Dear Church Family and Community,
“…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10
This past week, we were blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the life of our dear sister, Jane Monn. Jane was the only member of our church who had been involved in every iteration of our congregation through the years. From the Lighthouse Chapel on Bailey Street, to Messiah Home Chapel, to Bellevue Park BIC Church (formerly named Lighthouse Chapel), to the newly formed Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church when Messiah Home Chapel and Bellevue Park BIC Church merged in the late 1970’s. Jane even traveled with us from Chestnut Street to our current home here on Derry Street.
Jane was a great servant to God and our church over all her years with us. Her deep devotion to God and our people here was such a gift to us all. As was said multiple times during her homegoing service, Jane was special. I am so grateful that we all get to enjoy the fruit of her labor and love. I rejoice that she is with the Lord in glory, and that the legacy of love and devotion she’s left for all of us is a heritage we can be proud to share with future generations here at HBIC.
It is not lost on me, that as we say goodbye to one servant, we also officially welcome another. Hannah Niesley began serving this week as our Pastor of Worship and Communication. I am so grateful that God has sent Hannah our way. I believe that in writing her story, God has uniquely equipped her to serve with us at this time. In this weekend’s services, we will be installing Hannah into this new role. This time of prayer and dedication is our official welcome, but I would like to invite you all to unofficially welcome Hannah with a hello in person or by e-mail.
In this week’s service, we will be looking at Jesus’ command for us to be people that pray. To prepare for this week’s service, I would like to invite you to spend time intentionally meditating on Matthew 6:5-15. To help you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What is your first memory of prayer or praying?
What early memories do you have of the Lord’s Prayer?
How would you define and explain prayer to someone who has no concept of it?
How has God used prayer to transform you and your life?
How has prayer grown your faith?
This week we will focus on prayer by looking at how Jesus teaches us to pray. In prayer, we are invited into God’s presence. With prayer, God communes with us. In prayer, God transforms us.
God bless you all, and take care.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank
(Matthew 6:10)
P: (717) 561-2170, ext. 104
E: pastorhank@harrisburgbic.org
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