Devotional

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Dear Friends,

Thankfulness in all things helps us prioritize what is really important and frees us from clinging to things that are not eternal. This morning, I gave thanks for the sun shining on my face as I walked out of the YMCA gym. I gave thanks for my body and the air I was breathing. I gave thanks for another opportunity to be a partner in ministry with God and with each of you. What joy floods my soul! I pray you see God all around you today and every day. Be thankful and be blessed! Hugs and Love, Scott

Let Me Teach You Thankfulness. Begin by acknowledging that everything-all your possessions and all that you are-belongs to Me. The dawning of each new day is a gift from Me, not to be taken for granted. The earth is vibrantly alive with My blessings, giving vivid testimony to My Presence. If you slow down your pace of life, you can find Me anywhere.

Some of My precious children have been laid aside in sick beds or shut away in prisons. Others have voluntarily learned the discipline of spending time alone with Me. The secret of being thankful is learning to see everything from My perspective. My world is your classroom. My Word is a lamp to your feet and light for your path.

Hebrews 12:28-29 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,(A) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,(B) 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Psalm 119:105 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Chick-fil-a Leadercast

To Life and Mission Council:
I am sending you a note about the Chick-fil-A Leadercast that our church is sponsoring on May 10. I hope you will consider attending. You can sign up online as the note below suggests. I also hope you will promote it to others, maybe send this email on to coworkers and other community leaders. This is a great leadership program that includes speakers such as Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, Mike Krzyzewski and more (see the complete list online). It is exciting that First Methodist was chosen to present this opportunity to our area, one of the premier teachings on leadership in the country.
Mike Ramsdell
Senior Pastor
First Methodist Church Mansfield
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Good afternoon!
We are less than a month away from this year’s Chick-fil-A Leadercast. I wanted to share a video with you that will hopefully help you promote this conference to your company, employees, leadership organizations, volunteer groups, churches and more. Please take two minutes to enjoy this video and get excited about what this day could mean for you and for your organization’s future. Feel free to pass this along to anyone you know who might be impacted and want to attend. With your help, we hope to get 500 community leaders here May 10 to learn about leadership and begin making a difference around us.

Chick-fil-A Leadercast
Friday, May 10
First Methodist Church Mansfield
8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Breakfast, lunch and a snack included in price
Early registration $65/person, groups of 10 or more $55/person PROMO CODE: GROUP RATE
Tickets are on sale NOW at www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com/location/mansfield. The first 100 people to register will receive one of John Maxwell’s best-selling books on leadership.

Because of our generous sponsors, we are also able to invite two students from each high school in the MISD who exemplify what it means to be a leader, as well as a teacher who has shown them leadership and been a leader to them. We will highlight some of the things these students have done during the breaks and give them an opportunity to speak about how their teachers have influenced them to become great leaders in their student communities.

Early registration will end April 29, and prices will increase, so please buy your tickets NOW! Early registration prices for individual tickets are $65, and for groups of 10 or more, tickets are $55 each using the PROMO CODE: GROUP RATE.

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April 25 Devotional

Dear Friends,

Every feel like a spinning top in this crazy world? I know I do! Our Creator knew that days, weeks and years like this would come. That’s why Jesus had words of wisdom to help us stay focused on what was really important–our relationship with Him. So, take a minute if you will and refocus your priorities. The world will still be crazy and spinning as always, but you’ll have a better handle on things as you take a moment to just “be” with Him. Peace and Love, Scott

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Make Me Your Focal Point as you move through this day. Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a given point, to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me. Circumstances are in flux, and the world seems to be whirling around you. The only way to keep your balance is to fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused. Look to Me, refreshing yourself in My Presence, and your steps will be steady and sure.

Hebrews 12:2 2Let 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.

Psalm 102:27 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

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Choir Agenda

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April 23 Devotional

Dear Friends,

Christian “burn out” is a real issue in today’s culture. It’s so easy to get out of balance between “doing” and “being”. Ministry is taxing, but it is also VERY rewarding. Through our tireless service, we partner with God in His Kingdom work. We get to feel His presence in all that we do and say. It’s so fulfilling on so many different levels, yet Jesus Himself cautions those of us who are “doers” to not neglect the pure joy of just being in His presence. Yes, there is much to do, but also make time just to “be”. God will honor that and you! Peace and Love, Scott

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Keep Your Eyes On Me, not only for direction but also for empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping you for the task. That is why it’s so important to seek My will in everything you do. There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always better, who deem it unspiritual to say no.

In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me-enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous task but a delightful privilege. I will show you the path of Life; in My Presence is fullness of Joy; at My right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16:11 (KJV) 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 141:8 8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

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Choir Agenda

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April 17 Devotional

Isaiah 41:10 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I pray that the scripture verse above will give you comfort for whatever comes your way today and every day. Peace and Love, Scott

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I Am Training You In Steadiness. Too many things interrupt your awareness of Me. I know that you live in a world of sight and sound, but you must not be a slave to those stimuli. Awareness of Me can continue in all circumstances, no matter what happens. This is the steadiness I desire for you.

Don’t let unexpected events throw you off course. Rather, respond calmly and confidently, remembering that I am with you. As soon as something grabs your attention, talk with Me about it. Thus I share your joys and your problems; I help you to cope with whatever is before you. This is how I live in you and work through you. This is the way of Peace.

Psalm 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trust in the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Confirmation song recording

As you know, we will be helping lead worship for the Confirmation Service on May 5th. We will begin looking at the music in rehearsal tomorrow night, but you can get a head start by listening to it today 🙂

Bring My Praise

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