Bethany Renew
Midweek Email Devotion
07 October 2015  
Greetings!

WELCOME!  
I welcome you to Bethany Renew! This is our church's weekly online connection on the topic of spiritual renewal.  
Every midweek, you will receive a devotion, a prayer, or an essay that are intended to stir up conversations and ideas of how we will proceed on the path of renewal. Feel free to forward this email to anyone who you think will be interested in receiving these readings.  You are welcome to respond or make comments, or otherwise just sit back and enjoy your weekly readings and reflections!  




MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

EVERY WEDNESDAY 
6:00 p.m.  
"REVIVAL"
A bible study on faith and spirituality as John Wesley lived it. 
Click HERE to watch promotional video.   
 
    


CHARGE  
CONFERENCE 
October 15,
7 p.m.





ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

EVERY SUNDAY
10:00 a.m.
 A lectionary-based study on our weekly scripture lesson. 
THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT:  
Mark 10:17-31  
(If you are able, please read the weekly text prior Sunday).  
BRING YOUR BIBLE! 
 

WE NEED MERCY
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7
A woman was complaining to the manager of the beauty salon about the result of her makeup, repeatedly saying, "I demand justice!" The manager reimbursed her money, but kindly said, "With all due respect, you don't need justice, you need mercy."
 
Have you ever demanded God's justice? In the midst of pain and tragedy, "justice-demanding-prayer" seems reasonable. But when our finiteness is matched with the depth of eternal mystery, we are instead reminded of our need for mercy.
 
In David's weakest moment, as he approached heaven's judicial hall, he pleaded that he be dealt with according to God's abundant mercy (Psalm 51), and not by the mallet of the law.
 
When we received this mercy, we are humbled and inspired to extend the same mercy to those who wronged us, or to those who fell by the wayside of life's tough roads. Grateful for the generosity of God's heart, we enlarge our embrace a little bit wider; we lengthen our patience a little bit longer; we serve others a little bit tenderer.
 
Aware that we may need to ask for mercy in one form or another--down life's tough roads--we become mindful of others trouble, and sympathetic of others failings. Indebted with the abundant mercy displayed on the cross, we pray blessing for our enemy, and receive the benefit of Calvary in the end.
 
Prayer this week: Lord, in the midst of rudeness and insensitivity around me, let me show mercy to the fallen, extend compassion to the helpless, and set an example to the uncaring. In moments that I will need it, let me then harvest mercy from the abundance of your flowing grace. Amen.

FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE
Please like our new Facebook Page at Bethany United Methodist Church.
Please click here.
Visit our website for other church info, and you can listen to sermons: bethanytacoma.com
 
Pastor Ferdie Llenado
Bethany United Methodist Church
personal email: [email protected]
new church email: [email protected]
visit us at bethanytacoma.com