We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service.

A PERSONAL PRAYER
God of love and peace,
Sometimes, an evil spirit comes over me, God, just like one came over King Saul. Sometimes it is depression, or jealousy, or rage, or out of control ambition, or greed, or snarkiness, or all sorts of other spirits. I refuse to give in to those spirits, God. I won’t let them take me over completely. I turn to you, the only one who can rescue me from such a spirit. Truth is, they don’t scare me so much anymore. I know that you will send the resources to pull me out and up from the pit. You give me resources that are internal—prayer and that peace that passeth understanding that can come only from you. And you give me the external resources as well—the words of your Scripture, friends who walk with me, advice of mentors and counselors and people I trust, doctors and medications, and most of all the support of family and church family, who lift me up and stand beside me. Thank you, God, for not abandoning me to the spirits of evil, and set me free that I might love and serve you with all that I am. In the name of Christ, who came to set the captive free, I pray.
Amen.

KEY VERSE FOR THE WEEK
And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him. – 1 Samuel 16:23  Read the whole passage for this week’s sermon here: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION
What kind of music, if any, opens up your heart? When you pray, what do you do to be totally honest with God? Who has walked with you through your times of evil spirit?

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
This Sunday, June 12, we continue our series called “Saga,” looking at the life of King David, and we will deal with his service to King Saul as musician and armor bearer. God used David to ease Saul’s pain as evil spirits came over him. I’m looking forward to sharing thoughts with you about that this week.

What a wonderful week we have had at Vacation Bible School. I was even permitted to squirt children and leaders with a squirt gun as we talked about John the Baptist. A special thank you to all the leaders.

Beginning this week, construction will begin on our parking garage, in partnership with St. John’s School. It is going to be so wonderful when it is done, but it will be a challenge for the next six or seven months as the garage is under construction. The St. John’s parking lot immediately to our east will be closed beginning this Sunday. Sunday parking will be available in the south lot. Shuttles will run continuously from the Briar Club garage (2603 Timmons) to the Edloe side of the building, and from St. John’s lot on Buffalo Speedway to the Chapel ramp. In addition, renovations have begun on the East Portico. For the next two weeks, the front drive will be closed in front of the Sanctuary, but will be available for Fellowship Hall drop-off. See map here.