Today’s verse & prayer
James 1: 12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
- materialism,
- pride,
- self-centeredness,
- laziness, and
- (tie) anger/bitterness and sexual lust.
How many on this list can you relate to? Many people wrongly conclude that times of stress somehow justify ungodly responses. We are tempted to strike out or strike back, to feel resentment, or to respond in other ways that are harmful to us or to others.
Depending on which version of the Bible you read this verse in, it may sound like God is sending us the temptation and testing. James is not saying that God tests us, but his assumption is God allows trials and temptations, and it is those trials and temptations that test us. But these are the moments to stand firm and live according to how we say others should live.
Each day we need to take moments, first thing in the morning, on our way home from work, before we go to sleep, to remind ourselves of the blessings that God has given us, including the strength to withstand.
Today we pray that God will give each of us the strength to withstand and hold fast for the prize that God has for us, for showing love in all circumstances.
THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH
Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!
SPEAKER: Beth Anne Gray
Sunday School Teachers: Rev. Roland & helpers
| First Testament Readings and Psalm | Ruth 3:1-5,4:13-17; Psalm 127 |
| Epistle Reading | Hebrews 9:24-28 |
| Gospel Reading | Mark 12:38-44 |
Prayers Concerns
Please Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters from Siria and Iraq
Lord, please remind the world that we are all brothers and sisters and there should be no violence among us, only love and attempts to understand one another.
Up-coming BUC Activities
Council meeting- Saturday-November 14th 1:00 pm BUC Office. This will be a meeting of Missions, Property &Management, Christian Education, Worship & Ministry, Membership committee chairs and other council members. But all members of the congregation may sit in on the meetings and deliberations. If you have any issues you would like the council to consider, these should be present to the Council Secretary before the meeting, so that they can be included in the agenda.
Visit to Fundación Nueva Vida – We have programmed our next visit for the 3rd Sunday of November, which is the 15th of November. We would love for you to join us!
Special request:
We had a request from Fundación Nueva Vida for music and Christmas Carols at the home, any time during the month of December. If anyone is interested in organising one or more events there, please contact Leslie in the office, so that we can coordinate this. Thank you!
Missions AAAm Program – All BUC Membrs and Friends are invited to Participate in our next month AAAM Program on Tuesday November 17th , 1:00 pm
Thanksgiving Service and Pot-Luck Lunch – Sunday November 22nd, please come and join us. Bring your favorite thanksgiving plate!
We are currently working on sprucing up Building 773 – the basement, apartment C and other common areas. We would be happy to have any volunteers that can assist with this, and any donations towards this work would always be appreciated.
In BUC Missions we are Collaborating with “Good Deeds ” Program: Here is more information regarding the Good Deeds Program. And here is some information regarding their activities, if you want to participate and volunteer more actively.
Other community invitations:
Book Reading Invitation from our neighbor Jairo Pertuz-Suarez
Jairo Pertuz-Suarez is a renown reporter in Panama, who is now retired and lives in the Balboa community. He has invited members of Balboa Union Church, as part of the community, to attend his book launch on November 11th. This will be at Paitilla Inn, and all are welcome.
The event and the book are in Spanish, but he would be thrilled to have the support of members and friends of the Church for this special event.
Thanksgiving Invitation from Our Friends of AVACA
AVACA, the Asociation of friends and neighbours in Casco Viejo invites us to join them for their Thanksgiving celebrations on Thursday, the 26th of November (Thanksgiving day). They are holding a potluck, and ask everyone to bring starters, salads, side dishes and desert – or make a donation (if you don’t have time to cook).
They have organised a Kid’s Corner, so it is meant to be a family evening.
For more information regarding AVACA.
From Our Frinds “GHarmony Group”
Sunday, November 15, at 6.00 p.m. in the “Nuevo Auditorio del Instituto Episcopal” in Parque Lefebre, the group GHarmony, who have performed a number of times at Balba Union Church are giving a concert to raise frunds for “Centro Femenino de Rehabilitaciòn”. A donation of $20.00 per person is requested, which includes a copy of their CD.