Songs for Sunday, February 7, 2021

This week, 2 Corinthians 5:7 has been on my mind:

…for we walk by faith, not by sight.

There are so many distractions around us. Everywhere we look there seems to be more trouble and more distraction than ever before. It gets harder and harder to keep our focus when our eyes are constantly wandering from issue to problem to…well, whatever.

I am reminded of times when my children have been upset or in trouble – when they have been inconsolable. When they are torn with grief and cannot stop sobbing, when their breathing catches in their chest and they are afraid, when their whole little world seems to their limited experience to be falling apart, I tell them to look into my eyes and trust me. I remind them that as their daddy I will do everything in my power to help – to make it as right as I can.

For my kids, there is only so much comfort that looking into my eyes can bring. I cannot fix everything. I know it. They know it. And that is a good thing. They do not need to look to me to fix everything. I make a poor savior and a worse god.

But we have a heavenly Father we can look to. One day, our faith – “assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) – will be made sight. We will no longer believe out of faith because we will see Him face to face! Oh, how we should long for that Day!

But until then, let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV84). Let us “set [our] minds on things that are above”, on “Christ who is your life” (Colossians 3:2, 4). Let us seek the Lord for “the eyes of [our] hearts to be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). Let us look to and have faith in King Jesus.

That’s what we are singing about this week, our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who reveals Himself to us through His Word and His Spirit and has made a Way for us to be with Him for all eternity – who loves us and cares for us enough to die and LIVE for us!

Here are our songs:

  • Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

  • Psalm 77:11-15

11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah


I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday, January 31, 2021

I am struggling.

It pains me to write those words because I wish I they were not true. But anxiety and depression weigh heavily on my mind and heart.

I have written more freely about it in recent months than I cared to, and I think it is because I have needed to do it. And I think we all need to be reminded – especially me – that we are supposed to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), that it is a two-way street among our faith family.

One of the things that has become more abundantly clear as I have begun owning my struggles is that God is strong enough to carry me through whatever. He has not only given me brothers and sisters in His family to help me but that He has reached out “the mighty hand of God to me” to lift me up, and I can lay my anxieties on Him “because He cares for [me]” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

I want you to understand that this is not a cry for help or a plea for sympathy. It is a small bit of vulnerability so that, maybe, you can see the hand of Christ reaching out to you as well.

It has been comforting this week to think on a Puritan prayer that came up in a Bible study Candice was listening to. It is called “Need of Grace” and found in the book The Valley of Vision. I have thought on it, prayed it, and have not been able to get it out of my mind. It has reminded me of how much I need grace, and I have translated it to modern English for you to check out:

Oh, LORD,
You know everything about me—my unworthiness to serve You,
how I try to fall back into crucified sins,
how, no despite my best efforts, I fall short of Your glory,
how cold and stone-like my heart seems to be.
I am not strong—not wise—not productive—
You know I struggle in the flesh and sometimes hate it, too.
I just do not know what You want me to do
since I feel alone
because I have tried (foolishly) to flee Your presence;
I cannot be near You and not see my sin clearly,
how it comes from my nature and not Yours;
Your light makes it clear,
and I fear I walk in darkness still.
Pull me close again and let Your saving grace wash over me
even though I have abused Your gospel.
Help me to make being like You as essential to me as oxygen,
let walking with You be as natural as breathing,
let Your grace fuel me and grow me like food to my body.
Oh, Lord, it is so easy to step off the path You have laid for me;
It seems that when I do the quick-sand of my desire is right there;
Will You help me keep the faith just a little while longer,
help me hold out until You come for me?
You see I stretch my arms up to You,
and I can grasp Your hand only because You are reaching out, too.
Help me to be like You—caring for others—
as I wait for You, my God and my Friend.
Change my heart and ways back to Yours.
I trust You. I cling to You.
I need You to put Your arm around me
and guide me back to Your path.
I long for the Day when I see and understand
that these trials and anxieties were but a class in Your school
to teach me Your better Way—
that to be humbled is a better lesson,
taught from Your heart.

I need grace. You do, too. But let me remind you that grace is not generic; He is a Person. And His name is Jesus.

