March 20, 2008  - Vol.5 Issue 1
index Maundy Thursday Service What is Maundy Thursday A "New Command" Prayer Requests Missionary Help Request beside still waters links home page worship my cup runneth over - blog directions & service times church calendar the table the ministries at MAIN Street the FGBC grace brethren NAF Dan Jackson - NAF blog end homelessness NAEH sojourners ONE online contributions Kork's MySpace		Dear Kork,   Holy Week is terrible. It is a time when we intentionally remember the suffering of our LORD; both physically and mentally. As lent draws to a close, we continue to find ourselves in the desert experience of self denial-embracing, the obedience to God found only through suffering. Maundy Thursday at Still Waters   Today is Maundy Thursday Service at the Moyer's 7:30 pm. Tomorrow -Good Friday- we will fast. Sunday will be the Victory Celebration!   Until then, please consider what it cost God to let you know how deadly serious is His love for you...   To download our Stations Picture Guide, click HERE. What is Maundy Thursday?   Maundy Thursday is one of the lesser-known days of the Christian calendar and, were it not for the Maundy Ceremony, would probably have fallen into disuse altogether. It is the day before Good Friday.   To learn more, click HERE.
A "New Command" As we observe Holy Week, my thoughts are turned toward the ceremonies of commemoration that we engage this week.  From Good Friday through Easter, we will have observed home church services, interdenominational services, the church calendar, fasting, and so on...   Please, at this holy time of remembrance, let us consider that the institutions of rights not overshadow what these services mean.   Feasting, Communion, and Foot Washing Services are not an end in themselves, but a deliberate act of forcing us to reconsider the pattern of life that Jesus gives.  These reenactments of His "new commands" are to heighten our awareness of how life in the kingdom is to look.  If we simply "observe" these ordinances without walking the reality of them daily we miss the point.   Tonight, we will overlay the Stations of the Cross with Maundy Thursday into one Service, but our lives, each day, will reflect our love for God by loving people in the ways that He has "ordained."      At the cross, everyone is equal.  If it was important to Jesus to reconcile us through terrible sacrifice, should not His followers endeavor to commune, eat with, and wash those who are suffering without Him.  Should we not, at least embody the same kind of love?   He "stands at the door and knocks" (that is the door of the Church)... Could it be that He does this in human form-in the form of the poor, the homeless, the unfortunate, the simple, the mentally ill, the incarcerated, and all the cultures we might not want to touch?   "If you have done it to the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me..." (Jesus)  Lets consider today.   Have a blessed Maundy Thursday. Pray Requests Please pray for the establishment of a Pottstown "House of Hospitality" This is hard to describe...  We have chronically homeless people who, through no fault of their own, will never become self able.  The MAIN Street Homeless Shelter, that we operate, is a success only if we move people through their difficulties, into finding a home of their own.   So what do you do with those who will never aspire to own and maintain a home?  The biblical idea of hospitality is taking them in as one of your own.  We are discussing how to make a family out of those who have no family, and no means.  Very scary...   Cheryl and Donnie have a new home! Pray for them as they begin leading others by their example.   Ron and Patrice are moving into their apartment April 1st (No Joke!!) This couple has been one of the biggest sources of God's joy to us at the shelter.  Their love and compassion for others, their tireless work for the church and the ministries, and their wisdom has just been a delight to all of us, even as they have endured this difficulty.  Praise God that He has brought them through into their new home.   David -- the "Miracle of High Street" is now safe. Pray for us as we begin to help him stay that way! Missionary Help Request Still Waters is a very poor church and ministry.  Our focus has always been toward those who are marginalized within our community.  They need a church too, where they do not feel embarrassed to congregate and share their unique difficulties.  When we ventured out to plant Still Waters, it has always been our leading to meet the many needs of the poor and homeless (which God has blessed us with), but part 2 of our "Mission" has always been to educate the Church about the plight of the poor, and give then viable ways of connecting to them through personal friendship and through ministry support.   This past year has been very difficult on many levels, not the least of which is financial support.  If our entire church tithed without interruption, we would still struggle monetarily and probably close.  Poor and homeless people simply cannot support themselves, let alone a church... nor should they have to.   We are looking for ministry partners who might be interested in continual financial support of Still Waters as a Mission to Pottstown.  Might God use you to bless those with less in Pottstown, who need a gracious, compassionate church to help them walk through the struggles of life.  Churches, individuals, Organizations, would you consider helping to support Still Waters through consistent support?   I hate watching churches beg for money, and then spend it on luxurys like jets, building, expensive cars, etc., but could God be speaking to us in this time to take up the plight of the poor in just and generous ways?  Might we even find more of Him on the way?  Deut. 15.7-11   If you could help, please click the Donate button, and please drop us a line letting us know your care for our least.   Still Waters home churches & worship center 256 South Hanover Street Pottstown, PA 19465   Phone: 610-970-2444 Email:  ministry@besidestillwaters.net   Still Waters is a 501(c)(3) organization and your gift is tax deductible.
May the LORD bless and keep you, wishing you His presence in all that you do--as you walk beside still waters. Peace, Kork Moyer, Pastor Still Waters Promotion Name     Our own John Kearney is now published.  John Kearney's writings have been considered poetry, street poetry, heart-words, and worship. Once you know John and realize where he has come from, you quickly understand that his words reach the heart of God, and are nothing less than "Latter-day Psalms." Download: $12.50     Hardcover Print: $27.47   Click HERE to order.