Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: This! Agreed! Amen! SFCOG update for 9-3

Sunday is Coming, and you don’t want to miss “This!”

How many times in your life have you found yourself struggling to find the right words?

Maybe in a social gathering… asking someone out on a date… filling out a greeting card for a special occasion… talking to someone facing a difficult circumstance… ?

This weekend we will begin a new series on Prayer. Prayer can be another situation where sometimes we struggle to find the right words. Often times in life, we all have moments where we are not sure what to say when pray.

Have you noticed that in our increasingly connected world, communication seems to have gotten harder, not easier? This seems to affect our prayer lives as well.

There are many common cliché responses seen online when reading social media conversations. Sometimes to agree with what someone else has said, rather than crafting a new response, it’s easier to just type one word—“This.”

In short, it’s kinda like saying “Amen.”

Still confused? So was a user on Reddit who asked in the r/help forum “What does it mean when people type ‘This’?” one helpful commenter replied: “It basically just means that they agree with what the other person said. It’s a low effort, completely unnecessary comment…”

And then, unsurprisingly, a whole bunch of other users commented… “This”

Perhaps the very fact that this needs to be explained --with pictures-- shows how convoluted communication can become!

Uncertain. Confusing. Frustrating… But maybe this is indeed how we feel when we come to God in prayer at times also. Sometimes we think we need to have the “right words” when we pray. Maybe there are times when we aren’t sure how to pray…

But you know what? That is Okay! You’re not alone in feeling this way, and God meets us right where we are!

Far from cliché, often the best thing we can do in prayer is to simply say “amen” and agree with and repeat what Our Lord has already said.

And fortunately for us, Jesus our Lord and Teacher, gave us some clear instructions about prayer. Over the next few weeks, we are going to study His words about prayer found in the Sermon on the Mount… Guess what? They’re quite short and sweet. You probably already know this. And take note of how he starts: “This…”

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

-Matthew 6:9-13

May we see that Prayer is not merely about words, but about a relationship with a Creator who wants to know us, and loves us as a perfect Father!

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

-Matthew 6:8

Amen

Take note of some very important events happening this week and next:

This Sunday (September 3) is our “Get Connected” class. If you would like to learn more about our church and the small group ministries and Sunday School classes that we offer, this is a great way to do that. Get Connected meets on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9:45 in room 206 behind the balcony.

Our Church Picnic is happening next week! On Sunday, September 10, we will not be in the sanctuary (or online) but we will be out in the community at Memorial Park. We will have a combined worship service at 10:00am, followed by a picnic lunch and some followship opportunities, including a Corn Hole Tournament! Please RSVP for the Picnic by signing up in your Sunday School classroom or in the Gathering Place, or by calling the Church office (717-532-8421). If you want to participate in the cornhole tournament, be sure to register when you RSVP.

Here is another opportunity to learn and grow with your Church Family as we consider some more words from our Savior & Lord:

Did you know that the term "Savior" focuses on what God has done for us, and the term "Lord" focuses on what we will do for Him?

Find out more at "The Commands of Messiah" seminar taught by Dr. Arnie Fleagle from Aim High Ministries. The Friday night session on September 22nd, will be from 6:30 pm. until 8:30 pm. The Saturday morning session on September 23rd will be held from 8:30 am. to 12 Noon.

*The event is FREE for everyone, but to help with preparations, please Register by signing up in your Sunday School room or the Gathering Place, or by calling the Church office at 717-532-8421.

Dr. Fleagle will also preach the message, "The Now But Not Yet Kingdom," at both services on Sunday, September 24th.

Have a great weekend! I look forward to worshipping and praying with you all very soon!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org