MCC of Albuquerque » Prayer

A Bible Study on Prayer

Neil Macernie — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:00:54 +0000

Richard J. Foster says that coming to prayer is like coming home. “Nothing feels more right, more like what we are created to be and to do. ”

Prayer can move us inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others. If you are interested in discovering a deeper understanding and practice of prayer, then join the Wednesday night Study Group at MCCA.

Group will meet the first and third Wednesday, beginning October 6, from 6:15 – 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend this group – no experience necessary!

Come and find your heart’s true home through this study on prayer!

Words from the Pastor

Rev. Judith Maynard — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:00:44 +0000

Many thanks for all of you who serve so faithfully in ministry. We depend so much on volunteers at MCCA and your service makes us such a great faith community.

Please continue to keep in prayer those who are ill and facing challenges. Our prayers together make a difference.

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. Come and hear a story about a young shepherd boy named David who faced a giant and by using his resources came out victorious!

God bless you and your loved ones.

Pastor Judy

Labyrinth Walk: Wednesday, September 22nd

Neil Macernie — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:15:37 +0000

Come and walk the Labyrinth on Wednesday, September 22, from 6 pm until 7:30 pm.

The Labyrinth is a tool to use in contemplative prayer and meditation. Labyrinths are often confused with mazes. A maze has dead ends and blind alleys, while the labyrinth has only one path leading both in and out of the center.

The labyrinth is flat, one can always see the center. The destination is assured, so that the mind can be still and attentive.

Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives us insight into our spiritual journeys. The labyrinth does nothing on its own. It is simply a tool helpful for many people in deepening their prayer lives.

Each walk in and out of the labyrinth is a unique opportunity to meet our creative, loving God through contemplative prayer.

A Light to the World

Rev. Judith Maynard — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:03 +0000

The nation watched in disbelief as Diane Sawyer reported on American’s children living in poverty in Appalachia in her primetime special, ‘A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains.’

Make no mistake, her story depicted real, unimaginable obstacles children face in isolated pockets of Appalachia. But also in the hills of Appalachia sandwiched between two mountains with the babbling creek winding through the property, you’ll find the Hindman Settlement School. On a school day the mountains echo the sounds of laughter of school children and the occasional rumble of a car crossing the wooden bridge entrance. It’s a school of heritage. A school of promise. A school of hope.

Upon arrival visitors will be introduced to the school via a video entitled: Hindman Settlement School: A Light In The Mountains. It tells the vision of a barefoot mountain man, affectionately known as Uncle Sol, who dreamed of more for his people. He wanted to be taught a better way of life, not filled with fighting and feuding. His vision led him to Hazard, Kentucky where he heard of women who came from the big city to set up tents during the summer and taught sewing, cooking, kindergarten, Bible classes, home nursing, temperance and all sorts of social activities. He invited them to Hindman, where eventually, in 1902 the first permanent rural social settlement school in the US was begun. A century later, the purpose of the school remains the same as they strive to provide educational opportunities for boys and girls of the region, always keeping them mindful of their Appalachian heritage.

This little school in the mountains has touched the world through sharing and preserving Appalachian history and heritage; mainly due to the vision of an old, barefoot mountain man who wanted more for his people. We’re a whole lot more sophisticated than what a small piece of Kentucky was in 1902, but some things haven’t changed. The world is still fighting and feuding, and Jesus is still the only answer to a better way of life. Our church is a shining beacon in this community – she offers hope for a new life for individuals facing their own unimaginable obstacles and our church always keeps us mindful of our spiritual heritage in Christ Jesus. Our vision to reach the unchurched population of our area can be a reality as we step forward in faith.
Our prayer is that we will continue to be a light, not only in our community, but to the outermost parts of the world.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Rev. Judith Maynard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:00:15 +0000

Prayers warriors. You may have heard of them. You may even be one. Usually, a person will have a close friend who is a prayer warrior they call upon when they are making a difficult decision on a spiritual issue in their life. They are desperately needed because obstacle and struggles come your way as Satan tries to discourage, wear you down, or basically get you to change your decision. He and his troops clock in hours and hours of overtime. His tactics may come in the form of doubt or second guessing, an immediate financial disaster, peer pressure, and even sometimes physical and emotional stress. Sometimes, only a miracle will get you through this process.

The disciples needed a miracle as they battled a raging storm. Fear paralyzed their souls. Fear was their only thought, for as the waves crashed against their boat, death was inevitable as they so desperately tried to save their vessel from sinking.

Then suddenly, they had another fear to worry about…a ghost! But, they soon hear the Teacher’s voice say, Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27), but in all the turmoil, they were not convinced it was Jesus. Peter yelled out above the crashing waves, Lord, it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus replied, Come.

Peter let go of his fears to be with Jesus and once again, Jesus performed a miracle as he and Peter walked on the troubled waters. But when Peter took his eyes off the Savior and began concentrating on the threatening waves, he began to sink. Once again, Jesus saved him and together they walked to the boat, where wide eyed disciples watched and waited. Jesus spoke and immediately the fierce wind stopped, the pounding waves calmed and the disciples were reminded of what walking with Jesus really meant.

Our journeys are no different – and Jesus in the same yesterday, today and forever. He can perform miracles as we walk on the waters of fear, doubt, loneliness, illness, and other monumental waves that crash in our lives, trying to drown us.

We are not alone in this journey. If we pray and keep our eyes on Jesus he reaches out, takes our hand, and calms the storms in our lives.