Click on the link above to download a PDF version of Family Devotions for Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Worship in Solitude: a few suggestions
This Sunday, March 15, many churches are either canceling worship services or only offering online opportunities. This Sunday give sus a unique opportunity to worship God in solitude. So many times we take for granted that the Creator of the universe also created us as individuals and wants both a communal and individual relationship with us!
Maybe Sunday you could take the opportunity to meet with God in solitude. Here are a few suggestions:
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- Go on a prayer walk.
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You can pick a park or right in your neighborhood. Pray for your neighbors as you walk by their house. Ask God to open your eyes to see the needs of your neighborhood. Be amazed at God’s creation and be thankful for how God is present in your life. Pray for those who are suffering from illness.
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- Focus on a Psalm and Proverb.
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Did you know that their are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs? One for each day of the month! Since this Sunday is March 15 take the time to look at Psalm 15 and Proverbs 15. Take about 15 minutes to study this passage. One good method is Lectio Divina which means “divine reading.” This will give you the chance to read through the passage multiple times. Read the passage through the first time looking for what words, phrases or ideas jump out at you. Take some time to pray. Read the passage through a second time and ask the question, “What is God trying to say to me in this passage?” Read the passage through a third time and ask the question, “How is God asking me to respond to what God said to me?” You can use this exercise as a meditation or an opportunity to journal! Don’t over think it. Just have fun with it.
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- Gather your family for a family devotion.
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Use this link as a guide for family devotion. Kids Devotional
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- Pray the ACTS prayer.
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A doration– Take time to adore God and praise God.
C onfession– Take time to confess your sins to God knowing that God is quick to forgive!
T hanksgiving– Take time to thank God for the blessings in your life.
S upplication– This is where we place our needs at the feet of God.
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- Write notes of prayer and encouragement to people in your life!
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Is there someone who is struggling that needs to know you are praying for them? Is there someone who has blessed you that you want to let them know of their blessing? Is there someone who needs encouragement?
We hope that you find your time with God meaningful and that you experience God in a powerful way!
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River City Renovations, September 21, 2019
It’s time for another River City Renovations update and a lot has happened since our last post! We had another successful cross-campus Work Day. We got a lot of work accomplished with lots of camaraderie and a little pizza along the way.
Outside, a team worked hard on painting all of the old swing sets. The new play set was installed and the new swings are up!!
Inside one team ripped up all of old carpet in the narthex and hallways.
At the beginning of this week we had a very exciting delivery!! All of the luxury vinyl plank flooring was delivered and install will begin on Tuesday, September 24th!
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River City Renovations Update 9/6/19
A lot has been happening on the inside and outside of our River City Campus of St. Matthews UMC. It is amazing what people can do when they work together. Volunteers gathered the week of August 18-25 to power wash, landscape and prep areas for playground and inside work. Check out what can happen in a week’s time!
One of the biggest goals at River City is that it will be a place that is welcoming to kids and families! We have done a lot of work on our playground and creating a Gaga Ball Pit and Basketball Goal. The weekend of September 8 volunteers will gather to paint, assemble swings and put together playground equipment.
BEFORE
BEFORE
IN PROGRESS
Inside the building we are in the process of creating a gathering area off the main hallway. This area will be a great place for people hangout between events and for groups to host fellowship times. It also brightens up the hallways with natural light. On September 16 flooring will be laid in the hallways, nursery, bathrooms and gathering area. We were able to purchase flooring below wholesale through IPA Properties! We are thankful for generous people!
ORIGINAL
Gathering Area and ADA Bathroom
Second area
for gathering space
Light coming in hallways
We have also been blessed through the generosity of all the people of St. Matthews (St. Matthews Campus, River City Campus, TDA and Canvas). We had 40 people at our work day (pics below) on August 24 and we have raised $35,014 in cash as of September 6, 2019 and have a total (including on hand) of $42,000 pledged. We are well on our way of reaching our goal of $112,000. Our Design Team and a subcommittee of Trustees has approved upcoming work including installation of flooring, completion of ADA Handicapped Bathroom, painting and updates to the fire alarm and fire extinguisher systems. We have a total of $35,014 on hand and a total of $27,000 approved work. Our team is committed to leaving at least a $7,500 buffer of money on hand and approved work to avoid over spending and making sure we have enough money for unexpected expenses. If you would like to make a donation to renovations you can do so by going to www.rivercitymethodist.com and clicking on “donate.” Be sure to select “River City Relocation” in the drop down menu. You can also make a check out to River City UMC or St. Matthews UMC and put “River City Relocation” in the memo. 100% of your funds will go towards renovations at the River City Campus. For more information you may contact Kristie Jones or Maria Gray at the St. Matthews Campus or Paula Walker, Rick Farrow, Ashley Deskins or Pastor Derek at the River City Campus. In our next update we will show you continued work on the inside of the church and an update on the house and playground!
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Believe: Our Perspective—Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace
Sunday: Psalm 100, Copy down in your own handwriting the lyrics to your favorite Christmas carol. Ask God to use this season to help you experience the joy and peace the song communicates in a new way this year.
Monday: Matthew 25, How would your life be different today if you believed Jesus was returning at midnight? If something springs to mind that you would do differently, go do it now.
Tuesday: John 3:16, Do you feel so loved today? Say this verse aloud. Memorize it if you haven’t already. What has been your greatest moment of being a Jesus follower? What has been your worst moment as a Jesus follower? How have you experienced God’s love in the highs and the lows?
Wednesday: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, Christmas is a day that we celebrate the gift of God’s love to the world in Jesus Christ. One of the best gifts you can give God in return is to share Jesus with others. Brainstorm ways that you can share the gift of God’s love with the people in your life.
Thursday: Luke 2:1-40, Re-read the story of the birth of Jesus that we have been focusing on this Advent season. This time, notice the ways that God’s peace is experienced in this story. How do you need to experience peace in your life? How do you sense God calling you to bring peace into the lives of others and into our world?
Friday: Luke 1:34-38, Notice Mary’s faith and surrender in this passage: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (ESV). How do you need to surrender to God’s will in your life? In what specific area to do you need to trust God and be
able to say, God, let Your will be done?
able to say, God, let Your will be done?
Saturday: Matthew 5:9, God calls us to be people who make peace in the world. Take time today to pray that God will help you make peace in your family…in your friendships…at work or at school…in your church…and in your community. We prepare the way for the coming of Christ by being instruments of God’s peace.
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