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08.14.04
Banners of Praise
The XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece
The Olympic flag was designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913.
In his words,
"These five rings represent the five parts
(Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe)
of the world won over to Olympism,"
The colors were chosen because at least one of these colors
is found in
the flag of every nation.
Do you recognize the flags of these different nations?
We wave our flags with patriotic pride.
Fabrics of the rainbow.
New and old, history in cloth.
The banner of our allegiance.
   
Moses and the Israelites were camped in the desert at Rephidim.
They were so thirsty and there was no water.
God told Moses to strike the rock with his staff.
Pure, wonderful sweet water!
Then the ememy approached. God directed the victory as long as Moses held his arms high in allegiance to God.
What a battle! What a victory!
Moses built an altar and named it "GOD my Banner" He said, Salute GOD's rule!
Exodus 17:15-16
David, when he was out in the Judean wilderness wrote a psalm:
God--you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
Psalm 63 
What is your Banner of Praise?
the Olympic Torch
In a journey that lasted some 78 days, the Olympic flame covered a distance of more than 78,000 km (OK in that's
48,467 miles)!
It traveled through all the countries that sent athletes to the
28th Olympiad in Athens, Greece.
Jesus said,
You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.
Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives.
By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Remember, our Message is not about ourselves;
we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master.
All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.
It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!"
and our lives filled up with light
as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ,
all bright and beautiful.
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness.
We carry this precious Message
around in the unadorned clay pots
of our ordinary lives.
That's to prevent anyone
from confusing God's incomparable power with us.
1 Corinthians 4:5-7
I've set you up
as light to all nations.
You'll proclaim salvation
to the four winds and seven seas!"
Acts 13:47
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If
you have an interest in painting, either as a serious artist
or have a budding interest, you are encouraged to bring your
artist paints and canvas. An easel will be available for your
use to facilitate your worship experience.
Don't
see yourself as the creative type? It's OK, you will still
feel blessed during the worship experience at red.
An
offering will be taken. You may participate as you desire.
We understand that red may not be the only church you
attend. |
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check
out previous red worships--archive
Resource
List for 08.14.04
The
Holy Bible (Message, NAS, NCV, NIV, NLT)
online
The Wire Guys
online
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