Keeping in Touch
with Ebenezer United Church
Our worship service at Ebenezer as well on Zoom is led by Jane Smyth and Rev. Nicholas Forrester. We thank Christine Hanson, Margaret Tribe, and our choir for providing the musical accompaniment, Susan Ryman for the slides, and James Tribe, Clyde Harris, Shaun Balasubramaniam, and Doug Mark for our audiovisual and broadcast support.
Today's service includes the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Scripture Readings (NIV):
Isaiah 58:1–12 True Fasting
Matthew 5:13–20 Salt and Light
Sermon: “Fulfillment!”
Here're links from the United Church of Canada this week:
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Annual Reports are now being received in the office or by email at ebenezer5000@gmail.com until February 15, 2023. Annual Reports should be ready for distribution February 26, 2023. Annual General Meeting is scheduled March 12, 2023 after service.
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TODAY
Wishing a Happy Birthday to Fern Lamptey, February 5
Coffee Time Please stay and meet with us in the narthex following the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments thoughtfully prepared by Mae Belvett and Valerie Clarke.
Worship Leaders Training with Rev. Forrester for an hour after the worship service today. At the training, we will have discussions around worship order and why we do what we do in worship, the sacraments, prayers, and general preparation for worship.
Order your Gift Cards in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers-to-Grandmothers February 5-12. Order forms are available in the narthex. Requests for cards may be emailed to Jacquelin Lovell jacquelinlovell@rogers.com
Payment may be made by cheque to the church or by e-transfer to treasurer@ebenezeronline.ca Thank you for your ongoing support.
THIS WEEK
Office Hours: Susan will be working in-office Wednesday and Friday
10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and from home Tuesday and Thursday
Tuesday – Out of the Cold program by BlueDoor & volunteers
Wednesday – Out of the Cold program by BlueDoor & volunteers
Thursday – Out of the Cold program by BlueDoor & volunteers
Choir Practice 7-9 p.m. in the main sanctuary. Come sing! Please use the side door entrance from the parking lot to the sanctuary.
Sunday – In-person/Zoom with Rev. Nicholas Forrester and worship Leader, Margaret Tribe at 10 a.m. as we celebrate Ebenezer United Church 171 Anniversary with a special reflection by Ina York and guest musician, Murphy Hung. There will be a Sunday School program in classrooms 1&2 with Diane McLean and a “Helper”. Please plan to join us for a pot-luck lunch following the service organized by Hospitality Team, Mae Belvett and Valerie Clarke.
UPCOMING EVENTS, MEETINGS, SERVICES
Prayers of the People Rev.Forrester and the Worship team are seeking to restart the Prayers of the People team. If you are interested in volunteering to serve by occasionally writing and delivering the Prayers of the People, please speak to Rev. Forrester or any member of the Worship team.
Annual Reports are now being received in the office or by email at ebenezer5000@gmail.com until February 15, 2023. Annual Reports should be ready for distribution February 26, 2023.
Annual General Meeting is scheduled March 12, 2023 after service.
Ebenezer Rocks is back! Calling all members of Ebenezer, friends, and family. On Saturday February 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. we will be walking in support of Blue Door. The funds raised will be used to support Blue Door housing programs including the Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program that operates from Ebenezer three nights per week. Here are the details and different ways to participate:
- Please go to CNOY.org. If you were part of the fundraiser last year, you can login. OR there is a tab to register to fundraise, donate, or find your location. Our location is Richmond Hill (Blue Door).
- If you do not wish to walk, please consider donating to the team. OR You may give your donation to Jane, (with your address information for your tax receipt) and she will post it to the team for you.
- If you prefer to fundraise with the team, yet prefer to walk on your own, that is great too!
- Everyone who raises $150.00 or more (per participant) will receive the sporty grey and white toque!
- Marilyn and Jane will have drinks and snacks for everyone who would like to walk, fundraise, and for all who would like to come out and support the team!! An Ebenezer event for all!
- We will depart the church at 2 p.m. and walk to 14th Avenue and then return. (Same route as last year)
Please contact Jane at janesmyth@sympatico.ca or 416-292-9995 with questions.
We hope you will join us and look forward to walking with you in support of Blue Door.
Marilyn and Jane - Ebenezer Outreach Team
Black History Month - February 26th we welcome our guest speaker Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae is a professor at University of Waterloo. She holds a PhD in Theatre Studies (York University), an MFA in Theatre (York University) and a BA with distinction (Concordia University).
