Suzi Pitts, Director of Communications 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." Reflection: It was 1992, after just losing my mom to cancer, I was in deep grief. Right after that, our Golden Retriever, Chili, died. Now I know that the death of a dog is not a huge deal, except for you dog people—you get it. But this death on top of death was flattening. I had little kids at the time, and I felt low like [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries Matthew 15:1-9, 18, 22-28 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been [...]

Rev. Cliff Ritter  Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!” Reflection: The final word from our Book of Hebrew poetry gives us a clear imperative. In all things, and in all ways, at every opportunity, we are to praise the Lord. Indeed, to praise the LORD is to place a spiritual exclamation mark on our worship. It is our opportunity to declare our love for God, an opportunity to shout, or sing, or dance our highest form of exaltation before God. So long as we have breath in our lungs, we are to give God all [...]

By Louise McEvoy, Women's Ministry Coordinator Isaiah 29:13, 15-16 (VOICE) Eternal One: 13 These people think they can draw near to Me by saying the right things,         by honoring Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me.     Their worship of Me consists of man-made traditions learned by rote;         it is a meaningless sham. 15 Oh, it’ll be bad for those of you who conceal your thoughts from the Eternal,     who do your deeds in the dark and say: “Who sees us? Who knows what we are doing?” 16 My goodness, how you’ve turned things around! [...]

Amy Kelley, Director of Program Ministries, Gethsemane Titus 3:1-8 (CEB) 1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities. They should be obedient and ready to do every good thing. 2 They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone. 3 We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to our desires and various pleasures too. We were spending our lives in evil behavior and jealousy. We were disgusting, and we hated other people. 4 But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, 5 he saved us because of [...]

Charity Autry, Member since 2008, Families in Faith Sunday School Leader, Starting Point Leader, VBS Chair (Children’s Ministry Council) Psalm 95:1-2 (English Standard Version) 1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;     let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;     let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Reflection: My family and I just recently returned to in-person worship services. After seven long months, it was just what our souls needed. We have been attending virtual bible studies, virtual Sunday School, [...]

Kristin Reynolds, Advancement Chair, Children’s Council member, Member since 2000 Psalm 100:1-5 (NIV) 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness;     come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God.     It is he who made us, and we are his[a];     we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving     and his courts with praise;     give thanks to him and praise his name. 5  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;     his faithfulness continues through all generations. Reflection: Oh, [...]

Rachel Fisher, Children’s Ministries Communications Specialist 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 (NIV) 18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? [...]

Joseph Patty; Associate Director of Student Ministries, Student Leadership Romans 11:32-12:2 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!     How unsearchable his judgments,     and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?     Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God,     that God should repay them?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.     To him be the glory forever! [...]

Suzi Pitts, Director of Communications  Psalm 63:1-4 You, God, are my God,     earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you,     my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land     where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary     and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life,     my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live,     and in your name I will lift up my hands. Reflection: The [...]