The Public Health Christian Fellowship at JHSPH

Dear PHCF,  Happy last day of 2nd term! I know that some of you have already departed from Baltimore for break/practicum, and others still have a few final exams/papers/projects to wrap up - praying that you rest in Jesus today, no matter what faces you, because he is your sure foundation.  In the Bleak Midwinter   is a Christmas carol I learned recently, and its lyrics (especially the last stanza) strike at the heart of worship. What does God want from us?  For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings  (Hos 6:6). Brothers and sisters, I pray for you to  have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ  (Eph 3:18). May you have joy this week as we look forward to celebrating Jesus' birth next Monday! Tomorrow, please join us for our Wednesday lunch gathering, 12:15pm in Room W2033 , for fellowship and prayer!  You...

Dear PHCF, (Phew what a week! Apologies for this coming out so late.) Isaiah writes,  Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice: blessed are all those who wait for him  (30:18). Do you feel like God is delaying at answering your prayers? Sometimes in the crunch of finals period, or in the uncertainty of politics and incessant news, or in the heart-stopping shock of health or relationship issues, it feels like God tarries or is not listening or doesn't care. Dear ones, we pray that in the midst of stressors and unknowns, your heart is opened to the still small voice of the Lord, so that you can hear his reassurance that he knows you and he loves you and is walking with you. In fact, he loved us so much that  the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory...  (Jn 1:14) Praying for fresh eyes, clear minds, and clean consciences as you approach your fina...

Good afternoon, PHCF! Can you believe it is Advent season already? As we look forward to Christmas and celebrating Jesus' birth,  We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 1:2-3)  Dear ones, we pray this morning for your faith, hope, and love to be rooted in the firmest of foundations: Jesus and the cross. We pray for your sense of anticipation and joy, knowing that he has already come to seek and save the lost, and that he is coming again to make all things new and set all things right. In the meantime, we pray that we continue to encourage each other to not give up despite obstacles and uncertainties. He is sovereign, and he is good. Will you trust him? Tomorrow, please join us for our Wednesday lunch gathering, 12:15pm in Room W2033.   We'll rest in Scripture...

Good morning, PHCF! In the midst of midterm or perhaps other work/family stress (ah life!), I love the exhortation Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:18). Can you see Jesus as more than enough when you feel overwhelmed? Can you see him as all-sufficient when you feel like you have everything "under control"? Dear ones, Ps 95:6-7 says: Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. This week, remember to look to God and give thanks - for his provision and presence, and for the very precious gift of his Son who came to seek and save the lost. (A good song to meditate on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcORoyyjqjw ) Please note: we do not have our regular lunch meeting this week! You are welcome to use W2033 tomorrow at lunch as a prayer room, though. *Woul...

Dear PHCF, It's hard to believe that it is almost time for midterms again! Paul writes: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:17-18) Friends, praying for you today to keep turning your eyes towards Jesus, looking full in his wonderful face, so that the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Tomorrow, please join us for a special speaker for our Wednesday lunch gathering, 12:15pm in Room W2033. Come learn how you can be involved in helping unreached people groups receive the Bible! (Dessert provided.) Stephen Beale and his wife Eileen were missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators for more than 20 years. They served in Thailand and Vanuatu. In Vanuatu they were the translation advisors for the Mota Lava New ...

Dear PHCF, The Lord says to his chosen ones: do not fear. For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive... (Isaiah 44:3-4) Friends, I love that God is the initiator here: he pours out grace to lift us from the mire, provides for our needs, gives us the Wonderful Counselor - but what is the end goal? In verse 5, Isaiah relates three variations of the same result: that God's chosen ones proudly claim, "I belong to the Lord." Will you trust in the Lord today, with all your fears and stresses - whether for our nation which struggles so much with opium addiction, gun violence, and even listening with empathy and compassion; or for your schoolwork, research, and projects; for any aspect of your life? Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16) Tomorrow, we m...

Dear PHCF, And so we keep praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the undeserved favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:11-12, NLT) Dear ones - so thankful for the start of a new term! We pray, just as Paul prayed for those in Thessalonica, that the work of your hands, words of your mouth, and stirring of your heart be pleasing to the Lord. ( Listen to this new song! ) Tomorrow, we meet in room W2033 in the SPH at 12:15pm. We will share testimonies of God's hand/direction and pray together. You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings: - Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Room W2033 (contact PHCF ) - Small group on Mondays at 7:30pm in the 929 Apartme...

