January 29th, 2026
by Mark McAdow
by Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
As a young boy growing up at Will Rogers Methodist Church in Tulsa, I always loved going to church – well, unless there was snow to play in outside or maybe a favorite TV show to watch! After all, I was a kid once.
My home church was the place I first met and asked Jesus into my heart, at the altar one Sunday evening, and where my best friends would gather, too. I enjoyed Sunday School and, especially as a teen, when we got to meet at an old house across from the church. We kids felt special to be “off site” in our own space!
But one of my favorite memories was Sunday night vesper services. Our pastor would bring a devotional message, and we would sing some beloved hymns – shouted from the audience with the page number for the pianist to play. Then they would turn the lights down and our pastor would “open up" the altar for an extended time of personal prayer. I always felt close to the Lord there. No matter what challenges might be happening in my world, the altar of my church was a place of comfort and peace.
One of those hymns that would often be played was titled “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” The first line reads: “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!”
Unfortunately, we don’t have as much time for prayer together in Sunday morning worship services, but we do have an opportunity on Wednesday nights. The last two Wednesday nights have especially been “sweet” as we worship together, pray for one another, Willow View, and others with special needs.
As we prepare for the Lenten season, I pray we will set aside time for prayer in some new way. I invite you to participate in our Lenten prayer partner opportunity and/or begin coming at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights as our children and youth meet. We’ve prayed for them by name on occasion, too!
Prayer is our relationship with Jesus. Come try it out. You may pray aloud or silently or just receive from the Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 challenges us, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Looking forward to getting back together this Sunday. Our parking lot is plowed! It will be cold outside but warm inside. Be blessed to be a blessing!
Love you,
Pastor Mark
As a young boy growing up at Will Rogers Methodist Church in Tulsa, I always loved going to church – well, unless there was snow to play in outside or maybe a favorite TV show to watch! After all, I was a kid once.
My home church was the place I first met and asked Jesus into my heart, at the altar one Sunday evening, and where my best friends would gather, too. I enjoyed Sunday School and, especially as a teen, when we got to meet at an old house across from the church. We kids felt special to be “off site” in our own space!
But one of my favorite memories was Sunday night vesper services. Our pastor would bring a devotional message, and we would sing some beloved hymns – shouted from the audience with the page number for the pianist to play. Then they would turn the lights down and our pastor would “open up" the altar for an extended time of personal prayer. I always felt close to the Lord there. No matter what challenges might be happening in my world, the altar of my church was a place of comfort and peace.
One of those hymns that would often be played was titled “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” The first line reads: “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!”
Unfortunately, we don’t have as much time for prayer together in Sunday morning worship services, but we do have an opportunity on Wednesday nights. The last two Wednesday nights have especially been “sweet” as we worship together, pray for one another, Willow View, and others with special needs.
As we prepare for the Lenten season, I pray we will set aside time for prayer in some new way. I invite you to participate in our Lenten prayer partner opportunity and/or begin coming at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights as our children and youth meet. We’ve prayed for them by name on occasion, too!
Prayer is our relationship with Jesus. Come try it out. You may pray aloud or silently or just receive from the Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 challenges us, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Looking forward to getting back together this Sunday. Our parking lot is plowed! It will be cold outside but warm inside. Be blessed to be a blessing!
Love you,
Pastor Mark
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