Touching Jesus

The Church at Prayer           TOUCHING JESUS                                    September 29, 2015

I love the story of the woman who had bled for twelve years and approached Jesus through a crowd. Upon touching his cloak immediately she was healed. As a young person who was just beginning to attend church I remember first hearing this story described in a sermon by Dr. Harry Fifield of the
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.  
After the woman was healed, Jesus asked, “Who touched my clothes?” She fell at his feet and Jesus, speaking through her anxiety, told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace,
and be healed of your disease.”  (Mark 5:34)
Harry let us absorb that for a few moments and then asked a question that changed my life and continues to speak to my heart, “Are you crowding Jesus or touching him?” Are you one among the crowd Sunday morning, merely chatting with your friends, “Hi Bill, Hi Jenny, Hi Marty,” or are you
touching Jesus – connecting to Jesus by means of your faith in and following of Jesus?
I recall hearing of a congregation that spoke of three kinds of people: the churched, the unchurched, and the overchurched. The unchurched are people who do not relate to a congregation in any meaningful way, even if they are members of a church. The churched are the normally involved church members.  By their definition, the overchurched are not people who spend too much time in
church work. The overchurched are people who experience church without experiencing God.
As one who has spent much of his life in the swirl of church busyness, I find Harry’s question helps
me remain churched but not overchurched. It continues to center me on the Lord who loves me.
Are you crowding Jesus or touching him? May this question center you as well.
                           Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott, April 29, 2014  Vol. 13, No. 7, TOUCHING JESUS
Prayer Suggestions

At First Presbyterian, we all enjoy saying, “Good Morning” to those around us.  As the Carillon Bells ring before the service begins, take that moment to silently engage with Jesus, as we prepare ourselves for worship.

Pray and ask Jesus for the path you need to take to be a “churched” person.  Stay centered on the Lord through your faith journey.  We can be easily distracted with so many things going on around us.  Find a prayer whisper that is familiar to get you re-centered on Jesus.  ie: “You are with me”.

Praise God for our new choir robes.  May we remember Clara Baldwin for her love of God and how she loved her church.  Clara’s generosity made this purchase possible.  God does answer prayers. Amen.

Pray for the Christians all over this world.  Keep praying for those who are persecuted for loving and following Jesus, as we celebrate World Wide Communion on Sunday.  “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” John 13:35 NLT

Remember those on our prayer list.  As you read each name, know that God hears you.  Some people are grieving, awaiting test results or surgery.  Some are sick, lonely, confused or confined.  You may not know what they are experiencing, but our Heavenly Father knows.  Pray He intercedes on their behalf.  ASAP:  Always Say A Prayer.