Prayer for the day - Franklin Congregational Church



511810685800Welcome to the Franklin Congregational Church and our newsletter – The Crier. Below are a list of services, classes and events for the month.Sunday Services:10:00 am Morning WorshipSmall Group Bible study at the church: Thursday 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Check out our website atand facebook at – – No set time or date. Please contact Pastor Ryan.Our Mission:“To be a catalyst for ongoing revival, to become disciples of Christ, and to make disciples of our town, our state, and the nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit“.00Welcome to the Franklin Congregational Church and our newsletter – The Crier. Below are a list of services, classes and events for the month.Sunday Services:10:00 am Morning WorshipSmall Group Bible study at the church: Thursday 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Check out our website atand facebook at – – No set time or date. Please contact Pastor Ryan.Our Mission:“To be a catalyst for ongoing revival, to become disciples of Christ, and to make disciples of our town, our state, and the nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit“.Franklin Congregational ChurchThe Meetinghouse CrierFebruary and March 2017Church: 860-642-7887Parsonage: 860-924-5321 A word from Pastor RyanHow Should We Respond to GodIt is so exciting to see the healings, miracles, and answers to prayer that are taking place on a weekly basis at our church! We have prayed and God is responding. God is showing up, and showing off, and we are receiving so much of the benefits of His grace, mercy, and power.Often, what we may call “revival” happens in three stages. The stages are not distinct, there is often overlap between the stages. First, God usually begins in bringing renewal to the a church, a locale, or group of churches. Renewal is primarily characterized in a “renewing” of the church itself. That is, God sends His Spirit with healing, deliverance, refreshing, miracles, and power to believers. The renewal may extend beyond a particular church, but it is mainly believers that experience God’s power.For example, there have been several renewals in the last 20 years or so. The movements of the Spirit in Toronto with the Toronto Blessing, beginning in 1994-present, and the Pensacola Outpouring, from 1995-2000, probably are characterized mostly as renewals. These moves of the Spirit of God had the most dramatic effects on those who were already Christians. Many people were healed, set free, and drawn closer to God during these multi-year movements of God’s Spirit. That is not to say that there were not a great number of salvations for either of these, but the bulk of the ministry was to the body of Christ. Next, God often brings revival to a location. Revival takes place when people begin to be reached with the Gospel. Whereas “renewal” is primarily focused on the existing Body of Christ, “revival” begins to see a vast number of salvations. Instead of simply Christians coming from all over, non-believers begin to be saved in droves. There still would be healing, deliverance, and other powerful manifestations of the Spirit, but the audience shifts from believers to unbelievers.A very good example of revival taking place, and a good example that these stages do not always follow this structure and order, is the Jesus Movement of the late 60s and 70s. The revival did not have many the characteristics of a renewal (though specific churches may have), but was primarily focused evangelistic outreach. Large evangelistic crusades, from the likes of Billy Graham and others, had huge successes. Converts to Christianity seemed to come very easily during this time.The third stage may be termed an “awakening.” An “awakening” occurs when, not only is the church renewed and the lost saved, but the surrounding society is changed. There are many reports of this taking place during the Great Awakenings of the 17-1800s. Not only were the churches filled, but raucous and depravity in society shrank. Sin in society became less, and fewer arrests were made. The new life found in the churches was often reflected in how towns and cities did business.To my knowledge there are no good examples of any of these taking place in America right now. So, why do these end? And, if one starts, what is our responsibility in helping it go to the next level?I believe that we are in the beginning steps of the first stage—renewal. God is beginning to renew his people in our church, and He will continue that process with other Christians outside our church. God is gracing us with His Holy Spirit and power. When I tell other ministers what is taking place at our church, their eyes get big and respond with “Wow!” or “Really?” Though God’s healing, and demonstrations of power, should be common place in the Church at large, it just isn’t. We need to realize that God is doing something very special in our church, and it is very important that we respond accordingly.The first way we should respond, and I have regularly mentioned this, we must not put God in a box. What I mean is this, we cannot tell God how He is allowed to act in His own house. This is a sure way of killing any greater movement of God. When you look throughout the Old and New Testaments, God has operated in some very dramatic ways—appeared in a burning