SERMON NOTES:

Prayer Requests
Y Pray for the Centennial Soccers Director of Coaching, Gavin Pugh as he was just diagnosed with ALS. Y Akosua Addo asks to pray for strength to navigate the final week of the semester. Y Pray for Jennifer Ivers (John & Glorias granddaughter) as she is undergoing tests. Y Pray for Kate, friend of Sally Leitch, who has made it safely through 9 weeks of bed rest so far. Delivery of baby Mitchell is scheduled for May 20th! Y Pray for Bobbie Pearson, friend of Gloria Ivers, who has a new tumor and more cancer. Y Pray for Amy Moores dad, John, as he struggles with hip and knee pain and is seeking the best medical treatment plan. Y Pray for Pa Alemka in Cameroon, (Karen Bakias friends dad) who is in the hospital. Y Pray for Blaines mom, Josh Dochniaks best friend, as she is dying from stage 4 cancer. Y Pray for Jon & Jodi Blacks friend Joanne Seeman Benick who has cancer. Y Als father, Rocci Norcia cancer has returned and is starting Chemo treatments. Please pray for him. Y Continue to pray for Cathy Smith who is struggling with mental illness. Y Pray for Jennifers neighbor, Jenna Undersander, who was just diagnosed with cancer and has started chemo. And her friend Julie Fjeld who lives with cancer. Y Pray for Kate, friend of Sally Leitch, who is on bed rest. Y Steven Van Meter, son of Kevin & Pam Van Meter, who is serving our country in Afghanistan.

Y Pray for Jerry Hermsens brother, Vern, who is in a home for Alzheimers. Y Pray for Jerry Hermsen who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Y Pray for John Thiessen as he lives with cancer. Y Pray for David Schwartz (friend of George & Dianne Black) as he is suffering from cancer. Y Pray for Donna McCullen, wife of Ken McCullen, who is suffering from cancer.

DEVOTION
On Mothers Day week its fun to reflect on some examples of mothers in the Bible. The Scriptures share all sorts of stories about mothers. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one example of a mother. She can be a role model for us. In the stories well read this week well see that she experienced many situations as a parent that we do. Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be E-mailed to pastor@colpres.org Monday, May 13 Read Luke 1:26-38 Any woman who is surprised by her pregnancy can relate to the emotions that Mary was experiencing. Mary wasnt expecting her pregnancy; she wasnt expecting the angel Gabriel to come to her; she didnt understand how shea virginwould become pregnant; and she probably was concerned about the reaction of her family and community to her pregnancy. Nonetheless she consented to what the angel Gabriel said was going to happen. Her words are worth memorizing:

Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Mothers know that life sends unexpected curveballs. When these surprises come, its best to see how God can work through them. Mary is our example. She trusted God so much that she was willing to place her life in Gods hands. Her example is inspiring to all of us. Prayer: When life throws me a curveball, Lord, help me respond like Mary. Let me see your possibilities in what I am facing. Tuesday, May 14 Read Luke 1:46-55 These verses are known as Marys Magnificat. Her words are similar to Hannahs words in 1 Samuel 2 when Hannah expressed her joy about being able to have a sonwho was named Samuel. In the Magnificat, Mary shared a vision for the world. She recognized that this vision is Gods work. God can fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. God can scatter the proud in the thoughts of their hearts and bring down the powerful from their thrones. All women have visions for their children. When our children are born they are a blank slate with their entire lives in front of them. Mary shared this vision even before Jesus was born. We

can express our joy and hope with God too. Prayer: Thank you for the Magnificat. May I also receive a vision from you about my own childrenand may the vision be consistent with what Mary shared in the Magnifcat. Wednesday, May 15 Read Luke 2:41-52 Whether Jesus was rebellious in this story or not, we can sense Marys frustration. Child she most likely yelled, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. Mary was not afraid to discipline Jesus the Son of God! She spoke the truth in love. She wasnt happy that she had to look for him for three days. This picture of Mary isnt a sweet demure one; it isnt full of hope as was shared in the Magnificat. In this story Mary seems overwhelmed by lifesomething to which all mothers can understand. Prayer: Gracious God, its not terrible to become overwhelmed by life. Even Mary was overwhelmed. When I become upset with my kids or others may I speak the truth in love like Mary did. Thursday, May 16 Read John 2:1-12 By this time in Marys life Jesus was an adultready to start out on his ministry that would change the world. Marys suggestion in verse 5 might seem like

she was trying to avoid responsibility in the sense that she was sayings. We might think that she was saying something to the effect of: hes always right, listen to him. Mary understood that Jesus was the Son of God. This realization was first taught to her when the angel Gabriel told her what would happen. Mary always knew that Jesus was going to change the world. So when she told the servants that her hour had not yet come, she wasn trying to shirk what she knew to be right. She knew that Jesus had wisdom that was worth hearing. Its as if she was saying, listen to him for he always knows the right thing to do. We might not trust our kids to the extent that Mary trusted Jesus, but we can hold this trust up as something towards which to work. Who wants to tell their kids what to do for the rest of their life? Prayer: Help me to trust the decisions that my kids are going to make. Friday, May 17 Read Luke 8:19-21 It must have been hard for Mary to hear these words by Jesus. She wanted to talk to Jesus, but he refused her. All parents understand the hurt that Mary must have felt. Our kids in some way will reject us. Whether it is right or not is not the point. It hurts!

At these times we can remember that this attitude by our kids is temporary. It wont last forever. Jesus eventually accepted Mary into his life. Our kids will too. Prayer: Parenting is not for the weak. Continue to give me the strength to do the best that I can do as a parent. Saturday, May 18 Read John 19:25b-27 What agony it must have been for Mary to watch Jesus die on the cross. She stayed and watched the entire six hours that he was there. How wonderful that Mary had a place to go when Jesus died. Joseph was dead so she had no legal rights any more. She would have to rely on the beloved disciple for her livelihood. Mary was a remarkably strong woman. From the words she received from the angel, Gabriel, to the emotions she must have felt when she watched Jesus die, she is a model to us. Prayer: Mary is a remarkable example of a faithful parent. May I