A Thriving Spiritual Community

Annisquam Village Church Logo

Annisquam
Village Church

820 Washington St.
Gloucester, MA

Annisquam Village Church Logo

Annisquam
Village Church

820 Washington St.
Gloucester, MA

A Thriving Spiritual Community

For Families

Most Recent Post

Temptation and Trust

Temptation and Trust

Have you ever had someone DARE you to do something that you didn’t want to do?  Or have you ever been tempted to do something that might break a promise, hurt someone’s feelings, or upset someone?  

This Sunday Lindsay Crouse will read a lesson from the Book of Luke telling about Jesus resisting temptation. 

This story begins right after Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River.  Jesus was filled by God’s spirit and went into the desert to pray and to think about all that had happened. Jesus was in the desert for a very long time, and was without food. After 40 days in the desert he was VERY hungry! 

Jesus was tempted:   “If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread.”

But Jesus said: “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘A person does not live only by eating bread.’

The devil took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed him the world all around him.  The devil said to Jesus, “You can have power over all you can see and power over them.  It has all been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.  If you worship me, all will be yours.”

Jesus answered:  “You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only God!’”

Then Jesus was  led to Jerusalem to a  high place on the great Temple.  The Devil said: “If you are the Son of God, jump off!  The Psalms of David tell us  ‘He has put his angels in charge of you, and they will watch over you.’ ‘They will catch you with their hands.  And you will not hit your foot on a rock.’

Jesus answered, “But it also says in the Scriptures: ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’”

After the devil had tempted Jesus in every way, he went away to wait until a better time.

It can be hard to resist something that tempts you if it sounds exciting or will make you feel important. Sometimes we are like George the dog in this story: Oh No George!!   We have to remember to think first!   Each of us makes decisions every day, about how we will spend our time and how we treat others. We make decisions about how we treat our friends, or the people we meet in school, and how we treat people who are sad or scared.

There are days when WE are scared- days that  leave us worried and afraid.  On those days we can find comfort in our the people we love, who love us and care for us. We can be comforted by our friends.  And we can sit quietly and listen – to God and to the sounds of the world around us. We can trust that God and those who love God will take away our fear. 

On Sunday the congregation will sing “On Eagle’s Wings” – which is based Psalm 91.  You may have heard about the war in Ukraine. Psalm 91 is known as  “The Soldier’s Psalm.”   “Eagle’s Wings” is a song that comforts us as we face things that scare us or as we  listen to the stories of people whose lives are in danger.  You can listen to “On Eagle’s Wings” here – and you can color this picture to remind you that God is always with you.  

You need not fear the terror of the night – Nor the arrow that flies by day.. 

For to His angels He’s given a command – To guard you in all of your ways

Upon their hands they will bear you up – Lest you dash your foot against a stone

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings – Bear you on the breath of dawn

Make you to shine like the sun – And hold you in the palm of His hand 

In the week ahead, may you shine like the sun and remember that God is always with you.

~Peg Koller~  

 

Previous Posts

Seasons of Life/Seasons of Love

Seasons of Life/Seasons of Love

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Seeing with New Eyes

Seeing with New Eyes

This Sunday Terry Sands will read the story of a blind man named Bartimaeus.  Bartimaeus could not work because he could not see; each day he would sit on the ground by the side of the road and beg for money or food.  One day Bartimaeus heard people calling out to Jesus as he passed by, and he too called out to Jesus over and over, until Jesus...

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“Welcoming the Stranger, Becoming Friends”

“Welcoming the Stranger, Becoming Friends”

This Sunday at worship, our church will welcome our friends Swami Yogatmananda and members of The Vedanta Society of Providence .  We will worship God together and celebrate the 1893 visit from Swami Vivekananda (pronounced SWAH – Me  Viv-Ee Ka-NAN- Da.)  After worship we will gather together for some refreshments: savory Indian treats,...

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“Being the Best”

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Children’s Lessons return in September

Children’s Lessons return in September

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Everything is Made New!

Everything is Made New!

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A Day of Celebration – A Message and An Invitation for Children and Families

A Day of Celebration – A Message and An Invitation for Children and Families

This Sunday, the church bells will ring in Annisquam as we gather together in the church for the first time in a very LONG time!  Fifteen months!  We have all changed so much since March of 2020. How tall were you fifteen months ago?   What have you learned since then?  How much have you changed since ?  And how much your life changed?!  WOW!  ...

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Memories and Stories

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The Spirit of God Surrounds Us 

The Spirit of God Surrounds Us 

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Connected by Love

Connected by Love

On Sunday we will hear a scripture, from the book of John.     I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love.  I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love.  I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have. I want your joy...

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Abiding in Love

Abiding in Love

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Love is What We Do

Love is What We Do

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