July/August 2021 Courier Farmers’ Market Starts on August 5Th
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July/August 2021 T h e C o u r i e r A Monthly Publication of The Inter-Faith Chapel A House of Prayer for All People From the desk of Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea One of my favorite “Family Circus” comics has Billy and Dolly on chairs looking out their large living room window. Billy says, “I see a bird, a sandbox, a ball, and a flower.” Dolly replies, “I see a smudge, a handprint, a chocolate smear, and some dirt.” Billy then responds, “Dolly, windows are for looking through, not for looking at.” We have been looking through, and at, a lot of windows lately. Many of us have spent plenteous hours over this past year looking through the windows of our homes. For some, this has been a principal view of the outside world. Others have even learned to mark the time of day by the various events they routinely see as they look through their window. There is another type of window that many of us have spent substantial time looking at over these past months. I am speaking of the “Windows” operating system that runs the funda- mental functions on many of our computers. These “Windows” grant us a large view of our world and have been a way of staying connected and communicating with others in our line of vision. I am aware that I look through, and at, various types of windows. From the beautiful stained glass windows in our sanctuary, to my office windows looking out on our courtyard, to a small window roughly the size of a deck of cards – the rectangle on my phone screen. All of these windows provide me with an opportunity to see beyond myself and extend my vision of the world. Windows are little picture frames designed to call our attention to something larger. Pausing and looking through a window involves more than the literal view we encounter, it includes being still, being aware of our surroundings, and offering a moment of appreciation for a blessing. Windows can be avenues and instruments of prayer. The Talmud tells us, “A person should always pray in a house where there are windows.” This appears to be drawn from the book of Daniel as he went up to his room, opened wide his windows, and, while looking heavenward, offered his prayers to God. For Daniel, this simple but courageous act of praying through a window was a declaration of his faith that the Lord was near, and his confidence that the Lord would hear his prayer. ~Continued on page 2 Page 2 THE JULY/AUGUST 2021COURIER Continued from page 1 Even today, windows can help us concen- trate our thoughts, encourage our hearts, and calm our spirits. Looking out a window, and Prayer of the month in that moment appreciating the beauty and JULY goodness of life, isn’t a waste of time…it is an exercise in prayer. Long warm days… The pace of life slows… There has been increased excitement about A time for picnics and rest in the shade… getting our doors open here at The IFC and returning to in-person worship. Faithfulness Lord, in ministry isn’t just about keeping the doors help me to rest a while of the church open, it is about keeping the in the cooling shade of Your presence. windows open as well. The windows of Slow down my restless heart faith and hope, the windows of our hearts and fill me with gentle compassion and spirits, and the windows of welcome for all Your people. and hospitality are what make us, and keep us, the loving and caring congregation that Amen. we are. UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL BOOKS Take some time to sit in front of a window every once in a while. Let your eyes focus We have received our order on what you see through the glass. Look of July-August Upper Room into the reflection where you can pray and devotional books. find peace, and you will see a world full of promise and possibilities. Copies are placed in a basket outside the front doors of the Our windows are open. Come on by and Chapel for pick-up. These take a look. I hope to be seeing you! will be available Monday—Friday from 9:00 am—3:00 pm. Reflectively, Take a walk or drive by and pick up a copy. If you are not able to pick up a copy, please -Woodie ask a neighbor or friend to pick one up for you. *A pamphlet describing our stained glass windows is available in the narthex for a Important! self-guided devotional tour. Sunday Service Reminder at 10:00 AM with 100 per- In Memoriam sons to attend. Worshippers Esther Spence will be expected to be fully April 24, 2021 vaccinated and will be re- William Matthews quired to wear face masks and maintain social dis- June 19, 2021 tancing, with no hugs or handshakes. Page 3 THE JULY/AUGUST 2021COURIER Prayer of the month AUGUST A Morning Prayer by William Barclay O God, our Loving Parent, grant us Your blessing as we go out to meet this day. Grant unto us this day lips which speak the truth, but which ever speak the truth in love. Grant unto us minds which seek the truth; and grant that we may face the truth even when it hurts and condemns us, and that we may never shut