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From the Pastor's Desk:
Saying thank you to people is very important. I have tried to instill that in our kids all the time. It’s easy to say thank you when people have obviously done something for you, but can we say thank you unexpectedly in less obvious situations? Give thanks with a grateful heart.
When Mother Teresa spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994, she said – “One evening, we went out and picked up four people from the street. One of them was in a most terrible condition. I told the sisters, ‘You take care of the other people; I will take care of the one who looks the worst.’ So, I did for her all that my love could do. I put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand and said only two words: ‘Thank you.’ Then she died.” Mother Teresa said she could not help but examine her conscience. She asked, “What would I say if I were in her place?” Then she said her answer was straightforward. “I would probably have drawn a little attention to myself saying, “I am hungry, I am dying, I am in pain.’ But that poor woman gave more. She died with a grateful love and a smile on her face.”
Have you ever thought about saying thank you to God for this day and all He has done to bring you to this day? What about saying thank you to everyone who makes your day the way it is so you can work, sleep, eat, and do many other activities? When did you last say thank you to the garage men, the power company, the gas company, and the mortgage company? You have a roof over your head, power, water, and working systems all around; someone is making it all happen for you, and we need to be grateful to be enjoying the benefits. Saying thank you to a police officer, utility company, or cashier will mean a lot to the recipient, but it will mean more to the one who gives it. “Always give thanks for all things.” (Eph. 5:20).
For Mother’s Day, I encourage you to take a moment and write a note of thankfulness to your mother or any woman who made or makes your life better. By doing this, you are also saying thank you to God for all He provides for us. Give God more thanks than He is expecting!
See you on Sunday,
Misty
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Hamburgers/Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Chips, Brownies
Served By: Crosswalk
Please check the Midweek Dinner page on our website for additional upcoming menus.
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Worship Arts Notes ♫
The Hymn “How Firm A Foundation” has been a favorite among Christians for centuries. It was first published in 1787 in a hymnbook edited by John Rippon titled A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. Its beautiful lyrics exalting the Word of God has made it one of America’s best loved hymns.
Surprisingly, the name of the author behind this classic hymn is a mystery. In the hymnbook, it was attributed only to “K—.” This is thought by many to be a reference to Robert Keene, who was a friend of John Rippon’s and was the leader of music at the Carter Lane Baptist Church in London when Rippon was the pastor. Even so, the true identity of the author remains a mystery.
Despite the anonymity of its origins, for over 230 years How Firm a Foundation has brought comfort and encouragement to countless believers. It was sung at the death bead of President Andrew Jackson and at the funerals of Robert E. Lee and Theodore Roosevelt.
Perhaps the most noteworthy and appreciated feature of this hymn is how closely it resembles the words of the Bible itself (which is fitting, given that its theme is the solidity of the word of God).
Consider, for example, how stanza 2 compares to Philippians 4:12-13:
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Or how stanza 3 echoes Isaiah 41:10:
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(See also how stanzas 4 and 5 reflect Isaiah 43:2.)
An interesting account of these lyrics bringing comfort – and unity – in times of uncertainty is found in an anecdote from the Spanish-American war. This conflict came about 30 years after the end of the US Civil War, and tensions between the North and the South were still high.
On Christmas Eve, 1898, it was sung by an entire corps of the United States Army encamped near Havana, Cuba. Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis Guild, Jr. related the inspiring story to The Sunday-School Times back in
1901. Guild wrote:
On Christmas eve of 1898 I sat before my tent in the balmy
tropical night [near Havana] chatting with a fellow-officer of
Christmas and home. Suddenly from the camp of the Forty-
ninth Iowa rang a sentinel’s call, “Number ten; twelve o’clock,
and all’s well!” It was Christmas morning. Scarcely had the cry of the sentinel died away, when from the bandsmen’s tents of that same regiment there rose the music of an old, familiar hymn, and one clear baritone voice led the chorus that quickly ran along those moonlit fields: ‘How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord!’
Another voice joined in, and another, and another, and in a moment the whole regiment was singing, and then the Sixth Missouri joined in, with the Fourth Virginia, and all the rest, till there, on the long ridges above the great city whence Spanish tyranny once went forth to enslave the New World, a whole American army corps was singing –
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
The Northern soldier knew the hymn as one he had learned beside his mother’s knee. To the Southern soldier it was that and something more; it was the favorite hymn of General Robert E. Lee, and was sung at that great commander’s funeral.
Protestant and Catholic, North and South were singing together on Christmas day.
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Hello everyone, Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership.
The past couple weeks we have had the great opportunity of having some new people join our fellowship. One of the men that came last week is a very conservative Muslim. I shared that morning and spoke on the difference between religion and the way of Jesus. It was a great time, and he seemed to be impacted by Jesus washing the disciples' feet.
Next week, we will be going with a group representing our country to a nearby country for a conference. In preparation for this conference, we were asked to invite young potential leaders, and we have several younger potential leaders going with us which is amazing to see!
Update from our Missionary Church Planters in Central Asia with Youth With A Mission
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The website now has a page for the church calendar under resources.
The church calendar is available for all church ministries and organizations to post meetings and events as needed. We welcome your events! All events need to be submitted ASAP for next month’s calendar. All ministry leaders are responsible for submitting their events annually even if they are reoccurring.
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Weekly Scripture
1 Peter 5:1-11
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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Join our Aldersgate Prayer and Praise email list! Prayer requests, the weekly prayer list, and notes of praise are sent several times a week to our more than 140 different current and former Aldersgate members. You can join our email list by sending an email to
office@aldersgateumc.org
or call the church office at 334-272-6152.
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