Sunday, January 8, 2017

First Sunday After Epiphany

A PEEK AT THE SUNDAY SERMON

This painting hangs in the hallway
outside the Church office.
It is a
rendition of the famous painting Christ
in the Garden of Gethsemane, by
Heinrich Hofmann, 1890.
The artist is Harry Slater, (a member of
Greenfield Congregational Church who
passed away in 1970). His painting is
one of the first things I see before
entering my office and reminds me of
the agony Jesus experienced in prayer.
On Sunday, January 8th I will be sharing
a message titled: Prayers and Healing
They Dont Come Easy.
The sermon text (reprinted below) is Luke 22:39-46. In this passage, Jesus is praying in
the Garden of Gethsemane. Its a story about praying for an answer and the spiritual
battle that was won.
Its also a lesson on how todays Christian can overcome the obstacles that prevent good
prayers from being answered!
39 Then,

accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and

went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, Pray that you
will not give in to temptation.
41 He

walked away, about a stones throw, and knelt down and

prayed,42 Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away
from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. 43 Then an angel from
heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and
he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great
drops of blood.

45 At

last, he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them
asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 Why are you sleeping? he asked
them. Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.

The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17 is the suggested daily Bible reading for Sunday, January
8, 2017. (The United Church of Christ Calendar).

13 Then

Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk
him out of it. I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, he said, so why are you coming to
me? 15 But Jesus said, It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. So John
agreed to baptize him.
16 After

his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, This is
my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.
Paraments and altar linens have been changed to white and gold
joyous and festive colors used during the Christmas and Easter
Season (except on the Day of Pentecost), White symbolizes
purity, holiness, and virtue, as well as respect and reverence.

Pastor Krens Sermon for

December 25, 2016 is now
on YouTube. Just click on
the image!

If you havent why not Like Us on

Facebook? Just click on the signs
to the right you will be transported
to the Dearborn Congregational
Facebook Page! Maybe you like to
tweet? You can follow Pastor Kren
on Twitter: @william_kren.

BLOGGING ALONG!
Blog (noun) A regularly updated website or web page, typically
one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal
or conversational style.

Ive been blogging about church work and my life in

the ministry since arriving at Dearborn Congregational.
You can learn more about the Pastor and how he thinks,
by clicking on the link (picture) to the right!

Prayer Requests
Edith Schwartz. Currently at Four Chaplains Nursing Care in Westland.
Irene Moxon. Serious medical problems.
Marilyn Beardsley. Continuing medical concerns.
Pat Stacho. Continuing medical concerns.
Shirley Fedraw. Adjusting to her new caregiving facility. Medical concerns.
Suzanne Van Ranst. Medical concerns.
Pauline Gourlay. Medical concerns.

David Allen. Medical concerns.

Tom Schlaff. Serious medical concerns.
Frank Kren. This is Pastor Bills younger brother. Serious medical concerns.
Greg Hansen Family. Pat Mangrums son-in-law passed away December 1st.
Arthur Triplett. Sue Krens brother has a serious medical condition.
Carol Thompson. Sue Krens sister has a serious medical concern.

A complete list of prayer requests is also printed in the Sunday bulletin. If

you have a special request please phone the Church Office: 313-2718552. You can also phone Pastor Kren at 313-344-9808.

Gordon and Colleen Grozdanoff Memorial Service

Colleen Grozdanoff passed away on November 23,
2016, after a brief illness. Her husband, Gordon,
passed away on January 1, 2017.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday,
January 14, 2017 at Dearborn Congregational
Church, 16350 Rotunda Drive, Dearborn, MI 48120,
at 11:00 AM. Following the service a luncheon will
be served, in the Mayflower Room.

Receiving Donations Helping the Needy

At a recent meeting of the Diaconate, it was voted that nonperishable food donations be delivered to the Fish &
Loaves food pantry, in Taylor. This organization was first
launched by an ecumenical group of churches, led by St.
Paul United Church of Christ in Taylor and their Pastor,
Rev. Geoff Drutchas.
As a client-choice facility, Fish & Loaves allows families and individuals to shop every
eight weeks in an attractive setting organized like a grocery store. A wide range of
canned goods, refrigerated and frozen foods, dairy products, and seasonal produce are
offered at no cost to clients. Our client-choice model affirms the dignity of the families
and individuals served. Since opening its doors in 2008, the Fish & Loaves Pantry has
assisted more than 9100 households and over 13,000 men, women, and children. They
distribute over two million pounds of food annually. The advantages of a client-choice
pantry are:

A sense of dignity for clients and their families -- thanks to our store-like setting.
Higher client satisfaction with food they are able to choose.
Less waste and, therefore, less cost in providing food to clients.
Greater opportunities for positive and supportive social interaction between Fish
& Loaves volunteers and clients.

Dearborn Congregational Church will continue to assemble food baskets for distribution
during Thanksgiving. We will also refer family requests for assistance to Fish & Loaves.

On Sunday, January 8, 2017, during our Morning

Worship, there will be a Healing Service. At the
appointed time, Pastor Kren will invite anyone who
would like a special prayer for healing, to meet him
at the front of the Church.
They will receive
anointing oil and prayer and then return to their pew.
The oil is an important symbol God gives us, but no
special powers are transferred prayer to God is
what is special and powerful. It is sincere prayers
which God hears and responds to. Please be in
prayer, leading up to this special service.

A special Thank You to Brian Sampson for filling the pulpit, last week! My wife and I
had a wonderful visit with family in Indiana. Its good to be back, and Im looking
forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Blessings,

Pastor Bill