He is our “help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). He is “mighty to save” (Zephaniah 3:17). He is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). He is our “God and Savior” (Titus 2:13). He is able to “save to the uttermost those who draw near to Him” (Hebrews 7:25). If we will but draw near to Him, we can “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

And it is Him – Jesus Christ alone – we are singing to and about tomorrow. I hope you reach out to Him “while He may be found” and “call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Here are our songs:

  • Philippians 2:5-8

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday, January 24, 2021

There’s an old song that my daddy taught me when I was young. Any time I think of the words or hear someone sing it, I can hear daddy’s voice in my head. I can hear the specific way that his fingers hit the strings of his guitar when he plays it. This song comforts me more and more the older I get:

“Oh, Lord you know I have no friend like you. If Heaven’s not my home, then, Lord, what will I do….
“This world is not my home. I’m just a-passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me to Heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

Jim Reeves, “This World is Not My Home”

There’s some good theology and better advice in those words: this world was never meant to be home for us! It reminds me of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20: “…our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.

If you are struggling this week with earthly things – governments and people and things, be reminded that this world is not home. Be reminded that God is still on His throne and that He does not need anyone’s consent to stay there – it’s His forevermore.

And that’s what we are singing about this week: the hope that comes from our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Rescuer – the Great I AM – who has always reigned and will continue to reign forever because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can trust in Him and not fear anything, even the grave, because He has already won!

Here are our songs:

  • Psalm 103:1-12

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

  • Revelation 17:14

14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

  • Revelation 19:11-16

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.


I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday, January 17, 2021

There are times in life and in world events that I simply do not have words to adequately express what I feel needs to be said — what I want to say or relay. It is certainly good news to my weary heart that there is a Word higher than mine. And in that Word are words for every season of life and occasion that may exist.

Look at this:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

Psalm 46:1-3

No matter our situation or predicament, God is our “refuge”. He is a safe place where we can find shelter in the storms of life. He is our salvation – our rock and defender – and can be trusted in and called upon at any time (Psalm 62:7-8).

He is our “strength”. Whether in want or plenty, we can know that He can and will strengthen us with His own strength that we can withstand and persevere (Philippians 4:10-13).

He is with us “always” (Matthew 20:28), even and especially “very present in “trouble”. We have already looked at Him being a refuge. Do not picture Him as a hiding place, but rather a fortress – a “stronghold” to specifically protect those who are “oppressed” and are “in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

Since He is our “refuge”, provides us with His “strength”, and is “a very present help in trouble”, “we will not fear”. This does not say may not or should not. No, placing one’s hope and trust and faith in God is more sure than possibility.

It is as solid as the rock bottom that we find our selves hitting. It is deeper than the trouble we find ourselves in time and again. When we find that we have no one else, He teaches us that He is the only One we need.

The earth can give way. Mountains may crumble and fall into the sea. Tidal waves – both real and figurative – may roar and rage against us, threatening life, limb, and livelihood. All of the comforts that we enjoy may cease to exist or leave us.

But God has promised that He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And that is good news. It is good news because we are surely acquainted with bad news. It is good news because we are dismayed and afraid. It is good news because we have no other sure source of help. Ultimately, it is good news because our good God (Mark 10:18) has given it in His Word and His Word never fails or will ever pass away (1 Peter 1:25).

And that is the hope that we’ll sing about this Sunday – hope in a good God who will be our refuge in good times and bad, the days that seem desperate and those that make us glad. May we be reminded that there is a God in Heaven. His name is Jesus. He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Here are our songs:

27  Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
      “My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28  Have you not known? Have you not heard?
      The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
      He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29   He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30   Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31   but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
       they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:27-31

But now thus says the Lord,
       he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
       when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
    For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1-3a
  • Desert Song —
    Scripture References/Inspiration for the Song: Isaiah 35:1, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 69:3, Psalm 34:10, 1 Corinthians 4:11, Matthew 5:6, Genesis 22:14, Isaiah 43:1-3, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Revelation 21:4, 1 Peter 1:7, Zechariah 13:9, Psalm 56:10, Psalm 51:15, Psalm 142:7, Isaiah 54:17, Hebrews 3:18, Psalm 22:22, Deuteronomy 20:4, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 20:28, Ephesians 6:10-20, Exodus 14:14, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:37, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17, Psalm 13:6, Psalm 105:2, James 5:13, John 4:23-24, Matthew 9:37-38, Psalm 30:5, John 7:38, Romans 15:13, Psalm 126:5, Deuteronomy 15:10, Acts 20:35

[Humble yourselves], therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-11

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — January 3, 2021

I read a quote yesterday that really puts 2020/2021 into perspective:

“Our hope is not in the new year, but in the One who makes all things new.”

Toby Mac

The “One” who makes all things new is Jesus.

He was our only hope in 2020 and 2019 and 1992 and 1746bc. He is the same “yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He is the “blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). And He is our “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3).

Every praise to God that has ever been sung is about Him. And He is who we will sing about this year until His “Kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10)! He has always been our only hope, and only trusting in Him will bring peace and hope for 2021.

