First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Fayette, MO

What a joyful morning it was as another one of our youth came forward this morning to claim his faith in front of our congregation. Congratulations Jackson, we are all overjoyed to join with you as you grow in your relationship with God .

Today was a day to rejoice as one of our youth came forward this morning to claim his faith in front of our congregation. Congratulations Quentin, we are all overjoyed to join with you as you grow in your relationship with God .

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSiI66UGDA

Day 7 of Lent, February 24th Hope for the future Gary And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up on meeting togetherbut let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24-25 ... In the past year, the Covid-19 virus and the pandemic that has resulted from it has touched nearly all our lives. Few of us, if any, can say that the virus and its effects did nothing to disrupt our lives. Some have been stricken with serious or fatal illness. For my part, I am glad to report that my exposure to the virus has, to date, produced only minor symptoms. However, it did keep me from most activities and especially church for nearly a month. My return and the good wishes of so many of my church family was greatly appreciated and led me to consider just how much the church means to me personally and to everyone in our congregation. During the time we have been separated from each other by the pandemic, our church staff has done an exceptional job of bringing the church to us through the internet and social distancing in worship. We are indeed fortunate to have those resources and that talent but, human nature being what it is, I’m a little concerned that we become so accustomed to the convenience of the electronic church that we neglect our responsibilities to the physical church when the pandemic ends and we can return to normal. For now, we are indeed blessed to be able to worship safely at home. I hope we can all pray for an end to the danger of the pandemic and a renewed commitment to the life of the church as that end comes. Dear God, Be with us as we work through these trying times, and bless our efforts to maintain Your church and all its work for humanity both now and in the future. Amen.

Day 6 of Lent, February 23rd - Devotion 1 Anonymous ...You are truly My disciples if you live as I tell you to, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8: 31-3... There is a lot of discussion today about free speech. Many people abuse that speech and harm others by not using it wisely. This often gives people bad ideas which affects their behavior. That is why it is so important to seek the real truth and not listen to false information and false prophets. We can't just accept the first thing we hear to give us guidance. Instead, we need to carefully study what is best for all and what promotes love not hate. What better way than to follow Jesus' teachings and the way He led His life while on earth? Jesus wants us to love one another. That is the truth! Lord, Thank You for sending Your Son to show us how to live. Amen. Day 6 of Lent, February 23rd - Devotion 2 Cathey Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me. Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerned me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; forsake not the works of Thine own hand. Psalm 138: 7-8 This past year, and even so far even this new year, has been one of fear, yes anger, and so many sick people. Many businesses have closed and won’t reopen. We have been unable to do the things we want to do and have missed the fellowship of family, our friends, school, and even our church in many months. We have been lonely and, yes, a bit depressed about life. What have we been able to do about it? Well, what we should be doing is reaching out to our God and asking for help to receive that feeling of peace we so desperately need. We need peace of mind and love of God to support us with mental and physical self. We need this peace so that then we can reach out to others, by phone if not in person, to help and support their needs, too. So, God, here I am asking for You and needing You. Help me for myself, so I then will be able to reach out to others. Dear God, In this awful time, please be with me with support and help so that I can do what is needed for myself and others. Not just my family, but my church and friends. Amen.

Day 5 of Lent, February 22nd Novy And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 13... Looking back on 2020, and forward into 2021, I doubt there is not one of us that wasn’t somehow adversely affected by one of the big events that happened. Political unrest, an unprecedented time of social isolation, loss of jobs and futures shaken to the core. Everything from schools, meetings, exercise groups, and even church services switching to Zoom or similar platforms online. Friends and families divided over facts, opinions, and beliefs. Did anything stay the same, was there even one aspect of our daily lives that didn’t have to change or adapt? The Lord, and everything He does for us. It may not seem that way sometimes, but His love is never ending. We need to remember to always know He is there. Everything we have --even the bad stuff, the things we don't like, and yes the things that make us mad, hurt us, and even threaten to damage our faith-- is because of Him. Our hearts need to be open to seek Him, to find Him, and most importantly, to listen to His words. He is always there for us, and we need to always be there for Him. Thank You, Heavenly Father, that I am Your child. I want to know You more and pray that as I seek You through Your Word and come before Your throne of grace, in prayer and praise, You will show me more of Yourself. Instill in my heart a desire to seek You more and search for You with my whole heart, and I pray that I will discover a depth of Your perfect character that I have never seen before. Let me reflect You in thought, word, and deed, as Christ is being formed in me. In His name I pray, AMEN. and Amen. Note: This prayer came from the website https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Jeremiah/29/13.

