Hanoverton and Bethesda Presbyterian Church

06/08/2026

June 8, 2026
God’s Work in Progress
Abigail Roque (Bulacan, Philippines)

Today's Reading
2 Corinthians 3:4-18

Thought for the Day
God not only wants to work through me but in me.

Prayer Focus
Ministry workers

We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

“Think not what you can do for God but what God can do in you.” I will never forget these words so wisely advised by a retiring ministry leader at a general assembly I attended. I felt God was speaking them directly to me.

I was a new hire in ministry, but I had years of experience in other nonprofit work. I was full of ideas on how I could contribute. God revealed to me, however, that I wasn’t just full of ideas — I was full of myself. The man’s words reminded me that I was in ministry not only to work for God but for God to work in me — to teach me, mold me, and transform me.

All of us, no matter our experience, gifts, skills, and talents, are God’s works in progress. We’re always “being transformed into [the Lord’s] image with ever-increasing glory.” As servants of God, may our primary focus be the work God does in us, not simply through us. May we be humble enough to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work so that our ministry reflects the glory of the Lord.


Today's Prayer
Merciful God, even if we have been Christians for a long time, we are still far from being like Jesus. May we be open to your Spirit as it transforms us day by day. Amen.

06/06/2026

Come sit with me...tomorrow, June 7 at 10 when we return to worship in Hanoverton. Its Noisy Offering Sunday! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

06/05/2026

June 5, 2026
A Great Legacy
Jhonatan Torres (Atlántico, Colombia)

Today's Reading
2 Timothy 3:10-17

Thought for the Day
A legacy of faith is one of the greatest gifts I can give and receive.

Prayer Focus
Those who have taught me about God

Paul wrote to Timothy, “I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” - 2 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)

A beautiful memory of my childhood is when I saw my mother, Carmen, participating in a Bible lesson one day. I asked her teacher if I could receive the same discipleship lessons, since the crossword puzzles and word-search puzzles in the lesson booklet had caught my attention. Another day, Mom gave me some colorful magazines with cartoons of various characters such as Moses, Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus. Reading the picture stories was exciting for me, and it gave me the knowledge to be able to raise my hand to answer my Sunday school teacher’s questions.

In a similar way, my grandmother Judith’s faith inspired me. I loved to sing Christian songs at the services that were held on the terrace of her house. She is now with the Lord, but she will always be in my heart.

In the Bible, we read about how Eunice and Lois were very influential in Timothy’s life. They provided a great legacy of faith for him. Their examples remind us of how a mother and grandmother can be greatly used by God and leave an eternal impact by raising children well.

Today's Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for the mothers, grandmothers, and elders who have left a legacy of love and faith in our lives. Amen.

06/04/2026

June 4, 2026
In the Arms of Love
Emily Acker (Wisconsin, USA)

Today's Reading
Isaiah 46:3-5

Thought for the Day
No matter what I face, God is there to hold me.

Prayer Focus
Aunts and uncles

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

I wanted to hold my youngest nephew for as long as he was content. He was heavy in my arms, but I wasn’t going to put him down or pass him off to someone else at the family gathering. Later on, I carried my other young nephew and let him help me hand out gifts. As he leaned forward with each gift he gave, I could barely keep my hold on him — but I held on.

My arms were sore the day after that family event, but my heart was happy. My love for my nephews made my tired muscles worth it.

God offers to hold us through all that life brings our way, and God is strong enough to take on anything that we face. Just as we want to be close to those we love, God wants to be close to us. Out of great love for us God carries us, regardless of the weight of our burdens.

Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us to see how much you love us and how you want to be close to us. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:9-13, KJV).

06/04/2026

PICNIC TIME!!!!!
The Coldwell family is hosting the annual church picnic Sunday, June 14 at their farm following morning worship.Please bring your chair and a side dish to share. Thank you to this gracious family!

06/03/2026

It's June! This Sunday we come back to Hanoverton for worship....see you then!

