Dear CCGR Family,
Pastor Terry’s recent message from Sunday, 7/26, (and Tom Chadwick’s scripture reading of James 5:13-16) couldn’t be a more appropriate reminder for all of us to be in ongoing communication with God. https://www.youtube.com/
As Christians, our most powerful resource we have is communication with God through prayer — not as a last resort, but should be first and foremost in our lives. “Prayer has been, and always will be, our direct channel to the power, grace, and strength of God.” HE listening to each of us; HE hears our words whether we are silently speaking or out loud, HE loves each and everyone of us and wants to hear from us, and HE will respond — maybe not immediately; maybe not in the way you think, but in the way that is best for us — through Love. You might reflect on how God has worked in your life, or others, even during times of adversity.
Prayer is simply talking with God. There is no right or wrong way. Our own way of praying is no less better than another’s, as long as it’s in all sincerity. It is not in chanting a certain repetitive formula or quoting something eloquent or unique, but it is in what’s coming from your heart. That’s all He wants to hear — exactly what we need in however we want to say it. Yet with regard to consistency or how to approach Him, we sometimes struggle.
God loves us and knows what we need. We don’t have to be concerned with Him not hearing us. And even though He knows everything we need, communicating with God connects His Spirit and ours, just as our earthly relationships earth can’t survive if the two parties don’t speak with each other. God is always there — standing by to hear from us.
We will find God when we seek Him with all our heart, through reading HIs Word and spending quality unhurried time alone with Him — maybe even writing your prayers in a journal, or speaking to Him during a walk in the park. Prayer need not only be individual; as a church, we pray together for each other collectively. As Paul says in scripture, “Carry one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Yes.., we pray ‘together’ as a group while we are in physical attendance, but even if separated in our own homes, our group prayers continue by sharing weekly with you those prayers that have been passed on to us for our church family to pray, shared through our Weekly Updates. This keeps us connected us as a ‘family’ and keeps us connected spiritually to who and for what we are praying for.
Even though we can’t make all decisions that happen surrounding us in life, we can ask God to help us with our own, and can ask Him to help other loved ones in our lives, or to thank Him for all He has given us.
We can trust God with these requests. Yes…, there is not a lack of problems in the world, but we can help do what we can do in our own little world — with our prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) (“God never promised a life without storms. But he promised to be with us when we face them.”)
We give thanks for these beautiful virtual services (to Boyd Lowry for his technical expertise), and as always, for the beautiful music Janet Montroy shares with us each week — including all the vocalists and instrumentalists that have continued to share their gifts with us!
CCGR PRAYER RESOURCES –
Are you looking for a quite place to pray, or others to pray for you?
CCGR’s sanctuary is now open for prayer each Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please feel free to come by anytime during those hours, for prayer in solitude and the peaceful surrounding of our church. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like. Know that all precautions have been taken to make our sanctuary a safe place. Please use the entrance/exit doors adjacent to the Memorial Garden.
For those more ‘private’ prayer requests, it gives us comfort knowing our church has a small group ‘CCGR Prayer Chain’. We share prayer needs in confidence on a regular basis for those prayers shared with us that you would like to be kept private. If you have a need for prayer that you feel you would like us to share, please see the notation below under the ‘Praying for You’ section.
As many of us continue to remain close to home during this time — or take precautions when we do venture out — we ask that you continue to keep each other in prayer.
For those of you who know the Chenoweths (who have attended several church functions), we are sad to share that Jane passed away this past Sunday. Please keep Okey and his daughter Carol and family is your prayers. Okey’s address is 55 Andrew Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436, should you wish to send a note of condolence.
Please continue to pray for our church members, families, and those close to us who have shared a special part of our lives — We continue to keep Bob & Doris Van Ostenbridge in our special prayers.
Anne Allen & Family (including Anne’s daughters, Liz & family and Sara & Boyd Lowry & Family); Ed Archbold; Rich Balch & family (on the recent passing of Rich’s Mother, Eleanor); Laura Bird-Bennett & Family; Rich Dethmers, Beryl Ferrari; Jean Franklin; Terry Gilligan & Family; Colleen Janssen & Family; Eric Lundquist & Family; Connie Sinkway and the Sinkway/Emery Family; Rev. Jerry Wright and his family; Barbara Zucchino & Family; & Rich Balch & family (on the recent passing of Rich’s Mother, Eleanor); the Ruth Rankin Leaper Family.
Confidential prayer requests that you would like the small group Prayer Chain to pray for may be emailed to Candy Hall at candy.hallccgr@gmail.com
CCGR Book Discussion Group
Kim Franklin will host our next Zoom discussion on Friday, August 14th at 7:00 pm.
The novel chosen is Madame Fourcade’s Secret War by Lynne Olson. Please check with the library for formats available.
All welcome!
Please continue to show your support to CCGR —
Though we cannot be together in person, we continue to be together spiritually as we face this health crisis together. We are gifted with our weekly virtual services and continue to pray for each other. If you’re able during this unprecedented time, please remember supporting Community Church in your time of giving. In addition to mailing contributions, you may access CCGR’s website and donate on-line, as well: https://communitychurchgr.com
God Bless!
~Donna