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Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Did you grow up with the childhood prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep?" I was little surprised to learn that it is a shortened version of an Old English prayer, which goes like this:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
bless the bed that I lie on.
Before I lay me down to sleep,
I give my soul to Christ to keep.
Four corners to my bed,
four angels there aspread,
two to foot, and two to head,
and two to carry me when I'm dead.
I go by sea, I go by land,
the Lord made me by his right hand.
If any danger comes to me,
Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me.
He's the branch, and I'm the flower,
pray God send me a happy hour.
And if I die before I wake,
I pray that Christ my soul will take.
As we close our eyelids and slip into unconsciousness each night, we are so vulnerable. We want someone watching over us, keeping us safe from harm. No doubt it was out of this kind of fear that the prayer was written.
During the night, when we are so vulnerable, we want someone watching over us. So, we prepare ourselves with this prayer, reminding us that Christ is the caretaker of our soul even as we are sleeping, whether we live or whether we die.
This is also true with death itself. Because of our hope and faith in Jesus, we see death as a kind of sleep with God watching over us until we wake up, new and alive, resurrected for eternity. That’s the Good News of Jesus!
As you go to sleep tonight, pause to pray, asking God to watch over you as we read in this prayer. And as you wake up in the morning, give God thanks for all his grace and tender mercies.
In Christ;
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- We will have a brief Memorial Service for Frank Eddie after worship this Sunday in the front of the sanctuary. If you would like to send a sympathy card, please drop them off at the service or at the office and we will mail them together to his brother.
- There will be a funeral service for Franklin Eddie on Monday at Brooks Memorial Home, 275 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701. See https://www.brooksmemorialhome.com
- Reminder! The Church Choir will rehearse at 9:15 am this Sunday before worship!
- The Centennial Committee will meet today after worship and the memorial service to continue planning for our Centennial Celebration on Sunday, April 12, 2026. We will be sending out “Save the Date” postcards in October.
- Can you help us with ushering or greeting for worship? We need people to open doors, welcome visitors, hand out bulletins, provide security, clean up, and direct people for communion or other needs? We will provide training on Sunday, October 5th after lunch (11:45 a.m.).
- Do you love decorating and a heart for worship? Come find out more about our Altar Guild on Sunday, October 19th after lunch (11:45 a.m.). Join our team that blesses our worship by preparing for communion and baptisms, put up banners, paraments, and seasonal decorations. Join us after lunch (11:45 a.m.) in the sanctuary as we offer a training and opportunity to serve in this special ministry.
- The Palm Beach Atlantic University - Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra will be performing a concert here in our sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. on October 11th at 7:30 pm. The Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band will unite for a powerful performance featuring a diverse repertoire. From sweeping symphonic movements to bold, brassy marches, this performance will showcase the talents of their dedicated student musicians. $15 general admission; PBA students and those under 18 free.
- Conniston Middle School is in need of the following items to be donated so they can hand them out to students in need. The need is great throughout the year. Drop off items until October 1st when we’ll deliver them to school.
Mesh Backpacks (clear or mesh fabric) - Glue Sticks - Notebooks with lined paper - Pencil Pouches
- Join us for a delicious lunch following worship this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.
