The following was presented by Rev. Wanda Floyd at both services on Sunday, July 28th.  This excerpt was taken from Joel Osteen's book, Your Best Life Now. (2004)

I declare. . . that you are blessed with God's supernatural wisdom, and you have clear direction in your life.

I declare. . . that you are blessed with creativity, with courage, with ability, and with abundance.

I declare. . . that you are blessed with a strong will and with self control and self discipline.

I declare. . . that you are blessed with a great family, with good friends, with good health, and with faith, favor and fulfillment.

I declare. . . that you are blessed with success, with supernatural strength, with promotion, and with divine protection.

I declare. . . that you are blessed with an obedient heart and with a positive outlook on life.

I declare. . . that any curse that has ever been spoken over you, any negative evil word that has ever come against you, is broken right now.

I declare. . . that you are blessed in the city, and the country.  You are blessed when you go in.  You are blessed when you come out.

I declare. . . that everything you put your hands to do is going to prosper and succeed.

I declare. . . that you are blessed!

With budget cuts, many non-profit organizations have had to cut back. St. John’s MCC wants to help Haven House students get ready for Fall. Haven House is an organization that accepts runaway youth ages 10 to 17. In the weeks leading up to July 26th, we are sponsoring a “School Tools” drive to collect school supplies to be distributed on that day at Haven House. Purchase a few extra school supplies and bring them to the church. A list of supplies can be found by clicking here.

Ask Fred Cannady or Charles Leake about the details.

Have you read a good, spiritually uplifting book recently? We are looking for the best books that seem to bring new life to people who are searching for answers. We’d like to share those resources with everyone.

We invite you to share your thoughts and impressions of your favorite spiritual books. In particular, we’d like to know why they meant so much to you and how you think others could benefit from them.

When you have your review/reflection written, send it to Sandra Whittington or  Shaun Harr. Please be sure to note in your message if we can put your name with the review on our website.

To see several Saints’ favorites that are already on our site, be sure to visit the On Our Shelf section.

Living the Questions

An introduction to progressive Christianity
featuring 30 of today’s leading religious voices.

People know that at its core, Christianity has something good to offer the human race. At the same time, many have a sense that they are alone in being a “thinking” Christian and that “salvaging” Christianity is a hopeless task. What we need is a safe environment where people have permission to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask but have been afraid to voice for fear of being thought a heretic.

Living the Questions is a 21-week DVD and web-based small group study exploring beyond the traditions and rote theologies in which so many people and local churches seem to be stuck. Ideal for Christian invitation, initiation, and spiritual formation, Living the Questions will help seekers and “church alumni” alike in discovering the significance of Christianity in the 21st Century and what a meaningful faith can look like in today’s world.

Sessions Begin Soon!

Where: St. John’s MCC Sanctuary
When: Tuesday Nights starting
July 7, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Contact: Gerald Lamm, Rick McGowan,
or David Ray in the Church Office

a Discipleship ministry of St. John’s MCC

Living the Questions is a curriculum provided by Resourcing Progressive Christians.
For information about the curriculum, visit www.livingthequestions.com.

To print a reminder to put in your Bible or other study materials - or to give to a friend - click here.