Family and Friends,

With so much going on in our world, country, churches, and all of the below that seems so out of control, it's good to know God is sovereign over all that was, is, will be, and...more!

My friend the OGD who also happens to be the most articulate "Reformed" theologian in my experience has written some powerfully encouraging words about the strong calm sanity generated by trusting in our sovereign God (see below).

Annnnnnnd the revival on the corner of L&M accelerates as our trust increases (see attached).

Speaking of trust, we have our annual meeting to elect officers after the second service on Sunday (11/30); and everyone who has been, continues to be, will be, or thinks she/he may be an officer is invited to attend our "New/Used Officer Training" in the bored aka board room immediately following the annual meeting.  This is a good time to refresh our understanding of the essentials of our faith (profession) and how we pray, plan, and proceed to enflesh 'em (polity).

Speaking of enfleshing essentials, Jesus said, "As you do it for/to them, you do it for/to Me."

Our shared Compassion Closet in concert with our sisters/brothers at St. James is distributing 50+ food boxes a month and our last Compassion Meal for the hungry (yesterday) hosted 48 friends and extended family members with 8 more meals being delivered.

It's hard to keep up with the expanding enfleshment of essentials on the corner of L&M; which is why I urge you to stay tuned via weekly bulletins, regular newsletters, www.bnnsradio.com, and www.belvpresbyterian.org.

Annnnnnnd it all begins, deepens, and blossoms as we increasingly trust our sovereign Father, saving Son Jesus, and sustaining Holy Spirit.

Blessings and Love!

Friends,

While it's important to stay tuned to the plethora of announcements and opportunities for ministry via weekly bulletins, regular newsletters, www.bnnsradio.com, and www.belvpresbyterian.org, here are two timely announcements/opportunities:

1. The annual Salvation Army "Community Thanksgiving Meal" for the hungry and homeless of Belvidere and Boone County will be on 11/25; and we have the privilege of providing five servers for the first shift commencing at 4:30 p.m.  We already have three volunteers.  If you are interested - first come, uh, first serve - please call Karen at 815-544-6402; and

2. Our new officers will be nominated and elected on 11/30 after the second service.  "New/Used Officer Training" will be held that same day after the congregational meeting in the bored aka board room.  Somebody'll provide coffee and snacks; but ya may wanna bring a brown bag.  This is kinda mandated for new officers; but also encouraged as a refresher for continuing officers and our Nominating Committee and as an introduction for anyone who would like a crash course in our profession and polity.  Simply, we concentrate on the essentials of our faith and how decisions are made to honor Him.

BTW, I'll never forget Tony being confronted, "I don't like the way that you pray."  He replied, "Listen, lady, I wasn't talking to you!"

Cool.

True.

My friend and often mentor the OGD has written some wonderful commentary on prayer (see below).

Blessings and Love!

Friends,

Permit me to amplify an opportunity for our family of faith on Wednesday.

While all of our Wednesday Midweek programs will proceed as scheduled this Wednesday, a prayer service organized by Diane Anderson "to pray and remember persecuted Christians" will be hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church commencing at 7:00 p.m.

Though not significant and almost totally irrelevant, I have been asked to participate; meaning I will leave Deeper Discipleship early enough to get to ILC for the service.  Friends and family who attend DD can then decide if they will stay for the last few minutes of our weekly dive into, uh, deeper discipleship or drive over for the service. 

Noting our Mission Committee has been leading us in prayer at both Sunday worship services every Sunday for persecuted Christians around the world for the past few years, I accepted the invitation to participate in Wednesday's gathering in a John 17 kinda way to connect with ILC and others.

Any time we can be a part of tearing down idolatrous fences that separate us from what our Lord lived, died, rose, and reigns to accomplish among His children is a blessed opportunity.

Blessings and Love!