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First Steps – February 6, 2023


How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore. (Psalm 133).
 
 
Do you look for what separates one person from the next or what draws people together?  Why is it that living in unity and harmony is so difficult?  I’ve often wondered.  Perhaps it is the need to define oneself by what is different.  Perhaps it is easier to live separately because harmony requires compromise and love.  Maybe it is the need to feel or believe we are in control.  Unity requires a larger objective than personal choice.  Unity requires unselfishness and the relinquishing of power and status.  Unity requires making room and giving space to someone else.  Though it is difficult, it was sought by God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments. 
 
The above psalm is one of the Songs of Ascent that people sang during temple worship during the Feast of Tabernacles.  Living in peace was so vital that it is compared to the consecration of Aaron as High Priest—no small achievement.  Jesus prayed for relational peace and harmony for every follower of his in his High Priestly Prayer (John 17:20-23).    When we live in unity, we model God’s heart, glorify Him and give witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  There is glory in living in harmony and peace with one another.
 
This week, instead of seeing what separates, look for what draws people together.  Look for what you have in common with those around you.  Invite God’s Spirit to give you the eyes to see what God sees in another person.  Strive for harmony.





 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Acts 17, Acts 18
*Tuesday – Acts 19, Acts 20
*Wednesday – Acts 21, Acts 22, Acts 23
*Thursday – Acts 24, Acts 25, Acts 26
*Friday – Acts 27, Acts 28

Prayer Requests:
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
*Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“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


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“Less of Me” by Jake Hess, III

Jake, Leader of our Praise Band, is a Nashville musician with his own family legacy of faith-based music. This is an original song Jake shared during our Contemporary Worship Service on January 22, 2023. Jake’s artful song shares his personal revelation on how he’s welcomed distractions, leading him away from God–and how he aims to change that.

To see the LIVE Broadcast on January 22, 2023, in its entirety, click here.

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First Steps – January 30, 2023

Christians have a long history of seeing everything through the lens of Jesus Christ.  Many of the Christian holidays have their origin in something that wasn’t initially Christian but was used by them to teach or evangelize.  Theologically speaking, since Christ is the means of transformation, followers of Christ repurposed just about anything to help people walk the road of faith.  

I do something similar with songs and movies.  I try to see them through the lens of Jesus Christ.  I know the origin of the songs and movies has nothing to do with faith, Jesus, or Christianity; however, that doesn’t stop me from using them as a means of reflection or prayer.  Like the early church, I want to repurpose it for and with Christ.

For instance, I’ve always been a fan of George Harrison.  I like his music.  One of my favorites is Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) and I’ve used his lyrics as a form of prayer.  Perhaps it was a prayer for him.  I also realize there is a line in the lyrics that nods to reincarnation which is not a Christian concept.  But all that aside, I like the song and have borrowed it to be words of prayer.
 
If you are unfamiliar with the lyrics, then here you go:
Give me love, Give me love, Give me peace on earth, Give me light, Give me life; Keep me free from birth, Give me hope, Help me cope with this heavy load, Trying to touch and reach you with Heart and soul, Om My Lord, Please take hold of my hand that I might understand you.  Won’t you please, Oh, won’t you?  Give me love, Give me love, Give me peace on earth, Give me light, Give me life, Keep me free from birth, Give me hope, Help me cope with this heavy load, Trying to touch and reach you with Heart and soul, Om My Lord Won’t you please Oh, won’t you? Give me love, Give me love, Give me peace on earth, Give me light, Give me life, Keep me free from birth, Give me hope, Help me cope with this heavy load, Trying to touch and reach you with Heart and soul. Give me love, Give me love, Give me peace on earth, Give me light, Give me life, Keep me, keep me free from birth, Now give me hope.  Help me cope with this heavy load. Trying to touch and reach you with Heart and soul.
 
As you begin this week, pray for love, peace, light, and life.  Pray for God to help you carry burdens and envision that Christ walks with you.  Pray for God’s touch in your life, your heart, and your soul.  



 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Acts 8, Acts 9
*Tuesday – Acts 10, Acts 11
*Wednesday – Acts12
*Thursday – Acts 13, Acts 14
*Friday – Acts 15, Acts 16

Prayer Requests:
*Continued blessings in the New Year 2023.
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
*Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“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


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Confirmation Class – Get Ready for Our Epworth Retreat!

The next event for Confirmands is Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia. The dates are Friday- Sunday, February 3-5, 2023. We will leave St. Paul at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and return on Sunday by 6:30 p.m.

COST: $215 pays for lodging and meals (except Sunday’s Lunch). Extra money may be needed for the Gift
Shop and vending machines (dollar bills)

We will learn “Wesley’s Rules For Living,” tour a museum, visit the beach, experience history at Fort Frederica, and have bonfires! A lot of activities, a lot of fun, and (of course) a lot of spiritual growth will be happening for our Confirmands during this first weekend of February!

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First Steps – January 23, 2023

“We may not have the capacity to become what Saul of Tarsus became, but we may be in the channel of God’s will just as truly as was Paul, and our lives may have the smile of God upon them, though in some hidden way that the world may never know” (Elizabeth Morrison).
 
Throughout my ministry, I often hear people describing their lives as not important to God’s Kingdom. Because they don’t teach, preach, sing, or evangelize, then their work is not effective to the Church or to God. How untrue!  Granted, those whose gifts edify the ministries of the Church seem to be highlighted because those gifts are witnessed by all. They are easy to see. However, what someone doesn’t see is the one on their knees praying for all.  What someone doesn’t see is the gentle witness of encouragement and love that cultivate a life. 
 
These gentle servants of God are the real salt of the earth. They are the ones who believe they can change the world by living out Micah 6:8. They are the ones who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. They are the ones who treat people equally and with fairness. They are the ones who are forgiving because they give what they received. They are the ones who are modest and meek. If you ask me, they will be the ones who change the world because every step they take is a step of incarnational witness as a follower of Christ. They are the real effective servants because they live according to the most excellent way—the Love of God.
 



 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Acts 2
*Tuesday – Acts 3
*Wednesday – Acts 4
*Thursday – Acts 5
*Friday – Acts 6, Acts 7

Prayer Requests:
*Continued blessings in the New Year 2023.
*Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not.
*Comfort those who are grieving and in distress.
*Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times.
*Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“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


January 8, 2023 – “Welcoming in Jesus’ Name” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green & Rev. Lynn Meadows-White

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
January 8, 2023 - "Welcoming in Jesus' Name" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green & Rev. Lynn Meadows-White
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Contemporary Worship Service/Mark 9:35-37

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