‘A Really Bad Day’ Prayers Shouldn’t Be A Shopping List Of Wants
Fragrant lilacs and beautiful white iris adorned our altar as we gathered to worship Sunday at Mill Creek Baptist Church with several visitors. Sheri White was celebrating a birthday and special prayers were requested for Pauline Howe, Jimmy Jarvis, the John Ray family and Debbie. Jeanette Easter reported that the church won first place float in the Old Timer’s Day Parade and second in the outhouse race. Thanks to Jimmy Easter for all his work on both entries and Grant Abercrombie and his cross country friends for running.
Tom Sharp lead the congregation in our responsive reading, “Love, Mercy and Grace.” Linda Abercombie read some meaningful lyrics from the song “Mary Knew.” We also enjoyed special music from Jerry Abercrombie who sang “Thanks to Calvary” and Bob Obenshain who sang “Farther Along.” Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns. Tyrel Lett asked God’s blessing upon our offertory and he and Gene Gardner served as ushers. Bro. Mark Hall brought us God’s message “A Really Bad Day,” a prayer for the afflicted with scripture taken from Psalm 88:1-5. As he began, he told us to slow down and focus on God’s day. Bro. Mark talked about the story and the man who was down, had no strength, had prayed day and night, was mentally physically and emotionally exhausted and felt like God had forgotten him. “Do you ever feel like that and then ask yourself, but Lord, I’m a Christian and it isn’t supposed to be this way?” Bro. Mark referred to the words of Jesus to His disciples in John 16:33 which says, “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” As Bro. Mark talked about tribulation, he said.
In Philippians 3:10, Paul says to know Jesus you will experience the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. Bro. Mark asked Tyrel, Grant, Gene and Tom to portray the characters of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they got into trouble because of their faith and ended up in the fiery furnace. Shadrach prayed to the very end, but God did not deliver them from the furnace, instead He joined them in the fiery furnace. The fire was still hot, but when God joined them, the effects of the fire changed. Bro. Mark said, “If God won’t deliver us from tribulation, He will join us and the effects will change. Allow Him to join you in your tribulations. Tribulations have no respect of who you think you are, whether you are powerful, rich or famous. We never know what is just around the corner. Your best day today can be followed by your worst day tomorrow.”
Bro. Mark talked about those kinds of days in the Bible from Palm week, to Jesus’ crucifixion on Friday to being risen on Sunday. “Sunday is a great day, but Friday comes and it’s a bad day coming off a great week. You may not know the reason for your brokenness. When you are out of options, energy or money to get out of a tribulation, God can take your mess and turn it to a miracle. Like the crucifixion, Friday isn’t the end, Sunday is coming. It is the beginning of a new week and a brand new tomorrow to look forward to. Christians get knocked down, but not knocked out.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 says, “We are hard- pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
In closing, Bro. Mark asked, “Have you got resurrection power? You have to Know God to have it. We will have bad days, but God will help you through it. We can have the fellowship of His suffering and can have the power of His resurrection. The big question is, do you know Him? Have you been Biblically baptized. Do you need to rededicate your life?”
We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome. Mill Creek is the little white church that sits on the creek bank, three and a half miles east of Noel just off Highway 90.
Steve Powel, liturgist, welcomed the congregation and guests for worship. Announcements for the week were made, including the monthly men’s breakfast on Saturday, May 9. Birthdays were celebrated for Lewis Davis, Rose Peck, Hannah Stanley and Linda Hybl.
The congregation shared in a time of fellowship, followed by Patti Carrol playing the prelude to worship as Megan Elwood and Zoe Thornton lit the altar candles.
The congregation sang “He is Lord” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” accompanied by Patti on the clavinova and the orchestra.
Joys were shared by Robin Davis for a visit from granddaughter, Skyler and family; by Jan Heath for a visit from her daughter; and Faye Davis shared joy for the gathering of family for husband Lewis’ birthday. The flowers on the altar were recognized for their beauty and thanks were given to all who contribute to providing flowers for the altar and the church grounds. Joy was shared for Crystal Thomas Boyt’s graduation from Northwest Missouri State University with a graduate degree in education. Pastor Mary Lou Toft shared joy for the block party held at Pineville. Prayer was requested for the families of Robert Barth and Betty Womack. Mary Lou led the congregation in prayer.
Steve read the scripture lesson, from Matthew 6: 9-13.
The orchestra played “Thy Word” for the music special.
In her message to the children, Mary Lou talked about praying and the Bible scripture of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus used his teaching to show us how to pray and what to pray for.
In her message to the congregation, Mary Lou spoke about prayer and Jesus’ teaching to the disciples about prayer. When we pray, we should focus our prayers on God more than ourselves. It should not be a shopping list of our wants. It is not about us, but about God changing us into the people we need to be to serve Him. God can help change us to be more like Jesus in what we say and what we do, and change our spirit into one of helping others come to know Jesus.
Mary Lou led the congregation in the sacrament of communion, followed by the congregation singing “O, How I Love Jesus” and Mary Lou’s benediction to close the worship service.
You are welcome at worship services, Sunday’s at Pineville UMC, 9:30 a.m., Noel UMC 11 a.m., and at Southwest City UMC at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Mary Lou Toft can be reached at 816-729-6767 and at revtumc@hotmail.com or visit Noel MO United Methodist Church on Facebook.