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Traditional Worship Service/Luke 24: 13-35
October 30, 2022 – “A Burning Heart” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
October 23, 2022 – “Remember Me” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
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Contemporary Worship Service/Luke 23:26-49
October 16, 2022 – “Moved to Act” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
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Contemporary Worship Service/Luke 19:37-48
First Steps – November 7, 2022
| Though grief can be overwhelming, there are moments of blessings for those who walk the difficult road. One of the reasons we struggle with grief is the physical loss and the perception of a lack of control when it comes to our loved ones. By control, I mean the desire for security and certainty. We long to know that our loved one is okay and at peace. There is great consolation when all are at rest. I think that is why I cherish All Saints Day. For me, it is a day of comfort and relief. On this day, the focus is on those who have died in faith and now rest. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. My favorite hymn normally sang on that Sunday is For All the Saints. The lyrics are as majestic as the music. It is perfect when accompanied by an organ. As I write this, I can hear the melody and the voices, past, and present, singing in harmony. For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed; Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia, Alleluia! O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia, Alleluia! And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia! From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, in praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia! If you are walking this road of grief, I hope you will rest in the promise of God’s care for those who have gone before us. Envision the picture the hymn paints. Allow God’s Spirit to carry you with them to a communion of fellowship in the presence of the Almighty.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – John 21 *Tuesday – 1 John 1 *Wednesday – 1 John 2 *Thursday – 1 John 3 *Friday – 1 John 4 Prayer Requests: *Teachers, students, and parents coping with anxiety. *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 |
Trunk or Treat! Family Night Supper! Chili Cookoff!
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 was a BLAST! Thank you for participating in the Chili Cookoff, Costume Parade, and Trick or Treating! The chili was so yummy that there was a tie between Sally Key Bowden and Caroline Varner Fields!
First Steps – October 31, 2022
| Often when someone loses a friend there is something I call Ambiguous Anger. When we lose someone, we grieve normally channeled in anger. Our response to loss is voiced in anger, but the difficulty is we can’t put our finger on it. It is ambiguous in nature, as if just beyond our fingertips. We know something isn’t right, something is not as we want it, but we struggle, and many times can’t give the right expression, so out comes anger. This is especially true when someone dies unexpectedly and without notice, and we didn’t have a chance to express certain thoughts or affections before he/she died. Sometimes we blame, withdraw, or try to rationalize our pain but seldom find the right expression of what is churning on the inside. Much of grief is finding the right expression. This struggle is only compounded when one dies suddenly and prematurely. How many times have you thought, “I should have said…” or “I wish he/she knew …”? What do we do when we are muddled in a situation like this? First, make an honest assessment of your actions. Often, one has expressed their love, gratitude, and appreciation in life, but our sadness works to prevent us from seeing all the times we did show love to the departed. Second, express your pain to God in prayer. If much of grief is finding the right expression, then express all emotions to God. Surely, God is big enough to handle our pain and sadness, for one only needs to look to the Psalms to see the many times God welcomes human expression in all forms. Third, don’t miss future opportunities to voice gratitude, appreciation, and/or love. Though we might not be able to change the past, we can change the future. Proper expressions always make the transition of grief easier. There will always be sadness associated with a loss, but how and at what speed one transitions through the grief process is dependent upon our expressions. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – John 16 *Tuesday – John 17 *Wednesday – John 18 *Thursday – John 19 *Friday – John 20 Prayer Requests: *Teachers, students, and parents coping with anxiety. *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 |