The Rev. John McGurrin's Weekly Letter - click here for February 5 pdf
The content of three of the most recent letters are included directly below. Towards the bottom of this page you will find a list of previous letters & a link to the PDF version.
February 5, 2012Isaiah 40:21-26 (The Message)
21-24Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening?
Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things?
God sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants.
He stretches out the skies like a canvas—yes, like a tent canvas to live under.
He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing.
Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted,
They shrivel when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind. 25-26"So—who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.
Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this?
Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name
—so magnificent! so powerful!— and never overlooks a single one?
Dear Friends in Christ,
The prophet Isaiah has something to say to us about the God to whom we pray. God is much greater and so much bigger in every way than we are yet he desires fellowship with us. When we pray, our first step ought to be contemplation about and praise for the one with whom we seek to communicate. We ought always to be in awe of his holy magnificence in order that we not only recite our list of requests (which He already understands before we name them), but we primarily listen for what he is saying and watch for what He is doing in us and around us. Communication is invited but we need to keep in mind whose words have more significance. This not to say He doesn’t want to hear us. Indeed as Jesus teaches He expressly does want us to express our needs and concerns.
You do not have because you do not ask. “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock ant door will be opened.”
As Phillip Yancey declares in his recent book titled PRAYER, we need to develop a habit of paying attention. As the psalmist teaches God requires that we should “Be still, and know that I am God.” Following these two commands will open our hearts to a right attitude as we communicate with the one who made us, redeemed us and sustains us always.
Father in heaven, through your Holy Spirit create a right spirit within us that we may know, love and obey you better. In the name and to the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
(Rev.) John McGurrin
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January 29, 2012
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendour and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. The good life begins in the fear of God—Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
Mark 1:21-28 (The Message)
21-22Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23-24Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25-26Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!" The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out. 27-28Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.
Dear Friends in Christ,
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth ...... A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Having been housebound with a disability, only being able to get about by wheelchair, and with a chair that mobility taxis cannot transport, for over 4 years, I more and more appreciate the truth that fellowship with other Christians at worship is truly precious and valuable. When one is mobile and enjoying daily talks with friends and co-workers it is easier on a Sunday morning to say, “I’ve had a busy week. I’m tired. I think I’ll take a Sunday off and just sleep in today.” But when the social contact is restricted it somehow gets much more important to “gather together”
Much more important than the social contact is the fact that when we gather together for worship we are placing ourselves truly in the presence of God. “Where two or three gather in my name there I am in the midst of them” In the friendly handshakes, the raising of voices in praise, the hearing of the scripture being read, the humbling of hearts together in prayer, and the proclamation of the message of the sermon, god’s Spirit is at work speaking his truth into hearts and minds and souls.
There is something very powerful and special that happens. We are drawn to God and directed and empowered to serve him by serving one another and by reaching out as his church in mission. We should ask ourselves, “Where is God working?” and “How can I get involved with his work?” More importantly we should ask God these questions and be prepared to roll up our sleeves and get busy when the answer comes.
Father, show us how we may serve to your glory. Amen.
(Rev.) John McGurrin
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January 22, 2012
Matthew 3 (The Message)
1 -2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." 3John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy:
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Dear Friends in Christ,
The work continues. The kingdom of God is at hand.
This year -- 2012 A.D. -- Anno Domini – In the Year of Our Lord
John’s message retains its power and importance. We need to continue to make changes to ready ourselves for God’s presence and activity. We need to daily face the reality that
a righteous and holy God stands beside us wanting to enter and have an intimate place in our day to day lives.
Getting to know God and to have a relationship with God is not a chicken or egg situation. Sadly we too often get mixed up and think that we are seeking God but somehow we are not finding him because He is hiding. The fact is that we wouldn’t even be seeking him in the first place if God had not first come to us and placed within us the very desire to seek him out. “We love because He first loved us.” “We pursue God only, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. ‘No man can come to me,’ said our Lord, ‘except the Father which hath sent me draw him’” (A.W.Tozer, The Pursuit of God). All the time we are pursuing him we are already in his hand.
This also a helpful signal as to when we can feel free to share our faith with others without being perceived as ‘pushy’. If someone is in any way questioning or curious as to matters of the divine or the eternal or any issue related to faith, then we can be sure that God is already at work in their heart whether or not they are aware of this truth. Our sharing, or showing our own interest in their questioning is likely to bear fruit. We need to remember that God prepares the way and our sharing faith is only aligning ourselves with the work He has prepared in advance for us.
Loving Father God, show us where you are working and help us to get lined up with the work you have for us to do. Teach us your truth that we may both know you better and that we may share the joy, love, and peace of knowing you. Amen.
