"Why Me Lord?"
By Associate Pastor Harold Sassman

Job 38

The LORD Speaks

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone-

7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels [a] shouted for joy?

Prayer and a starving cat
By Associate Pastor Laura Heikes

I've got two cats who serve as daily reminders of the way I approach God. One, I'd like to emulate, the other, not so much. If you wonder how to pray, or would like to go a little deeper in your prayer life, Sunday's sermon is for you!

Below, you'll find a prayer guide. The only way most of us know how to pray is sitting with our hands folded and heads bowed. Have you ever thought of praying while walking, or listening to music? What about keeping a prayer journal or using prayer positions? There is a different way to pray for each day of the week. Give each a try and see if you discover something you like!

Pumpkins are here!

This year's pumpkin patch is the best ever! The youth, parents and Terri have done an amazing job. Come by for beautiful pictures and pick up a pumpkin- all proceeds benefit the youth group.

It's not too late to join the Pumpkin Crew. Volunteers are needed to tend the patch and greet and help visitors. Email Pierre to sign up!

Fall Festival, a free event filled with fun and games is happening this Saturday, Oct 10 from 4-7pm at the church. Be sure to bring your friends and tell others. Everyone is invited!

Prayer Guide
Monday
Praying through scripture
Psalm 46 and Revelation 6:12-17
Read through Psalm 46 three times, then read Revelation 6:12-17.
Both of these passages talk about disasters so grave that even the things we think are permanent and unchangeable disintegrate.
Picture a catastrophe so great that all places of security collapse. Image not only physical upheaval, but the destruction of financial places of security, government, the medical system. Think over the people’s reaction in the passage from Revelation. Which feel most secure? Does wealth create a different response? Does power?
Now hear the reassuring words of the psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength.” Picture yourself believing this in the situation just imagined.
What turmoil or trail are you facing today? How does God want to be your refuge and strength? Pray that he will be your security in these areas.
Visualize the people you know who are “hiding in caves and among the rocks,” looking for security in places that offer no safety. Pray for these people as God leads you.

Tuesday
Journaling
Today try writing down your thoughts and prayers, addressing God directly, as if you were writing him a letter.

Read through Psalm 46 and Revelation 6:12-17 again. What new things jump out at you? Write these insights down, along with any parts of the scripture that are especially meaningful to you.

Using the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication):
Write a few words of praise to God based on this psalm. How does the psalmist describe him? Who is he to you? Who does he want to be to the lost?
Where do you find your security? In God? In something else? Write down the things you are tempted to trust. God is asking you to give him your full weight—confess where you fail to do this and ask for his help.
Write down some of the things you celebrate about your life. What good things has God done lately? Thank him.
Finally, is there something that you want to ask of God? Use this time to write down your requests. Please pray for his mighty presence to be felt and heeded in our church.

Wednesday
Body Prayer
Pray again using the ACTS model. This time add body movements:
When you adore God, thanking him for who he is, lift your hands.
In confession, drop your hands, palms to the floor, as if you were dropping your sins at God’s feet. Imagine truly separating yourself from them, releasing them from your hands.
As you thank God, turn your face upwards. You might want to clasp your hands together or use another movement that would express thanks. Tell him thank you with your body as well as your words.
Finally, in supplication, lift your hands upward, palms up. Offer the people, situations, and concerns you are praying for to God. As him to take them into his competent hands.
To this model, I’d also suggest adding a time to listen to what God wants to say to you.

Thursday
Song
Read the scriptures again and listen to a Christian song that has significance for you. The first time through, just listen to the words, quieting your heart and breathing as you enter an attitude of prayer. Play it again. As you listen, pray in whatever way seems most natural. Perhaps you would want to make the words of the song into your prayer. Perhaps you would like to journal as you listen to the song. Maybe you would like to involve your body, raising your hands and lifting your head to receive what God has to say to you. Pray in the way that feels best as you listen.

Friday
Prayer outside
Find a cool, peaceful place to sit outside. Look at the world around you.

Psalm 19 says: 1The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. 2Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies, 4yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world.

In what ways can you see God at work in the natural world? How is the created world praising God today? Pray that its message will not be lost on those in San Angelo today. Pray also for those who mistakenly worship the created world, that they would know and worship its creator.

Saturday
Intercession
Today pray for the needs of others. You may want to write your prayers down, or to use the scriptures to help you do this, or use any of the other methods you liked previously. Pray today for specific situations and people who come to your mind. Ask God to be present in those situations.

This week the youth are leading all three services! We have combined all these service's messages into one podcast. Today's messages are delivered by:

Kirby Fisher, "Going Through the Motions"
Bliven Szakacsy
Eric Garcia

Finding God at the County Fair.
By Associate Pastor Laura Heikes

Laura concludes her Finding God series with a trip to the county fair!

"What do United Methodists Believe about Jesus"
By Senior Pastor Keith Wyatt

Matthew 16:13-20 (New International Version)

Peter's Confession of Christ

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[a] the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it.[d] 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in heaven." 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Rollbacks, yes, but where is God at Walmart?

Walmart? Blech! I go out of my way to avoid it. The parking lot! The crazy people! And heaven help me- the customer service line! So where is God in the modern marketplace? I'll attempt to answer this worthy question on Sunday.  