Here are our songs:

*Note*

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — December 20, 2020

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:10

Jesus is absolutely the reason for the Christmas season, yet He is often overlooked. People are always asking others what Christmas is all about. The answer is simple: love.

God loved the world in this way, that He gave His one and only Son – the only begotten of the Father – to die as a substitute for sinners such as us. This portion of Advent magnifies how deep the Father’s love for us is!

Here are our songs:

  • O Holy Night —
  • 1 John 3:16-18 —

16 By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

  • 1 John 4:7-12 —

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

  • Midnight Clear (Love Song) —
  • You’re Here —
  • Galatians 4:4-5 —

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

  • Noel —
  • (inv) Make Room —

*Note*

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — December 6, 2020

God kept His promise; the Savior was born in Bethlehem.

God left the glory of Heaven and took on flesh, being made in every way like us, to come and bear witness to the truth. He lived the life we could not live and died the death we should have died. Bethlehem was a seemingly insignificant town. Many of us feel insignificant on a regular basis. Yet God loves you! This week of Advent, let us pause and look at how our great God specializes in using the insignificant to bring Him glory – and pray He uses us for that purpose!

Here are our songs:

  • Holy Spirit —
  • John 1:1-5 —

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

  • God With Us —
  • Adore —
  • John 1:9-14 —

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

  • King of Kings —
  • (inv) Joy to the World (King is Coming) —

Note:

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — November 29, 2020

Hope.

We need it to survive. It gets harder and harder to come by. But it can be found in abundance in Jesus.

We can have hope because God is faithful to keep His promises.

Let’s look at a few of God’s promises:

Most of the time, we merely hope that people will keep their promises. They may or may not follow through. But we can hope in God’s promises. We can trust them and let them form our understanding of the future. And His hope never – never – puts us to shame (Romans 5:5)!

We have the privilege of worshiping the one, true God, who – before the foundation of the world – gave Himself so that we might have our sins forgiven through Jesus Christ. This was/is Plan A. This portion of Advent looks at how God, through His Word, showed how He would come to earth centuries before that day in Bethlehem. As we look at how God promised Christ, let us find hope and security in Him.

Here are our songs:

  • What a Beautiful Name
  • Matthew 1:20-23

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

  • O Come All Ye Faithful
  • Born to Die
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

  • At the Cross (Love Ran Red)
  • (invitation) Jesus at the Center

—–

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — November 15, 2020

Here are our songs:

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.

Songs for Sunday — November 8, 2020

What a week this has been!

If you are looking for nonstop surprises, 2020 does not disappoint – or it does absolutely disappoint! So, if you would like a reprieve from the counting of votes, let us look to the One we can always count on.

Psalm 130 is fitting for times such as this because it illustrates how we should reach out from the depths of uncertainty and despair to the Lord as our only hope.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!”

Psalm 130:1-2

The psalmist is crying out, begging God to hear his cries for mercy. It is good to be reminded that – whatever our desperate situation – there is a God in heaven who hears and rescues (1 Samuel 17:46, Daniel 2:28).

“If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.”

Psalm 130:3-4

If we are going to cry out to God, it is important that we understand the reality of our sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23). We need a Savior before we need rescuing from whatever dire earthly situation. Understanding our need for a Savior leads us to rest and relish in the joy of forgiveness! Knowing that King Jesus would be absolutely righteous to condemn us to hell but chose to love us and give Himself for us drives us to our knees in worship and prayer rather than trembling in fear (Ephesians 5:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Timothy 1:7).

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in His Word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.”

Psalm 130:5-6

I have never been a night watchmen, but I am a perpetual sophomore. This, in my mind, is similar to the way that kids look toward the final bell during the last month of school. They feel the relief and rest of summer like the glow of the sun playing on the edge of the horizon. They watch the time, some knowing down to the second how long it is until the bell.

For us, we wait on Him with that same fervency and desire.

We wait on Him with the same pregnant joy of an expectant mother – the joy of motherhood outweighing the discomfort of the last trimester.

We wait with that same hope of relief and joy that comes from feeling complete.

We can hope in His Word. We can hope in His presence. We can hope in His forgiveness. We can hope because He does not disappoint.

And that’s what we are singing about this Sunday – the never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love that the Father has for us and His gift of love and hope in giving His only Son for us (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).

Here are our songs:

I hope to see you with us, whether you gather in person, in the parking lot via speaker, or on Facebook or YouTube live!

If gathering in person, please remember that masks are recommended and that we need to remain vigilant in our social distancing measures. Continue to pray for those who are sick – not just our members but all those around the world.