November 2016
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com The prayer book that I was so happy to get from St. Augustine’s House sits unused on my kitchen table, buried beneath a pile of detritus: lamps made by my Grandpa George that await new shades, water bottles and plastic bags, junk mail and unread magazines. Despite my good intentions, a tool for regular prayer sits underneath a bunch of stuff. Isn’t this what the Christian life is like for many of us? Deep down, we may believe, but a pile of stuff gets in the way. We have so many obligations, so many distractions, that it is difficult to make time to lis-
ten to God. Fortunately for us, prayer is not one-sided. We’re not just talking to the air. Prayer happens all the time, in and through us, even when we ourselves cannot or will not pray. Paul writes about this in his letter to the Roman church. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). God intercedes with God on our behalf! Even though we falter in prayer, God does not. God’s Spirit continually
Zion’s 2016 Council Members Elder & President ...................................................................... Jody Stanley Elder & Vice-President ................................................................. Larry Hile Secretary ............................................................................... Barb Hardwick Deacons ................................................................................... Scott Clamme Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith Trustees .................................................................................... Chris Stroble Tom Armstrong Mark Prout Treasurer ................................................................................. Max Langdon Financial Secretaries .................................................................... Tiann Coy Kathy Sharp
prays on our behalf. When we pray, then, whether at Sunday morning worship, in our homes, at work, or in the car, we are simply acknowledging and joining in with what the Spirit is already doing. We are connecting with that divine power that always works in, around, and through us. We also connect with the saints of every time and place – like those who founded this congregation 150 years ago. We may fail to make room for God. But God never fails to make room for us. When you pray, may you be aware of God’s Spirit working through you, joining you to the never -ending prayer of saints, angels, and the Spirit itself. Love to you all, Pr. David
Thanksgiving Worship at Zion Member of Zion, family and friends are invited to attend our worship service with Holy Communion on Thanksgiving Eve, November 23rd at 7:00 p.m.