Greetings Church Friends and Family

As we stand on the brink of the 20^th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attacks on America, I thought it appropriate to share with you a prayer, one of many, that was prayed at a service in New York City shortly after the attacks. The wording struck me, and I wanted to share it with you, as we consider the events that unfolded that dreadful day, as well as facing the day-to-day scenarios we see and experience in America these days. May you be blessed as you reflect – Come Lord Jesus!!

(A variation of this prayer was used in services immediately after September 11, 2001.  The prayer expresses feelings many shared at that time – and still do in the present – and it calls upon God to help us in our confusion and dismay).

Who are we, O God, that you are mindful of us?
We are the bystanders, the ones left disquieted and helpless.
the things we have feared have come upon us;
   what we have dreaded has happened,
And we are filled with confusion.

Who are we, Lord, that you are mindful of us?
We are the wounded and hurting, the ones whose groans pour out like water.
We are crushed in body and in spirit;
   we find no solace among the living,
And we are filled with fear.

Who are we, O God, that you are mindful of us?
We are the survivors, the ones who seek to understand and to act.
We are burdened by a cacophony of angry voices;
   we find no help in human wisdom,
And we are filled with despair.

Who are we, O God?
In these times of trial there is much we do not know.
But this we know:
Whoever we are, whatever we do, you are mindful of us.
Your everlasting arms will comfort all who come to you,
And your judgment will fall down upon those who do not follow your ways of love.

Help us, we pray, to live peaceably with the things we know, and the things we cannot know.
Grant us the grace to speak hope in the midst of despair.
Grant us the courage to return love for hatred.
Grant us the wisdom to believe that vengeance is yours, not ours.
And grant us the compassion to minister to those for whom despair and hatred are the bitter fuel that keeps body and soul together.

We pray in the deep confidence that this world is yours, and all that is in it.  And we pray in the name of the One who came to save us, the Prince of Peace—even Jesus Christ our brother and our savior.  AMEN. 

·Deacons/Deaconesses 

·Sabbath School & Connect Group Leaders 

·Social Media Team Members (Like to take pictures of church events? We’d like to capture what is happening at church, and we want you to help us do it)

We will be making some adjustments to our social media accounts shortly, as far as our handles are concerned, once our church name has officially been approved and voted. (More on this later). Since we seem to have lost Admin rights to our Facebook account (we’ve had to create a new one) - We are still trying to acquire admin right to the KSCS Facebook page (if you can help, please contact Pr. Eugene). For right now, please visit and like/follow us at: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arlington-Adventist-Church-DFW-North-Campus-103558818662866

Instagram: @fmlsda ( https://www.instagram.com/fmlsda/ )

Twitter: @fmlsda ( https://twitter.com/fmlsda )

You can download PDF copies of this quarter’s Lesson Studies at https://absg.adventist.org/current-quarter  - Then study along with Hope Sabbath School - https://www.hopetv.org/hopess/ that also has mini study guides that will aid your experience. Official Sabbath School Lesson app (Includes all Adventist Sabbath School Lesson quarterlies from Beginners to Adult is available in your device’s App / Play Store.

Available on Apple Devices in App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sabbath-school-4/id922307330

Sermon This week by Dr. Tom Grove – “Living Who You Are” 

Identity has become such a hot button issue in the 21st century. As Christ followers, our identity is delineated by society, but is defined by Christ.

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:3-8, NIV)

NO POTLUCK this week (1st and 3rd Saturday of every month) – Please remember to plan and bring your favorite dish, side dish, or dessert to share, and let's enjoy great food and fellowship NEXT WEEK.

Money Moment - You can financial support and give to your congregation here in Lewisville, as well as submit your Tithes to the conference and beyond right here: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANWFQ8/envelope/start  - You can search for “Lewisville Seventh-day Adventist Church” if it doesn’t automatically redirect.

Yes, we have several prayer groups that meet during the week, but some have expressed the need to be able to communicate prayer requests to bring before the Lord during our worship service, and they either do not attend in person at present, or do not feel comfortable presenting their requests in person. This may also help us cut some time during our service, if we have the requests ready to go. Please submit your prayer requests that you want prayed over during church to Pastor Eugene, 1. Via email (eugene@arlingtonadventist.com) or 2. Via Txt Message or WhatsApp. (512.708.0600)

A holistic way to the healthy gut, restored microbiome and immune system, including cases of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease. Find more information related to our upcoming seminar series here http://autoimmune.inventanddiscover.com (or Scan the QR code below with your Digital device) Seminar will be presented by our friend Anar Guliyev (who has a medical degree, amongst his list of diplomas and accomplishments.) Plan to join us for potluck next week, followed by the first in a series of presentations.