1st Sunday of Lent, February 21st The World Is a Better Place Sharon There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. 1 Corinthians 12: 4, 7 ... God gives His gifts where He finds the vessels empty enough to receive them. ~C.S. Lewis Throughout history, many have accepted their God-given gifts and have made the world a better place: The world is a better place because Mary didn’t say, I don’t do virgin births. The world is a better place because Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) didn’t say, I don’t do channels. The world is a better place because Michelangelo (1475-1564) didn’t say, I don’t do ceilings. The world is a better place because Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) didn’t say, I don’t do underground railroads. The world is a better place because Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) didn’t say, I don’t do sunflowers. The world is a better place because George Washington Carver (1861-1943) didn’t say, I don’t do peanuts. The world is a better place because Walt Disney (1901-1966) didn’t say, I don’t do mice and ducks. The world is a better place because Mother Teresa (1910-1997) didn’t say, I don’t do missions. The world is a better place because Rosa Parks (19132005) didn’t say, I don’t do buses. The world is a better place because Jonas Salk (1914-1995) didn’t say, I don’t do vaccines. The world is a better place because Anne Frank (1929-1945) didn’t say, I don’t do diaries. The world is a better place because Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) didn’t say, I don’t do dreams. The world is a better place because Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) didn’t say, I don’t do Hallelujahs. The world is a better place because Kermit the Frog (1955-present) didn’t say, I don’t do rainbows. The world is a better place because Max Lucado (1955-present) didn’t say, I don’t do ministry. The world is a better place because John Lewis (1940-2020) didn’t say, I don’t do good trouble, necessary trouble. The world is a better place because Jesus didn’t say, I don’t do crosses. As people of faith, may we each move forward using our God-given gifts, unified in our response that the world is a better place because I didn’t say, I don’t do Amen.

Day 4 of Lent, February 20th The One Fred The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his [John’s] disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ John 1: 35-36 NIV... The first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ And he brought him to Jesus. John 1: 41-42 NIV Back in the summer of 2018, I was asked to be the chairperson of our Pastor Search Committee. I accepted the call without question because I indeed wanted to be part of this exciting process; to find the perfect person to fill our pulpit for the future. I envisioned the process to be similar to the process in my professional life; review applications, read resumes, call references, call for and conduct interviews, select a perfect fit finalist, and hire them. No problem, easy peasy; I had done this many times. I am sure God smiled at my confidence and my get it done attitude, because what I hadn’t considered when this all began, was that it wasn’t me who was actually in control of this process! It was not going to be mine, nor the committee’s decision, as to WHO our next Pastor would be, or WHEN that person would be arriving at our door. And we were all going to come to that realization as we moved through one Pastoral Profile after another and found what we have considered our perfect fit more than once, BUT God has yet to agree! So, here we are two+ years later, and we still don’t know who our next Pastor will be or when that person will be arriving at our doorstep. And much like John the Baptist answering questions posed by the Priests and the Levites in The Gospel of John, our committee gets posed questions as well How’s the search going? When will we find a settled Pastor? We don’t know because we’re not in control; we have yet to see our Lamb of God coming toward us. Following the suggestion of a wonderful member of our church family, I read the verses from John that I have included as a basis for this devotion. It was easy to draw a comparison to what those first Disciples might have experienced and what our committee will experience when we find the one. Much like John the Baptist, I believe we will know when that person arrives in front of us; and when that day comes, like Andrew telling his brother Simon about finding Jesus, we will be able to come to our church family and tell all of you; We have found the one. I look forward to rejoicing with all of you on that day! Please keep those of us who are searching for the one in your prayers each day. Amazing God, Only You know who our next Pastor will be, and we know that You are in control of the time and the date when that person will arrive. We pray that the day will come soon when we can pronounce that we have found the ONE. Amen.

Day 3 of Lent, February 19th USE CAUTION JUDGING YOUR NEIGHBOR Rita Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7: 1-2 ... One of the things that has bothered me the most is how I feel that some so called Christians take it upon themselves to criticize and condemn other Christians, feeling that they are superior in some way. I guess when it comes down to it, I hate judgmental Christians . . . and so therefore, I am one as well. Let us pray. Dear Lord, Help me to control my judgmental feelings when it comes to my fellow Christians. None of us are infallible, and all are led astray at times. Let me learn to dismiss the actions of others that I have no control over. Remind me to pray that both they and I strive to put Your wishes and beliefs above our own. Amen.