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   Pastor:
   Rev. Dr. Stacey D. Jones

   Contact Us:
   1416 20th Street
   Ames, Iowa 50010
   Phone: (515) 233-2540
   Fax: (515) 233-6645

   E-Mail:
   Church Office

Worship Schedule

9:30am - Worship
10:30am - Coffee Fellowship
10:45am - Sunday School

Handicap Accessible
Childcare is available

NPC Weekly Devotional
for the Week of September 21st - 27th, 2008

Scripture Reading:
 - Exodus 17:1-7
 - Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
 - Philippians 2:1-13
 - Matthew 21:23-32

Verse 4 of the Psalter reminds us of our responsibility to the Christian nurture of the children of God. We are not allowed to keep all of God’s glory to ourselves. It reminds me of the SHEMA, which the children learned during VBS this past summer:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:4-9.

The old favorite hymn says this:

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word

I love to tell the story; for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song
‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

But it makes me yet again ask the question(s) –
do we really tell the story?
Do we tell it to our children?
Do we fulfill the commandment of the Lord to teach our children?
How many of us are involved in Christian Education?
How many have volunteered to teach children this year?

Even if our children are full grown – there are still other little children to teach. Everyone of us had help from others along the way as we raised our children to know and fear the Lord. Now it is our turn to give back and to teach the children of our congregation. This week, prayerfully consider how you might be involved in the Christian education of the children of our congregation and the children of your neighborhood.
Pastor Stacey
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