Ministries

From the Women's Christian Fellowship Circle

St. Patrick’s Prayer-March Devotional

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th. Was there really a St. Patrick? A myth says he drove all the snakes out of Ireland; even though snakes were not native to Ireland.

Around year 400AD Patrick was kidnapped and carried off to become a slave. He worked as a shepherd tending his master's sheep. One night while tending sheep; he fell asleep and had a dream. In the dream, he was called by angels to preach the Gospel. He later escaped his master and found his way to a monastery where he stayed for 15 years preparing for missionary work, he became a priest. Few Christians were living in Ireland at this time, so Patrick spread Christianity throughout the land and brought an organized church into existence.

Today, people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Some people have lucky charms, some drink green beer. The city of New York turns the Hudson River green. Shamrocks are a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. None of these traditions are an accurate representation of St. Patrick except for the shamrock.

The shamrock is worn on St. Patrick’s Day because legend says St. Patrick used its three leaves to teach Christians about the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three divine persons who are One Divine Being, GOD. In wearing a shamrock, it is showing others we are Christians believing in the Holy Trinity.

St. Patrick had a dedicated prayer life. His most frequent prayer was the “Prayer to Christ” which was in scripted on his breastplate. A breastplate in those days was a body armor worn across the chest. This prayer is known to us today as "The Morning Prayer," one that we all say a line or two of daily, and we don't even realize it is from St. Patrick's prayer. Lines like, "Lord be with me," or "Lord help me when I rise up today."

Remembering St. Patrick is right, but not for the lucky charms or candy we see in all the stores. He was a saint, a great missionary and a teacher for all who wanted to believe. Wearing a shamrock isn't such a bad idea if it helps you remember to pray. Mainly, we must all remember that prayer is our way to touch Christ every day and we must never forget He is waiting to hear from us.

Georgee Seaman

Pastor’s Corner

The other night I attended Dalilah's class called Healthy Bingo. I sat down by a family that had five children. I zeroed in on their four-year-old that was participating in the game. The little guy couldn't read but he could match the pictures and what was amazing was how much he was enjoying the game. The game had his full attention. Dalilah would call out a new card and he would immediately see if he had a match and if he did he would have a big smile on his face and put a marker down. Then, Dalilah, called out a new card and he had his final match and he yelled out "Bingo!" The little guy was grinning from ear to ear. He went up and picked out his prize! I was just amazed that a little four-year-old could give so much attention to a single event. I wonder if we can do the same for the Lord. Are we "focused" on the Lord? Do we concentrate and pay attention to every "card" called? When the Lord give's us a new card are we happy and glad? Can we give the Lord the same amount of attention as this little boy gave to Healthy Bingo?

The Psalmist wrote:

" Blessed is the one

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law, he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3

May the Lord guide us to be attentive to His love and call upon our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor