Hello, church!
I hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy! This week, I’ve provided you the typical resources for worship, another plea to complete the servant profile form, and linked you to a great resource on the history of the churches of Christ. I’ll also remind you that at the bottom of this email is a growing list of all the resources I’ve sent out so far. Maybe there is something there you didn’t have time for previously that you might now. It’s worth giving a second look.
Peace,
Chess
Servant Profile
Thanks to all of you who have filled out the servant profile form! This is a brand-new form that is so much more informative and helpful than forms we have used in previous years. So even if you have filled out a form like this before, please do fill this one out too as it is entirely new and different.
Sunday Worship
Included here are the scriptures, reflection questions, and prayers that are thematically matched to our Sunday worship outline.
Worship for May 24, 2020
Scriptures: Ps 47; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:15-23
Question for Reflection
The risen and ascended Christ promises to send us power from on high. How do I use such “soul force” to bring forgiveness, blessing, and love to others?
Morning Prayer
Holy God, I give thanks this day that your Son ascends in the core of my being as new life arises in me. Open the eyes of my heart this day to seek and serve you in all whom I meet. Amen.
Evening Prayer
I repent of the wrongs I have done this day, and seek forgiveness by the grace of your love. Clothe me with power on high this night that my life may rest hidden in you. Amen.
History of the churches of Christ
For you history buffs, I’d like to point you to a great resource on the history of the churches of Christ at ACU’s library website. Over the years, the special collections department of the library has collected many artifacts related to the history of the Stone-Campbell movement. From Alexander Campbell’s pulpit, hand-written letters, and so many books, the collection is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the churches of Christ. You can browse or search and uncover a lot. A quick search of Arlington even came up with this book that outlines a brief history of the founding of all the churches of Christ stretching from Virginia to Newfoundland (I’ve attached the preview of what it says about Arlington). I hope you will take the time to play around on the site and maybe learn some history. It might be a worthy rabbit hole in quarantine.
Kids’ Stuff
Below you will find a family devotional to help you all think about Bible Characters that “social distanced” and how God used that time for good. There is also a quick matching game to work with your kids on who’s who in the Bible.
https://www.arlingtonfamily.org/has-social-distancing-ever-happened-in-scripture12468-application/
https://www.arlingtonfamily.org/whos-who-in-childrens-bible-stories12470-application/
Previous Links
Below are the links to resources I have mentioned in previous emails for your continued reference.
Phyllis Tickle’s, Divine Hours
The Way of the Heart, by Henri Nouwen
Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth , by Walter Brueggemann
The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
The Discernment of Spirits and workbook by Timothy Gallagher
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