You'll find this week's study guide (for further study on the Hoity Toit sermon topic- seeking out those lost in darkness) at the bottom of the email.

Did you catch this week's video of where people like you found God in daily life this week? If not, check it out here. Then be sure to report sightings back to me for Week 3!

 

Mission Opportunity

Many of you have been asking for a way to get involved in local mission work. Join the Pumpkin crew! Our church is known for this community space and families from around town, many of whom have no idea about faith, come to enjoy the pumpkins. That's why we need you. Sign up to work in the pumpkin patch and you'll be on the front line of outreach in our community. It's about more than taking money- you'll be developing relationships. Email Pierre to sign up! And remember, youth and their families will earn scholarship money for all hours worked.

Study Guide 1 Thess. 5:6-8 speaks of life before and after being a Christian. What characterized the life of “sleep” and “night” for you? What has it meant to wake up? What is the day like in comparison?

In Matthew 9:10-13, Jesus gets flack about who he's hanging out with. Tax collectors are mentioned by name. They worked for the Romans, the very people who were currently occupying Israel . They were known for collecting more than necessary and pocketing the rest. Who might Jesus be criticized for hanging around with in today’s society?

Look back over yesterday’s scripture. Remember a time when you’ve been sick. We often forget how that feels when we’re well. Think about how it feels to be spiritually sick, and then read Jesus' words again. How does it feel to hear him say this? What does Jesus mean when he says it’s the sick who need a doctor?

Romans 5:7-8 talks about the meaning of Jesus’ death. Think of the sinners you know. Now recall Jesus’ death. Pray today that they would know this kind of love and mercy.

Matt 28:16-20 contains the Great Commission- the marching orders for the church. We often think of this call as a summons to faraway places. What are the places nearby that would be just as hard to visit? God wants you to go somewhere as his witness- where do you think that is?

 

"The Strength That is In You"
By Willie Berman

Judges 6:11-16 (New International Version)

11 The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."

14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

15 "But Lord , [a] " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

Where is God in a bar?
We'll continue our sermon series on discovering God's presence in strange and difficult places with a message about where I found God at the Hoity Toit Bar. I'll be sure to share with you all the kooky stories that went along with this adventure.

The study guide below is for further study about last week's message (Rest). The one for the Hoity Toit will be in next week's email (that way I don't ruin the surprise!).

1. Psalm 19:1-2 speaks of the silent witness creation gives about God. As I write, it's raining for the first time in so long. Find a time to go outside today and listen. How does the work of God’s hands speak to you about him?
2. Acts 14:16-17 was a staple in my seminary mission classes. We rooted ourselves in the idea that there was no country, no people we could visit where God has not already been. What does that mean for you in daily life? What does it mean for us in New Braunfels ? What are some places where you’d wonder if there was evidence of God?
3. In Mark 6:30-32, Jesus calls his tired disciples to rest. What work was he leaving behind? Why was he willing to do this? Have you ever heard him call you to rest? Read a little further- what happens? How can we know when it’s okay to interrupt our rest and when it’s not?
4. Genesis 2:1-2 is the completion of the creation account. Why did God rest? If God rested, are we too important to rest? How often do you rest for a full day? What prevents you? What might encourage you?
5. Exodus 20:8-11. Which of the ten commandments is this? Why did God include this in his foundational laws? Notice the detailed list of people who are not supposed to work. Translate that into today’s language. How can we help others rest in our lives?

"What Do United Methodists Believe About God?"
By Senior Pastor Keith Wyatt

Psalm 90

BOOK IV : Psalms 90-106

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

"Working on Salvation"
By Associate Pastor Harold Sassman

James 2:14-26 (New International Version)

Faith and Deeds

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[b] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Finding God!
This Sunday, in honor of Labor Day, we'll kick off our September sermon series (Finding God) with a sermon on Finding God on The River.

We all avoid the river in the summer and the reasons are obvious. Trash, drunks, frat boys and felons- it's just...icky. So where is God in the midst of all that, and was I crazy to invite the youth to help me look? Come join us and bring a friend. So I don't ruin the surprise, the study guide will come with the next email (so we'll have the sermon, then study).

Email us when you find God...
This week I saw a car back up a tiny bit to let someone else into our long line of traffic. What generosity! Where did you see God this week? We're collecting stories and pictures. Email them to Amber, our media tech, at ladida@rocketmail.com or text her at 708-3829. She'll use the pictures and stories we give her to create a video collage each week of where our congregation saw God. It would be so sad if it was blank...

"What About God's Laws?"
By Senior Pastor Keith Wyatt

Exodus 20

The Ten Commandments

1 And God spoke all these words:
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me.

4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 "You shall not murder.

14 "You shall not commit adultery.

15 "You shall not steal.

16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

This Sunday's Message:

SHEEP and CHEERIOS

I refuse to say more. Except I have a present that goes with the sermon. And it's Gospel Sunday! I hope to see you there!

"I Never Cease to Be Amazed" By Senior Pastor, Keith Wyatt
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

"Things I Wish Jesus Hadn't Said"
By Carol Bissett