http://fumcbville.org/blog.php en-gb copyright 2013 - First United Methodist Church of Bartlesville mark.pinkerton@fumcbville.org mark.pinkerton@fumcbville.org Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3858 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. - Luke 1:46 A Mealtime Prayer Blessed art thou, Lord of all Creation. Through your goodness we have these gifts for our use, the fruit of your bounty and the work of human hands. As they become part of our substance may they give you honor and glory. Amen. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3857 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 The Serenity Prayer (long version) of Reinhold Niebuhr God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; E...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3856 …as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’." - Luke 3:1-6 A Prayer for God’s work in Us Straighten me out, O Lord. When I want to make ex...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3855 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD! - Psalms 25:7 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer Thank you, God, for loving me. Thank you for my family. Help me to learn more each day To be kind at work and play. Amen. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3854 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrew 12:2 An Evening Prayer Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace cording to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation; Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. (Song of Simeon, Luke 2) Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:31:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3853 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. - Psalm 16:6 Silent Prayer Spend time in silent prayer. Try to do more listening than talking. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:30:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3852 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! - 2 Corinthians 5:17 A Family Mealtime Activity Take time at during your mealtime to talk about one (or two, or three!) thing[s] that happened today that you’re grateful for or happy about. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:27:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3851 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV) - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 A Bedtime Prayer for Children Father, we thank thee for the night, And for the pleasant morning light, For rest and food and loving care, And all...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:55:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3570 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 A Morning Prayer Lord, what an amazing gift today is – unique in all creation! Thank you that I am alive to experience it, and may I be guided by you this whole day long. Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:50:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3569 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:20-21 A Mealtime Prayer: For food in a world where many walk in hunger; For faith in a world where many walk in fear; For friends in a world where many walk alone; We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen. (Huron Hunger Fund, Anglican Church of Canada) Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:42:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3568 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2 The Serenity Prayer (used in Alcoholics Anonymous): God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:32:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3567 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship." -Romans 12:1 An Evening Prayer: Thank you for what went well this day, O Lord. Forgive me for my sins and mistakes I made, and may I rest this night confident of your forgiveness and mercy. Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:47:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3322 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Try a “squeeze” prayer. Holding hands, each person gives thanks for something, then squeezes the hand of the person next to them when finished. Continue until all have expressed thanks. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:19:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3253 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. -Romans 3:23 The Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. F...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:12:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3252 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." -Romans 1:16 A Morning Prayer: Jesus, shine through me and be so in me that every person I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. - John Henry Cardinal Newman Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:17:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3131 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer (sung to “Frère Janque” / “Are You Sleeping, Brother John?”) God our Father, God our Father, We thank you, we thank you, For our many blessings, for our many blessings, We thank you. We thank you. A-men. Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:15:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3130 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” -John 14:21 A Bedtime Prayer for Children: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. See me safely through the night, And wake me with the morning light. Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:12:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=3129 Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. -Matthew 7:7-8 A Morning Prayer: Good morning Lord, it's great to be with you again today. I'm glad you are going to be with me today. Help me in all I do and say today, bring a smile to my lips for all I meet today, place on my tongue kind and gentle ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:55:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2982 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:31-34 A Mealtime Prayer (sung to ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:45:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2924 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:29:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2923 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28 A Morning Prayer: Dear Lord, I give you may hands to do your work; I give you my feet to go your way; I give you my eyes to see as you see; I give you my tongue to speak your words; I give you my mind that You may think in me; I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me – loving you and all human...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sun, 05 Aug 2012 12:39:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2861 (Jesus said) “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” -John 14:21 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Bless, O Lord, this food we are about to eat; and we pray You, O God, that it may be good for our body and soul; and if there be any poor creature hungry or thirsty walking along the road, send them into us that we can share the food with them, just as Yo...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sun, 05 Aug 2012 12:34:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2860 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”. -John 14:9 Grow in your Faith: Want to find out more about John Wesley, the founder of Methodism? Go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley [1] Links: ------ [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley Sun, 05 Aug 2012 12:31:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2859 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -John 14:6 A Morning Prayer Dear Lord, I thank You for the Grace of being alive this morning; I thank You for the sleep that has refreshed me; I thank You for the chance to make a new beginning. Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:49:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2701 "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." -John 14:2-3 A Mealtime Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this food. Bless the hands that prepared it. Bless it to our use and us to your service, And make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Through Christ ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:41:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2700 "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope." -Psalm 130:5 An Evening Prayer: An active prayer: If there are any regrets about this day or apologies that should be made to others, write them down and ask God to help you work on them tomorrow. Tue, 26 Jun 2012 02:29:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2634 "Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." -Proverbs 22:6 An Children's Mealtime Prayer: God is great, God is good. Let us thank him for our food. By his hands, we are fed. Let us thank him for our bread. Amen. Sat, 16 Jun 2012 23:08:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2591 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." -Matthew 28:19-20 An Evening Prayer: Whatever worries I am carrying with me at the end of this day, help me set them aside for awhile – that I may rest in peace, and then pick up those concerns again tomorrow, trusting you for the help I will need. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:56:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2550 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.” -Matthew 7:15-16 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Lord, when I see the bad news about how I need to change, help me remember the good news that you will be my helper, strength and guide, this day and always. Thank you for your forgiveness and the newness of life you offer. Wed, 30 May 2012 16:11:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2514 “… this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams’.” -Acts 2:16-17 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Thank you for the ways that we each are different, O Lord. Help us enjoy each person’s specialness, and may this food help us to grow, nev...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 23 May 2012 15:47:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2480 (In the same way,) let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16 A Evening Prayer: Thank you for the chance to rest, as well as work. As I lay down to sleep this night, may I receive rest and refreshment as gifts from thee. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:44:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2444 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. -Deuteronomy 6:6-7 A Morning Prayer: Another day! Another gift from you, Lord. Help me receive every moment of this day as the gift it truly is. Amen. Tue, 08 May 2012 09:39:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2388 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’.” -Matthew 4:4 A Mealtime Prayer: Dear Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and us to thy service. In Christ's name we pray, Amen. Thu, 03 May 2012 17:03:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2361 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8 A Evening Prayer: Take a moment near the close of the day and write down several things from this day for which you are grateful. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:56:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2313 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11 A Morning Prayer: May I take time to notice the beauty of your creation this day, O Lord. Help me remember that you created this world for us and our pleasure. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:04:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2278 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 Grow in Your Faith: Want to find out about the beliefs of the United Methodist Church? Go to: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1707359/ [1] Links: ------ [1] http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1707359/ Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:44:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2255 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain. -1 Corinthians 15:1-2 An Evening Prayer: For this holy day and all your gifts to us, even the ones we didn’t notice or took for granted, help us be grateful. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:10:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2197 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. -Psalms 51:10 A Morning Prayer: Lord, amid the plans and schedule I have made for this day, help me be open to your plans and guidanc...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:54:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2136 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. -Psalms 51:10 An Evening Prayer: For what we are about to receive, may the lord make us truly thankful. And may we always be mindful of the needs of others, for Jesus sake, Amen. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:16:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2106 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. -John 3:16 An Evening Prayer: Thank you for the food which I ate this day, for the people I encountered, and for the inspiration of your Holy Spirit to do good and choose well. Forgive me of my shortcomings, and help me follow you more faithfully tomorrow. Amen. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:46:01 -0500http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2072 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. -Exodus 20:2-3 A Morning Prayer: Regardless of the weather or even how I feel physically, help me be joyful and grateful today, knowing that you have accepted me, forgiven me, and saved me. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:24:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2006 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. -Mark 8:34-35 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer (usually sung): Oh, the Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need the sun and the rain and ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:30:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1952 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." -Mark 1:14-15 A Children’s Bedtime Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for your care You've been right with me everywhere At school, at play, you're by my side My special Friend, my loving Guide And when the sun has said goodbye And little stars shine in the...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:52:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1887 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" -Mark 9:7 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:44:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1849 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. -Joshua 1:8 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Thank you for this food, O Lord and for each other. As we enjoy this meal together, may we enjoy our time with one another, too! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:45:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1800 but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 The 3rd Step Prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous: God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:58:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1735 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9 A Morning Prayer: Lord, Today help me remember the power of a smile at the passing stranger, no matter what their age or status in life; but help me be especially willing to share your love with those who seem to need it most. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:24:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1705 …Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” -Mark 1:17 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:14:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1703 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? -1 Corinthians 6:19 A Mealtime Prayer: Give us grateful hearts, O Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:13:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1702 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." -1 Samuel 3:10 A Morning Prayer: Lord, help me give my first and best attention this day to those things that deserve my first and best attention. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:12:01 -0600http://fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1701 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. -Genesis 1:1 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer: Thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything.