Here’s a funny story:

A particular bar, adjacent to a local church, began construction on an expansion of their building to increase their business. In response, the nearby church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before the grand reopening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground!
 

After the bar burned to the ground, the church folks were rather smug in their outlook, bragging about “the power of prayer,” until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church ... “was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.” In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s demise.
 

The judge read through the plaintiff’s complaint and the defendant’s reply, and at the opening hearing he commented, “I don’t know how I’m going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we now have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that now does not.”
 

Every time I hear this story, I get a good laugh. I suspect God laughs as well!! What’s not funny is using prayer as a ploy to try and manipulate God. Lately, in our own congregation I have been struck by the number of folks who are calling me or emailing me and reminding me of their constant need of prayer. Just last night, we had a beautiful Service for Wholeness where people voiced that same need. Enclosed in the newsletter is just a sampling of those for whom we can pray. I hope you will literally pray over this list (and add to it as well). But let us never pray for the demise of another. And let us never think that, by praying, we can manipulate God. But let us fervently pray for ourselves and others, trusting God to be God and answer our prayers in the mystery of his power and love!

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on Sunday, February 19, immediately after the worship service. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the budget for the coming year, to share reports from the year past and to present plans for the coming year. The Session continually seeks way to communicate with the congregation, and this meeting is one such way to present needed and helpful information. Please plan to be here!

This Lenten season Shallowford will be offering the study Living Before God by Ben Johnson. This study will be led by Pastor Rob and Nathan Peifer, and will be presented in small groups. One group study will be held in the morning and the other group will meet in the evening. This will be a 5 week study beginning on Wednesday, February 29, and ending on March 28. The morning group will begin at 10:00am and end at 11:00am. The evening group will begin at 6:30pm and end at 7:30pm, with child care provided if needed in the evening.

Please mark your calendars for Monday, February 13, for the first Committee Night of the New Year! All committees will meet at 7:00PM ! Committee chairpersons please make sure your committee members are aware of this meeting.

All Shallowford Presbyterian adults are invited to a Valentine’s Dinner Dance hosted by the Middle and Senior High youth of Shallowford on Saturday February 11, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A five course meal will be served followed by music and dancing. Our live band will

be “In the Groove”, a group assembled by Dave Reid. Please sign up in the mailroom so we know how many people to expect. We are sure a great time will be had by all!

The 2012 Worship Service Flower chart is now available for sign-ups in the church office. Celebrate an event or share a remembrance with all in our worship time by donating flowers. The cost is $35.00 through our agreement with Advance Florist or you may make your own arrangement. You do not need to call the florist. Simply mark the flower chart with your name and designation. If you will be making your own arrangement, please write this on the chart (Make Your Own – MYO).

Checks for flowers from the florist should be payable to Shallowford Presbyterian Church and marked “for worship flowers”. Place your check in the offering plate or mail to the church office.