Three Thoughts on Teacher Breakfast
August 4, 2012
This past Thursday I was honored to join the teachers of Evans county for their beginning of the year breakfast. It was an awesome morning where I was fortunate to be able to pray for the teachers and let them know the people of Hagan and Union United Methodist Churches are rooting for them. Here are three thoughts I reflected on after the breakfast.
- It is important to come together. The new Claxton middle school gym we met in is awesome. Even better was seeing all the different teachers coming together before the year kicked off. At times trying to do right and serve your community can be a daunting task. It is important to remember their are A TON of people trying hard to make the world a better place. I was very encouraged to see all the great teachers who we are so very lucky to have.
- Seeking God is essential. Getting to pray with teachers was significant to me in many ways. I know my prayers are not perfect, but to be a part of a group of people who are saying please pray for us is very overwhelming. I am so happy to know our leaders try to seek God first.
- Teachers stand in the gap for us all. Their is not a single person in America who has not been impacted by a teacher in a positive way. Seeing all these teachers and knowing all the work going into a school year has made me realize I should have been nicer to my teachers. These people spend not only countless hours with students, but even more working on the next day’s lesson. It is a profession I continue to gain more respect for each and every day. Make sure when you bump into one of your former teachers to say thanks and give them a hug.
Blueprint Sermon Series
July 20, 2012
Our next sermon series is called Blueprint. Over the next several week we will look over the book of Ephesians and see how Paul was laying a blue print for spiritual growth.
Prayer for Movie Theater Shooting
July 20, 2012
As our nation grieves over those lost in the tragic movie theater shooting in Colorado, I read this prayer which was written following the Virginia Tech shooting. I believe it speaks deeply to what we are feeling today. I pray it bring you comfort.
Litany for a Great Tragedy
the Rev. David Hicks
Lord, we come to you stunned, shocked, grieving … our hearts linked to those for whom this tragedy shall veil their hearts for a long time to come.
Lord, come to comfort us, and come to offer healing and hope to those whose spirits are wounded by the sudden death of ones they love.
Father, where can we turn when the senselessness of hatred and violence rips apart our complacency, save to you? Where is our peace, save in your arms of mercy?
Lord, we cry, Abba, Father! Comfort these your children, you who lost your only child. Embrace the ones among us for whom grief is so raw and fresh today.
We confess our sin, the violence that lurks in us all. We call it anger, hatred, revenge … whatever its name, it is a compelling power within us.
Lord, pull the root of bitterness, the whirlwind of anger, the deadened heart of hatred out of us and restore to us a heart of flesh. Refill us with your peace. Let your love be a lamp to light the way that leads us home.
When all else is stripped away, when all that the world offers us for meaning and purpose is removed, still you, your word, your will, your grace, your holy presence will remain.
ALL: Lord, we place our trust in you. We find our comfort in you. We find meaning that defeats random and chaotic violence in you. For you will wipe away every tear from our eyes and the eyes of our sisters and brothers, and we will be your people, and you will be our God.
In the power of the Resurrection, we pray. Amen.
“Copyright © 2007 Rev. David Hicks. Published by The General Board of Discipleship. Used with permission.” Original prayer here.
