Worship Preview 7.6.25 "New Creation is Everything"

This Sunday: 10:30am –  4th Sunday after Pentecost – “A New Creation is Everything”  Rev. Christopher Eshleman preaching. 

Scriptures: Galatians 5:13-15, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21,

This week we are moving our worship service to Gunn Park Shelter #5 and everyone is invited to join us! We will share a special communion-centered service. All are welcome at Christ’s table - then we will share a potluck lunch after the service as we enjoy God’s creation in this great local park.

We heard from Galatians 5 last week and we’ll repeat part of it this week. ^“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

We live in an age when that “biting and devouring” seems rampant. We need reminders that God “so loved the world” – not just our nation, party, or preferences. All of us are created in the image of God. God’s grace is available, given, to all. Last week I invited the new United Methodist campus minister for Pittsburg State to share the message with us and Pastor Domingos preached from Galatians 5. When I have (often) preached on that passage, I’ve focused on the Fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I will admit, in my preaching and in my life, I sometimes have turned that list into things “I” do… rather than, as Pastor Domingos reminded me, the result of being “guided by the Spirit.”  As Christians, our freedom is not for ourselves but enables us to serve and love our neighbors. If we are “in Christ” if we are “guided by the Spirit” then that love of neighbor and those fruit of the Spirit are the outcome of our entire way of being – not achievements of our own.

As I’ve gotten to know him, my friend Pastor Domingos has shared much his journey – from childhood in Angola to college in Zimbabwe at Africa University, to a call to mission work in Brazil and how he learned a great deal about similarities and differences there and discerned a call to ministry, which led him to attend Drew to earn his Masters of Divinity, subsequently becoming a pastor in Pennsylvania and now Southeast Kansas. Themes of freedom, of bearing good fruit, and being guided resonate in his life’s story. Friday, in the US, we celebrated the 4^th of July and themes of freedom, so this Sunday, we will continue to explore that by looking at how Paul teaches about Holy Communion and the community in his exchange of letters with the Corinthians. Christ has reconciled himself to us. We are, therefore, given a ministry of reconciliation. In these times of biting and devouring, let us watch what we eat… and let us instead chose the freedom Christ offers. Let us be new creations!

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, June 2nd, Feeding Families in His Name: we continue to serve a free, no obligation “to-go” meal to whoever comes each Wednesday evening under the portico at 301 S. National. After a “delay” due to federal funding,  a July commodities distribution has been confirmed after not receiving one since April, giving us at least a few more weeks of “normal.” We are still waiting to learn about future months and, thus, looking at alternatives as well. Further information about the “delay,” our elected officials responses, and how that affects Feeding Families is available in the July church Newsletter – you can get a copy from the First UMC office if you are interested.  A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. Thank you.

Aging Forward – 1pm Friday, July 25^TH

Aging Forward is about lifelong learning and fellowship for retired adults. After skipping June due to All School Reunion, Aging Forward will return with an entertaining presentation from Trent Freeman of The Artificers! If you haven’t visited, the Artificers is a working studio and gallery hosting all sorts of art exhibits and classes. He’ll share about what caused he and Kate to move the studio from KC to Fort Scott, how they renovated the building and exciting new plans like “The Queen’s Muse” underway. We will also have information on a new connectional events calendar from FSCC Foundation called Senior-Versity. No cost to attend. Light Refreshments will be served. It should be a fun afternoon! Invite a friend!