First Steps – May 3, 2021

 

The other day while cleaning out some folders, I found this piece from Living on the Ragged Edge by Chuck Swindoll.

“Are you enjoying life now, or have you put all that on hold? For most people, life has become a grim marathon of misery, an endurance test full of frowns, whines, groans, and sighs. And perhaps that explains why so many who were once close to them have a tendency to drift away. Can you think of anyone who would rather spend a lot of time with those who have stopped enjoying life? They’d probably rather invest their hours in a pet, an animal that can’t even talk, than in someone who resembles a depressing, dark rain cloud.

In his work Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman confessed that was true of him:
I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contained.
I stand and look at them along and long.
They do not sweat or whine about their condition.
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.

Maybe that explains the little bumper sticker, ‘Have you hugged your horse today?’ That used to make me smile; now I understand. Sometimes it’s easier to hug a horse than it is to stay close to another person. When you get next to a horse, it never says, ‘Man, have I had a rotten day!’ or ‘I’m depressed today.’ So, if we don’t want to drive others away with our groans and moans, we need to learn how to enjoy life.”


This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Hebrews 12
  • Tuesday – Hebrews 13
  • Wednesday –  James 1
  • Thursday – James 2
  • Friday – James 3
Please Pray for:
  • Our Ministers – Shane, John, and Buddy, our staff, and our members and families.
  • The eradication of Covid – 19.
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

“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: May 1 – May 8, 2021

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, May 2 | Traditional Service (In Person):
8:30AM // SANCTUARY (M260) – LIVE STREAMED
11AM // SANCTUARY (M260) – LIVE STREAMED
Sermon: “What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?” 
(Rev. Dr. Shane Green)

Sunday, May 2 | Contemporary Service (In Person):
11AM // FELLOWSHIP HALL (M220)
Sermon: “Water In a Desert Place”
(Rev. John Fugh, Jr.)

Sunday, May 2 | Live Streaming Worship
at 8:30 AM and 11 AM
live.spumccolumbus.com or call (205) 825-9484

CONNECTING OUR YOUTH

Sunday, May 2 | SPY Sunday School
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@10AM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

Sunday, May 2 | SPY Bible Study & Fellowship
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@6PM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

CONNECTING OUR 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, May 2 | Children’s Sunday School (All Ages)
@10AM / Youth Building & Main Church Building
Contact Sally Key Bowden for more information about class locations, teachers, etc.

Sunday, May 2 | Children’s Sermon
w/ Sally Key Bowden @ 11AM / Online Worship Service.

CONNECTING THROUGH SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, May 2 | Seekers Class (M234)
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, May 2 | Bridges Class (M235)
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, May 2 | Wildwood Class (M232)
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, May 2 | Welcome In Class (Y104)
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.

Sunday, May 2 | New Covenant Class (Y101)
w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.

Sunday, May 2 | Library Class (Y202)
w/ Tim Farmer @10AM. Contact Tim for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesday, May 4 | Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Hybrid)
The Book of Ephesians | 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM
In-person (Fellowship Hall/M220) & on St. Paul Website.

Tuesday, May 4 | Grace’s Bible Study
Magrey R. deVega’s “Embracing The Uncertain”
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in room M232
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Tuesday, May 4 | Spring Harbor Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor at Green Island.
Contact John for more information.

Thursday, May 6 | Preschool Moms’ Bible Study
w/ Grace Bailey @9:30AM in room M234.

Friday, May 7 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Gospel of John
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES ON DEMAND

“The Work of the Holy Spirit”
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
Series can be accessed on the St. Paul Website.

“The Celebration of Discipline”
w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
Series can be accessed on the St. Paul Website.

“Trotter on TITUS”
w/Emily Trotter.
Series can be accessed on the St. Paul Website.

“The Ragamuffin Gospel”
Hosts: Tommy Bridges and John Fugh, Jr.
Series can be accessed on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING THROUGH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, May 5 | Family Night Supper Take Out Style
5:30PM – 6:30PM, Drive-thru in the Wildwood Avenue Circle Drive.

Don’t forget that on Wednesdays, you can enjoy your takeout supper at home or have a “Picnic on the Quad,” when the weather permits. If your family plans to dine on the Quad, be sure to make your supper reservations as usual. You can still pay for and pick up your meals in the circle, then park to enjoy dining and fellowship in your lawn chairs or at the tables set up in the Quad. Or if you prefer to park first then walk to pick up your meals, that’s absolutely fine.

***Reservations required by 5:00PM on Mondays and can be placed by calling the Church Office (706)327-7419 or simply send an email to Kathy Hollon. The price is $8 per box (same box for adults and children) with a max of $25 per family.
Menu for this Wednesday: Cubed steak w/gravy, rice, steamed broccoli, carrots, dinner rolls, and brownies.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.

Episode 4: Tilted Halos

The Ragamuffin Gospel Discussion (SPUMCColumbus)
The Ragamuffin Gospel Discussion (SPUMCColumbus)
Episode 4: Tilted Halos
Loading
/

HOSTS: Tommy Bridges and John Fugh, Jr.

In This Episode: Manning writes that getting honest with ourselves does not make us unacceptable to God. It does not distance us from God. Rather, it draws us to Him as nothing else can. It opens us anew to God’s flow of grace. When we think we are better than we are, Manning would tell us that our halos are too tight.

We would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to us at podcast@spumccolumbus.com.

Repeated Again and Again [In-Person Worship]

This Week’s Service:

The Church Gathers for Worship
The Welcome & Announcements – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The Chiming of the Hour
The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar
The Prelude: “Praludium in C dur” by G. Boehm
The Hymn Celebration: “I Love to Tell the Story” (all verses)
The Affirmation of Faith
The Gloria Patri
The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer – Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper, Jr.
The Hymn of Preparation: “Open My Eyes, That I May See (all verses)
The Scripture Lesson: Joshua 24:14-18
The Anthem: “Spirit of God, Abide With Me” arr. P. Kern
The Sermon: “Repeated Again and Again” – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The Hymn of Consecration: “I Know Whom I Have Believed” (all verses)
The Flame Goes Before Us into the World
The Benediction
The Postlude: “Fugue in C dur” by G. Boehm
The Church Returns to His World to Serve Him