Carlos is a refreshing human being. He not only allows you into his family and life through social media (@loswhit @whittfarm), but he brings you along his very personal journey of faith. The way he writes is like he is sitting across from you and you are hanging on to every word. The vulnerability he speaks with allows you to feel his story. Carlos is unapologetic about his walk with the Lord. The way he describes talking with God, being “conversationally intimate” with the Holy Spirit, makes you think of course I can do that. The accessibility he tells us we have…it is such an important encouragement. Carlos says that there isn’t a formula to a wild faith in God, but he sure makes it seem easy to Enter Wild!
READ HIS BOOKS: Moment Maker, Kill the Spider, and Enter Wild. Give a listen to Episode 10 of SPUMCCOLUMBUS podcast on the Holy Spirit and hear the man for yourself.
As sinful creatures, we are shaken like wheat in a sieve. We are pulled this way and that by a seductive world. We can’t settle down. Christ can make a difference. A Christian’s mind and heart can be centered on the divine. Over a period of time this can free us from being sifted. It will bring us peace. We will live balanced lives.
You can easily determine your preferences. If your interest is in money, honors, power, or violence you will quickly give yourself to such things. This shows that you love them. What absorbs your interest? Is it clothes? Gossip?…Many different kinds of chains bind you to the earth. If you do not resist these objects of your affection, you are hindered in your ability to direct your thoughts to God.
Such wise words from a Syrian Monk, whose name is lost to history. Though written in the 4th Century, this sermon still has value today. What chains bind you? Where do your affections pull you away from God’s Kingdom? The answer is not hard to determine, simply look at what you love most.
Matthew’s Gospel records something similar: Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”(Matthew 15:1-11).
For Jesus, the heart was the key – what one loves the most is tied to the heart. If we want to know what is of highest priority, look inward and there you will find your answer.
This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Acts 27
Tuesday – Acts 28
Wednesday – Mark 1
Thursday – Mark 2
Friday – Mark 3
Please Pray for:
The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
Teachers and students as they transition.
Friends and family members battling illness.
Those seeking to find their way.
The United Methodist Church family.
Our nation and our leaders.
The Covid-19 Pandemic.
“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
Prelude: “Prelude, Cello Suite No. 1” (Ina Apostolova, Cello | J. S. Bach) Welcome / Announcements / Prayer with Lord’s Prayer (Mary Lou Jarrell) Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” (Hymn 64) Apostles’ Creed (Reynolds Pease) Sacrament of Baptism: Robert Clark O’Hara (Son of Shaun and Whitney O’Hara) Special Music: “Goodness of God” (Eric Buchanan, Connor Davis, Jay Davis, Sarah Teel, Joy Sloan, and Ken Posey) Reading of Scripture ( Lisa and Sonny White) Children Sermon (Sally Key Bowden) Anthem: “I Will Be a Child of Peace” (Wayne and Jeanne Martz) Sermon: “A Christian Response to Conflict-Part 2” (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green) Hymn: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (Hymn 400) Benediction (Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green) Postlude: “Our Father in Highest Heaven” (Wayne Martz, Organ | J. S. Bach)
Sunday, October 11 | “A Christian Response to Conflict – Part 2” w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green LIVE In-Person Worship @11AM in the Sanctuary (M260). Online Pre-Recorded Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, & 1PM
Wednesday, October 14 | Wednesday Night Picnic on The Quad Enjoy the fellowship of church family while enjoying a picnic style meal of hamburgers and hot dogs at 6pm on The Quad in front of the Youth Building. You bring lawn chairs or blankets and we’ll provide the hand sanitizer and food.
Cost $5.00 for all ages. No reservations needed.
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, October 11 | High School Girls Bible Study (1) w/ Laura Marvets and Emily Trotter @6PM / Home of Trotter Family.
Sunday, October 11 | Middle School Girls Bible Study w/ Tonya Badcock & HS Senior help @6:30PM / Youth Building.
Sunday, October 11 | Middle School Guys Bible Study w/ Logan Ogletree & HS Senior help @6:30PM / Youth Building.
Wednesday, October 14 | High School Girls Bible Study(2) w/ Laura Marvets & Emily Trotter @7PM / Home of Trotter Family.
For more information about HS Guys Bible Study, contact Laura Marvets.
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 October 11 | “Confirmation Review Class“ w/ Grace Bailey, Donna Hightower, Sally Key Bowden @5:30PM – 6:30PM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS
Sunday, October 11 | “Seekers’ Sunday School” w/Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.
Sunday, October 11 | “Bridges Sunday School“ w/Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.
Sunday, October 11 | “Wildwood Sunday School” w/Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.
Sunday, October 11 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class w/Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.
Sunday, October 11 | New Covenant Sunday School Class w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.
CONNECTINGBIBLE STUDIES
Tuesday, October 13 | Shane’s Women’s Group Books of Ephesians and 1st & 2nd Thessalonians w/ Rev. Dr. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM In-Person M220 (Fellowship Hall) & online on the St. Paul Website.
Tuesday, October 13 | Grace’s Study Francis Chan’s “Gospel of Mark” w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in the Youth Building (Y210). Register In-Person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.
Tuesday, October 13 | Spring Harbor Bible Study The Book of Joshua w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor At Green Island. Contact John for more information.
Wednesday, October 14 | Zoom Bible Study Psalms and Life w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @11AM-12PM on Zoom. Register attendance by emailing Mary Lou Jarrell to get the link. Thursday, October 15 | ‘Pre-School Moms’ Class Intentional Parenting w/ Grace Bailey @9:30AM– 11AM in Room M235 Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.
Friday, October 16 | 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.
Friday, October 16 | “Celebration of Discipline” On-Demand Study w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr. Study will be posted @8AM on the St. Paul Website.
Friday, October 16 | “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr. Study will be posted @8AM on the St. Paul Website.
CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING
It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Every bit helps, so thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.
