First Steps – December 28, 2020

I have always enjoyed the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Everything seems to slow down and people seem to enjoy a different pace. It is relaxing and peaceful. Perhaps it is the calm after the storm. Whatever it is, I like it.

I think there is a lesson to be learned with what many call Margin. Most of our lives are spent or lived on the edge. We schedule every minute of the day. We run to the point of exhaustion, afraid to miss an event for fear we will miss out or be bypassed. We pretend our frantic pace doesn’t have its negative effects. We deny the toll from the lack of financial, relational, or physical margin takes on our lives.

Yet, God’s Word continually reminds us to embrace Sabbath, live within our means, and care for our bodies and souls. What if you made your top priority for the coming year Margin? I wonder what 2021 would be like if we embraced the concept of Sabbath in every aspect of our lives. Maybe it would be like that sacred time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Dear Lord, may it be! Amen.


This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Matthew 3
  • Tuesday – Matthew 4
  • Wednesday – Matthew 5
  • Thursday – Matthew 6
  • Friday – Matthew 7
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • 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

Christmas Awe [Worship]

This Week’s Service:

Prelude: “He Is Born” (Jeanne Martz, Celeste Stewart, and Wayne Martz | arr. W. Martz)
Welcome / Announcements / Prayer with Lord’s Prayer (Grace Bailey)
Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent” (Hymn 626)
Apostles’ Creed (Sally Key Bowden)
Special Music: “Goodness of God” (Jay Davis, Joy Sloan, Sarah Teel, Eric Buchanan, Connor Davis, and Eric Jones)
Reading of Scripture (Jamie Farmer)
Children Sermon (Sally Key Bowden)
Anthem: “The Work of Christmas” (Jeanne and Wayne Martz | arr. D. Forrest)
Sermon: “Christmas Awe” (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green)
Hymn: “There’s a Song in the Air” (Hymn 249)
Benediction (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green)
Postlude: “Good King Wenceslas” (Jeanne Martz, Celeste Stewart, and Wayne Martz | arr. W. Martz)

In Person Worship – December 27, 2020

Christmas Awe
Revelation 19:1-10

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December 27, 2020 – Christmas Awe

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
December 27, 2020 - Christmas Awe
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This Week’s Service:

Prelude: “He Is Born” (Jeanne Martz, Celeste Stewart, and Wayne Martz | arr. W. Martz)
Welcome / Announcements / Prayer with Lord’s Prayer (Grace Bailey)
Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent” (Hymn 626)
Apostles’ Creed (Sally Key Bowden)
Special Music: “Goodness of God” (Jay Davis, Joy Sloan, Sarah Teel, Eric Buchanan, Connor Davis, and Eric Jones)
Reading of Scripture (Jamie Farmer)
Children Sermon (Sally Key Bowden)
Anthem: “The Work of Christmas” (Jeanne and Wayne Martz | arr. D. Forrest)
Sermon: “Christmas Awe” (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green)
Hymn: “There’s a Song in the Air” (Hymn 249)
Benediction (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green)
Postlude: “Good King Wenceslas” (Jeanne Martz, Celeste Stewart, and Wayne Martz | arr. W. Martz)