A quick reminder that there is an open house/reception at the Rist House tomorrow (Friday, March 15) from 4-6:30pm, with a devotional and prayer time at 5:30pm.  I’d encourage you to spend some time with your church family as we grieve together the passing of Iris Dillard.  And we grieve not so much for her death, because she is alive and rejoicing with her savior, but for our loss.  Thankfully, we grieve with a sure hope in Christ Jesus for a joyous reunion in heaven.

It's in times like these that we spend a lot of time praying.  So, it is fitting that we’re going to be looking at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:5-15 this Sunday.  It’s a prayer that most of us are familiar with, and many of us know it by heart.  But that familiarity can mean that we no longer hear its instruction to us.  As we prepare for worship this Sunday, I’d encourage you to pray the Lord’s Prayer, to take your time and meditate on each of the petitions.  I think that we’ll find it profitable as we grieve together, for it directs our eyes not toward ourselves and our loss, but to God.  And so, come ready this Sunday to see how we are directed and blessed by the instruction of the Lord’s Prayer.