Worship Preview 6.7.26 "It's One Thing After Another"
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: 10:30am. “It’s One Thing After Another” Rev. Sarah Gengler guest preaching. Scriptures: Psalm 33:1-4, 11-12, Isaiah 49:1-7, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13,18-26
Do you ever have days when you just go from one thing to the next? Sometimes they are planned, and sometimes they are interruptions to your plans. And often it’s both within the same day. That’s the kind of day Jesus is having this week in Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26. Join us Sunday to hear how Jesus responds to an overcrowded schedule with multiple interruptions throughout his day, and what our responses to our similarly busy schedules may look like if we respond like Jesus.
To help us do so, we’ll share Holy Communion. Christ invites us all to the table – you do not have to be a member or even a Methodist to receive communion at First UMC, just someone responding to Christ’s call. During his earthly life, Jesus broke bread at table with people from all walks of life. He scandalized the religious authorities by eating with “sinners and tax collectors.” He scandalized his own closest followers by washing their feet – and telling them to serve one another as he had served them. At this table, here and now, In a world where burdens and distractions pile up, “one thing after another” we share the bread and cup knowing we are not alone. Christ walks with us. We are connected with all who have gone before and all who will follow. We are invited into community, the Kingdom and Kin-dom of God, gathered around the table Jesus prepares. We receive life, renewal, and salvation in this visible sign of God’s love and grace. You, yes you, are invited!
Come just as you are – with your doubts and questions, with your laments and fears, and with your deepest hopes and joys. Whether you are a longtime member, have never been to church at all, or find yourself needing a change - together we will find our paths and share our journeys. Thanks be to God!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEEDING FAMILIES IN HIS NAME: Wednesday, June 10 - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:15pm to 6:15pm 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.
AGING FORWARD Friday, June 19th. FIELD TRIP!! – instead of gathering at First UMC, this month we’re encouraging folks to join the NOON Lunch and Learn event that the Gordon Parks Museum will be announcing (details on a grant have held up publicity) but SAVE THE DATE – Noon on Friday June 19th. The 3rd Friday of the summer months is now our Aging Forward gathering to encourage lifelong learning and fellowship for retired adults (and anyone else interested). We host a variety of local speakers. In July we’ll be back at 3rd and National from 1-4pm with a presentation on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder of the Little House on the Prairie books! Ethan Smilie has published articles about her life as he has enjoyed all of her books, visited her homestead and the states where she she lived. He will share her love of writing as she was a journalist in Mansfield for the Missouri Ruralist where she also began writing her books, then we’ll have information from PMMA, the parent company of Presbyterian Village and some advance planning for our August and September events as well. See you soon!
