For many this is the end of a semester of hard work and dedication as well as the end of high school or college, and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.  Congratulations!  We applaud your dedication and hard work! 
  There will be many times of transition in our lives.  We must learn to be thankful for our accomplishments, let go of our disappointments, and celebrate the future as we open our lives to God leading us in new directions and new possibilities.  Continue to open your life to God’s Spirit through worship, Bible reading, and prayer.  Wherever your life leads, use your gifts and talents to serve God and others.  Know that whatever you do you can have an impact on the lives of others.  Always live out your faith in whatever work you find yourself and take time to share the love of Christ.   
 
(verse of the week) 
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain if it is in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15.58
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, help us to celebrate the milestones of life and help us to be open to the new chapters of life with energy and enthusiasm.  May all we do, serve others and give honor and glory to you, through Christ Our Lord, amen.
 
Blessings--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which He is to bless now--St Teresa of Avila

Sometimes the road ahead seems difficult.  Sometimes the challenges and obstacles seem overwhelming.  But God will see us through.  Joshua faced overwhelming challenges as he led the people into intense opposition and daunting challenges; yet Joshua remained calm.  Faith fortified him.  Hope inspired him.  If the road ahead seems difficult and the challenges you are facing threaten to overwhelm you, take a moment and look up to God, whisper a prayer, and listen to the still small voice of faith in your heart.  God is there!  God is leading you.  God will be faithful!  Take heart.  Rekindle your faith.  God will see you through!  Listen to these words of encouragement the Lord spoke to Joshua:
 
(verse of the week) 
Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1.9
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, the challenges and adversity of life sometimes seem discouraging, but help me to lift my eyes to you, where comes my strength.  Strengthen me.  Lift my heart.  Renew my spirit.  May I face the challenges and adversity of life with faith and trust in you, that I may stand strong, through your power and to your glory, amen.

​Blessings in Christ--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm –Abraham Lincoln

​Life is a race--more like a long marathon than a short sprint.  It is a long and sometimes grueling race.  It takes training, discipline, perseverance and faith to run it well.  And like any long race there are always some difficult miles where the sun is beating down on us, the road seems too steep, and our legs seem feeble.  But that is the time to take it one step at a time and realize that the training will pay off, stay hydrated drinking plenty of water, and over time, that one stride at a time will get us to the finish line.  If you are feeling a bit race weary, take heart and focus on the end, drink the water of the Spirit to refresh your soul, and know that we do not run the race alone, God is there with us and will see us through to the finish line.
 
(verse of the week) 
But we have this treasure in earthen clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed . . .Therefore do not loose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed from day to day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4.7-9,16-18).
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, sometimes the road seems long, but we know you are with us and give us strength.  Help us to lean into your grace and strength.  Help us to be renewed by the water of Your Spirit and strengthened to finish the race you have put before us through your power and to your glory, amen.
 
Blessings –Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm –Abraham Lincoln

National Day of Prayer
 
Today is the National Day of Prayer.  Payer is the most underrated power in the universe.   But the truth the song writer penned so long ago still rings true today: “What a friend we have in Jesus, what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Take time today to join people all over the nation and world to seek God in prayer, and remember the power and privilege of prayer each day.  It will make all the difference in all of life. God’s Word has such wonderful promises on prayer: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (2 Chronicles 7.14,15)
 
(verse of the week)
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
  give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
 those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
  hide me in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 17.6-8)
 
 
Prayer of the Week
Gracious Eternal God, thank you for the gift of prayer, that we come before you and share our heart and lives with you.  Thank you that we can find strength for the day in your strength, that we can find grace in your grace, and we may know your forgiveness and love each day.  Be with us today and be also with the leaders of our world and help us to strive for peace and justice and follow your will and way, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
 
Open your heart to God’s awesome love—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day--Abraham Lincoln