Hope for Life (Suicidal Tendencies), Church-Wide Prayer Gathering (Pastoral Emphasis for 5/19)

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, our May prayer topic is “New Mercies for Mental Health”. We need to break the stigma around mental health illness especially in the church. It's okay if you need counseling or therapy. It's okay if you need to take medication. God in His common grace towards humanity has provided doctors, counselors, and medicine as means to help us. Take medication if you need to but keep your trust in Jesus. 

We've prayed about Depression (Light for the Darkness) and Anxiety (Peace for the Anxious). Today, we' focused on “Hope for Life (Suicidal Tendencies)”. According to recent CDC studies, 22% of young people and 12.3 million adults in the U.S. have seriously considered suicide. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10- 14, the 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15-24 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. If you have had suicidal thoughts, I want you to know that you are not alone in your struggles. Experiencing suicidal thoughts does NOT mean you lack faith, are a bad Christian, or have been abandoned by God. It simply means you are a human facing the challenges, pain, and suffering present in this world. 

Our Call to Worship is a portion of the biblical record of Job's pain and despair. After losing his health, wealth, and family, Job was so depressed he wished he had never been born. He also longed for death. It’s ok to not minimize the pain you are experiencing. Don’t believe the lie that no one cares or that things can’t get better. There is hope in God for He is with you. Press into Him.

If you have had thoughts about taking your own life, PLEASE do not take matters into your own hands but seek help. There is hope for life! Tell someone you trust about the thoughts you are having. Ask for help. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

Please keep Sis. Jean Strudwick in your prayers after the passing of brother, Deacon Jimmie Clemmons.

We recognized Jadon Roberts who recently came forward to trust in Christ as his personal Savior, to be a candidate for baptism, and join the church under adult membership.

Join us for a time of corporate prayer at our next church-wide prayer gathering on Tuesday, 5/21, from 7 to 8pm. The Titus 2 Women's Ministry will be hosting. 

Today, I held an interest meeting for those interested in learning more about our Biblical Counseling Certification program. I'll have more interest meetings for those who missed the meeting.