bush (Ex. 3), appeared in a pillar of cloud (Ex. 13), caused Moses’ face to shine (Ex. 34:29), threw hailstones from the heavens during war (Josh. 10:11), picked someone up in a chariot of fire (2 Kg. 2:11), caused a bear to maul some children for insulting a prophet (2 Kg. 2:24), caused oil to continue to be poured out from a pitcher (2 Kg. 4), parted seas and rivers, killed people with fire (2 Kg. 1), cast out demons with great shrieks and shouts (Lk 4:41), caused people to lie as though they were dead (Dan. 10:8-9; Mk 9:26; Rev. 1:17), healed through spit and mud (Mk 7:23; 8; 23; Jn 9:6), healed through handkerchiefs (Acts 19:11), healed by someone’s shadow (Acts 5:15), and caused people to die by the words of an apostle (Acts 5). These ways, and many more, may seem very foreign to us, but God was accomplishing great things through each and every one of them. Who is to say that God still does not have other ways that He can and will accomplish His purposes today.If we see things that may be a little strange to us—people falling on the floor, shrieking or crying out, shaking, or the like; we must not automatically think that God has left the building because things have gotten a little noisy or seemingly chaotic. Our job is to see the finished results and give glory to the One who did the work. Are the people better off after the manifestation of the Spirit of God? For example, in Mark 9:14-29 a demon possessed boy was brought to Jesus. The demon had often thrown the boy onto the ground with great convulsions and foaming at the mouth, as well as trying to destroy him by throwing him into the fire or water. When Jesus commanded the demon to come out, it threw the boy on the ground and the boy cried out. He became so much like a corpse, that people around thought that he had died. The end result was that the boy was freed from he demon and healed. When God shows up and people start doing what we may think are really weird things (who wouldn’t be a little taken back if someone started crying out, falling on the floor, and foaming at the mouth?), do they end up healed, set free, saved, or closer to God afterward? The end result is one measure of whether or not a manifestation of God’s Spirit is legitimate or not.I will be the first to admit that people can get into the flesh and do things that may be out of order in the church—this could be as simple as speaking out of order or doing something very dramatic like writhing on the ground. It is the job of those who are called by God into the four-fold ministry found in Ephesians 4:11 (apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher) to determine if these things are coming from the flesh and should be stopped, or if it is something that God is doing and should be allowed to continue. God is gracious, and there will be some things that maybe should have been stopped that weren’t or some things that were stopped that should not have been, but as long as our attitude is that we are going to let God do anything and everything He wants to do in His own house, He will continue to move mightily. But, as soon as we start shutting Him down and saying that He can not or would not move in a certain way (I’m not talking about sinful behavior here, God doesn’t want people in sin), we are showing God that we really don’t want Him to continue—and He will quickly move on. I have seen this happen, and it was a very sad and disheartening thing to watch.The other major thing to caution against, as God begins to move, is that we must ALWAYS give Him the credit and glory for what He does. I like it that we have started clapping, or in some way giving Him the praise, when someone gives a praise report of God answering prayer. We need to give God the glory for the small things that He does as well as the larger, more dramatic things. We should never give that glory to anyone else. The quickest way to shut down a move of God is by giving credit to someone else for what He has done. This could be as backwards as when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of demons, or as simple as giving a preacher or guest minister praise and adoration because they prayed and God answered. We must always give God all the credit for what He does. His glory is something He doesn’t share with anyone, and it is the quickest way to get God to shut down His power.It is so exciting what God is doing in our church. Let’s embrace everything that He is doing; not dictate to Him what He can or can’t do; and let’s remember to always give Him all the glory and praise! If we will open our hearts to God in this way, I believe He will continue to do more and greater things.Soli Deo Gloria,Pastor RyanRev. Ryan Duck, M.Div., Th.M.Pastor, Franklin Congregational ChurchA Word from your Deacons:Deacons’ CornerWe had a very good annual meeting last month. Thanks, once again, to all who have done so much work around the church this last year and to all who contributed to the annual report.Here are a few upcoming events to look forward to:Eccumenical Lent Service, March 15, 7pm, First Baptist Church, LebanonMaundy Thursday Service, April 13, (time TBA), Windham Center Congregational ChurchEaster, April 16th, Sunrise, Breakfast, and Worship ServiceChicken BBQ June 10thVBS June 26th-30thFor the Deacons,Pastor RyanGod is a creative creator!"See, I am doing a new thing!????Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness????and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19God likes to do new things. After all, he’s the master artist, the source of all human creativity.Some of the new things God creates, such as planets or galaxies, are pretty mind boggling. But there are also a lot of other things God creates every day that sometimes go unnoticed—new babies, new insights into the Word, and even things like opportunities.Opportunities? Yes, you read that right. God creates opportunities for each of us every day. For instance, Jesus explained in the parable of the Good Samaritan that God gives us opportunities to help people in need. He also gives us opportunities to form valuable friendships and serve him at home, in the workplace and in our business.Is God looking to do a “new thing” in your life? Is there an opportunity that’s suddenly available to you? My guess is that if you look around, you’ll see that God has opened up doors in your life that promise to draw you into deeper fellowship with Him.God never seems to put down His paintbrush.Let’s have an awesome turnout for this conference this year!Please sign up downstairs in the church or contact Dave Ayer at daveayer@Teleqan Prayer and Praise AlertFebruary 2017Great news from Daoud of the Fourth Well we have funded for them being completed.Before this, many families had to get their drinking water from unpredictable and seasonal pools where animals also walked through and drank. This was leading to many health problems as you might imagine.Daoud is so grateful for your giving and prayers.Here are pictures of the work that the local people did once we gave them the materials they needed.Daoud tells us that because of these developments: ★ the national government has recognized this area as an official political entity (think “county”) ★ 3,000 people can now get clean, fresh water all year-round ★ the national government built a school in this area for the first time in the history of the Teleqan??★ 100 Teleqan children are now attending school and the book of Jonah will be there first book Rejoicing in West Africa!After a conference call with Daoud his USA leadership team [now representing seven churches from Connecticut, Cleveland and California] have decided to bring Daoud and his oldest son here in August and September. Watch for local announcements for a chance to meet Daoud and hear even more of God’s gifts he is seeing happen among his people. Keep praying for safety among these people who are threatened by jihadists in increasing ways.NEXT ISSUE: Luke/Acts printing planned, radio station broadcastingFrom the USA leadership team in California, Ohio and Connecticut: Reading this you can see how the Lord is using your previous prayers and gifts to help Daoud build trusting, positive relationships that keep bearing fruit among openhearted Muslims. Please keep up your praying and giving (our budget is $2,200/month based on your gifts). Roger is traveling at his own expense to transport key radio parts and to do the training mentioned above. You may give through your church or send directly to Mountain Bible Church, 23946 Summit Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Note: Pseudonyms have been used here for security reasons in this dangerous work.Heart TroubleI beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world . . .?—1 Peter 2:11 (TLB) We all know there is no such thing as absolute freedom. We cannot drive down the street at 100 miles an hour. You can’t swing your fist at me, because your freedom stops at the end of my nose. We can say that we want freedom to publish pornography, to push harmful drugs, to have unrestricted sex, to lie, to cheat; but if we continue with that kind of permissive freedom, we shall destroy ourselves.Man can remain free only so long as he has the moral power to restrain his appetites. Basically, our problem is heart trouble. Our hearts need to be changed … peace will never come until we have changed human nature, until people begin loving each other instead of hating each other.Prayer for the dayI need Your guidelines in my life, Lord. Loving You frees me from the bondage of my carnal appetite.By BGEABilly Graham Evangelistic AssociationKEEPING OUR CHURCH CLEANPlease take a turn at cleaning the church; if we all work together the task will not fallon just a few people.Many Hands Make Light Work and more fellowship with friends.The DilemmaTo laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk rejection. To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure. But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering, but cannot learn, feel, change, grow, or love. Chained by insecurities and fear, he is a slave. He has forfeited his freedom. Only a person who takes risks is free.This reminds us of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30:In this parable, a Master entrusted talents (which is a form of money) to three different servants. The first two servants advanced and increased what the Master entrusted to them. They took risks. The Master commended them for their faithfulness and the action they took to expand what was given to them.But then there was the servant, whom out of fear, hid the talents that was given to him. Let's read that part of the scripture;The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.?“‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’(Matthew 25:24-30 The Message)The servant who didn’t take any risks and hid the talents was greatly rebuked. The one’s who took risks heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”Following God will take steps of faith out into the realms of the unknown. It will take going past your comforts, taking risks, and following God’s plan. God’s plans don’t often look like our plans. It will grow and stretch us, and we must be willing to follow the Lord’s leading if we are to fulfill the destiny he has for us.The risk you may need to take is to love, to serve, to start a business, to make that phone call, to forgive, to speak up, to confront, to write a book- the list is endless! God knows what you need to do or overcome, and He will show you if you are willing to follow Him.Take risks, but don’t be stupid. Use wisdom and common sense in all things. If you don’t know what God is asking of you, seek Him diligently and He WILL show you. He wants you to fulfill His plans more than you want to- never forget that!Join God is His journey. No matter what He asks you to do, He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. He is with you through all the steps and risks you take. Live fully for God no matter what the risk- in the end it will be worth it!February:February 1 – National Freedom Day in United StatesNational Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation's constitution on February 1, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, who was the president at the time, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. This anniversary is annually observed on February 1. February 2 – Groundhog DayFebruary 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday Lincoln’s Birthday celebrates the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most popular presidents in United States history. It is a state holiday in some states on or around February 12 each year.February 14 – Valentine's Day Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine's Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid. February 20 – Presidents' Day Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. The day honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the USA's first president.February 28 - Mardi Gras (also called Fat Tuesday)Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a celebration that is held just before the season of Lent (the period of fasting and repentance)March:March 1 – Ash WednesdayMany Christian Americans mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent. Lent ends on Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015. Some Christians in the United States attend special Ash Wednesday church services. This includes students who attend Catholic and other church schools. Priests usually place blessed ashes in form of the cross on individuals’ foreheads to remind them of mortality, sorrow for sins, change, and forgiveness.March 12 – Daylight Saving TimeU.S. begins (Spring Forward)?at 2 a.m. on the Second Sunday in March (set clocks forward 1 hour)March 15 - Ecumenical Lent Service - First Baptist Church, Lebanon, 7 pmMarch 17 – St. Patricks DaySaint Patrick's Day celebrates Saint Patrick (386-493), the patron saint of Ireland. It is the national holiday of Ireland and celebrated worldwide by Irish people and those honoring the traditions and "luck of the Irish" by wearing green, drinking beer, celebrating with parades. March 18 - Iron Sharpens Iron is Sat. March 18. Men, mark your calendars! March 20 - First Day of Spring!!The cartoon this month, reminds us that Jesus wants us to have a personal relationship with Him – not a high-tech relationship!Do We All Have the Same Fruits?by Chuck SwindollHave you ever noticed how uniquely adapted each animal is to its environment and its way of life? On land, a duck waddles along ungainly on its webbed feet. In the water, it glides along smooth as glass. The rabbit runs with ease and great bursts of speed, but I've never seen one swimming laps. The squirrel climbs anything in sight but cannot fly (unless you count great airborne leaps from limb to limb), while the eagle soars to mountaintops.What's true of creatures in the forest is true of Christians in the family. God has not made us all the same. He never intended to. He planned that there be differences, unique capabilities, variations in the Body. So concerned was He that we realize this, He spelled it out several times in His Word. I charge you to take the time to read HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" 1 Corinthians 12 slowly and aloud. Those thirty-one verses tell us about His desires and designs - which are more attractive than any thirty-one flavors!The subject is commonly called "spiritual gifts," and it is as helpful as any truth the believer can ever know. In a nutshell, here's the scoop.God has placed you in His family and given you a certain mixture that makes you unique. No mixture is insignificant! That mix pleases Him completely. Nobody else is exactly like you. That should bring you pleasure, too.When you operate in your realm of capabilities, you will excel and the whole Body will benefit . . . and you will experience incredible satisfaction. When others operate in their realm, then balance, unity, and health automatically occur in the Body. It's amazing!But when you compare . . . or force . . . or entertain expectations that reach beyond your or others' God-given capabilities, then you can expect frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and, in the long run, defeat.If God made you a duck saint - you're a duck, friend. Swim like mad, but don't get bent out of shape because you wobble when you run. Furthermore, if you're an eagle saint, stop expecting squirrel saints to soar . . . or rabbit saints to build the same kind of nests you do.Accept your spiritual species. Cultivate your capabilities. Stop comparing. Enjoy being you!Excerpted from " HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" Capabilities" by Insight for LivingThis house is a house of Prayer?The Deacons have a daily “Prayer Ministry.” Each day of the week, one deacon is scheduled to be in the sanctuary for one hour of prayer. If you would like to join us please call one of us and we will arrange for a time to meet at the church and pray together.Irene Morgan 642-7036 Ray Morin 642-6404Margaret Ayer 642-4318 David Ayer 642-4351Marilyn Briggs884-8340 Bob Wheeler 642-7668"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." ?S.D. Gordon HYPERLINK "" An Update from Barbara DoyleFrom Barb, 2/5/17We live in controversial times. No doubt the friends and family who have connected with us on the Caring Bridge site represent both sides of some very current matters. I still feel compelled to state my position clearly, without fear and to take a major risk, ...Go Patriots!!!?On a more sincere note, Greetings to all, near and far! From Scotland to Japan, New England's east coast??to the west coasts of Seattle WA and CA, from Michigan to Texas and Florida to boot, my family has been surrounded by the most amazing people during this time of crisis and real faith-stretching. YOU are the reason I can honestly say that it's been an amazing journey God's allowed in my life.?I have never been loved so thoroughly, consistently, and deeply. I write this in tears because rethinking it makes me see how real and true it is. The love and support you've shown me these 6 months is humbling and a blessing beyond definition. The variety of colors in your personalities, Spirits, and expressions span the rainbow and offer the same light, life and promise the rainbow always has.?I'd be negligent to not make mention of my amazing husband Brian whose strength, endurance, and vulnerability were all on?displayed since day one.??He's shown colors of his being far beyond what I could have ever imagined 30 years ago when we married.?Living through today reminds me of how critical it was to bathe my years of being single and then those 'courting' days in prayer.?Who knows what days 30 years later in life would bring?!!Whole on the subject of prayer, some of the warriors in my life are not with us any more yet are worth mentioning. I still thank God for, say, my mother-in-law Cathy Doyle, who bathed Brian in prayer since she was convinced God hears each word lifted up! She saw a parallel to his life with Peter Marshall's (who's life was put into one of her favorite movies she watched over and over again: "A Man Called Peter"). There's no doubt thatcher prayers, as well as my Pop's, his mom's, my mother's cousin Uncle Peter, and many, many others who are not with us today, are still having bearing fruit and have an impact.?How amazing is that! And now, I get this diagnosis and become floored by YOUR faithful, consistent, abiding expressions and prayers. "The prayers of a righteous man availing 'much'".??Indeed, "much" has unfolded.Learning how to pray as a child built my faith; sharing in praying in later years with others brought even greater depth. Yet, knowing of your times of daily prayer, thoughtful prayers as God prompts, fasting and warrior prayers which you've poured out, would put even Daniel to the test! Daniel (& the lions den Daniel) lived by faith not by sight when the King decreed all to stop bowing down to anything but him. Yet Daniel kept taking with God. He couldn't cut off a communication that was his lifeline to truth, despite it meaning he would be thrown into the lion's den!?As Daniel experienced, so have I over these last 6 months, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever: a Rock, our Deliverer, our Strong Tower, Redeemer, and Paraclete (comes alongside!).?Who knows how He wants to reveal Himself in the days to come; yet this I do know, He is all loving, all faithful, is on the throne, is with me regardless of the storm or path to come. He says He is and this I believe!?Surely I have a different writing style than Bri's for sure!??He'll pick it up this week again when we start our 8th three-week cycle, wrapping up the trial period.??More updates to come!?I love each and ever one of you. I do. You fill me up and I am forever grateful.?Love & prayers, In the merciful Ones hands,BarbNote: Barbara Doyle is suffering from advanced liver cancer and is currently undergoing chemo and radiation treatment and is responding well. She is the wife of Brian Doyle who is the founder and leader of the Iron Sharpens Iron men’s ministry. Please continue to pray for her and her family so total and complete healing. Thank you.May God Bless you, your family, our church, and our country during this wonderful season of Winter and Spring! ................
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