Her areas of research and teaching expertise are race, gender and performance. Dr. Keleta-Mae’s current artistic and research project is called “Black and Free” with a focus on Black expressive culture and it is funded by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and the University of Waterloo. She has appeared as a media commentator for the BBC, CBC, CTV, The Canadian Press, The National Post, The Toronto Star, and The Fader and written op-eds for The Globe and Mail and Vice Network. She is also an award-winning poet, recording artist, and playwright who has performed in Canada, France, Jamaica, and South Africa.
Book Club – next meeting March 20 via Zoom at 7:30 p.m.
The book is a work of creative nonfiction entitled “Homes, a refugee story” written by Winnie Yeung as told to her by Syrian refugee, Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and his family. Copies are in the office for you to pick up today. (Even if you don’t come to Book Club, this is an insightful book to read. Please return copies by March 22 during office hours or March 23 at choir practice.)
Learn more about the work done by the Ebenezer Book Club as they support www.kiva.org.
In the Community
Personal Safety in Public and Protecting the LOSS of Your Home (via zoom) Friday, February 17, 2023, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Contact Elsa to register: elsa@splc.ca or 416-493-3333 x 305
(See flyer below)
The Face of Poverty, Recognition and Response
Markham Baptist Church is extending and invitation into the community for a series of Zoom discussions on The Face of Poverty, Recognition and Response; focusing on the Markham-Unionville community.
Session dates: Tuesday evenings on Zoom, February 28, March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25, May 9 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
To register, in order to enter the Zoom meeting, please email: admin@markhambaptist.org or call 905-294-5830
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Ebenezer Rocks is back! Calling all members of Ebenezer, friends, and family. On Saturday February 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. we will be walking in support of Blue Door. The funds raised will be used to support Blue Door housing programs including the Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program that operates from Ebenezer three nights per week. Here are the details and different ways to participate:
- Please go to CNOY.org. If you were part of the fundraiser last year, you can login. OR there is a tab to register to fundraise, donate, or find your location. Our location is Richmond Hill (Blue Door).
- If you do not wish to walk, please consider donating to the team. OR You may give your donation to Jane, (with your address information for your tax receipt) and she will post it to the team for you.
- If you prefer to fundraise with the team, yet prefer to walk on your own, that is great too!
- Everyone who raises $150.00 or more (per participant) will receive the sporty grey and white toque!
- Marilyn and Jane will have drinks and snacks for everyone who would like to walk, fundraise, and for all who would like to come out and support the team!! An Ebenezer event for all!
- We will depart the church at 2 p.m. and walk to 14th Avenue and then return. (Same route as last year)
Please contact Jane at janesmyth@sympatico.ca or 416-292-9995 with questions.
We hope you will join us and look forward to walking with you in support of Blue Door.
~Marilyn and Jane- Ebenezer Outreach Team
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Have a wonderful week and stay safe,
Doug Mark
PS Please always remember to support your Ebenezer United Church by giving your time and talents as well as through your offerings. Click here to learn more from our website and remember we accept Interac e-Transfers to treasurer@ebenezeronline.ca. Thank-you!
PPS Click here to check our our new CanadaHelps donation link found on our website as well.
If you want to be added to our Ebenezer eNews list, click here to subscribe and feel free to share this link with others. |
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Ebenezer United Church
5th Sunday After Epiphany
February 5, 2023
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♫ Prelude “Now, That Daylight Fills the Sky” by Dale Wood
Land Acknowledgment (All)
We acknowledge this land on which Ebenezer United Church serves our community. For thousands of years, this land has been on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to worship, pray, and practice our faith on this land.
Lighting of the Christ Candle & Fellowship Candles
(Lighting by Sunday School, reading by Worship Leader)
The Christ Candle is a sign to us that Jesus Christ has come into this world as the Eternal Light. The Fellowship Candles remind us that Jesus’ people are the people of Light in this world. As we light the Christ Candle, let us hear the voice of Jesus say, “I am the Light of the World.” And, as we light the Fellowship Candles, let us also hear the voice of Jesus say, “You are the light of the world.”
Affirmation of Faith (In Unison) “A New Creed” VU #: 918
We are not alone; we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Welcome & Announcements ~ Jane Smyth
♫ Chimes ~ Margaret Tribe
*Call to Worship (Leader, People, All) (Please stand as you are able)
L/ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P/ And also, with you.
L/ O praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord God, Almighty.
P/ O God, we gather before you with an offering of worship in our hearts and praise on our lips.
L/ Accept the worship and the praise we offer you this day.
A/ May it all come up into your nostrils as a sweet-smelling savour!