(Rev.) John McGurrin
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June 28, 2009 - Choosing a Minister
July 5, 2009 - Be Joyful Always
July 12, 2009 - ACTS I - Prayer series
July 19, 2009 - Adoration
July 26, 2009 - Confession
August 2, 2009 - Thanksgiving
August 9, 2009 - Supplication
August 16, 2009 - Intercession
August 23, 2009 - Made for a reason
August 30, 2009 - New Beginnings
September 6, 2009 - Autumn Blessings
September 13, 2009 - New Opportunities
September 20, 2009 - Little Things
September 27, 2009 - Breath Prayer
October 4, 2009 - World Wide Communion
October 11, 2009 - Thanksgiving
October 18, 2009 - Translations
October 25, 2009 - Thunder in the Desert
November 1, 2009 - Saints or saints
November 8, 2009 - Remembrance
November 15, 2009 - A Daily Relationship
November 22, 2009 - Christ is King
November 29, 2009 - Hope
Letter Archives
December 6, 2009 - Faith
December 13, 2009 - Joy
December 20, 2009 - Peace
December 27, 2009 - Love
January 3, 2010 - Emmanuel, God with us
January 24, 2010 - Taking Charge
January 31, 2010 - Blessings without limits
February 7, 2010 - The Power of the Spirit
February 14, 2010 - Bad news, Good news
February 21, 2010 - To Put the World Right
February 28, 2010 - Patience, A gift of God
March 7, 2010 - The exact representation of the Father
March 14, 2010 - What must I do?
March 21, 2010 - Anointing his feet
Palm Sunday - March 28, 2010 - See how your King comes
Easter Sunday - April 4, 2010 - Resurrection - Jesus as our BFF
April 11, 2010 - Promises of things to come
April 18, 2010 - The Holy Trinity
April 25, 2010 - Let's go fishing
May 2, 2010 - The Road to Emmaus
May 9, 2010 - The Spirit of Truth
May 16, 2010 - To the Ends of the World
May 23, 2010 - Like a Strong Wind
June 6, 2010 - Called to Whatever
June 13, 2010 - A Sound like a Strong Wind
June 20, 2010 - Happy Father's Day
June 27, 2010 - One of the best prayers
July 4, 2010 - Our summer retreat
July 11, 2010 - At the end of your rope
July 18, 2010 - Open joys for secrets mournings
July 25, 2010 - Content with who you are
August 1, 2010 - Filled with God's presence
August 8, 2010 - Caring or Cared for
August 15, 2010 - Your inside world - put right
August 22, 2010 - Peacemaking through prayer
August 29, 2010 - Blessed though persecuted
September 5, 2010 - Living in Faith
September 12, 2010 - Seeking God's will
September 19, 2010 - God's will through relationship
September 26, 2010 - God's will through prayer
October 3, 2010 - God's will through scripture
October 10, 2010 - God's will through circumstances
October 17, 2010 - In the light of God
October 24, 2010 - God's New Covenant
October 31, 2010 - Count yourself lucky
November 7, 2010 - Keep Your Fork
November 14, 2010 - God's Renovations
November 21, 2010 - Christ the King
November 28, 2010 - Advent 1: Anticipation and Hope
December 5, 2010 - Advent 2
December 12 2010 - Advent 3
December 19, 2010- Advent 4
December 26, 2010 - Hallelujah Indeed!
January 2, 2011 - Happy New Year
January 9, 2011 - The Power of a Whisper
January 16, 2011 - God's Good News
January 23, 2011 - A Gift worth Sharing
January 30, 2011 - A possible new life
February 6, 2011 - How to be joyful
February 13, 2011 - His love never quits
February 20, 2011 - Our God created identities
February 27, 2011 - A Life of God-worship (Part 1)
March 6, 2011 - A Life of God-worship (Part 2)
March 13, 2011 - A Season of Renewal
March 20, 2011 - One Day at a Time
March 27, 2011 - A Season of Praise and Thanksgiving
April 3, 2011 - Listening and Learning to Follow
April 10, 2011- Alive in Christ
April 17, 2011 - Faithful in All Things
April 24, 2011 - Resurrection!
May 1, 2011 - Our turn to share
May 8, 2011 - Faithful Prayer
May 15, 2011 - Knowing God
May 22, 2011 - Relationship Principles
May 29, 2011 - Relationship Priorities
June 5, 2011 - Loving with Heart and Soul
June 12, 2011 - Loving with our minds
June 19, 2011 - Loving with Strength
June 26, 2001 - God's Constant Presence
July 3, 2011 - Doing God's Will
July 10, 2011 - That we may serve
July 17, 2011 - Quietly worshipful
July 24, 2011 - Faith Filled Lives
July 31, 2011 - Adoration and Thanksgiving
August 7, 2011 - Growing in character
August 14, 2011 - Lord teach us to listen
August 21, 2011 - Getting to Know God
August 28, 2011 - Finding our role
September 4, 2011 - Walking in the Way
September 11, 2011 - God's answer to 9-11
September 18, 2011 - No more excuses
September 25, 2011 - Humility & Obedience
October 2, 2011 - By His Word
October 9, 2011 - Never Alone
October 16, 2011 - Doing God's Work
October 23, 2011 - At home with God
October 30, 2011 - Sharing our Faith
November 6, 2011 - Dancing with God
November 13, 2011 - Never Alone
November 20, 2011 - Glorifying Christ our King
November 27, 2011 - Pray for Christmas Blessings
December 4, 2011 - The Blessing of Preparation
December 11, 2011 - The Blessing of Joy
December 18, 2011 - The Blessing of Good News
December 25, 2011 - The Ultimate Infinite Blessing
January 1, 2012 - A New Year's Resolution
January 8, 2012 - The indwelling Spirit
January 15, 2012 - Seeking to know God
January 22, 2012 - Knowing and Sharing
January 29, 2012 - Gathering to Serve
February 5, 2012 - Remembering His Greatness