Tuesday, January 28, 2014

From the Pastor: Messenger Article week of January 27, 2014

From the Pastor...

I'm curious, did you make any New Years Resolutions for 2014? Better yet, have you ever resolved to change something and seen it through? Some years I make little commitments and other years I find myself resolving to make big changes.

What about Resolutions you are afraid to make? My secret resolution is always to become a runner again (I used to be very athletic), but I'm afraid to claim it because I don't believe it will ever actually take hold. My excuse this year: pregnant! Honestly, I always have something that I can blame for holding me back, and its always something other than myself.

I was reading in the news that by the end of January, most people have given up any Resolutions they made with the new year, that if you make it until February you have a much greater chance for your Resolution to become a real life-altering habit. The article said, "January is for dreamers, February is for doers."

We can all agree from experience of successes and failures that any change comes with great personal effort. Our walk with Jesus, though grace-filled is no different.  Like most positive choices it requires an intentionality... a choice to commit our lives and then to follow through and some days we make it for a few hours, and others we barely get out of bed before our resolve is a faint memory. 

My resolution this year is simple: pray this covenant prayer written by John Wesley every morning. It's already harder to do than I predicted, and it's already shaping my heart and soul. Sometimes the words of others can shape our hearts in deep and profound ways.  Maybe you could join me?

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.


I hope to see you and yours in worship this Sunday. Stay well, sisters and brothers!

Peace,
Sarah

Thursday, January 23, 2014

St. Paul January Events

District Superintendent, Rev. Nathan Malone, preaching
Sunday, January 12, 2014
We have a special treat!  Our D.S. will be preaching at St. Paul on this day, you don't want to miss the word that God will give him to bring.

Youth go to Resurrection (youth conference) in Gatlinburg, TN
http://www.resurrectionyouth.com
January 17-19, 2014
Be in prayer for our youth and other adults who will be attending Resurrection this year.  This is a great mountain-top spiritual event for renewal and reunions with old friends.  We will leave at 4:00 on Friday, January 17th and return sometime after 1:00 on January 19 (parents will be notified as we are on our way back to the church).  

Youth Share about Resurrection in Worship
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Today in worship the youth will share about their experiences of last weekend, and the sermon will center around the message of the Retreat.  Hope to see you there!

St. Paul UMC- Fountain City

St. Paul UMC- Fountain City