The daily devotional published Monday-Friday by Medford UMC. Click on the devotional title to read that day’s post.
When I read the scripture passage from today I can’t help but think about and sing to myself
the beloved Sunday School song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Here is a link to a fun video of this
song: “This Little Light Of Mine” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ) (I promise if you watch this video your spirits will be lifted!)
Peter’s failure wasn’t final and our failure doesn’t have to be either.
Again and again throughout history, deep and enduring trials seem to have a strange and beautiful way of swelling the waves of worship
God lavishly forgives us!
“After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying “Now is the time!…”
Paul was familiar with the inside of a prison. This time he’s with Silas. What a story!
As we draw Compassion Camp to a close for this week, I hope you have had a good journey exploring compassion in a more focused way. Compassion is not just about donating money to a cause, or delivering food to a neighbor, or driving a friend to the emergency room, or sitting with a family member as he or she goes through one of life’s challenges,
We do not really know anything about this man who was being carried on a mat and lowered through the roof other than his physical paralysis. And we know very little about the people who were bringing him to Jesus for healing. What we can surmise is that the people carrying the paralyzed man would go to any lengths to have their friend healed.
Compassion for Family brought to mind an experience that hit very close to home. An elderly relative, whom we shall call X. Smith, needed on-site supervision and, as luck would have it, there were two residences located on the property. One of the grandchildren whom we will call Z. Smith,
The Psalmist begins his cry for help with acknowledging his guilt. Psalm 51 is attributed to King David by some and alludes to the story of David and Bathsheba, in which David broke at least half of the Ten Commandments. The anonymous writer of Psalm 51 was well-acquainted with God’s compassion as he confessed his own guilt and shortcomings. Humanity is filled with people who have done things they are not proud of and yet we keep finding new ways to do harm to others and to God’s creation. I am proud to be a United Methodist who tries very hard to live by Three Simple Rules: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
It’s summertime and this week we will be going (virtually) to compassion Camp VBS! The church I attend used Compassion Camp curriculum with a different focus on the act of compassion each day. Compassion is an emotion that calls for action on our part. The call to “Be compassionate as God is “compassionate” will be explored as Compassion for Myself,
Compassion for Family, Compassion for Neighbors, and Compassion with, in, and for the World.
When we are so fed and sustained by God, we want to share this “special food.”
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
