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First Steps – March 20, 2023

During this season of Lent, I’m using the disciplines of silence and solitude. Early in the morning, when I wake up, I embrace the silence of the morning. I refrain from turning on anything that has noise. I refrain from speaking. I try to do the same thing during the day, although it is harder because of my responsibilities to other people.  My daily goal is to be observant of my own thoughts and reflective enough to invite God’s Spirit into my processing.  I want to hear the things that are normally unheard of because of all the daily noise. 
 
Fortunately, I was able to sneak away for a few days to enjoy one of my favorite beaches. For me, practicing the disciplines of silence and solitude was definitely easier at a beach. While sitting alone, I heard the waves gently crashing on the shore. With each wave, I imagined God’s grace coming like waves over me, one after the other, never ceasing.  How peaceful those moments were. I don’t know how long I stayed there, but it was long enough to be at peace, be full of joy and gratitude, and drift in humble awe of God’s goodness.
 
Silence and solitude create the space needed for holy imagination.  When all other sounds are silenced, a different voice emerges; a quiet voice that whispers. In those moments by the seashore, that voice said, “My grace is like these waves, never ceasing, gentle yet powerful.”  My hope for you today is that you will silence the noise around you so that a different voice can speak to your soul. Listen for that voice, imagine the closeness and peace it brings.



 

 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 11, Matthew 12, Matthew 13
*Tuesday – Matthew 14, Matthew 15, Matthew 16,
*Wednesday – Matthew 17, Matthew 18, Matthew 19
*Thursday – Matthew 20, Matthew 21, Matthew 22
*Friday – Matthew 23, Matthew 24, Matthew 25


Prayer Requests:
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
*Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6


Week 4: Letters 18 & 19

The Screwtape Letters
The Screwtape Letters
Week 4: Letters 18 & 19
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Welcome to this week’s episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, where we’re exploring the themes of Letters 18 and 19 of CS Lewis’ masterpiece.

Join us as we unpack the wisdom and insights of Letters 18 and 19, and explore their relevance in our modern world. Gil and John will provide their unique perspectives and experiences, helping us to understand the power of prayer and the realities of spiritual warfare.

So tune in to this episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, and let’s discover together the importance of standing firm against the forces of darkness.

Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: “Following Jesus, Part 3: Keeping in Step with the Spirit” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: “Following Jesus, Part 3: Keeping in Step with the Spirit” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green
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Traditional Worship Service/Galatians 5:16-26

Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: “Following Jesus, Part 2: Growing into Maturity” – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: "Following Jesus, Part 2: Growing into Maturity" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
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Contemporary Worship Service/1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: “Following Jesus, Part 1: Carrying a Cross” – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Sermon Series/Small Groups Series: "Following Jesus, Part 1: Carrying a Cross" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
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Contemporary Worship Service/Luke 14:25-35

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First Steps – March 13, 2023

It is alleged that Karl Barth once said that only Christians are sinners. That’s right, only Christians. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Actually, what he meant was that only people who know how much they are loved can ever sense how much they have betrayed that love. 
 
In Romans, Paul pondered the depths of betrayal when he said, “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). Until we first sense the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we will be unable to see that our real problem lies in our posturing and self-justification with which we are trying to earn what we already have as a gift. God has made us all somebodies though we live as if we are nobodies. 
 
It takes strong secure people to admit that they can be wrong and then to try to right their wrongs. Weak, insecure people are constantly trying to defend themselves, make excuses, and justify their actions. Christians realize such defensiveness is unnecessary because of our need for God’s grace. Repentance can be a gift of grace, for it opens the door for one to own who they are in Christ. Real change occurs when we are first honest with ourselves, owning our words and actions, and then inviting God into that level of honesty. Transparency and authenticity are the effects of a life that follows Christ. The Gospels are filled with examples of people who, in the presence of Jesus, found forgiveness and invited into a life of wholeness; however, the first step to wholeness was honesty. 



 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 2 Corinthians 7,  2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9, 2 Corinthians 10
*Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 13
*Wednesday – Matthew 1, Matthew 2, Matthew 3, Matthew 4
*Thursday – Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7
*Friday – Matthew 8, Matthew 9, Matthew 10


Prayer Requests:
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
*Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6


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