Happy New Year! Here are a few links related to our worship services and sermons in January.
The Valley of Vision
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, is a book published in 1975. Includes the prayer for the New Year.
Blessed to be a Blessing
We are all blessed in many ways. It is our call to turn our blessings around to bless other people. We can do this in many small and large ways. The Bible says:
- As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
- A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. Proverbs 11:25
- Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Here is an ambigram.
Midwest Distribution Center
Located just south of Springfield, IL
Since opening for ministry in 2000, Midwest Mission has been showing God’s Love in practical ways through the distribution of education, health, micro-business, and disaster relief supplies meeting basic human needs around the world and around the corner.
Individuals and groups can sign up to volunteer. See https://www.midwestmission.org/
Hours: M-F 8 AM to 4 PM (weekends by appointment) 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558 (217)483-7911 office@midwestmission.org
Human Relations Day 
January 16 is Human Relations Day. It is one of the 6 Special Sundays for the UMC.
I Understand, Let’s Go
In the Joseph, King of Dreams movie there is a great scene. Joseph is in prison. Potiphar comes to get him out of prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Potiphar starts to try to appologize for his wife’s behavior that landed Joseph unjustly in prison. Joseph interrupts and says, “I Understand, Let’s Go,” and they walk out of the prison together. The rest is the history of the Hebrews. Here is the clip:
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
This wonderful hymn was written by John Greenleaf Whittier (1872). I like to use the first verse as a Call to Worship. Lyrics and information here. Video below.