Category: Upcoming Event

Posted on

“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green, September 30, 2024

September 30, 2024

Why is it that we are really proficient in compartmentalization?  For Christians, there is the uncanny ability to separate the secular from the sacred.  Peter Scazzero, a pastor in New York, summed up this problem by quoting a question asked by a church member, “Why is it that so many Christians make such lousy human beings?  In a word, compartmentalization.  We divide our lives into categories:  Over here belongs to God…over there belongs to me.  

For some, there is weekly attendance in worship on Sundays but no evidence of it from Monday to Saturday.  For another, the berating of a family member for their lack of spiritual maturity, all under the banner of defending God.  Finally, one can be lost in the joy of worship of God only to complain, gossip, and blame others.  

How shocking it is to read that there is no noticeable difference between the way evangelical church goers live, and non-church goers live when compared to divorce rates, giving patterns, sexual promiscuity and cohabitation, and racism (See Ron Sider’s The Scandal of Evangelical Conscience for statical data). 

Spiritual maturity is more than what one believes.  It equally involves how one lives.  Orthodoxy and orthopraxis must align.  When there are disconnects, where one compartmentalizes the spiritual and the secular, there will always be problems.  A life with God is one of unity (body, mind, and soul)—all of it is spiritual and sacred.  Everything that we are and everything that we do is connected to God.  The work of God’s Spirit is to bring wholeness.  Therefore, we can segment our lives so that what we do on Sundays and what we do the rest of the week aligns—everyday is Sunday for that matter. 

This Week’s Readings:

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  We are now reading Leviticus. You may join anytime.  Just mark your Bible on the chapter you started and keep up with the weekly readings.

Things to Pray About:

  • Pray for our country and the 2024 Presidential Election.
  • Pray for spiritual maturity.
  • Our unwillingly absent members and shut-ins.
  • Pray for comfort for those who are grieving.
  • Wisdom for our church leaders, local leaders, and world leaders. 
  • Family restoration through forgiveness.
  • Continued growth of the faith of the people.
  • Pray for understanding.

“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

Posted on

Countdown to St Paul for All

Register Today!

St Paul for All 2024

Hooray!

Posted on

“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green – July 29, 2024

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” This adage holds much truth and wisdom. The idea is if I do something over and over again, then I will achieve whatever goal I set out to reach. This modern proverb wasn’t lost on the early church fathers and mothers. One father linked time in mediation with immediate action so that nothing was lost. He wrote:

“After a time of meditation, immediately begin to put into practice the resolutions you have made. Don’t wait another day to get started. Without this application, meditation may be useless or even detrimental. Meditate on a virtue without practicing it, and you will mislead yourself into believing that you have actually become someone you are not. If I have resolved to win the heart of my enemy by being gentle toward that person, I will try to find a way this very day to be friendly to him. If I am not able to see that person face to face, I will at least pray for him.”

Living as a Christian is practicing our faith. The more we do it, the more mature we become which yields greater affinity with Christ. The practicing requires both meditation (reflection) AND follow-through (action). Begin this week! Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you during your prayers and to help you follow through as you walk with Him.

This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Exodus 6
Tuesday – Exodus 7
Wednesday – Exodus 8
Thursday – Exodus 9
Friday – Exodus 10

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  We have completed Genesis and are now reading Exodus. You may join anytime.  Just mark your Bible on the chapter you started and keep up with the weekly readings.

Things to Pray About:
Pray for those affected by natural disasters.
Pray for words of kindness, to you and from you.
Pray for guidance, protection, healing, strength, courage, and faith. 
Our unwillingly absent members and shut-ins.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Wisdom for our church leaders (especially through the special called Church Conference), local leaders, and world leaders. 
Family restoration through forgiveness.
Continued growth of the faith of the people.
Pray for inner peace. 

“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
Posted on

Summer Fun!

