2008 Devotionals

Members of our congregation were asked to write some devotionals to make up a collection and to be read during services in November. Below is a sample of one of those deveotionals. View entire devotional booklet as a PDF.

Thank You for My Life

Dear God, thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.

Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad.

Thank you for my family, my pets, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey.

Thank you for giving me the strength to overcome adversity, to do what’s right for the benefit of others, and to rise above negativity.

Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain and war for a better world filled with light and everlasting love.

Devon Gables Ministry

The ministry at Devon Gables has been going on, each week, for several years.  At first it was in the hand of one person. This individual had the task of getting speakers, piano player, and seeing that the service was held each week.

 

Today there is a group of five individuals who divide responsibilities and secure speakers for three months in advance.  We also have a regular pianist and two back-ups.

 

Once a month we serve Holy Communion.  This is done differently than is done in the Sunday Morning church service.  After the elements are consecrated the volunteers serve the residents.  We take the bread and dip it into the grape juice, and place it in the mouth of the communicant.  This is done carefully as the room is full of residents in wheelchairs, etc.

 

Before the service, each Tuesday at about 9:30, volunteers go up and down the halls asking people if they want to go to church.  Those who do are then wheeled into the Ocotillo Room for the service.  Following the service we return the residents to their various rooms.  Volunteers are always welcomed.

 

Singing is a big part of the worship service.  How the residents love to sing.  Many know all the hymns by memory.  Others have to be given song books with the correct page open.  It is a ministry that gives us volunteers more blessings than we can give.