WEATHER ALERT:

Wednesday, February 5, Childcare at Leawood, West, Overland Park will not be open during morning due to local public school systems announcing late arrival schedules.  All church buildings will operate on regular schedule. However, at Leawood, West and Overland Park, programs requiring childcare will not be held prior to noon Wednesday.

IMPORTANT:

On Sunday, February 9, we’re moving our regular 5 pm worship service to 4 pm so everyone can get home in time to watch the Chiefs play in the Super Bowl.

Prayer Tip--Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White

October 27, 2024
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Daily Scripture

Proverbs 14:15 (MSG), John 3:3, 16 (CEB) and Matthew 25:34-36 (CEB)

The gullible believe anything they’re told;
the prudent sift and weigh every word. 

                                               

Jesus [said to Nicodemus], “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom…God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.

                                               

“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began.  I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’

Daily Reflection & Prayer

We aren’t living in peaceful times. The election season has increased the noise, anger, confusion, and unease in most of us. Even if we think we are seeking peace, we may be frustrated and feel like we can’t find it.
Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) This is a great Scripture to pray using the ancient prayer practice of Lectio Divina.
  1. Settle and read. Find a place where you can experience silence, or at least quiet, and not be interrupted. Be comfortable. Breath for a minute or two, paying attention to the in and out of breathing and how your body feels as it settles down. When you are ready, read John 14:27 out loud slowly once or twice through. Notice what word or phrase stands out to you. Repeat that word or phrase to yourself in silence.`When you are ready, move on.
  2. Meditate and listen to the stirrings of your heart. Read the verse again. Let the word or phrase that stands out to you spark your imagination. What pictures does it bring to mind? Does it spark a memory? Do you hear music? Sit for a while with your thoughts and senses, always focusing on the Scripture and the word(s) that stand out to you. Rest into these thoughts and experiences for a while. When you are ready, move on.
  3. Invitation to action. Read the text the third time and listen for a call to action rising up from word or words that stand out to you. What do these words inspire, or call you to do? It doesn’t have to be a huge, life-changing call to action. It might be a change of perspective, or feeling. This is God communicating to you and you alone. Do you find a new thought or awareness you can carry with you? Rest in this new awareness. When you are ready, move on.
  4. Closing. Relax and connect with your breathing again as you did in the start. Slowly, bring yourself back into the present time and space. Give yourself some time for re-entry to your every-day life. This would be a good time to journal, or draw, or create something that will remind of this verse and the unique and personal insights you have.
Do you pray best when you are walking? You can adapt this to your walk if that is the time you feel most comfortable and connected with God. Do you engage best when you are doodling or drawing about your thoughts and feelings? Grab your markers or colored pencils and let them help you discover.
You can do this with others. Go through the steps in silence, maybe even in a circle with your backs turned inward or move far enough away that your reading out loud will not be heard, and then, when everyone has closed and re-entered, share your insights and learn from  your circle.
Prayer
The apostle Paul prayed this prayer for all believers, including you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may about in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

GPS Insights

Picture of Jennifer Creagar

Jennifer Creagar

This week's Prayer Tip is by Jennifer Creagar, who serves as the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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