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You may also submit a photo (by early next week) if you did not have one taken last week.  Photo guidelines are:

• cost $10 ( payable to Lifetouch )
• vertical orientation
• file name should contain names ( ie; BillSusanSallyJoe.jpg )
• if photo is from a professional photographer a signed release will be required.
• photos should be sent to Patty: patty@theAlley.org

If you have something you would like to add, please contact Patty in the church office.  Thanks!

Time

• Volunteers to de-weed flower beds
• Volunteer to re-wire lighting for office area

Equipment

Special Funding

Psalm 103 gives such praise to God start to finish.  Many of the Psalms begin with great praise to God and then turn another direction.  This Psalm is purely praise to God and His mighty works.  A couple of key verses for me are these; 10 – “he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”  12 – as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”  This was from David and he knew it was true before Jesus came to give us our redemption.  David knew it then and it is so much more the case for us today.  Before Jesus, there was only the law – Since Jesus came, we now have the proof that these two verses are especially true.  We now have the grace and forgiveness given us by Jesus in His presence among us.  We have forgiveness for our sins because of Him (“removed our transgressions from us.”)  And we have hope for life everlasting.

Psalm 42 is calling us over and over to put our hope in God.  No matter what is going on in life, put your hope in God.  This Psalm seems to have a reference to Jesus crucifixion just like Psalm 22.  This one is much shorter and more subtle.  Verse 9 & 10 “I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me?  Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”  My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

I love these stories of Jesus in the prime of his ministry.  I was praying and trying to think about what to write about tonight and I read several of the sections over again.  I just couldn’t decide.  Here is Jesus, calming the sea when all about him are panicked.  He’s driving out a legion of demons from a man.  Raising a young girl from the dead.  What a wonderful and awesome God we have – So Great, So personal, both at the same time.  How can we understand Him?  We can’t, we don’t have the capacity in our minds to comprehend the power of God.  It’s our job just to desire Him and love each other.  Jesus said it simply enough, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.  And love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Like Psalm 42, put our hope in God.

Help us ring in the new year with our 2nd annual family new years party! We’ll go from 5:30 – 8:30. Bring some food to share and come have fun with games, music from DJ Fanum, a balloon drop & ring in the new year at 8p!

We also need some folks to help organize and run stuff so if you are able, please head over the sign-up page to let us know.

Please sign you/your family up for the fall clean-up day @ the Women’s Shelter (10a-1p) so we have an accurate head count. Please provide us with an email or phone number so we can get in contact with you if need be.

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