A lot has been happening here at St. Paul, especially with the Children and Youth Ministries! St. Paul Kid’s Camp was at the beautiful Shocco Springs, in Talladega, AL. This is a favorite trip for kids and “the place” to be, as a Youth Counselor. From playing “Busy Bees” to watching bad acting skills, Kids Camp was successful and promoted our mission of “growing the faith of the people.” Thank you to parents, counselors, and youth leaders for all that you did at camp, and for taking pictures.

Posted on

“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.

July 15, 2024

“What do I really desire from Christ?” Have you ever thought of that question? William Law, an English mystical clergyman, answered it this way: How is it that Christ helped the lame and the blind, the lunatic and the leper, the publican and sinner? It is because they desire it. They come in authentic faith. Christ would respond to them, “Your faith has made you well.” Therefore, what we desire is the real issue.

Law would infer that people wanted Christ for the current world and the next world. They wanted a changed life so that everything was altered: a new way of thinking, acting, and speaking. This change is so radical that the blind see, the lame walk, and the mute speak.

He would continue by stating being saved is nothing other than being made like Jesus. It is to gain his humility, meekness, and self-denial. It involves doing God’s will and seeking to please God alone. He would often wonder that if one was not able to plead for them with the same intensity as the sick who came to Christ, then maybe one needs to consider if he/she really wants Christ as a savior. So, I ask you again, “What do you really desire from Christ?”

This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Genesis 46
Tuesday – Genesis 47
Wednesday – Genesis 48
Thursday – Genesis 49
Friday – Genesis 50

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  You may join anytime.  Just mark your Bible on the chapter you started and keep up with the weekly readings.

Things to Pray About:
Pray for those affected by natural disasters.
Pray for words of kindness, to you and from you.
Pray for guidance, protection, healing, strength, courage, and faith. 
Our unwillingly absent members and shut-ins.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Wisdom for our church leaders (especially through the special called Church Conference), local leaders, and world leaders. 
Family restoration through forgiveness.
Continued growth of the faith of the people.
Pray for inner peace. 

“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
Posted on

“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.

July 1, 2024

A few weeks ago, I officiated a wedding, something I’m always delighted to do.  Weddings are definitely a time to celebrate. On this occasion, during the reception, I saw the widow of my childhood baseball coach. Granted I had a few coaches throughout my childhood, but there was one that stood out—Mr. Ray. While talking with his widow at the reception, I was flooded with hundreds of different memories.

As I look back, they all are good—even the ones where he sent me running around the field for making an error or striking out. I remember this man spending countless hours teaching us how to hit, field, and throw. Thankfully, his sons loved baseball about as much as we did because he was at the ball field five to six nights a week. I can still hear his voice, “Shane, you can’t hit it if you can’t see it—watch the ball, son!” It seems like yesterday; yet, it was over thirty years ago.

I tell you this to remind you to carve out time to reflect. See all the ways people have blessed you. When we are young, we aren’t mature. We don’t know the value of those who teach and care for us. As we become older, we can look back with gratitude and appreciation. At the same time and because we know that life is fleeting, savor the moments you have today. Don’t assume the people and those moments will always be there. I’m convinced the more we do both--reflecting on the past and savoring the present--the more at peace we will be. Give it a try!

This Week's Readings:

Monday - Genesis 36
Tuesday - Genesis 37
Wednesday - Genesis 38
Thursday - Genesis 39
Friday - Genesis 40

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  Our sermon series, "Genesis: All in the Family," coincides with the first book of the Bible.  We suggest that you watch or listen to sermons starting on April 21, 2024, to accompany your recent readings.  You may find these on our website at spumccolumbus.com.

Things to Pray About:

Pray for words of kindness, to you and from you.
Pray for guidance, protection, healing, strength, courage, and faith.
Our unwillingly absent members and shut-ins.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Wisdom for our church leaders, local leaders, and world leaders.
Family restoration through forgiveness.
Continued growth of the faith of the people.
Especially pray for those in conflict and extreme distress at this time.

“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

Proudly powered by WordPress