Grace // Day2Pray4York, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Dear Stillmeadow family,
As I think more about the parable of the Good and Gracious Vineyard Owner (Matthew 20:1-16), I am struck by the fact that he kept going back to bring more workers into his vineyard. I imagine the gratitude each one felt as they were selected and then the surprising joy when they were given a full-day’s wages. Jesus told that parable to remind his disciples and me and you that the gospel is about a God who has come searching for us, desiring to include us in his vineyard work and rewarding us equally.
There’s grace in God’s search for us. There’s grace in God’s inclusion of us. There’s grace in God’s gifts to us. Grace on top of grace on top of grace.
And each of us is invited to be a grace-bringer to those around us. We are to receive God’s grace and share God’s grace. We are to relish being found by God and have God’s searching eye for others. We are to gratefully receive God’s inclusion and humbly offer his inclusion to others. We are to graciously receive God’s gifts and freely give them away.
Think about how Jesus lived. Receiving his Father’s instruction, giving his Father’s instruction. Receiving his Father’s love, giving his Father’s love. We cannot handle our complicated stories or the complicated nature of those around us without the grace of God. And he has freely given it to us!
York Needs God’s Grace — Let Us Pray
Everyone in York, regardless of age, race or gender, needs God’s grace. And one of the most important ways that we share God’s grace is through praying for our neighbors. In those sacred moments, we share our heart with God and he shares his heart with us, and change happens in and around us. So, in this hour where members in our community are suffering from the evil of violence and some are responding with racism, we stand against those evils in the name of Jesus. He is our crucified Savior whose violent death paid the price for the sins of all humanity, and through whom we have been given a family that spans the differences of culture, race and language! So, let’s pray for those who have suffered violence, for those first responders who are responding to violence, for the families who are dealing with the fall out. And let’s pray for those who have resorted to violence or racism.
Tomorrow is ADay2Pray4York and a Night2Pray4York. We’re covering York in prayer for 24 hours. You can sign up for an hour here. You can use this prayer guide if you would like specific guidance.
Do you want to organize your life around God’s grace?
Our Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course is designed to help people receive and extend God’s grace. Please check out Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (starting September 27 at our main campus).
I’m grateful for, cheering for and praying for you!
Grace and Peace,
Josh
PS…Check out the devotionals for this week from Living Word.
PPS…If you missed the messages yesterday, check out the York City Service or Stillmeadow Lane Service.
The Main Announcements
Day2Pray4York and Night2Pray4York: September 22
Family Fall Fest: October 31
Day2Pray4York and Night2Pray at 6:30
Join us in praying from midnight to midnight, serving our community through prayer. We will end the day in prayer together at Prayer Night at 6:30 at our Stillmeadow Lane Campus. Sign up for your hour to pray! Have a prayer request? Go to stillnaz.com/pray.
Family Fall Fest @ YCC: October 31
We love our neighbors, so we’re throwing a Family Fall Fest at our York City Campus on October 31. This family friendly event will take place from 6-8PM. Save the date now and sign up to serve at stillnaz.com/serve.
Grow
Faith Connections: The purpose of the Faith Connections Bible Study is to connect our faith in God with life issues. We meet at 1:30PM every Wednesday in the lower level conference room of the Sprenkle House and use the Faith Connections Bible Study Guide. This group is led by Pastor Steve and Cathy Grosvenor.
Habitat for Humanity: Make a multi-generational impact. October serve days are Saturday the 3rd and Friday the 16th.
Family Ministry: Want to make a positive impact in a child’s life? Come and volunteer in Family Ministry! You can serve in the Nursery, Preschool, Elementary, & Youth group. We have opportunities on Sundays & Tuesdays.
Can we pray for you? One of the ways that we show love for each other is by taking our needs to God in prayer. Share your prayer request by following the button below.
Give
Jonathan Phillips: Support Nazarene missions work and one of our own missionaries in Romania by selecting the Jonathan Phillips Fund on one of our giving options at the button below.