our eyes to that which we do not wish to see. Grant us hands which work with diligence, and which yet have time to help another with his task. Grant us resolution to stand for principle; but save us from stubbornness, and from magnifying trifles into principles. Grant unto us grace to conquer our temptations and to live in purity but save us from the self-righteousness which would look down on anyone who has fallen by the way. All through this day grant unto us the strength and the gentleness of our blessed Lord. This we ask for Your love’s sake. Amen An Evening Prayer by William Barclay O God, our Loving Parent, there are things in today which make us sorry when we remember them. Forgive us if we have lost our temper with the people who get on our nerves. Forgive us if we have been cross and irritable with those who are nearest and dearest to us. Forgive us if at any time we were discourteous and impolite to those with whom we came in contact today. Forgive us if we have thoughtlessly or deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings today. O God, there are things in today which make us glad when we remember them. We thank You for any lovely thing that we have seen, for any wise thing that we have heard, and for any good thing that we have been enabled to do. We thank You for the time we have spent with our family and friends whom we love. O God, our Loving Parent, accept our sorrow for our sins and our gratitude for Your gifts before we sleep this night; through Jesus the Christ our Lord. Amen. Page 4 THE JULY/AUGUST 2021COURIER Lectio Divina Listening to the word of God in Scripture (Lectio Divina) is a way of cultivating friendship with Christ. It is a way of listening to the texts of Scripture as if we were in conversation with Christ and He were suggesting the topics of conversation. The daily encounter with Christ and reflection on His word leads beyond mere acquaintance- ship to an attitude of friendship, trust, and love. Conversation sim- plifies and gives way to communing. It is also a way of expressing “resting in God.” JULY Thursday, July 1 Psalm 48; 2 Samuel 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 Friday, July 2 Psalm 48; 2 Samuel 3:1-12; 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 Saturday, July 3 Psalm 48; 2 Samuel 3:31-38; Matthew 8:18-22 Sunday, July 4 Mark 6:1-13 Monday, July 5 Psalm 21; 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Tuesday, July 6 Psalm 21; 2 Samuel 5:11-16; James 5:7-12 Wednesday, July 7 Psalm 21; 2 Samuel 5:17-25; John 7:1-9 Thursday, July 8 Psalm 24; Exodus 25:10-22; Colossians 2:1-5 Friday, July 9 Psalm 24; Exodus 37:1-16; Colossians 4:2-18 Saturday, July 10 Psalm 24; Numbers 10:11-36; Luke 1:57-80 Sunday, July 11 Mark 6:14-29 Monday, July 12 Psalm 68:24-35; 2 Samuel 6:6-12a; Acts 21:27-39 Tuesday, July 13 Psalm 68:24-35; 2 Samuel 3:12-16; Acts 23:12-35 Wednesday, July 14 Psalm 68:24-35; 2 Samuel 6:16-23; Luke 7:31-35 Thursday, July 15 Psalm 89:20-37; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; Colossians 1:15-23 Friday, July 16 Psalm 89:20-37; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2; Acts 17:16-31 Saturday, July 17 Psalm 89:20-37; 1 Chronicles 15:1-2, 16:4-13; Luke 18:35-43 Sunday, July 18 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Monday, July 19 Psalm 61; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Hebrews 13:17-25 Tuesday, July 20 Psalm 61; 2 Samuel 8:1-18; Acts 20:17-38 Wednesday, July 21 Psalm 61; 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Luke 15:1-7 Thursday, July 22 Psalm 14; 2 Samuel 10:1-5; Colossians 1:9-14 Friday, July 23 Psalm 14; 2 Samuel 10:6-12; Colossians 3:12-17 Saturday, July 24 Psalm 14; 2 Samuel 10:13-19; John 4:31-38 Sunday, July 25 John 6:1-21 Monday, July 26 Psalm 37:12-22; 2 Samuel 11:14-21; Philippians 4:10-20 Tuesday, July 27 Psalm 37:12-22; 2 Samuel 11:22-27; Romans 15:22-33 Wednesday, July 28 Psalm 37:12-22; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31; Mark 6:35-44 Thursday, July 29 Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 32:19-26a; 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Friday, July 30 Psalm 51:1-12; Joshua 23:1-16; 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 Saturday, July 31 Psalm 51:1-12; Judges 6:1-10; Matthew 16:5-12 Page 5 THE JULY/AUGUST 2021COURIER August Sunday, August 1 John 6:24-35 Monday, August 2 Psalm 50:16-23; 2 Samuel 12:15-25; Ephesians 4:17-24 Tuesday, August 3 Psalm 50:16-23; 2 Samuel 13:1-19; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Wednesday, August 4 Psalm 50:16-23; 2 Samuel 13:20-36; Mark 8:1-10 Thursday, August 5 Psalm 130; 2 Samuel 13:37-14:24; Romans 15:1-6 Friday, August 6 Psalm 130; 2 Samuel 14:25-33; Galatians 6:1-10 Saturday, August 7 Psalm 130; 2 Samuel 15:1-13; Matthew 7:7-11 Sunday, August 8 John 6:35, 41-51 Monday, August 9 Psalm 57; 2 Samuel 15:13-31; Ephesians 5:1-14 Tuesday, August 10 Psalm 57; 2 Samuel 18:19-33; 2 Peter 3:14-18 Wednesday, August 11 Psalm 57; 2 Samuel 19:1-18; John 6:35-40 Thursday, August 12 Psalm 111; 1 Kings 1:1-30; Acts 6:8-15