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Listen

6/1/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Being a part of a life group is about so much more than just reading and discussing a book.  Certainly, having a focused study that delves into our faith walk is important but equally important, if not more, are the relationships that are formed within a group.  Those relationships are built by sharing and listening – by being supportive and prayerful of each other.

When we face challenges in life, we need a friendly, welcoming place to talk. A place where we are surrounded by like-minded people who often just listen, simply listen. We may plan that our evening meeting may focus on the next chapter of our book but instead find that someone that needs our help and support.  They’ve had a tough week: work issues, family issues, health issues. We may end up spending the entire evening just listening to what someone is sharing. We may offer some counsel. We’ll end up praying.  In fact, in our group we’ve concluded that our discussion itself – in God’s presence – is a form of prayer. 

For many of us here in Silicon Valley, there aren't many places where we can let our defenses down and pour out our hearts knowing people will listen, without judgment, without predisposition. For our group, every Wednesday night there is a place of respite – a friendly, welcoming place where we’re surrounded by friends who are walking our faith journey with us.  It may seem corny but the lyrics from the TV show Cheers seem to sum it up nicely:

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name, 
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.
To me, that’s what my life group is: a place where everybody knows my name and they’re always glad I came. There’s not many places like that anymore.  Every morning I thank God for my group. I know we’re all praying for each other and for everyone’s needs and concerns, while knowing that the Lord is a part of our group as well.

Cheers!
2 Comments
sue
8/6/2015 09:46:21 am

Hi, can you please tell me how my husband and I might get connected with a life group ? Thank you !

Reply
Sally
8/10/2015 03:12:44 am

Hi Sue - can you send your contact info to me? I'd love to talk with you!

Reply



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Copyright 2020 Saratoga Federated Church
  • Home
  • Teaching
  • Events
    • Centennial >
      • Get Involved with the Centennial
      • Centennial Moments
      • Heritage and History
    • Pandemic Parenting
    • Easter
    • Christmas >
      • Christmas Eve Service
      • Past Christmas Shows
    • Village Forum
    • Events Videos
  • Connect
    • Adults >
      • Daily Prayer
      • Membership Class
      • Life Groups >
        • Life Groups Blog
      • Women's Ministry
      • Singles Ministry
      • Adult Education
    • College & 20's
    • Youth >
      • Middle School Ministry
      • High School Ministry
      • Parents of Youth
      • Mexico Trip
    • Children >
      • Children's Home Page
      • MOPS
      • Village Preschool >
        • Open House
        • Program Offerings
        • Fees & Application
        • Calendar
      • Kid's Choir
    • Special Needs Ministry
    • Care >
      • Care Staff
      • Care in the Virus Crisis >
        • Care and Support Request
        • New Ministries for Virus Crisis
        • Medical | Professional Resources
        • Self-Care
        • Mutual Care
        • Spiritual Growth Resources
        • Local Grocery Stores
        • Restaurants Open for Takeout Delivery
      • Care Resources >
        • Support and Recovery Groups
        • Local Agencies and Services
      • Care Events
      • Healing Resources
      • Grief Ministry
      • About Care
      • How Is Care Arranged
    • Worship >
      • Celebration Choir, Orchestra & Handbells
      • Contemporary Worship Team
      • Kid's Choir
      • Worship Technicians
      • Sunday Teams
    • Calendar
  • Give
  • Outreach
    • Outreach >
      • Global Outreach
      • Local Outreach
    • SERVE
    • Mexico Trip
  • About Us
    • Staff Members
    • What We Believe
    • Elders
    • Foundation
    • Annual Meeting
    • Jobs
    • Parking
    • Hearing Aid Assistance