The people that fought for a shorter workday were looking for abundance – productive work, but also time with their families and time to rest. They were also looking to be safer and to live longer, healthier lives. Sometimes we think of abundance as just making more money, having more stuff, but not a single person on Sunday during the service mentioned having more stuff or working more led to an abundant life.
It would have been a very natural and understandable reaction if Peter, John, and the other apostles had decided to lay low for a while because they were scared for their own safety. However, instead of letting fear overtake them, their immediate response was to pray together and seek the power of the Holy Spirit.
I love when our church sets up the Labyrinth for Holy Week. It offers me an opportunity to come away from the stress and cares of the day, and to spend time in quiet reflection with God. Walking the labyrinth allows me to pray and reflect on what is happening in the world and in my own life.
As we come to the close of our devotional questions for the series on SEEKING, our last reflection is this: “How will you know when you have found what you are looking for?” There is no single, easy answer to that very personal question, but today’s scripture can enlighten us.
Spring is here, and with it comes a fresh start. The days are longer, the air is warmer, and everything around us seems to be waking up. It’s like the world is telling us it’s time to grow—time to shed the old and embrace the new.
Amid life’s challenges, it’s the small blessings that uplift our spirits and energize us, reminding us of our sense of community.
God doesn’t forget your efforts, and the love you have shown for his name’s sake, when you have served, and continue to care for, others.
My backyard in New Jersey is surrounded by woods and it is a good place to talk to my two dogs. I learned many valuable lessons from God from my “prayer partners” on those walks.
There are any number of things for us to be afraid of – we all have some sort of phobia I would guess. Sometimes we feel like Charlie Brown in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” when he is feeling depressed and goes to Lucy for help. She tells him she can label his fear if she can find out what he’s afraid of.
I can only imagine the emotions that Jesus must have been feeling when he sat down with his disciples, his friends, to have what he knew would be his last meal in this world. Jesus loved these men, he had taught them, traveled with them, served with them, cried and laughed with them. He knew he was going to be leaving them soon to return to the Father.
Today’s devotion asks us, “what lights your soul on fire, what are you passionate about?” These are great questions to ponder and pray over as we discern our call to follow Jesus. And these questions lead us on a life time of seeking and growing on the discipleship journey as we work together in the Kin-dom.
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
