God's mercy is not limited by human expectations of who deserves it. God's mercy reaches people others would write off. In the third chapter of Jonah's story, the violent, evil Ninevites repent, and God relents from bringing catastrophe upon them! Likewise, Jesus' promise of paradise to the thief on the cross illustrates God's giving, and forgiving, nature.
Today is the twelth Sunday after Pentecost. Today, Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our worship series on the Book of Jonah. God meets people not when they are composed or deserving, but when they turn honestly toward God in their need. Like Jonah, we sometimes come to God when life has left us feeling lost, overwhelmed, or far from home. This second week considers how the rituals and elements of our faith can be a resource for us during any period of change. Faith practices help us to center, to find and be calm (or "less anxious," at least) in the midst of emotional difficulties.
God's call is persistent, and God's purposes are not thwarted by human reluctance — they are often worked out right through it. This first week looks at our natural response to any call to change: "resistance". We'll also consider how adaptive change is like a storm at sea, in that it can be frightening. Thankfully, as the song says, though Jesus cannot calm all storms, "sometimes he calms the child."
Today is about sharing where we have seen the work of God: be it in the beauty of the world, grace extended between people, or some other insight. Rev. Ron shares briefly about things he did over his "summer vacation" - and others are invited to do so as well.
We conclude our three week worship series in which we we will be reflecting on the three key themes of the new vision of The United Methodist Church: Loving Boldly, Serving Joyfully, Leading Courageously. When we "lead courageously", we follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation.
We continue our three week worship series in which we we will be reflecting on the three key themes of the new vision of The United Methodist Church: Loving Boldly, Serving Joyfully, Leading Courageously. We Serve Joyfully with a Christ-like heart, journeying alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
We begin a three week worship series in which we we will be reflecting on the three key themes of the new vision of The United Methodist Church: Loving Boldly, Serving Joyfully, Leading Courageously. Loving Boldly means to passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life.
On this Easter morning, we proclaim that God brings life out of death and hope out of despair. Hope is alive, love has triumphed, and joy cannot be contained. The Resurrection is not only something we celebrate – it is a promise we are invited to trust with our lives. Our God of New Beginnings rolls away more than stones. He rolls away despair and doubt, fear and failure.
Today is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, our 40 day journey of preparation for Easter. It is also Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem. Jesus rides into our lives not with force, but with invitation – calling us to follow, to risk, and to trust. We don't always understand where the road leads. Our tendency, like the Jerusalem crowds, is to profess our faith in moments of enthusiasm and deny our faith in moments of stress. We sing and praise God, happy of heart and strong of spirit, when we are among others who praise Him too. But in times of stress, we seek scapegoats to be targets for our anger. We betray those we love and who have loved us, and we turn against God as well. But His compassion is without bounds, and He forgives us again and again.
Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent, our 40 day journey of preparation for Easter. Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, and self-examination, observed by fasting, prayer, and acts of service. It is a time of spiritual renewal to deepen one's relationship with God.
Without the breath of God, we are dry bones, and without the Word of God, we are dust. Out of the depths of despair, we cry to God. We are lost in a world of pain and suffering. We ask God to forgive our doubts and fears and to heal our brokenness, so that we may rejoice in His steadfast love.