♫ Hymn of Praise “I Am the Light of the World” VU #: 87
Prayers of Adoration & Invocation (Together) (Led by Worship Leader)
Gracious God, we praise you and thank you for all that you have bestowed upon us: for this day that you give us life; for your word, which refreshes us as we open ourselves to it; for your wisdom, which comes to us as we follow Jesus; and for the light that shines upon us when we turn to you in prayer. Help us today to glorify your name in our hymns, songs, prayers, and meditations in this sanctuary, and by all that we say and do before others when we leave this place today. We ask it through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen!
♫ Choir Anthem “Take My Hand” by Don Besig
Prayer of Confession (Leader, People, All) (Led by Worship Leader)
L/ Merciful God, we are prone to point the finger at others and to pervert justice by our silence and inaction.
P/ We want others to feed the hungry while we fail to share from our own possessions.
L/ We prefer charity in principle but in practice we evade our duty even to our own kin. We live comfortably while there are families crowded into rooms too small for them, or are homeless altogether.
A/ Forgive our failure to live up to the best we know and to work for justice in the world, even after you have set us free by your amazing grace. In Jesus’ we pray, amen!
Assurance of Pardon (Minister, All)
M/ Beloved in the Lord, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptance: Amidst the darkness of all our sin, Christ shines a redeeming light. In him we are forgiven, restored, and made new. In his love, we can make a fresh start today, following the path he sets before us. To all who turn to the Lord then, he says, “your sins are forgiven.” He also says, “Follow me.”
A/ Thanks be to God!
♫ Caribbean Lord’s Prayer (solo choir and all)
“Hallowed Be Thy Name” traditional arr. by Stephen Decesare
♫ Song for the Young “This Little Light of Mine”
A Time with Our Children
(Children are welcome to go with Diane McLean and “Helper” to classrooms 1&2 for a Sunday School program.)
Prayer for Understanding (Worship Leader)
Holy God, your mysteries surround us and astound us each day. Send your Holy Spirit upon us now so that we would discover your wisdom afresh as we hear the Scriptures read and proclaimed, through Jesus Christ, your Living Word, in whose glorious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:1–12 (NIV) (read by Jane Smyth)
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13–20 (NIV) (read by Rev. Forrester)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
R/ This is the word of the Lord!
A/ Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Fulfillment!” Rev. Nicholas Forrester
♫ Hymn of Reflection “Be Thou My Vision” VU #: 642
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Supplication (Minister, People, All)
M/ God of justice and righteousness, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to live out your love in this world. We thank you for the wisdom in his words and deeds, which continues to guide us today.
P/ We pray for those who need your justice, Lord: for those who sleep on the cold streets, those who do not have enough to eat, and those who have lost their homes in violence, natural disaster, through poverty, or through poor life choices.
M/ We pray for refugees and political prisoners; for children who must work instead of going to school and for the parents who long to give their children a better life. Fill each one with your hope that each day will take a step closer to needs fulfilled and rights restored.
P/ We pray for all who need your healing touch, Lord: for people who are confused or afraid, for those in hospitals and nursing homes, and for all who are dealing with long-term disability or mental illness.
M/ We pray for our own families and for families in our community who face conflict, where relationships are strained or broken. We pray for those who have encountered loss: through the death of a loved one; through change in circumstances; or through disappointment and dashed hopes.
P/ Surround each one with your peace and comfort so that hope for restoration and wholeness will be renewed each day.
M/ On this day, we pray for all the persons belonging or connected to this congregation, who are sick and shut-in and need your healing and helping grace. In particular, we bring before you those who are shut-in and call them by name: Roy D., Janet D., Michele G., Cyril H., and Joseph S.
P/ May these for who we pray, family or friends, experience wholeness, peace, and comfort, and healing.
M/ Today, we also pray for those who are connected to some of us here is some way, and for whom requests for prayers have been made, and we call them by name: Jackie, Carole, Edwin, Jenna, Basil, Cathy, Elaine, and Andrea.
A/ Whatever their needs are, attend to them with your care, we pray. We ask of you all these things through the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Saviour, and Lord amen!
Invitation to the Offering (Worship Leader)
Our faith rests not on human wisdom but on the power of God, so, we bring our offering, trusting that each gift has divine power beyond itself, the power God will give. Let us then give thankfully and generously in Jesus’ name, trusting in the miracle of God at work in the world.
Offering Our Gifts
♫ Hymn “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” VU #: 541
Prayer of Dedication (Minister)
O God, we offer our gifts today, trusting that the Holy Spirit will bless them to make the world a brighter place for all who face some kind of darkness. Bless our lives, too, so that our words and actions will serve as salt to flavour the earth with your love and mercy, in Christ’s name we pray, amen.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion
At the last supper, Jesus served his disciples,
and they ate and drank first. This was to fill them spiritually so
that they could then go out and serve others. That is what we do now.
