May 6th Devotional

Posted on May 6, 2015 by drscott
Dear Beloved,
Who are my list makers?  You know who you are!  Nothing wrong with having lists, of course, but it’s easy to make a god out of our living list.  The false security we gain by thinking we’re actually in control of our lives can be a hard pill to swallow when it all comes crashing down.  Instead, find your peace and security in Christ alone.  This is the solid foundation upon which we hang our hopes, our dreams and our lives.  Check THAT off your list and you’re sure to be on the right track!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Do Not Search For Security in the world you inhabit.  You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life.  If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace.  But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list.  The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.

There is a better way to find security in this life.  Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you.  This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace.  Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not.  Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence).

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
 
2 Corinthians 4:18 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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May 5th Devotional

Posted on May 5, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
It’s been a while since I sent a devotional to you. My apologies!  I’m enjoying the message series about “transitions”.  I don’t know anyone that isn’t dealing with a transition of some sort or another.  One thing for certain, nothing ever stays the same in our world.  Change happens and thus, transitions happen.  But, one thing we do know–God is the same no matter what.  That gives me a solid foundation while the rest of the world is spinning wildly around.  Be blessed as you rest on this Biblical Truth.  Hugs and Love, Scott
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Come To Me for all that you need.  Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, for thankfulness opens the door to My treasures.  When you are thankful, you affirm the central truth that I am Good.  I am Light, in whom there is no darkness at all.  The assurance that I am entirely Good meets your basic need for security.  Your life is not subject to the whims of a sin-stained deity.

Relax in the knowledge that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy.  Come to Me with confident expectation.  There is nothing you need that I cannot provide.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

1 John 1:5  5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

Posted on April 30, 2015 by drscott

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Chancel Choir Agenda

Posted on April 30, 2015 by drscott

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April 29 Devotional

Posted on April 29, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
I pray that today you slow down enough to spend time with God in His classroom as He teaches and guides us all on our journey.  Today is a gift indeed!  Enjoy!  Be blessed!  Love, Scott
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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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April 28 Devotional

Posted on April 28, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
During this morning’s staff chapel service, we were challenged to go a little deeper into the meaning of Psalm 23.  As I meditated on this beautiful song of David, a few thoughts came to mind.  First, the opening line:  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”  I have often said that the two words “I want” can be the most powerful, action words one can say.  But the Good Shepherd provides all that we need, so it’s not just “not wanting”, but also being fully provided for.  The line “Thy rod and thy staff comfort me.”  Not only does the rod and staff give us protection, but it also gives us guidance.  I’ve seen herders gently guide their flock with a little tap on the rear to keep them going where they need to go.  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”.  What more do you need?  Be blessed friends as you give this day to God, the Good Shepherd.  Love, Scott
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As You Look into the day that stretches out before you, you see many choice-points along the way.  The myriad possibilities these choices present can confuse you.  Draw your mind back to the threshold of this day, where I stand beside you, lovingly preparing for what is ahead.

You must make your choices one at a time, since each is contingent upon the decision that precedes it.  Instead of trying to create a mental map of your path through this day, focus on My loving Presence with you. I will equip you as you go, so that you can handle whatever comes your way.  Trust Me to supply what you need when you need it.

Lamentations 3:24-26 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalm 34:8 NKJV  Oh, taste  and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!


Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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April 27 Devotional

Posted on April 27, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
 
A beautiful devotional to start our week. The images of empty hands and open hearts are easy to grasp.  When we’re weak, God is strong.  I was privileged to see this in action last night as I attended a concert at Arborlawn UMC.  Tom Stoker was the conductor for this glorious tribute for him and his wife Pam.  Tom has faithfully served God as a music director for 43 years and will continue to do so until cancer takes his life.  He sat on a stool conducting the 120 voice choir and exceptionally large orchestra as they played and sang some of the great choral excerpts from known sacred works by Mozart, Brahms, Faure and others.  We finished last night with an arrangement of “Fairest Lord Jesus”.  Even though it was a tribute concert for the Stokers, Tom kept bringing the focus back to God, Jesus and a life well lived.  At the reception, Tom and I barely recognized each other.  He hadn’t seen me in a few years nor I him.  We both had changed a bit.  He asked if I was ok and I told him I was fine, “just trying to take better care of myself”.  I told him that I loved him and he responded in kind.  Those will be the last words I hear him say to me.  God is with us.  We are not alone.  Thank you God for Tom and his faithfulness.  Be blessed dear ones.  Love, Scott
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Come To Me with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive abundant blessings. I know the depth and breadth of your neediness. Your life-path has been difficult, draining you of strength. Come to Me for nurture. Let Me fill you up with My Presence: I in you, and you in Me.

My power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me. Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith; they are links to My Presence.

John 17:20-23 20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Isaiah 40:29-3129 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

Posted on April 23, 2015 by drscott

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Chancel Choir Agenda

Posted on April 23, 2015 by drscott

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Let Me Walk With You Recording

Posted on April 22, 2015 by drscott

For choir members that went to Europe in 2009, this song will be familiar! For everyone else, it will be new!

This song is scheduled as Prelude on May 17th, so get a head start by listening to it now!

Let Me Walk With You

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