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Scripture Reflection: Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2017

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6: 27

Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you and your family have a great holiday, and can enjoy the many wonderful things that come with it. At some point reflect on the many things that you have to be thankful for and realize that there are many all around us that are less fortunate then we are.

Also reflect on these words from the Gospel of John, where the only thing that will last into the next life is God’s love and what is done for God’s kingdom.

May God’s peace and love be with you and your family! Vernon T.

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Vernon's Books

11/16/2017

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My books are still available through a number of different sources. Discipleship-A Life Spiritual Pilgrimage, offers guidance about developing good discipleship practices. Nourishment for the Spiritual Pilgrimage, is a daily devotional, whose specific focus is on the concept of discipleship. Go to the links above for additional info about the books or to order either one from Wipf & Stock or Amazon.

They can additionally be purchased through Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, or through your local book store. Both are available for electronic downloads. May they assist you on your spiritual pilgrimage.

Be Well! Vernon T.

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Scripture Reflection: Faith Community

11/13/2017

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"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24–25

This passage is often quoted to encourage people to worship regularly with a faith community. From my own personal experience, being connected to and involved with a worshiping community has been an important part of my spiritual pilgrimage. Over the years communities I have attended have been a support and help for me. I realize that there are no perfect faith communities, just as there are no perfect people. All of the communities have had aspects that I didn’t like or care for, but in most cases the good have outweighed the bad. My family and I have been formed and blessed by several, and here are a few of them.

Jerusalem Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio was the cradle where my faith formation began. While attending Youngstown State University, I also became involved in its Campus Christian Fellowship. Being a part of this organization and others on campus enabled me to participate in an environment whereby people from different faiths, backgrounds, and cultures could come together in unity.

Following my marriage to my late wife Judy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Pickerington, Ohio was the faith community that nurtured my family for a number of years. As I moved around the country on corporate moves, my family was also involved in several other Catholic churches. I later joined Epiphany Lutheran (ELCA) Church, also in Pickerington, where I once again became involved in various ministries.

Other faith communities were Bethany Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky where I was their Worship Leader and Spiritual Consultant as well as Christ Lutheran Church, also in Louisville, where I served as Director of Small Group Ministry. The two churches that Shirley has served as Pastor has contributed to my walk as well, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena, Michigan.

I would encourage all of you to try to find a community that can help you on your journey. In one’s spiritual pilgrimage it is vitally important to be part of a faith—filled community. If you are a part of one that works well for you that is wonderful. Some of you may have even been hurt by a community and could find it hard to join another, however, if you aren’t part of one, try to find an open, loving, and supportive body that is best for you!

Holy Spirit, help me to be open to embracing the spiritual aspects of community life that can assist me in becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, and may that support and love be something that I can share with others! Amen. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2017 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Ecumenical Prayer Service Pictures

11/6/2017

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Pastor Shirley hosted this prayer service, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Alpena, MI. The service commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation which was October 31, 2017. Both Bishop Steven Raica of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord and Bishop Craig Satterlee of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA, together with other clergy from the community took part in the service.

It was a warm and friendly group that gathered together to hear God’s Word, pray, sing, and give thanks to God in celebration for the unity we share in Christ Jesus. This time of worship was especially meaningful because we were together in one place and of one mind and spirit—members of the various Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Congregational/UCC (LARCC) congregations and other congregations from surrounding counties. It was a wonderful opportunity for ecumenical worship and fellowship.

My thanks to Patti Martinez, of the All Saints Catholic Community for several of the photos. It was a blessing to be part of this event!

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Pastor Shirley's St. Paul November Newsletter Article!

11/2/2017

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In this article she addresses the emotional stress that many people, locally and globally, have been experiencing recently. She offers some positive suggestions about how to cope with this tension.

Go to the link below, to the Newsletter, her article is on the first page.

Be Well! Vernon T.

http://www.stpaul.org/newsletter/1711%20Newsletter.pdf

Pastor Shirley & Vernon T,

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Scripture Reflection: Happy Thanksgiving!

Vernon's Books

Scripture Reflection: Faith Community

Ecumenical Prayer Service Pictures

Pastor Shirley's St. Paul November Newsletter Article!

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