Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from the daughter of Dr. E. K. Bailey, Cokiesha L. Bailey, found in his book, “Farther In and Deeper Down”.

“… My heart leaps as I consider God’s faithfulness. When we are sick, He is faithful. When we are well, He is faithful. When we are at our best, He is faithful; and when we have reached our lowest point, He is faithful. “ à (Page 214); Author: Dr. E .K. Bailey}

For this week (June 25 through July 1), we beseech you (once again) to ‘pray aloud’ and meditate on the prayer themes and the words from these beautiful songs. Trust and Engage. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.  

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers – [I Thessalonians 5:17]

Sweet Hour of Prayer (verse 1)

Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer (credited to William W. Walford, 1845)

Believe, God has the answers – [Romans 12:12]

What A Friend We Have In Jesus (verses 1-3)

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there. (credited to Joseph M. Scriven, 1855)

Believe, God has the answers – [Matthew 11:28-30]

 

I’ll Trade My Worries For Worship

I’ll trade my worries for worship.

I’ll trade my problems for praise

I’ll leave them all in the hands of the master

And bless His Holy Name

Jesus knows how to fix it

So the victory I’ll claim

I’m focused on his promise

Because it’s already done in Jesus name

When God’s in control, it all works out

When he’s in control, it all works for my good

So I’ll give it all to Jesus

And I won’t worry, but I will worship (Credited to Derrick Hall, Allen Temple Minister of Music)

• Sunday School Lesson (07/1) – Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
  • Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV): 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [b]all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

[Come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson].

As we continue seeking the will of God and His discernment through the processes of prayer and meditation, we invite you to not only incorporate our Scripture & Meditation Focus into your daily life via the weekly newsletter insert, but also the entire archive on the Church website (Allen-Temple.org; click Pastoral Transition on the top blue bar of the home page), but to also join us at our Thursday Pastoral Transition Prayer Hours in the Sanctuary. The Prayer Hour will be followed by Thursday Evening Bible Study taught by Pastor Smith and Reverend Olu Bereola. Dates and times are:

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule

Thursday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 12 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 26 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, August 9 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, August 23 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 6 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, September 20 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!