SATURDAY, APRIL 2

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56.3)

Fear not

When I was feeling overwhelmed and fearful of an uncertain future, I heard someone say God wants our burdens. I figured if he really wants them, I will gladly give them to him. I admit I felt guilty. I always thought my burdens weren’t big enough to bother God with. Now I see that by giving my burdens to God, I am better able to do God’s work and to hear and feel his guidance. I trust that God will be with me through the most difficult times and will give me his strength to survive.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. I ask that you remind me of your presence in times of stress and fear so I can give you my burdens and feel your strength and unconditional love. Please help me quiet my mind so I can hear you and allow you to work thru me to help others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Dru Szczerba

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“But, when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand in doing, so that your alms may be secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4)

These verses are always a challenge to follow for me, especially, when I have a real vested interest in selecting the gift. Giving up management or hoping others will feel the joy that I anticipate this gift should bring.

I know that the gifts should be given for the sake of giving and a response to God’s love.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, who knows my heart, help me to respond to your love in generosity and prayer. In Christ name. Amen.

Virginia Mottershaw

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

This passage struck a cord with me. If you believe and love God, your life will be filled with gum drops and rainbows. Should we as Christians stop reading at Romans and profess our love to God and everything will be alright? I wish! But the more I read and thought of personal history within my life, this is not what this verse appears to be. Trust me, I have prayed and prayed about selfish and unselfish things. Because I declare myself as a Christian, does that mean that bad things won't happen and that I can live forever in Candy Land? Hardly.

I feel that Paul gives us in this passage the “Good News” we all seek – through difficult and sad times, God’s overall plan for us is good. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The Christian’s life on Earth may involve many difficulties, but the glorious end result will make all the difficulties seem worthwhile. The Bible shows us through Jesus Christ and his life on Earth that this is true. I believe the best is yet to come here at First Presbyterian Church!

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for your “Good News.” Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever separate my love for your church (FPC) and you. Through the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Kim McGlynn

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

I am sitting looking out my window at a bitter cold, snow covered landscape. But I know that when you read this it will be warmer and that Spring will be that much closer. How can I be so sure? Not because Al Gore has told me about Global Warming, but because God has ASSURED me that it will come. That is Faith. Not because of what we see or feel today but because of God’s promise of tomorrow.

We cannot see the wind. We can only see its effects. We can feel the wind. We can see what it does, but it is not a visible thing. To me that is Faith. You can see the effects of Faith where ever you look: In the actions of those around us, in the miracles that are happening at the Alcott school, in the prayers that make us stronger, and in the wish for peace that we share each Sunday. Faith is just that, the visible effects of our knowledge of God’s love.

Spring will come because God is already here. He lives in our Faith. An invisible force that you cannot touch but that you can surely feel. “I believe in God the Father almighty maker of Heaven and Earth.” I may not be able to see him today but I can see his effect. What more can any of us ask for.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we walk with you, we have faith that your will WILL be done. Amen.

Joyce Uzelac

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ... And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:25-30)

Do Not Worry

In the 40 days of Lent, we imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness. It’s a time of self-reflection and repentance. It’s a time when many people choose to give up something – a favorite food, a distracting habit, an indulgence – to parallel Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness.

And yet, much of the time, this practice can look suspiciously like a New Year’s resolution. We give up chocolate in the hope it might break us from our cravings. We give up fast food, knowing it’s unhealthy.

But what if, as Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel, we didn’t worry about what we eat? What if, instead of giving up those things WE want to get out of our lives, we focused on what God wants us to give up? What if, instead of giving up coffee or television, we gave up worrying?

It’s not an easy thing to do. We worry about much more than just what we will eat or what we will wear. But, as Jesus says, worrying won’t add a single hour to our life. In fact, with the toll stress and worry take on our bodies, it might just diminish our life span!

