July 22, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

This is your invitation to join us in the Road Church Meetinghouse Parlor Sunday morning at 10 am when we gather to pray, praise and hear the Word read and explained. This Sunday we remember that Jesus was a man devoted to prayer. We will reflect on what he had to say about why to pray, how to pray and what to pray for.

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 11:1-13              SERMON: The Precious Insignificance of Prayer

Jesus was alone praying in a certain place. After he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

Finally, do not bring us to the time of trial.”

“Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go knocking on his door at midnight and say to him, ‘Lend me three loaves of bread. A friend of mine has just arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ Then you hear his answer from inside, ‘Don’t bother me; the lamp is out, the door is locked. My whole family is already tucked into bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 

I tell you, even though your friend will not get up and give you anything even for the sake of  friendship, if you are persistent, he will get up and give you whatever you need.

“So I say, ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

If your son asks for a fish, would any of you give him a snake? Or if your daughter asks for an egg, would you give her a scorpion? If you who are merely human know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

              HYMN: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” #478 

This Week’s Poem:  THE SECRET

I met God in the morning when my day was at its best,

And his presence came like sunrise, like a glory in my breast.

All day long his presence lingered, all day long he stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness over every troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered, other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that tossed and drove them brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings, with a keen remorse of mind,

When I too had loosed the moorings, with the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret learned from many a troubled way:

You must seek him in the morning if you want him through the day.

by Ralph Spaulding Cushman

     May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the sweet communion that the Holy Spirit brings be with you always.

Pastor Norm

NO YouTube this week: Worship was held in the Parish Parlor