10-03-2024
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. This yearly observance was first held in 1933 at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA. From there, it has become a tradition in many churches, in many countries, around the world. For more on World Communion Sunday click HERE.
This week I am preaching a message from Hebrews. The book of Hebrews is intended to solidify Jewish believers’ trust in Jesus as all they need for salvation. At the same time, the book provides several stern warnings about the consequences of rejecting Jesus and reaffirms that God does, in fact, speak to His people. In the past, this was through various prophets, now that message is primarily through Jesus Christ. My message title is
“The Radiance of God’s Glory.”
Today, I was surprised to see the temperature of 48 degrees when awakening. It is hard to believe as recent as Saturday the 21st of September, it was 96 degrees for a daytime high. Today is another reminder that we are experiencing the next season of our lives.
This week was another reminder of the beauty of community and was combined with another small world experience. When I received the phone call that our dear friend Mikie was in the hospital, I went to see her. When arriving at her room, I noticed a familiar person and at first glance, she was very familiar and I knew her from somewhere. Often, even for me, people do not necessarily recognize me outside of the church or what I call my normal setting. After a moment I realized that her daughter was someone I had met many times at the place of her employment. Neither one of us realized who each other were even though her mother had talked about me and our church family. I had spent time in conversation with her as she took care of some of my parishioners and also my mother-in-law while she on her journey to her eternal home. I believe that things like this are not by accident and that God most certainly places people in our lives that help us navigate during uncertain times. If you go into my office, you will see pieces of Mikie’s artwork on my wall. These are all the little treasures she presented to me to give to my mother when mom was in the nursing home. These pieces brightened mom’s day, and I will always be grateful that even though they never met, she adopted my mother to be a recipient of her God given talent. This is another reminder that we do not have to look far to see God’s promises that are often sprinkled with encouragement in our everyday lives. Please keep her in your prayers. May we continue to keep our eyes open to clearly see all the heavenly things surround us.
I would like to thank all who made last Sunday’s 5th Sunday Potluck a tremendous success. There was certainly plenty of food to share and what a wonderful time of fellowship. Our next opportunity for a 5Th Sunday will be December 29th. We will share all the details as we get closer to this date in December.
The widows/widowers group, Living Forward, will be meeting Wednesday, October 16th at 1:00 at the Asian Lantern. The restaurant is located at 965 Main Street on the west side of Hamilton. All widows/widowers are welcome. Please let Carla Baker know by Monday the 14th if you plan to attend. Her contact information is in the church directory.
Sunday School continues at RCUMC. Class begins at 9:45. You are invited to join Paul and Kym Smith in a wonderful class leading up to our weekly worship. Contact Paul if you have any questions. All are welcome.
The church email address has changed torosscommunityumc@gmail.com. Although messages sent to the old account (emily.fs.adams@gmail.com) will be monitored and forwarded to the new one for several weeks, please go ahead and update your records right away.
Thought for the week:“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” Martin Luther
As our sister Emily always reminded us weekly,
May God’s light surround you, God’s love enfold you, God’s power protect you, and God’s presence watch over you, now and always.
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
Next update 10-10-2024.