ABCOPAD Prayer Update
April 15, 2015



Mark writes: 

We had this amazing surprise today. Adalia Gutierrez was giving the message. You will remember Ray and Adalia Schellinger-Gutierrez have served as the directors of Deborah's House. It is a small world. Also at morning worship was Carlos Bonilla. His wife, Mayra, is currently in Spain. It was a great day seeing so many of our missionaries in action.

 

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Pictures taken during recent events can be found on Facebook

If you don't have Facebook, you can see our Facebook page
via a portal on our web site. www.abcopad.org
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The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

 

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 


 

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'"

 

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 

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Robert Rice (Pastor at Muncy Baptist Church, Northumberland Association)

Hello Everyone: Linda Beth shared this message on Facebook earlier today:  Just left the surgeons office. I'm being admitted to hospital since infection is worse. Possible surgery if today's antibiotic doesn't work. Finger looks gross. 
Father God, we would lift up Linda to You this evening. We know that all healing and power is Yours to give, and so We pray that the doctors would see a solution to stop this infection, that You would bring healing to Linda's finger. Bring peace to her heart, and give strength to her body. In Jesus' Name, AMEN.


Paul Fields (Interim Pastor at United Baptist in Taylor, Abington Association)

Paul Fields called  to say that Jack Race, 93, fell in his house and injured his shoulder. He is at home and in a great deal of pain. It would be good to remember him and his wife Katherine at this time.

 


From the ABCOPAD Staff

Please remember those who are gathering at this week's conference in Milton, PA --- focused on "Discipleship and The Holy Spirit." May this be a time of renewal for each man and woman in attendance.

 


A Prayer at Tax Time

   Dear God, bless my taxes! Give me peace of mind as I struggle to fill out the forms and determine the right amounts I should be sending to Washington, Harrisburg, and Dover. Keep me calm, I pray, and whisper a reminder to me of all the good reasons that I send my money to my government every year.

   Remind me of the fact that I could not write this prayer if I had not received an excellent tax-subsidized education - my parents couldn't have afforded fancy private schools or colleges. Gently show me that the Internet, through which I send this prayer to others, was created with taxpayer dollars.

   Help me to recall that my freedom to pray as I wish was purchased with the lives of soldiers and the tax payments of other citizens who defended liberty before I was born. Reveal to me, Lord, in my mind's eye, the roads and the airports, the water systems, the magnificent parks and wilderness areas, the public health workers, the regulators of the environment and of commerce, the scientists, and all the other people and things that my taxes make possible. They provide safety and comfort, protect natural resources, and enable capitalism to flourish for the benefit of all.

   Remind me of how hard and scary life was for the sick and elderly before citizens paid Social Security taxes and received its benefits. Show me, dear One, just how expensive, difficult, and unpleasant life would be for me and everyone else without all the services and protections that are funded by my tax payments.

   Dear Lord, remind me that, in fact, for all the good things that I and others receive back from our government, my tax payments are a bargain. Take me out of my selfishness and give me a spirit of gratitude as I write those tax checks. Inspire me to see that this is a sacred duty, and is a way that I serve others who are vulnerable, poor, or sick, and are especially dependent on public assistance.

   O dear One, there are so many ways I wish my taxes could be spent differently. There are many things I don't like about what my government is doing, there are ways that the tax system could be made more fair, and there are many important things the government leaves undone. I'm willing, O Lord, to pay even more in taxes if it would work for the common good: it could save us all even more money and trouble, in the end.  So, more than ever, dear God, give me the strength and the vision to rise up and take action as a voter, pressing my government to act for peace and justice at home and abroad. My sacred duty as a citizen is only partly fulfilled as I write my tax checks. I ask for your guidance, God, as I join with others to change the priorities and values of our government, so that they reflect more of what we see of your will.

   May your blessing rest on my Form 1040 this next week, dear Lord, and may my taxes well serve you and my fellow citizens! Amen.

 

 2015 Pastor and Laity

 Conference

April 16-18
(Thursday-Saturday)

Host Church:

FBC ~ Milton, PA

 
Learn More
 

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Summer 2015

Haiti Mission Trip

Volunteer Opportunities

 

June 30 - July 7, 2015
(Tuesday to Tuesday)  

Cost: $1,350 

Team Leader: 

Rev. Kelly Legg, Pastor 
First Baptist Church of Norristown

August 4-11, 2015

(Tuesday to Tuesday)

Cost $1,400

Team Leader: 

Rev. Dave Jones, Pastor
First Baptist Church of Berwick

 

MORE INFORMATION HERE