October

Welcome to the October Edition of the 2013 Christ United Methodist Church Women’s Ministry Daily Devotional. God asked us to share our stories of finding Him through grateful hearts, which inspired us to put together this “Living a Life of Gratitude” daily devotional. Since January 1^st, we have been guided to live our lives learning how to find something to be grateful to God for each day. Some days we have been blessed and inspired by stories from many of the faithful women in our congregation, other days the entry has simply been a scripture about being grateful. We have also had days that the devotion was a creative idea one of our members has shared to help them be thankful or a book recommendation that has motivated them. Other days the words from well-known authors and saints as well as hymns have blessed and guided us.

Each day this month we hope you will begin to look forward to reading the entries as an addition to your faith journey and that it will inspire you to find endless ways of seeing just how good the Lord really is and how much He loves each one of us.

If you are just beginning this journey of thankfulness and wish you could read some of the back entries from January, February, March, April, May,  June, July, August, and September you are in luck. There are no more printed versions of the devotionals, but you can see all the entries when you visit our “Living a Life of Gratitude Daily Devotional” blog.

Go to Gratitudedevotional.blogspot.com. You then have the capability to “scroll back in time” to read all the entries from day one. You can also receive these same daily devotions directly to your email by entering your email address in the designated spot on the blog. After your initial entry, the devotionals come directly to your email.

If you would like to submit an entry for next months issue, we would love to include you as part of this ministry. Your entry needs to begin with a scripture that has inspired your thoughts, then a paragraph or two in your own words telling your story of thanksgiving. You can submit your entry by dropping it by the church office (Attn: Women’s Ministry Devotional) or by emailing it to cre8dzins@comcast.net. We look forward to reading about how God has blessed you!

Pass this information along to your friends who might need or enjoy daily inspiration from women right here at Christ United Methodist Church.

CUMC Women’s Ministry

 For October 1st:

“…the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15;15

Project #14- “Treats” from God

This is a counting blessings project for the whole family that is similar to the Valentine, Easter, and summer projects from past editions of this “Living a Life of Gratitude Daily Devotional”.

Place a plastic trick or treat pumpkin bucket (or any treat collecting container) filled with individual sized Halloween candy in a prominent location in your home that will encourage daily participation. Alongside the container provide slips of paper (maybe shaped like ghosts, cats or spiders!) and a pen. Encourage your family to write down the things they are thankful for this month. This month they could be called “treats” from God! Fold them up and throw them into the container. As a written down blessing goes in, pull out a piece of the candy to remind you of the blessing as you enjoy the treat. On October 30^th, Halloween Eve, sit down together and read the counted blessings aloud remembering them as “treats” from God before the next night’s door to door costume parade. Sweet memories from the past month of seeing God everywhere.

Have fun!

CUMC Women’s Ministry

“Thank you notes” in November: In November, we are hoping to compile lists of people we are thankful for. If you would like to contribute to and be included on that list, please email your “thank you note” to cre8dzins@comcast.net before October 15^th. Your “thank you note” can be anonymous or identified. Here are some examples:

Anonymous: Jill Rodriguez is appreciated because she always greets me with a joyful smile as I enter the church office.

Identified: Jane Newman is thankful for Jill Rodriguez’ joyful smile each time she enters the church office.