First Steps – September 7, 2020

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace” (Col 1:3-6a).

Paul highlights three particular traits in the Colossian believers:  Faith, Love, and Hope.  Wherever we see these traits, like Paul, we should give thanks to God.  It is noteworthy that Paul informs the reader that faith and love arise, spring out of hope (see italics).  The gospel promises a certain hope and that hope transforms.

I mention this today, because of the increased conflict, anger, and despair due to a pandemic, so that we will be reminded on the hope of heaven. Setting our hope on heaven puts everything in a proper perspective. Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher, called heaven “a world of love.”  Our heavenly hope inspires us to see as God sees, to love as Jesus loves, and to know that this too shall pass.  This week, fix your gaze on God’s gift of heaven and allow His presence to saturate you with peace.


This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Acts 2
  • Tuesday – Acts 3
  • Wednesday – Acts 4
  • Thursday – Acts 5
  • Friday – Acts 6
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“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

Connect: September 6 – September 12, 2020

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, September 6 | “Life Disruptions”
w/ Dr. Rev Shane Green
Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM & 4PM

Click here to join our online worshiping community.

Tuesday, September 8 | Shane’s Women’s Group
Books of Ephesians and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. Shane Green @10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on St. Paul Website

Friday, September 11 | “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh
Study will be posted @8AM on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING YOUTH

All SPY Online events will be posted on the SPY Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, September 6 | “Sunday School Live”
w/ Logan Olgetree @12PM on the SPY Instagram.

CONNECTING CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, September 6 | “Children’s Sermon”
w/ Sally Key Bowden @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 4PM

CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, September 6 | “Seekers’ Sunday School”
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, September 6 | “Bridges Sunday School”
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, September 6 | “Wildwood Sunday School”
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, September 6 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM
Contact Buddy for more information.

Thursday, September 10 | Pre-School Moms’ Class

Intentional Parenting
w/ Grace Bailey @9:30 – 11:00 a.m. in Room M235
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey

Friday, September 11 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Book of Acts
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

Fall Bible Studies For Adults 2020

Grow Your Faith In Christ!
In this crazy world, our faith is so critical as we navigate the unknowns. God, however, is known. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. These Bible studies offer both in-person and virtual opportunities for you to choose. We hope you will find one or more that suits you and your schedule, as we all seek to grow our faith.
Sadly, due to COVID-19, we will not be able to offer a nursery for any of these studies. Remember, everyone who comes into St. Paul must wear a mask. Please call the church office with questions or to register in-person attendance by phone (706) 327-7419.

Shane’s Women’s Group
Leader: Rev. Dr. Shane Green
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Start Date: September 8
Topics: Books of Ephesians and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
Where: Will begin as live-stream at spumccolumbus.com and move to a hybrid of live-stream and in-person in October.
Register In-person attendance by email to Kathy Hollon

Grace’s Study
Leader: Grace Bailey grace@stpaulunitedmethodist.com
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Start Date: September 15
Topic: Francis Chan’s “Gospel of Mark”
Where: In-person, in the Youth Building, Y210
Register In-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey

Zoom Bible Study
Leader: Mary Lou Jarrell
Time: 12 Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dates: September 16 – October 28
Topic: Psalms and Life
Where: Via Zoom
Register attendance by email to Mary Lou Jarrell (to get the Zoom link).

Pre-School Moms’ Class
Leader:
Grace Bailey
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Start Date: September 10
Topic: Intentional Parenting
Where: In-person, in Room M235
Register In-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Men’s Bible Study
Leader: Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper (buddy@stpaulunitedmethodist.com)
Time: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Start Date: On-going
Topic: Book of Romans
Where: In-person, in Room 220 (aka Fellowship Hall)
Register In-person attendance by email to Kathy Hollon.

On-Demand Options
(Available on your schedule)

“Holy Spirit”
Podcast with Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh
All episodes can be found at http://spumccolumbus.com/holyspirit/

“What We Believe – A Romans Perspective”
Led by Rev. John Fugh
Combination of video and weekly devotions and will be available in early September.

“Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster
Led by Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh
Also coming in September, more information coming soon.

St Paul has begun a small groups ministry designed for folks who wish to experience good fellowship in a comfortable home setting while exploring the riches and life application of God’s Word.

These “Serendipity” studies are designed to be easily led/facilitated and are fun to participate in. There are icebreaker questions, a focus passage of a Jesus encounter, and interestingly worded questions that are sure to bring about lively discussion and a bit of laughter!

The ideal size of the small group is about 10 people…couples and/or singles…and the initial series will be 6 sessions that should last about an hour each. For those wishing to continue the second series has 8 sessions.

If you are interested in hosting, or participating in, a small group, or if you have any questions, please contact Jack Key (jack@kpdk.com) // 706-324–2542.

First Steps – August 31, 2020

While running errands a few days ago, I dropped by a friend’s office and saw a poem displayed on a desk.  It turns out the author of the poem was Mother Teresa.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway. 

We live for an audience of one – God.  If we can remember this, our relationships will take care of themselves.  Give it a try.  You will not be disappointed.


This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 21
  • Tuesday – Luke 22
  • Wednesday – Luke 23
  • Thursday – Luke 24
  • Friday – Acts 1
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“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

Connect: August 30 – September 5, 2020

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, August 30 | “Life Path – Tell Your Story”
w/ Dr. Rev Shane Green
Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM & 4PM

Click here to join our online worshiping community.

Friday, September 4 | “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh
Study will be posted @8AM on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING YOUTH

All SPY Online events will be posted on the SPY Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, August 30 | “Sunday School Live”
w/ Avery Ellis @12PM on the Zoom.
Look for link on the SPY Instagram.

CONNECTING CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, August 30 | “Children’s Sermon”
w/ Sally Key Bowden @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 4PM

CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, August 30 | “Seekers’ Sunday School”
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, August 30 | “Bridges Sunday School”
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, August 30 | “Wildwood Sunday School”
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, August 30 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM
Contact Buddy for more information.

Friday, September 4 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Book of Acts
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.