Because worry is such a constant, it can be difficult to remember not to do it. One practice that some people have found helpful is to wear a bracelet or even just a string tied around one wrist. If you catch yourself worrying, you have to move the bracelet to the other wrist. The goal is to make it through the day without having to move the bracelet. It’s a small physical reminder to help you remember that “life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”

Prayer: God our provider, we thank you that we have all we need from you. Help us in this Lenten season to give up our worries, our sense of control over our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Amy Morgan

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

It’s pretty understated to say that it’s difficult to be a teenager. We have to deal with the social pressures of middle school and high school — grades, clothes, friends, relationships — it really can all become a bit too much. We try to control our own lives but seem to be overpowered by our parents, our hormones, or God. We’re still growing and figuring things out. How does it make sense for us teens, who don’t even have any sort of idea who we are, let alone who we are in our faith, to be leaders?

But, on the other hand, maybe it is that uncertainty that makes us good examples. Too often I walk through FPC’s doors on Sunday mornings to a church of people very set in their ways. I see dozens of familiar faces who are very sure of who they are in their faith. Some people know exactly what they are going to believe, and are almost unwilling to question or allow room for change. The youth seem to be always curious, always wanting to learn more, and always up for something new.

In this season of Lent, maybe it’s time to loosen some of our rust and look at things from a new point of view. Don’t throw out all of your preconceived notions of faith, but remember that there is always something more to learn, questions to be answered, and new ways of looking at things.

Prayer: Gracious God, please help us to remember that we don’t know everything and that You always have more to teach us. Please open my mind to new ideas and my heart to new love. Help me to see this world I live in with eyes opened in child-like-wonder. Amen.

Clara Jones

MONDAY, MARCH 28

“The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!” (Psalm 97:1)

Generosity in Spirit

Now that the cold harsh weather of winter is drawing to a close and Spring holds its eternal promise, it is amazing to find how fast the time is moving just since the New Year.

Just recently, in our January-February First News, the feature article was “Generosity,” the habit of giving freely. The author for this message was our teacher, Rev. John Judson. He described to our church community the many ways we have collectively and individually been generous. Then he expressed thanks.

It seems all ready by the events that have occurred this year so far locally and on a wider spectrum, we are discovering more ways to be generous. I have been grateful to find generosity in people’s willingness to be helpful and caring.

Just last week, when I was preparing my cards to be mailed, I was applying the postage stamps and I discovered a new bio on the backing paper. The stamps were the commemorative Mother Teresa edition.

We all know of her compassion toward the poor and her deeply felt sympathy toward pain and suffering. As her faith grew, the scope of her mission spread and strengthened.

Ultimately her courage, conviction, and devotion to Christ’s teachings were recognized globally in her special address to the United Nations. Then she was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for her overall humanitarian efforts.

Finally, she was awarded by our Federal Government, honorary citizenship in the United States. This is the bestowing of a free gift that so few have ever received. This was issued to her with all the benefits it carries, solely for the example of her life.

In this postal bio, the word “generosity” was not used, but that characteristic is so profound in her life’s spirit.

Prayer: Gracious God, continue to guide us to renew and strengthen our efforts to live by faith. Amen.

Carol Morrill

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every person to profit withal.” (I Corinthians 12:4,7)

One Family

I am thankful to be a part of a church family. It is a help to know that though each of us is on an individual spiritual journey, we are part of a whole governed by Christ. Each of us is unique because of our physical and mental abilities, our environment, our orientation, and our approach to life. Though our paths and circumstances differ, we are here to learn from and to minister to each other.

We are surrounded by people with so many gifts. We have so many opportunities to be in fellowship with people in our church family – think of all of the members of this church that we meet through worship, through classes, through volunteer and committee work, through small groups, through the myriad of activities that are available.

Yet it is necessary to realize that our church family is but a tiny segment of all of the peoples of the world. Being a part of our church community can be a training ground for us as we interact with all whom we meet and all whom we shall never know but who are part of our human condition. In our church community and in the world community may we strive to reach out to each other with compassion, a willingness to learn about each other, and a desire to try to understand each other. May we remember that we are fellow travelers; we have much to learn and we have much that we can give. Such an undertaking can only be a possibility through our reliance upon God.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for providing me with a church family that allows me to worship you in fellowship with others. May I remember that this is a training ground for my fellowship with those both in and outside my church community. May I be grateful for your people, for making me a part of your whole, for being with me as I attempt to learn about and to understand others. Thank you for helping me to receive and to give what I can to each person with whom I have contact. Amen.

Barbara Lewis