Dear PHCF, Peter declares in Acts 4:11-12 - “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” As we pray over our country and Las Vegas, may your knowledge of Jesus our cornerstone and salvation prompt you to be his hands and feet in your studies and work. Tomorrow, we meet in room W2033 in the SPH at 12:15pm - Jess will lead us in a Bible study of Luke 5:1-11 from the Flourishing in Grad School study. There will be apple cake to celebrate the coming of fall - Come for a sweet time of prayer and fellowship! You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings: - Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Room W2033 (contact PHCF ) - Small group on Mondays at 7:30pm in the 929 Apartments (contact Esther ) - Writing Accountability Group (i.e. study group) on Fridays at 4pm (contact Teresa ) Helpful lin...

Dear PHCF, This morning's Spurgeon  Morning and Evening  devotional spoke a great deal to me, and I wanted to share with you! Scripture: Zech 1:8 - describing  the myrtle trees that were in the bottom...  Praying that you, like the myrtle, may flourish in your growth, though perhaps not seen/acknowledged (yet), and that you are filled with an indwelling of tranquility and security because you know whose you are and who has already won the final victory over sin and death and brokenness for you. Praying also for continued diligence in your work and studies, for his glory! Tomorrow, we meet in room W2033 in the SPH at 12:15pm  - Dr. Anbrasi Edward (professor in International Health - Health Systems) will give us a talk titled, A Daniel Appointment with an Elijah Assignment . (Pizza/dessert may be provided.) Come for a sweet time of fellowship! You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings: - Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in R...

Dear PHCF, A verse for today: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10) Brothers and sisters, may God's grace be sufficient for you today! Praying for those of you who have midterms (like biostats today!) and papers due this week - for strength, clarity, and peace. Tomorrow, we meet in room W2033 in the SPH at 12:15pm - we will pray and study Exodus 16, with the theme Trust & Obey, i.e. Rest (see page 10 of our Flourishing in Grad School Bible study ). You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings: - Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Room W2033 (contact PHCF) - Small group on Mondays at 7:30pm in the 929 Apartments (cont...

Dear PHCF, In the midst of Nahum declaring God's wrath against Nineveh and proclaiming destruction and woe to a people wholly unrighteous and unrepentant, he says, The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7) Praying this week that in hard circumstances or uncertainty, you go to the Lord for refuge. He is jealous for you, pursuing, disciplining, and rescuing you because he loves you ( listen to song and sermon snippets here ). May you walk more closely with him today, seeing how he is working in and through and around you. Tomorrow, Dr. Ajit Isaac (Indian by birth, but lived/trained as a physician in East Africa before getting his MPH at Hopkins) will share on being an Ambassador of Christ. Join us in Room W2033 at 12:15pm on Wednesday! You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings: - Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Room W2033 (contact PHCF ) - Small group on Mondays at 7:30pm in the 929 Apa...

Dear friends, Just a reminder: PHCF social tonight at 6pm, 929 N Wolfe St - note location change to the clubroom on 9th floor instead of the terrace. Come if you can, and bring something to share (or just yourself!) Call or text Rachel at (443) 531-5949 if you're lost (or can't get in the building). Also - the Medical Student Christian Fellowship at the Hopkins SOM would like to invite you to their worship night / potluck dinner on Sunday: HY: MSCF WORSHIP NIGHT POTLUCK DINNER Who’s invited: You and your friends! Where: 23 S Regester (Megan’s Place) When: Sunday, Sep. 10th, 6PM What: Food, worship, and hanging out This month, we’ll be starting up our monthly large groups with an informal worship session! Please feel free to bring food, drinks, and/or snacks! Please RSVP below and let us know if you’ll be bringing guests/food stuffs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C5T5AXObCpgzUtSXg37ftrMqgTgTTHUpqVNzEBwaSvQ/edit?usp=sharing We’ll be having an acoustic ...

Dear PHCF, Welcome back from the Labor Day holiday! David writes: Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Ps 20:6-7) May we, too, have this confidence in the saving power of our God - and rest confident in our identity as children of the Lord Most High. Praying that He is the source of your joy (and strength) on this second week of school! Tomorrow, instead of our usual lunch meeting, we have a potluck dinner/social at 929 Apartments at 6pm ! Rachel Pinto would like to invite PHCF'ers for a potluck dinner (and hangout/dance party) next Wednesday. Midway through the second week of school, come get to know PHCF friends in a relaxed out-of-school setting! More details and RSVP here *Address: 929 N Wolfe St, 2 blocks north of JHSPH, 9th floor terrace *Call/text Rachel at (443) 531-5949 if needed You are welcome...