SERMON NOTES:

Prayer Requests October 2, 2011

Y Pray for neighbors of Chuck & Tiffany Godfrey who lost grandchildren and their father in the Grand Canyon fires. Y Pray for Margie Powells family, Pastor Pauls aunt, who passed away. Y Pray for Angelicas friend Ann, a friend and colleague, who is receiving treatment for breast cancer. Y Pray for Kelly Bergs girlfriend Jane as she recovers from back surgery. Y Pray for the wisdom for Frank and Heather Butterfield at school as teachers. Y Pray for Gary Longs sister Karen as she has been diagnosed with Parkinson. Y Pray for Mary Ann Archer as she says goodbye to her 21 year old cat. Y Prayers for the following New Church Developments: Concord Presbyterian Church, Delaware, Ohio New Albany Presbyterian Church, New Albany, Ohio Ramseyer Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio Y Pray for Charles Moore, Pastor Pauls father, who will have hip surgery on October 17. Y Pray for Mary McNamara, President of United Seminary, whose cancer has reappeared. Y Pray for Carole Lloyd, a friend of Pastor Paul and Amy Moore, whose brain cancer has reappeared. Y Pray for a six year old boy named Carter Olson who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Y Pray for Ankur Chopra as he finishes army training.

Y Pray for Dwight Zvorak as he recovers from the disease of alcoholism. Y Pray for persons and process involved in property purchase for COL. Y Pray for Ben Simmer, a young man just graduated from college and has MS. He is currently receiving advanced treatments.

DEVOTION

The Bible has many stories and statements about animals. Animals are more than a lower compared to humans. The Scriptures share that God created and sustains animals. God cares how animals relate to each other. God has a vision for animals in the Kingdom of God. The Scriptures this week give a taste of these visions for animals that God has. Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org. Monday, October 10 Read Psalm 104:14-25 Gods providence for creation extends far beyond humans. God also cares for the animals. Creation was intricately designed so that animals and plants are sustained and nourished. This section of Psalm 104 shares these intricacies. 14) You cause the grass to grow for the cattle 16-17) The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the

birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees. 24-25) O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great. As you pray today, spend time praising God for creation. Think of a favorite animal of yours and share your praise to God for that animal. If you have a pet(s), pray over the pet(s). Let your heart be touched with awe at what God has provided.

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God cares for the welfare of our pets and animals. The health of animals is not a side issue to God. Its very important to God. You and I can be stewards of the creation through our love of pets and animals. Even if you dont have a pet, think and reflect on how you can share love with animals. As you pray today, give thanks for this covenant. Pray that the next time you see a rainbow you will remember the extent of the covenant. Pray that you can continue to share care with animals and pets. Wednesday, October 12 Read Isaiah 11:1-9 This story is one that is often read at Advent. The prophet Isaiah talked about a future person who would enter the world. We know this person as Jesus. This story is a vision for the future. Whats fascinating is that the vision includes animals. The vision includes animals who are conflict with each other suddenly are at peace with each other. The wolf and lamb shall life down together; the calf and the lion will be together. Its not an accident that animals are part of this vision. It matters to God how animals relate to each other. Its as if loving our neighbor as we love ourselves could be extended to how animals treat each other.

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As you pray today, pray for this vision. Pray that we can imagine a future where animals are not enemies or predators, but instead can live peacefully with each other. Thursday, October 13 Read Matthew 6:25-26 In this section of the Sermon of the Mount Jesus used an animal as an illustration. Its worth noting that Jesus noted animals. Jesus statement about animals reveals the care that God has for animals. Somehow the birds are taken care of by God. The birds dont sow nor reap nor gather food into barns. Yet they are still fed. God provides for them. Animals are a significant part of Gods Kingdom. God watches out for them; ensures that they are fed; and has a place for them in Gods care. As you pray today, praise God for the special care that God has for the birds of the air. Friday, October 14 Read Psalm 148:7-12 Not only are people asked to praise God, but animals are too. Look at the verses seven through ten of this Psalm. Praise the Lord from the earth, You sea monsters and all deeps, Fire and hail, snow and frost, Stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, Fruit trees and all cedars!

Tuesday, October 11 Read Genesis 9:8-17 Gods covenant with Noah was shared not only with humansit was shared with animals too. Look at verse 10 I am establishing my covenant with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. The promise of the covenant was that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood; the sign of the covenant was the rainbow. This covenant reveals that Gods care extends beyond humans. It is shared with animals too. We humans are not the only creatures on this planet that garner Gods attention

Wild animals and all cattle, Creeping things and flying birds! Psalm 147:7-10 Just as God wants a relationship with humans, God wants a relationship with animals. Just as God wants the praise of humans, God wants the praise of the animals. Animals are spiritual beings too. Today as you pray, give pray that the animals of creation can give praise to God. Saturday, October 15 Read Genesis 1:20-28 Just as humans were created by God, animals were created by God too. When God spoke in verse 20 the waters brought forth swarms of living creatures and the birds flew. This is not a statement of history, but instead a statement of theology. God created every living creature that moved. When God looked at all of the animals that were created God saw that it was good. (Verse 21) How do you view animals? Do you see them as part of Gods creation, created to be good? Or do you see animals as less important than humans. Today as you pray, pray that you can look at animals as creations of God.