PRAYER MATTERS
Psalm 121.1-2, 8 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 8The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
I have been reflecting on our recent sermon about rest. Pastor Gregory’s words challenged me to think differently about how I receive and how I give rest. When I hit my limit and feel like I can go no further, I want a specific kind of rest. Often, the Lord will provide care for my soul, mind, and body in unique ways that don’t necessarily match my ideal version. His way is always better!
I’ve been running on all cylinders for the past couple of months and I’ve enjoyed most of the extra ways God has been using me but I’m tired. Really tired. After church last week I talked myself into getting outside. I wanted to hike so I got home and put on my shoes, grabbed what I needed for me and the pups, leashed up the girls and got ready to leave. I made a quick phone call and was pleasantly surprised a friend could join us. Off we went.
In my mind I had it all planned out… how long it would take to get there, how long I had to hike, and so on…Rush, rush, rush. My mind was racing; I was in a hurry to get there and get moving. I was focused more on completing the task at hand (as my mind and body had been operating for the past couple of months) instead of enjoying the experience. God had other plans.
We started up the trail and the further we walked, the calmer I felt. The dogs were running, my heart was pumping, the wind was blowing, the sun was breaking through the clouds. It was a gorgeous day. We had the trail mostly to ourselves. And the quiet. It was beyond peaceful. My friend who is an avid hiker took me to what I think was the top. She pushed me (without knowing it!) to go further, to get into the scenery. To rest. God was using her to help me restore and refresh. My schedule of only hiking for 45 minutes turned into two and a half hours. I came off that trail a different person.
When we take time to breathe – to get out in nature (if that is your jam) and be still with the Lord (even if “still” means hiking) we will receive a rest like no other. I believe this then allows us to be in a better mindset to offer rest to others. To demonstrate reconciliation, forgiveness, kindness, accepting God’s gifts of peace and mercy. Showing others what Grace looks like and serving with a joyful heart.
How are we trusting Jesus and looking to Him for rest in this season?
Ericka
Psalm 121.1-2, 8 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 8The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
I have been reflecting on our recent sermon about rest. Pastor Gregory’s words challenged me to think differently about how I receive and how I give rest. When I hit my limit and feel like I can go no further, I want a specific kind of rest. Often, the Lord will provide care for my soul, mind, and body in unique ways that don’t necessarily match my ideal version. His way is always better!
I’ve been running on all cylinders for the past couple of months and I’ve enjoyed most of the extra ways God has been using me but I’m tired. Really tired. After church last week I talked myself into getting outside. I wanted to hike so I got home and put on my shoes, grabbed what I needed for me and the pups, leashed up the girls and got ready to leave. I made a quick phone call and was pleasantly surprised a friend could join us. Off we went.
In my mind I had it all planned out… how long it would take to get there, how long I had to hike, and so on…Rush, rush, rush. My mind was racing; I was in a hurry to get there and get moving. I was focused more on completing the task at hand (as my mind and body had been operating for the past couple of months) instead of enjoying the experience. God had other plans.
We started up the trail and the further we walked, the calmer I felt. The dogs were running, my heart was pumping, the wind was blowing, the sun was breaking through the clouds. It was a gorgeous day. We had the trail mostly to ourselves. And the quiet. It was beyond peaceful. My friend who is an avid hiker took me to what I think was the top. She pushed me (without knowing it!) to go further, to get into the scenery. To rest. God was using her to help me restore and refresh. My schedule of only hiking for 45 minutes turned into two and a half hours. I came off that trail a different person.
When we take time to breathe – to get out in nature (if that is your jam) and be still with the Lord (even if “still” means hiking) we will receive a rest like no other. I believe this then allows us to be in a better mindset to offer rest to others. To demonstrate reconciliation, forgiveness, kindness, accepting God’s gifts of peace and mercy. Showing others what Grace looks like and serving with a joyful heart.
How are we trusting Jesus and looking to Him for rest in this season?
Ericka
from the week of November 3
Praises
- Praise God that I am feeling better finally!
- Thank you, Lord, for Buddy!
- Praise God for One Service!
- Praise God for his blessings and the beauty all around us!
- Praise to the Lord for this uplifting service!
- We thank and praise you for being with us in our time of need! What a comfort – beyond description!
- Thank you, Lord, for our wonderful church family! And thank you to Rick for his message and reminders on Sunday.
- Praise the Lord! We closed on our new house and are beginning the task of moving!
- I am so grateful for this wonderful time of worship and privilege of being part of the installation service.
- It is wonderful to see the children being blessed during communion. Praise God!
- So thankful for meeting my friend’s grandbaby!
- I am grateful for the Wagenfuhr family and their commitment to serve Grace.
- So grateful to be able to attend church from home. We are blessed and encouraged as we worship in song, the preaching of the Word, and in the prayers. It is good to see all of you in worship even though we can’t be present. The LORD bless all those who make the telecast happen.
- Just blessed to be in worship today!
- I’m excited to have Dr Gregory Wagenfuhr as Pastor and leader.
