May 27 – Via Zoom

Opening Thoughts and Announcements – Dave Wenger

It is appropriate that we will again be meeting in our church building on Penryn Road this Sunday as it is Pentecost Sunday.

Children’s Story and Devotional – Glendon Zook

Glendon and Denise’s girls, Mya and Kiera, introduced us to fainting goats.

Goats in Bible times had a shepherd – just like sheep.

Goats are used for their skins. Their hide is very soft.

They are also used for their meat and milk.

Also for sacrifices in sin offerings

I can’t imagine having to kill one of our goats for my sin.

I am so glad that Jesus died for my sins so I don’t have to kill my goats.

Goats like to be with other goats.

They are very social and make a lot of noise when they are separated from the others.

Reminds me of the Bible verses where God reminds us to consider one another and encourage one another.

Goats can be very stubborn.

They want to go their own way.

Philippians 2 tells us to put others ahead of ourselves and not just do things our own way.

Philippians 2:3-4: When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

Goats are determined to find food and will climb or stand on their hind legs to reach a leaf or push through a fence for grass.

Psalms 34:8 – Are we determined to find food in God’s Word.

Children – be determined to read God’s Word.

Denise with the goats

When our goats faint, they can still hear and see.

Brayden showed us how excited they get to be fed and how they faint when they are frightened.

They remind us to go to God’s Word when we are afraid.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

It does not hurt the goats when they faint – it is just one of their interesting characteristics.

Devotional for the adults

Recently – when we were clearing a space in our woods for a picnic area, we found a partial stone wall in an overgrown area.

As we began creating a new stone wall, I wondered about the original wall.

Who built it?

When was it built?

Why was it built?

Why was it neglected?

I figure it was built in the 1800s near a cemetery for a property boundary.

Nehemiah had a major challenge when he was asked to rebuild a crumpled wall.

The people were living in a bad situation.

A city with a crumpled wall is a major problem.

Nehemiah lead the people in rebuilding the wall in an almost insurmountable job – and they did it in 52 days.

What about your spiritual walls?

Have you been careless – just so you have more personal freedom?

Do you refuse advice from others?

Ask God to lead you to any area where your spiritual walls may be weak, neglected or even crumpled.

Keep your heart with all diligence.

Turn away from evil.

Learn from Nehemiah

He sought God.

Analyzed the situation.

Approached the King for permission.

Stayed the course when things we difficult.

Closing by Jim Myer

We are looking forward to being together on Sunday to strengthen our spiritual walls.