Worship Preview for August 2

First United Methodist 

Worship Preview for August 2nd

Rev. Christopher Eshelman presiding, Scriptures Exodus 33:7-23, 1 Kings 19:1-12, and 2 Corinthians 12:1-5

Have you ever misplaced your phone—which is on vibrate of course—and then

asked someone to call it? We get really still and really quiet. Our ears perk up in

all directions in order to be ready to hear that little buzz. It is a quieting down and

high alert all at the same time. This next few weeks, we will quiet things down and heighten

our attention to the “still, small voice” of God and our own truest self.

This week we’ll reflect again on Moses seeking God’s glory, on Elijah seeing wind, earthquake, and fire but hearing the still, small voice, and revisit Paul’s tale of “a man” encountering a “third heaven. Each of these mystic encounters of Scripture invite us to our own deep listening and exploration. What is

your “cave” equivalent? What place (a park, a path, a rocking chair, a shoreline) and

practice (walking, journaling, reading, making art) helps you get quiet enough for long

enough so you can hear past the chaos and into the depths of your life?

While following a normal order of service with hymns and communion open to all this Sunday we will also incorporate a practice called Lectio Divina or Holy Listening, where we hear a small selection several times and listen deeply for how the Spirit is speaking. Listening through prayer as well as meditation on holy texts is an ancient Christian practice. In these busy and divided times, Come and rest, come and listen. 

Sunday. 10:30am. 301 S National. You, yes you, are invited!