♫ Communion Hymn “According to Thy Gracious Word”
INVITATION (Rev. Forrester)
Let us celebrate this joyful feast. People will come from east and west and north and south and all will find a place at the Lord’s table. Beloved in the Lord, draw near to the holy table of our Lord Jesus Christ and hear his gracious words:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NRSV)
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…. and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:35, 37, NRSV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NRSV)
PRAYER (Responsive) (Minister, People, All)
M/ The Lord be with you.
P/ And also, with you.
M/ Lift up your hearts.
P/ We lift them to the Lord.
M/ Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
P/ It is right to give our thanks and praise.
M/ It is our highest joy to praise you, God of enduring love. All that is good and beautiful, all that is just and true, is your doing. Morning by morning, you whispered your dreams and hopes into our hearts.
P/ Holy God, we praise you.
Let the heavens be joyful, and the earth be glad.
M/ We bless you for creating the whole world, for your promises to your people Israel, and for Jesus Christ in whom your fullness dwells.
P/ Born of Mary, he shares our life. Eating with sinners,
he welcomes us. Guiding the children, he leads us.
M/ Visiting the sick, he heals us.
Dying on the cross, he saves us.
P/ Raised from the dead, he gives new life.
Living with you, he prays for us.
M/ Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory.
A/ Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
NARRATIVE OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
As we gather at the Lord’s table, let us again hear the narrative of the institution of the Lord’s Supper as it was recorded and delivered by the Apostle Paul: ‘I have received of the Lord that also which I deliver unto you; that the Lord Jesus, the same in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat, this is my body which has been broken for you, this do in remembrance of me.” And after the same manner he took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, this do you as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you do proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’
THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH
Minister: Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith:
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION
Minister: Almighty God and our heavenly Father, we recognize that it is meet, right and our bounden duty that at all times and in all places, we should give you thanks, Father, Almighty, Creator of the heavens and the earth. We join with the angels and the company of heaven in proclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God Almighty; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord Most High. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. We give you thanks for the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ; for his life and ministry on earth; for his suffering and death on the cross; for his glorious resurrection from the dead; for his ascension into heaven; and for the promise of his coming again. We therefore present ourselves to be living sacrifices unto you; holy and pleasing in your sight, which is our reasonable act of service. Send down your Holy Spirit to sanctify us, and present us once again faultless before your throne of grace with exceedingly great joy. Almighty God, King of the universe – you who bring forth bread from the earth and wine from the vine, send down your Holy Spirit to sanctify this bread and this wine, which we set before you that the bread may be for us the body of Christ and the cup of blessing the blood of Christ. Amen!
THE RE-ENACTMENT Rev. Nicholas Forrester
AGNUS DEI
Minister: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
All: Have mercy upon us.
Minister: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
All: Have mercy upon us.
Minister: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
All: Grant us your peace.
(Let us be silent as we contemplate this holy and solemn act of worship)
♫ Communion Hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together” VU #: 480
(to be sung during distribution and sharing of communion)
THE SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE WINE
(The Communion Servers will proceed to the altar and be served first by the Minister, then the congregation will come forward to be served. Those who are unable to walk may remain seated and the Servers will come to you. The Minister will partake last.)
This is the body of Christ which was broken for you.
This do in remembrance of him.
***
This cup the New Covenant in the blood of Christ, shed for all for
the forgiveness of sins. Drink ye all of it in remembrance of him.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Minister: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
People: And also, with you.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Minister: Let us pray.
All: Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for the invitation to your table. For there, we have tasted your death and seen your resurrection; we have feasted at your table and have been filled with unending life. May we now return to the duties, which await us in the world, ever more resolved to be faithful to you and loving to one another. Through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen!
♫ Closing Hymn “When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery” VU #: 93
*Benediction (Rev. Forrester) (Please stand as you are able)
Go forth in faithfulness to love and serve the Lord. May God’s love restore you; may Christ’s teaching inspire you; may the Holy Spirit empower you to be the salt of the earth and the light in the world, for the world is ready to receive you! Go with God, my friends. Amen!
♫ “Go Now in Peace” by Nancy Price and Don Besig
♫ Postlude “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
Setting by John. A. Behnke
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Sung by Susan Ryman with accompaniment by Murphy Hung.
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Last week's sermon "Jesus Calls Us" by Rev. Nicholas Forrester
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Verse of the Week
Psalm 18:1-2 (NIV)
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
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Food for Thought
Kindness
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
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Inspiration
from Doug Mark
Click here or on the image above to watch "How did the ancient people of amazon survive How did they cultivate the amazon forest" on YouTube.
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Heavenly Humour
from Doug Mark
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