Worship Preview 1.11.25 "S.A.D. - Light and Darkness" Baptism of Christ Sunday

COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS Monday, Jan. 12th – Pastor Christopher will again be available at Common Grounds from 2-4pm on Monday, January 11th. Come by, grab a treat from the bakery, and share a time of no obligation prayer and conversation!

FEEDING FAMILIES in His Name: Wednesday, January 14th - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:30-6:30pm each Wednesday, prepared each week by our members as well as several area churches and community groups. We aim to provide 400 meals per week. If you would like to support this ministry feeding our neighbors, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/feedingfamiliesdonation. Thank you.

FELLOWSHIP SOUP LUNCHES – soups, chili and dessert for a freewill donation to benefit various ministries – mark your calendar for 11:30am on both Friday, Jan. 23^rd and Friday, Feb 27^th! Bring a friend!

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: 10:30 am.  New Sermon Series: “S.A.D.: Darkness and Light.” Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-2, Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17.  Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching.

The holidays are over. The routines return and the new year often feels much like the old. This can be a heavy season. Even as they slowly begin to lengthen, the short days and long, dark nights weigh heavily with the lights taken down and the decorations put away. In this darkness, many people suffer from some sort of anxiety or depression disorder, often called S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you do not, chances are you are close to someone who does. Seasonal Affective Disorder happens when a lack of sunlight affects our moods and ability to cope effectively. Spiritual Affective Disorder can also be a condition when we’ve had prolonged stress and life is disturbingly uncertain. Sound familiar? I assure you, feeling afraid, uncertain, down, and depressed is no sin. It doesn’t mean you are separated from God. In fact, our dis-ease may be a recognition that the world is dis-ordered and that things aren’t right. In our Gospel reading today, Jesus comes to the Jordan where is relative John is baptizing and calling for repentance from sin. John states that he is surprised – as he should be baptized by Jesus instead, but Jesus insists – “let it be so for now… to fulfill all righteousness.” As one of our hymns proclaims “When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptized by John, he did not come for pardon but as the sinless one… He came to share temptation, our utmost woe and loss.” And in doing so “the age of grace began.” Life can be serious business. Certainly, watching the daily news can give the impression that there is little good to find in the world. Yet God so loves the world! God sees the good. Last week, on Epiphany, we read the story of Herod’s treachery, but his fearsome violence could not stop hope. Darkness does not overcome light. Perfect love casts out fear. There is another way. We are called to a different path.

As we begin a new sermon series in these weeks between Epiphany and Lent, we will acknowledge the full range of our emotions and be reminded that God understands what it is to be human. God knows what it is to be human. To be tempted. To laugh. To cry. To be angry. To hope. In the coming weeks, we will we begin to look at spiritual practices to get us out of the “bleak mid-winter” blues and into the light of our lives. While not a replacement for medical resources to alleviate depression, we will shine a light on the ‘blahs” and see how experiencing the everyday activities of our lives as blessing–as filled with God’s radiance – can offer us a chance to be filled with the Light in whom we believe. We affirm that the very act of “arising” each day is a gift from God. No matter where you are on your faith journey, we invite you to experience the love and presence of Christ, together with us at 10:30am each Sunday and explore your next steps! 301 S. National here in Fort Scott.  Find your path, share your journey!