A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Sunday, July 21, 2019

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (July 21) Athens First UMC



[Our Honduras mission team got home late Saturday night. They were busy building sinks and latrines, pouring concrete floors, mudding walls, and teaching the children. See below for more pictures. Our mission team stayed focused on sharing their faith by serving others which was our worship focus on Sunday. For the sermon, click here.]

Gracious and compassionate God, whenever we get distracted like Martha in our Gospel reading this morning, remind us of what is most important. Remind us to stay focused on Jesus. When we come up against challenges and distractions that would keep us from you, may the words of our prayer chorus come to mind, “He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, almighty God is he.”

As we go through our everyday lives, give us the focus of those Apollo 11 astronauts, who fifty years ago, were able to do the unthinkable by walking on the moon. Lord, you have taught us that when we keep our focus on you, that we can do the unthinkable. That one small step in faith can turn into one giant leap for the sake of your kingdom.

Thank you for our summer mission team that took a step in faith by serving in Honduras this past week. Thank you for using them to be a blessing through building sinks and latrines, paving concrete floors, muddling walls, and sharing their faith.

Thank you for every single small step that is taken to help us have a more Loving Faith, a more Learning Faith, and a more Living Faith.

Thank you for the small step our church will be taking less than a month from now when we gather for the Faith Builders Two-Day Training Event here at our church. We pray for Rev. Jeff Motter who will be leading us and guiding us through this important way that we can strengthen our relationships with each other and especially with the people of our community.

O Jesus, your name is wonderful because you are our mighty King; a mighty King who keeps us steady in a very unstable world; a mighty King who gives us peace when we are in pre-op waiting for surgery; a mighty King who promises to be with us as we prepare to move to a new location; a mighty King who forgives us all our sins; a mighty King who teaches us to boldly pray together…

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”



[This is one of the pilas which they built; outside sink used for many purposes including laundry and dishes.]



[Looks like our mission team serving in Honduras this past week had a lot of fun sharing their faith!]

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