The Vision

There is an old saying many Christians use: “Offer the Lord a sacrifice of praise,” referring to Hebrews 13:15. In many circles this notion of a “sacrifice of praise” almost becomes cliche. (Perhaps because worship does not often come at much cost, especially compared with the sacrifices of those who’ve gone before us.) But when we worship with folks that come from various traditions, there are times when we may hear a prayer that uses language we might not naturally use or sing a song that isn't really our style. That is part of what it means to be a member of a community as diverse as the church is. And perhaps that also helps shed some light on why it might require some sacrifice for us to give up ourselves. When a song isn’t working for you, consider praising God, because that probably means it is working for someone else who is very different from you. Offer your worship as a sacrifice rather than requiring others to sacrifice for your pleasure or contentment. There is something to the notion of becoming one as God is one; it doesn’t mean that we are the same; it just means that we are united by one Spirit. After all, we can become one only if there are many of us to begin with. A true sacrifice of praise puts a brake on narcissism. Certainly, there is something beautiful about contemporary worship, where we can take old things and add a little spice to them, like singing old hymns to new tunes or reciting scripture as spoken word rhymes. But the sacrifice of praise protects us from simply making worship into a self-pleasing act. So if a song or prayer doesn’t quite work for you, be thankful that it is probably really resonating with someone who is different from you, and offer a sacrifice of praise. Adapted from “Offering a Sacrifice of Praise” from Common Prayer, pg. 404.

Betty Andress-(mother of Paula Bowden)-health concerns Shanna Covington-health concerns Liz & Tommy DeLoera-health concerns Jerry Dever-health Concerns Marc Eilenstein (father of Jennifer Stidham)-health concerns Bertha Gilbert-health concerns Jay Goodwin-health concerns Sam Kitching-health concerns Martha Lara-health concerns Sue Luft-health concerns Eulala Melton-health concerns Collin Mitten-health concerns Darrell Mize-health concerns Patricia Paris-health concerns   Edwin Parks-health concerns  Wilma Prater (mother of Paula Whitefield)-health concerns  Augustine Ramos-personal issues Patsy Roe-health concerns Brantley Stephens-personal issues Jennifer Stewart-health concerns Ryleigh Stewart-health concerns Bruce & Karen Stidham (parents of Matt)-health concerns Vickie Torres (sister of Mike Torres)-health concerns James & Janet Wesson-health concerns Andy & Alissa Whitefield-Foster care & Adoption James Whitefield-health concerns Ellen Whitmire-(sister-in-law of Mark Whitmire)-health concerns Evelyn Whitmire-(mother of Mark Whitmire)-health concerns

10 Aug Karen Terry; 5300 Etgen; Snyder 79549 11 Aug Hannah Hull; 5860 W. Hwy 180; Snyder 79549 13 Aug Chiva Pitner; 3003 33rd St.; Snyder 79549 13 Aug Sophia Cerda; 10001 Cherokee Rd.; Hermleigh 79526 14 Aug Kolton Chapman; 3781 Sunset; Snyder 79549 15 Aug Michael Cortez; 4120 Kerville Ave.; Snyder 79549 15 Aug Wanda York; 1212 8th St.; Snyder 79549 15 Aug Ric Allen; 3104 Ave. B; Snyder 79549 16 Aug Brylee Tanner; 311 31st St.; Snyder 79549 18 Aug Reagan Stewart; 2400 32nd St.; Snyder 79549 18 Aug Lane Whitefield; 1601 Hilltop Lane; Snyder 79549 20 Aug Jay Goodwin; 1605 Preston Trl.; Snyder 79549 22 Aug Ryleigh Stewart; 2400 32nd St.; Snyder 79549 28 Aug Logan Whitefield; 2805 36th St.; Snyder 79549 31 Aug Martha Lara; 1021 37th St. #1848; Snyder 79549 August Anniversaries 14 Aug Mark & Trena Whitmire; 2626 CR 317 Snyder 79549 14 Aug Luke & Kathryn Nance; 314 31st St; Snyder 79549 15 Aug Allen & Roxanne Paris; 4009 Irving Snyder 79549 16 Aug James & Janet Wesson; 2201 45th St.;  Snyder 79549 17 Aug Ric & Marcia Allen; 3104 Ave B.;  Snyder 79549