- Praise for God's hand in my healing and rehabilitation
Prayers
- Prayers of comfort for the family and friends of Victoria, who passed this week.
- Pray for safe travels as the weather and pass conditions are unpredictable.
- Please pray for H as she prepares to transition from the nursing home to her home. Help her find strength and continued healing.
- My prayer is one of thanks for a blessed life and greatness of God.
- Prayers of comfort for T’s mom as she deals with cancer.
- We pray for people affected by the government shut down. May God provide for the people’s needs.
- Prayers for the opening of the government and for all the persons who have been working nonstop without pay – father God take this under your wings – you are the lawyer of lawyers!
- Pray for my cousin J in the hospital, who is very confused and has memory loss. The doctors don’t know why yet. Pray for healing.
- Prayers for a young couple as they take a path of cancer treatment. They are newlyweds, were looking forward to a new life together. Strengthen them through this.
- May the Lord bless our family.
- Prayers for my sister who is doing ok.
- Prayers of healing for D who is undergoing cancer treatment.
- We pray for our leaders to remember Micah 6:8 – act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. We pray that our local and national leaders will lead in this way.
- Prayers for those suffering from the impacts of the government shut down and the hurricane.
- Continue to guide me with handling my mom & dad’s estate.
- Be with my friends and their doctors as they seek healing.
- Pray that K will fall in love with Jesus Christ our savior.
- Prayers for T – he is in a lot of pain. Pray for complete healing on his right side.
- Continue to pray for L to receive the medical care he needs.
- Lord Jesus, thank you for making your presence known among us. Empower us by your indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in obedience to do the good works prepared for us to do to the Father’s glory. May we, your Body, lift up your name. Hallelujah!
- Praise the LORD for my 92 yr old dad’s on-going recovery and the encouragement it has been to the whole family. Your prayers have been have borne sweet fruit.
- Prayers for safe air travel for me this week.
- By faith...We rejoice in J’s healing and his ability to walk again un aided. We know God is healing him and has a plan for him. We know by faith that God has EVERY little detail already worked out for our good and His Glory. We cling to His Word and His promises by faith.
- Please pray for better health and strength for my husband who has been an excellent partner during my hospitalization and rehabilitation
- We seek direction in supporting our daughter while helping her become independent from us. It has been a long struggle.
- Knee replacement surgery this week. Pray that the surgery may go well and healing will follow quickly and perfectly. Praise J & J. for providing care during recovery and rehabilitation.
- I pray for Pastor Wagenfuhr’s ministry. May it be wonderful, joyful, and loving. I also pray for his delightful family as well.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH AND CAMP STAFF:
STAFF: (Pastor) Gregory Wagenfuhr; (Family & Children’s Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Student Ministries) Kara Brown and Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa; (Preschool Director) Becca Mailand; (Preschool Teachers) Amber Miller and Amiya Aparicio; (Childcare) Gracie Miller, Maddie Miller, Jennifer Brice, Grace Johnson, and Christina Cole; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Dan Barela, John Yolo, Stephen Dalton, Monte Schilperoort, and Ryan Albertson; (Administrative Assistant) Ericka Clark; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Anne Schilperoort; (Intern Director) Larissa Belknap; (Interns) Linda Camarillo, Alexandria Moran, Belen Damian-Vasquez, Eli Westfall, and Jasmine Barriga.
GHORMLEY STAFF: Joel Whitehead, Richard and Kim Hayland, Mark James, Anneliese Eastridge, David Killings, Taylor Miller, Jeff Sansburn, Elliot Daly, and Kaden Schmidt.
CAMP GHORMLEY BOARD: Jeff Arkills, Mark Baldwin, Rob Culp, Tony Klein, Liberty McLean, Suzanne Marinace, Amae Merrill, Jeff Scott, and Joel Whitehead.
STAFF: (Pastor) Gregory Wagenfuhr; (Family & Children’s Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Student Ministries) Kara Brown and Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa; (Preschool Director) Becca Mailand; (Preschool Teachers) Amber Miller and Amiya Aparicio; (Childcare) Gracie Miller, Maddie Miller, Jennifer Brice, Grace Johnson, and Christina Cole; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Dan Barela, John Yolo, Stephen Dalton, Monte Schilperoort, and Ryan Albertson; (Administrative Assistant) Ericka Clark; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Anne Schilperoort; (Intern Director) Larissa Belknap; (Interns) Linda Camarillo, Alexandria Moran, Belen Damian-Vasquez, Eli Westfall, and Jasmine Barriga.
GHORMLEY STAFF: Joel Whitehead, Richard and Kim Hayland, Mark James, Anneliese Eastridge, David Killings, Taylor Miller, Jeff Sansburn, Elliot Daly, and Kaden Schmidt.
CAMP GHORMLEY BOARD: Jeff Arkills, Mark Baldwin, Rob Culp, Tony Klein, Liberty McLean, Suzanne Marinace, Amae Merrill, Jeff Scott, and Joel Whitehead.
1 Corinthians 15.57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”