Send a message to learn more

06/03/2026

June 3, 2026
New Seasons
Nicholas Parrish (North Carolina, USA)

Today's Reading
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Thought for the Day
Life may change, but I am anchored by an unchanging God.

Prayer Focus
Recent graduates

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

When I graduated from college, I wondered, Where do I go from here? In school, I had structure and the goal of achieving my degree. But after college, endless opportunities arose. I struggled to decide if I wanted to go straight into my career, take a gap year volunteering, or go back to college to obtain my master’s degree. Many young adults struggle to adjust to the new season that awaits after graduation.

Abraham endured many new seasons. He was stuck in his ways for seventy-five years until he was called to follow God. He experienced seasons of waiting, mourning, rejoicing, and trusting in God. Abraham waited twenty-four years between when God promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and when his son Isaac was born.

Going through new seasons is a natural part of life. As Christians, we can go into new seasons with the faith that it will all work out according to God’s purpose. God is constantly molding us to serve and to know God more deeply, which is made possible by changing with each season.

Today's Prayer
Dear God, may you embolden us in our faith so that we are prepared to follow you no matter where you take us. Amen.

06/02/2026

June 2, 2026
I Will Fear No Evil
Vanessa Ekhaese (Lagos State, Nigeria)

Today's Reading
Psalm 23:1-6

Thought for the Day
God is with me in every uncertain moment.

Prayer Focus
People who struggle with fear

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

One Tuesday evening I was in our living room watching the news when my mother’s phone rang. As she answered, her face drained of color, and I knew something was terribly wrong. Before I could ask, a headline flashed on the screen: “Tragic car crash claims the life of Mr. David Churchill.”

David, our kind and vibrant choir leader, was gone. Just the Sunday before, he had led us in a powerful song. My heart sank, and emotions swirled within me.

As I processed the news, a deep unease settled within me. Is this how life works? One moment, everything is fine, and the next, it’s gone? What if I die unexpectedly? The flickering images of the wrecked car on the screen haunted me.

For fifteen years, the unpredictability of life cast a shadow over every moment of my life. My struggle led me to God. I thought giving my life to Christ would make my fear disappear, but it didn’t happen. One day, out of utter frustration, I picked up my Bible, thinking surely there was a way for God to help me overcome this fear of death. So I incorporated Bible study into my daily life. Every time I studied, the character of God became clearer to me.

I began trusting God’s presence and finding courage in God’s promises. Psalm 23:4 became my comfort, and I prayed this scripture whenever I felt afraid. Slowly, my faith grew, and my fear dissipated as I released it to God.

Today's Prayer
Thank you, heavenly Father, for being our refuge and our very present help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

06/01/2026

June 1, 2026
Traveling Companions
Mandy Yatta (Mississippi, USA)

Today's Reading
Acts of the Apostles 13:44-52

Thought for the Day
My words of encouragement can be a blessing to others.

Prayer Focus
My friends

This is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 13:47 (NIV)

When my son was in kindergarten, I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle, the mother of another student. I felt an instant connection with her — as if we were kindred spirits. Working full time while juggling parenting duties was overwhelming, but Michelle had a calming presence. I felt grounded when I was near her.

She invited me to a gospel concert one Friday night and then to church. I hadn’t been to church in years, but I said yes. No doubt it was the Holy Spirit working in me.

I felt that this friendship was God’s divine work. Michelle was my Barnabas — my encourager. Barnabas found Saul and brought him to Antioch, planting him in a community that God was growing (see Acts 11:25-26). They were traveling companions on a missionary journey.

I am so thankful for the faithful friends God has placed in my life as my traveling companions. I need encouragement. I need the example of other believers living out their faith. I’m thankful for my encouragers, and I pray that I can be an encourager for others. Friends are truly a gift from God.

Today's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the people who encourage us in our faith. Help us to sow seeds of encouragement for others with our words and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.