First Steps – April 20, 2020

rising sun

Outside has taken on a new meaning for me. Over the last few weeks, I’ve tried to begin and end each day outside. Most of my mornings are spent listening to birds, watching the sun come up, and attempting to notice all that is going on around me. For instance, I hear a cacophony of sounds. Though not a symphony, it is still “sounds” nonetheless. Frankly, I long to hear them. Different birds chirping, a dog barking, a distance vehicle or two, and a few other sounds that are hard to identify. They remind me of a genesis—a beginning. In the evening, I do something similar. I want to see the stars, the moon, and listen to the sounds around me. Though completely different than the morning sounds, the evening melody is softer, more organic.

I do this because it reminds me of a natural rhythm. Something basic, fundamental to creation that all need to clutch in periods of great disruption. Everyone needs a cadence to the day particularly when the normal flow to life is in disorder. Those environmental-natural sounds and imagines help connect one to something larger and grander than the immediate.

Perhaps Psalm 8 was written in a time of disruption. I’m not sure one will ever know the stimulus the pushed the writer’s pen, but the words are definitely helpful when things seem out-of-control or confusing. These words are a connection to something larger. They are a springboard, urging the reader to see beyond the immediate to what lies behind it all: A God who creates, sustains, and restores.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

 


 

This week’s readings:
Monday – Hebrews 12
Tuesday – Hebrews 13
Wednesday – 1 Peter
Thursday – 2 Peter
Friday – 1 John


Please Pray for:
Our ministers and their families.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
The United Methodist Church family.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.
The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.

Connecting April 19 – April 25

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, April 19 | “The Resurrection Line”
Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM & 4PM

Click here to join our online worshiping community.

Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24 | Mid-Day Prayer
Each Weekday @ 12:15PM

Wednesday, April 22 | Study of the Book of Acts
w/ Rev. Dr. Green @10AM on Facebook Live / Live.spumccolumbus.com

CONNECTING YOUTH

Sunday, April 19 | “Sunday School Live”
w/ Logan Olgetree @10:30AM on Instagram

Sunday, April 19 | Sunday Night Youth
w/ Laura Marvets, Hannah Weaver & Wyatt Detrick
@1:30PM on Instagram
Zoom Hang Out @ 2:15PM

Tuesday, April 14 | “Tuesday Night Live Worship”
w/ Anna Fugh and Sam Stephens @ 5PM on Instagram

Wednesday, April 15 | “Midweek Zoom Chat”
w/ Logan Ogletree & Laura Marvets @5PM on Zoom

Thursday, April 16 | “Q&A Session”
w/ Laura Marvets and Logan Ogletree @4PM on Instagram

CONNECTING CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on Sally’s YouTube Channel @3:30PM
You can also stay up to date on St. Paul Kids Events on Instagram.
Sunday, April 19 | “Children’s Sermon”
w/ Sally Key Bowden @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 4PM

Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24 | Daily St. Paul Kid’s Video
w/ Sally Key Bowden @3:30PM on YouTube.

CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, April 19 | “Seekers’ Sunday School”
The Gospel of Mark by Francis Chan
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, April 19 | “Bridges Sunday School”
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, April 19 | “Wildwood Sunday School”
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, April 19 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM
Contact Buddy at buddy@stpaulunitedmethodist.com for more information.

Tuesday, April 21 | “Grace Bible Study”
Fearless by Max Lucado
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM. Contact Grace for more information.

Tuesday, April 21 | “Spring Harbor Bible Study”
The Book of Acts
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM. Contact John for more information.
Call In: (706) 507-9085  PIN 1952#

Thursday, April 23 | “Preschool Mom’s Study”   Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
w/ Grace Bailey @9AM. Contact Grace for more information.