Praying for God's world

 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. --James 5:16

 

 

What can we do when we are troubled about things going on in the world? We can pray! Prayer is powerful. Even before we give and donate our help, prayer can help us hear what God is asking us to do. You are invited to learn about Chapelwood's special connection to six countries around the world.

 

Haiti

A team from Chapelwood traveled to Haiti in July. Our primary work is with an organization called, "Haitian Artists for Peace International." Chapelwood is working with the Haitian Methodist Church to rebuild schools, churches and homes after the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Haiti has immediate and long term needs of water, food, medical care, and economic development.

 

Kenya

A team from Chapelwood traveled to Kenya in June of 2013. Kimberly Hillman from Table 11 was on that team as well as 2 high school girls from Chapelwood. Ministry priorities include Maua Methodist Hospital in northeast Kenya and ZOE Ministries which empowers ophans in Kenya through sustainable practices.

 

Estonia

Chapelwood partners with the Methodist church in Estonia. We support Estonian pastors in the Methodist Church, Lighthouse Children's ministry and a seminary in Tallinn. Chapelwood's sister church is Johvi United Methodist Church with Rev. Artur Pold.  They serve a large student population in the midst of one of the most unchurched countries in the world.

 

Mexico

A team from Chapelwood has been traveling to Tapachula, Mexico for ten years each January. Our work is with Steve and Hope Shearouse who provide a home, meals and education for 70 children. The parents of these children are in prison. Without this home, the children would have to live in prison with their parents. The team does housework and laundry, cooking, helping with homework, etc. They also share God's love with the children each day.

 

Syria

Syria has been in civil ware since March of 2011. Many citizens have lost their lives and more than 500,000 Syrians have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Much of the country has been destroyed. Chapelwood supports UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is on the ground with an organization in Turkey to help displaced families. They supply tents for shelter, daily food, hygiene kits, mattresses, and clothing.

 

China

In China, Christians gather secretly in home churches. Hundred of Christians are arrested, detained and fined each year. How is Chapelwood connected to the people of China? We support UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. After a devastating earthquake in April, UMCOR is on the ground with local organizations to rebuild more than 400 homes and supply food and medical care.

 

Choose a country from these six and offer your prayers for...

 

The very young and the very old...

Those who are hungry and thirsty...

Those who live under the threat of violence...

Those who offer help and hope...

 

When you think about God's world,

what group of people or place do you want to remember in prayer?

 

 

 



 

 

September 15 Review: Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

Our Confirmation Class explored these words of Jesus from the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. Jesus gives us images that spark our imagination and tell us about who he is and our relationship with him.

Jesus declared, "I am the BREAD of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"I am the GATE; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." John 10:9

"I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

Jesus said to her, 'I am the RESSURECTION and the LIFE. He who believes in me will life, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. DO you believe this?" John 11:25-26

Jesus answered, "I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"I am the VINE; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

"I am the ALPHA and OMEGA," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8


Questions for reflection:

1. What do these verses tell you about who Jesus is? What do they mean? Which image do you relate with the best?

2. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus?

 

You are invited to leave your thoughts in a comment.

 

 

 

September 8 Review: Who is the God we Worship?

God is Creator.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

God is Unchanging.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

God is Mighty.
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Jeremiah 10:12

God is Patient.
 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

God is Forgiving.
As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our sins from us. Psalms 103:12

God is Love.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.1 John 4:16

God is our Savior.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.He will take delight in you with gladness.With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. 

Questions for Reflection:

• How have you known God as Creator, Unchanging, Mighty, Patient, Forgiving, Love and as Savior?
• What is another quality of God that you have discovered in life or in scripture? 
• You are invited to leave your thoughts in a comment.

For those of you in class with us September 8, this is different than Bob Lindsey's lesson. I can't duplicate his awesome class here, but I want to point you towards God as He is revealed in scripture. 

September 1 Review: The Journey of Faith

When your family gets ready to take a trip. What kinds of things do you do to get ready?

You may...
...make flight & hotel reservations
...pack clothing and other supplies
...buy tickets for special events, performances or games
...make plans with people or family members you will see on the trip
...make compromises so that everyone gets to do some of what they want!

When we talk about faith being a journey, we are talking about a completely different kind of journey than a family vacation. Here's what Jesus had to say:

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Mark 6:7-9

When the disciples were traveling with Jesus, they didn't have a set destination with set plans. They didn't do any of the preparations that we are so used to. Life with Jesus is open-ended. Anything can happen! Jesus and the disciples trusted God to provide for every need: food, a place to teach & worship, people to welcome them and provide a place to sleep. We can trust Him to provide for us too.

Sometimes we think that our life with God is like a trip we take as a family. There's so much to do to get ready! We have to be organized and plan everything out. We have to know where we are headed and we have to gather up things to help us. But really, God invites us to do what the disciples did, trust him for everything we need in our faith journey. He will lead us towards life that is abundant and eternal. Are there twists and turns? Is there danger? Yes, but God is faithful and he will never leave us to journey alone.

Read these bible verses slowly and carefully:

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

You are invited to leave your thoughts in a comment.