The daily devotional published Monday-Friday by Medford UMC. Click on the devotional title to read that day’s post.
While I was in seminary, I was invited to help teach an adult VBS in a Baptist Church, and Psalm 1 was our guide through the week. I had never taught adults at VBS before, and so this was a brand new experience.
When I was a kid, I hated my eyelids. It sounds like a small thing, but to me, it wasn’t. I hated how my eyes looked when I smiled, like they disappeared. I hated how eyeliner never worked on me like it did for the other girls at school.
Jesus tells a story about this massive party, the kind of celebration everyone would want to be at. The host sends out invitations ahead of time, but when the day comes, the people who were supposed to show up start making excuses.
This job assignment is for elder or leader of a newly planted church. Imagine you are heading into a job interview with Titus, the recipient of this letter from the apostle Paul. What would your resume say about your qualifications for the job? Paul has given Titus the seemingly impossible task of finding leaders (elders) to head up the new churches
In reflecting on today’s scripture, I went back to the beginning of 1 Peter. The letter of encouragement is addressed to persecuted Jewish Gentile believers, “God’s chosen strangers in the world of the diaspora, who live in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithinia” (1 Peter 1:1) They are God’s chosen people living as strangers in their current context.
Delving into the following in any depth is beyond the scope of this reflection. However, I think it is helpful to note that young people living in an environment that values Godly living and relationship has been shown to lower levels of anxiety and give greater positivity about life; a positive note in today’s world.
How are we doing day to day showing others the love of Jesus? Can others see that we are Christians who follow Jesus? Can they see that our church is like the church of Philadelphia – truly welcoming to all who come – whether it be for one visit or for a lifetime?
Jeremiah 7:1-5 is a sermon that is usually considered as an interruption in the text. But it works as a theological response to the haunting and elusive poetry of chapters 2-6. It says that even the Jerusalem temple, the center of national life, won’t save Judah from disaster and divine judgement.
Acts 17:1-9 paints a troubling picture. You might assume in reading that the people at war with one another in this story are believers verses atheists, or at least sworn enemies. But that’s not the case. These are brothers in the faith who just happen to disagree with one another about what they believe God is doing in the world.
The psalms return again and again to this image of God as a refuge — a stronghold, a fortress, a shelter, a rock. All of these metaphors point to one truth: in God we find safety when the world around threatens to undo us.
Together we can turn the nation’s largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of giving. Youth group members will be collecting monetary donations at each service this Sunday and will then send the donation to the Turning Point United Methodist Food Pantry in Trenton. Your generosity will be very much appreciated. The link below will take you to our PushPay system. You can select “Give One Time” then use the Fund Selector to choose “Souper Bowl of Caring.”
PEDAL for PROMISE – SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019: Medford United Methodist is fielding a team for the Urban Promise fundraiser “Pedal for Promise.” This year the ride begins and ends at Valenzano Winery in Shamong. You can register to ride, make a donation to the team or register as a spectator to enjoy the party and cheer on our team.
Go to urbanpromiseusa.org/pedal for more information about the event, to donate, or to register as an individual. OR you can go directly to the TEAM MEDFORD UMC page at www.crowdrise.com/team-medford-umc.
Questions or need help? Speak with Pastor Kathleen, Wayne Richards, or Heidi and Mike Polhemus
