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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST —
Adair U.M.W. will meet in Adair U.M.C. at 1:30 P.M.
• ABC AD COUNCIL WILL MEET AT ADAIR U.M.C.
AT 7 PM
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH —
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
COLOR: GREEN
WE WILL HAVE HOLY COMMUNION TODAY
SCRIPTURE READINGS ARE:
ISAIAH 40:21-31
(The Message)
• • The Lord gives power to the weakened,
strength to those worn-out" (Isaiah 40:28-29). • •
This is exactly what we see Jesus doing as he
continues to inaugurate the kingdom of God in
the midst of the people in Capernaum and, in the
process, trains his disciples (and us!). A
prophecy to Judean exiles in Babylon that their
God is sovereign in all the earth and will continue
to sustain, restore, and lift up God's servants. 
21 Have you not been paying attention? Have you
not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories
all your life? Don't you understand the foundation
of all things?
22 God sits high above the round ball of earth. The
people look like mere ants. He stretches out the
skies like a canvas - yes, like a tent canvas to live
under.
23 He ignores what all the princes say and do. The
rulers of the earth count for nothing.
24 Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like
seeds barely rooted, just sprouted, They shrivel
when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff,
they're gone with the wind.
25 "So - who is like me?
Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.
26 Look at the night skies: Who do you think made
all this? Who marches this army of stars out each
night, counts them off, calls each by name - so
magnificent! so powerful! - and never overlooks a
single one?
27 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or,
whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
28 Don't you know anything? Haven't you been
listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He
doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his
breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.
29 He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh
strength to dropouts.
30 For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
31 But those who wait upon God get fresh
strength. They spread their wings and soar like
eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk
and don't lag behind.
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PSALM 147:1-11, 20
(The Message)
1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our
God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.
2 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who
regathers Israel's scattered exiles.
3 He heals the heartbroken and bandages their
wounds.
4 He counts the stars and assigns each a name.
5 Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll
never comprehend what he knows and does
6 God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes
the wicked into the ditch.
7 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on
your instruments to God,
8 Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the
arth, Then turning the mountains green with grass,
9 feeding both cattle and crows.
10 He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of
our muscles means little to him.
11 Those who fear God get God's attention; they
can depend on his strength.
PSALM 147:20
20 He never did this to the other nations; they never
heard such commands. Hallelujah!
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1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-23
(The Message)
• The question in this case is whether apostles
should charge for their services. In earlier verses
(starting in 9:1), Paul argues that yes, indeed, he
and other apostles have full right to expect others
to cover their living expenses, and maybe a bit
more. He and others have come to provide
spiritual blessing to the people. But to do this,
they also need to eat and have shelter, at the very
least. If you don't muzzle an ox while it's treading
the grain, so it can have a bit to eat as it works,
why would you even think about not providing at
least the basics for those who have come to work
among you to proclaim the gospel and teach the
way of life in Jesus (verses 1-12)?
• The culture of Corinth was almost completely
foreign to Paul and Barnabas. They could both
speak Greek, so they could get along in the
language. But they knew no one there, nor how
the culture worked, nor even how business was
actually transacted. In Corinth, though, Paul
and his companion Barnabas chose not to
exercise their right as apostles. They worked as
tent makers in the mornings to cover their living
expenses, freeing them up to focus on teaching,
discipling, and preaching in the afternoons and
evenings. 
That was a choice they made, not to
show they were superior to others; but, as their
first pastors, to give them an example of yet
another lifes way - - becoming all things to all
people by all means they might save. (verse 22).
This life experience, which continued for the
18-plus months they were there, taught them
what it would mean to proclaim the gospel and
teach people how to live the way of Jesus right
where they were — in Corinth.
Paul writes that he "can't not" share the gospel,
and so has no basis for boasting about his
commitment to his ministry. He also decribes
his strategy of "identification" with others, of
working alongside them and seeking to connect
with them right where they are.
16 If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get
something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it,
and doomed if I don't!
17 If this was my own idea of just another way to
make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not
my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me,
why would I expect to get paid?
18 So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a
matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the
Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to
pay my expenses!
19 Even though I am free of the demands and
expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become
a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide
range of people:
20 religious, nonreligious,
21 meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists,
22 the defeated, the demoralized - whoever. I didn't
take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ
- but I entered their world and tried to experience
things from their point of view. I've become just
about every sort of servant there is in my attempts
to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.
23 I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just
want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
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MARK 1:29-39
(The Message)
Mark recounts, in almost breathless fashion,
Jesus' intensive ministry of healing and exorcism
in Capernaum, his withdrawal for prayer and his
determination to move out into the other Galilean
villages to proclaim the nearness of the kingdom
of God.
Simon Peter's mother–in-law was weakened by
illness, and Jesus visited and healed her. Her
power restored, she was able to prepare a meal
for Jesus and all his disciples that night
(Mark 1:30-31).
Crowds of people afflicted and worn down by
many diseases and demons began crowding
around the house later that evening, seeking a
cure. And Jesus gave it, strengthening them
anew (Mark 1:33-34).
29 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came
to Simon and Andrew's house, accompanied by
James and John.
30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning
up with fever. They told Jesus.
31 He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up.
No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing
dinner for them.
32 That evening, after the sun was down, they
brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him,
33 the whole city lined up at his door!
34 He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits.
Because the demons knew his true identity, he
didn't let them say a word.
35 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got
up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.
36 Simon and those with him went looking for him.
37 They found him and said, "Everybody's looking
for you."
38 Jesus said, "Let's go to the rest of the villages
so I can preach there also. This is why I've come."
39 He went to their meeting places all through
Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.
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DON'T FORGET!
• ADAIR U.M.C. SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY!
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• SUBMARINE SANDWICHES TODAY
AFTER SERVICE AT CASEY U.M.C.
FOR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Each box will have:
• • Sandwich, • • Pickle, • • Chips, • • Bar
—— $3.00 EACH OR BUY SIX FOR $15 ——
—————— SIGN UP NOW! ———————
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH —
This is Pastor Bob's and Naomi's day off.
The office is closed today.
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REMINDER
CHICKEN DINNER IS COMING SOON
March 18th- at the Adair Community Centre 11:00AM
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THIS IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
We pride ourselves on being 100% Americans,
and I would never argue with that concept.
Point of fact, unless our ancestors were native
Indians, we are all descendants (progeny)
(offspring) of people who immigrated to America
(no doubt in a different century.)
• Next time we are feeling smug and superior
because we are genuine, 100%, authentic
Americans, let us remember, if our ancestors were
not Native American, you (and I) would not be here
unless some brave, courageous, fearless,
lionhearted ancestor had said, “Pack what you can
carry, we're going to America,” and left home.
For Africans it may have been different.• In 1619 the first African slaves were brought into
this country.
• In 1863 President Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation, declaring "all persons held as slaves
within the Confederate states are, and shall be free."
• In 2008 Barack Obama became the first African
American President of the United States of America.
That has been a very long, long road - 400 years.
Information from:
“Peopling of America” by Ellis Island Foundation
There are now and always have been bigots
(chauvinists) down through the centuries - probably
of every nationality that has colonized the earth.
Bottom line, we are all part of the family of man.
Isn't it wonderful?
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God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Bob
