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Friday, September 30 2022
 Read Romans 15:1-7 “So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory.” -Romans 15:7 There are some people who just have the gift of hospitality. They have a way of making others feel comfortable and at ease. They know no strangers and, from the first time they meet you, treat you as if you were a long-lost friend. It feels so good to receive the gift of a warm welcome. Paul reminds us that when we participate in a ministry of welcome, people experience the love of Christ and God is glorified. Research shows that when people visit a church for the first time, most decide in the first ten minutes they are on campus whether or not they will return. That means that likely before the band plays, the choir sings, or the preacher plays, they have already made up their mind about coming back. The way they are welcomed matters. It’s no wonder, then, that “graciously welcoming people” is an important piece of the St. Paul’s UMC vision. Facilities are a part of a church’s welcome. Just like someone can tell whether you are ready and excited to have them in your home, so they can also tell if you are ready and excited to have them in your church. What a blessing it is for us to have facilities that offer a warm welcome to persons of all ages. Give thanks today for the great care that was taken in designing and building a place for ministries that says to people when they walk in the front doors, “Welcome Home!” What do you remember about how you felt the first time you came to St. Paul’s UMC? How might participating in Pathways to Generosity be an expression of thanks for the facilities we have? Wednesday, September 28 2022
 Read Matthew 5:14-16 “…let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do, and praise your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16 This week, our focus is on the ministries of St. Paul’s UMC. From the beginning, We are a church seeking to reach out beyond walls and doors to share the love of Christ with others. Most significantly, the laborers of St. Paul’s UMC offer themselves according to the principle found in Matthew 5. It is not for personal recognition or gain. These laborers are not seeking to grab the spotlight themselves. Rather, the goal is that our ministries will point others toward Christ. When the good things we do as a community of faith accomplish this purpose and bring glory to God, our light shines a little brighter. What ministries do you see that are shining a light for all to see? How are you participating? Tuesday, September 27 2022
 Read James 5:13-18 “The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.” -James 5:16b Every Monday, our Sanctuary is opened for prayer at noon, all are invited to gather to lift up the concerns and the celebrations of our church family, community, and world. Our pastors also prayer during the week for our church. Those who gather to prayer are living out the charge given in the letter of James to pray for those who are suffering, those who are happy, and those who are sick. The journey of prayer doesn’t always end up exactly where we anticipated. One thing is for sure, though: the fact that they prayed mattered…for them and for the ones being prayed for. Prayer is a powerful thing. Where in your own life have you seen evidence of the power of prayer? What do you imagine is possible if every member of the St. Paul’s UMC family prays diligently? Monday, September 26 2022
 Read Luke 22:39-46 “When he arrived, he said to them, ‘Pray that you won’t give into temptation.’” -Luke 22:40 Jesus knew that it would be difficult for his disciples. He had tried to prepare them for what was about to happen. He had even given them a meal by which to remember him once he was gone…an indication that he would, in fact, soon be gone. It is remarkable that, while his arrest and crucifixion were fast approaching, Jesus thought first of his disciples and how they would handle their uncertain future. Before going off to pray for himself in the garden, he first encourages them: “Pray that you won’t give into temptation.” He knew what they would face. Suspicions would be raised about their connections to him. In a frenzy, the crowd might decide to go after them as well as him. In fear, they would be tempted to abandon all that they had learned from him. They would be tempted to deny him. They would be tempted to give up on The Way. Every day, we are faced with situations that challenge our allegiance. Choices confront us with the decision to follow Jesus or abandon him. Pray that the Spirit of Christ will be at work in you, so that you might not give into temptation, but fulfill all that God has in mind to do through you. What is the greatest threat/challenge to your full obedience to God’s will for your life? ________________________________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Friday, September 23 2022
 Read Matthew 6:7-13 “When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words…” -Matthew 6:7a Ever had one of those conversations with someone where you knew immediately the other person was just trying to impress you? What about a time when you knew the only reason someone was talking to you is because they wanted something from you? Most of us can pretty quickly see through a pile of empty words. Imagine what it must be like for God. When Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray, he first warns them about such behavior. Then he gives them a model…an example that was so good we still use it today in Christian worship. But it’s not the specific words that are so important. Jesus didn’t say, “Pray this…” He said, “Pray like this…” In the Lord’s Prayer, in less than thirty seconds, we encounter praise, surrender, supplication, and repentance. One thing this model teaches us is that it is not the length or the vocabulary of the prayer that matters, but the humility and authenticity. So don’t worry about getting the words right. Certainly don’t try to impress God. God knows all about you already. Just talk from the heart and you’ll get it right every time. Be honest in your prayers regarding our Pathway to Generosity. Where are your struggles? What are your concerns? Do you trust God with the results? Whose will do you desire to be done? _________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Wednesday, September 21 2022
 Read 1 Kings 8:28-30 “Constantly watch over this temple, the place about which you said, ‘My name will be there,’ and listen to the prayer that your servant is praying toward this place.” The people of Israel had waited a long time for this. In fact, the book of 1 Kings tells us that it had been 480 years since the Israelites had escaped bondage in Egypt. Now, finally, King Solomon had completed the construction of the temple where they would worship the LORD their God. What a grand temple it was. Chapters 6 and 7 give us a vivid description of the place. Then, in chapter 8, we receive an account of the first public event in the temple. At the center of that celebration is the prayer that is our Scripture reading for today. Prayer always undergirds the life of the community of faith. We’ve prayed that God would constantly watch over St. Paul’s UMC as our church continues to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ. How could your participation in generosity be a witness to your desire for God to “constantly watch over this temple?” _________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Tuesday, September 20 2022
 Read Ephesians 1:15-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call…” -Ephesians 1:18a Light-bulb moments. Those times when you have a sudden revelation…an awakening or epiphany that makes you conscious of something you missed before. We’ve all had them. Sometimes when they occur, they cause us to say to ourselves, “What in the world was I thinking before? Duh!” At other times, the newfound insight spares us from a heap of trouble. Sometimes they set us on an entirely new course in life. There are some great light-bulb stories across the pages of the Bible—Isaiah’s vision of the LORD in the temple, the prodigal son’s wake-up call in a pig sty, Saul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Peter’s dream about clean and unclean animals. As it is in these stories, so it continues to be true in our lives: the best light-bulb moments connect us to God’s deepest desires for us. If we are to discover these desires, we will need to spend time in prayer. Ironically, it is when we go into the dark quiet of earnest prayer that the most important light becomes brightest…the light of Christ. This light illumines all things in such a way that we see more clearly than before. As we continue this journey of imagining the future, prayer will be perhaps the most important place where we will discover how we can make it happen. Prayer will turn the light on, so that we can see the hope of God’s call. What do you think is the hope of God’s call for you right now? For this season at St. Paul’s UMC? __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Monday, September 19 2022
 Read Philippians 4:4-7 “Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” -Philippians 4:6 Recent statistics suggest that eighteen percent of adults and one in every eight children suffer from one or more anxiety disorders. Many more would confess to feelings of anxiety about work, parenting, finances, health, and more. In such a climate, Paul’s exhortation “don’t be anxious” might sound at best unrealistic for today, at worst insensitive and even callous. Perhaps the key for us is not to separate these words from the rest of the verse. Paul continues—“rather, bring up all of your requests to God…” In other words, don’t try to hold onto them on your own. We all know what can happen when we keep things bottled up inside. God desires for you to share your concerns in your prayers. Then, however, Paul goes on to offer a crucial reminder. Don’t just give God your laundry list. Remember to give thanks also. Gratitude is the perfect antidote to the whiney life. These times of post-pandemic, derecho recovery, and inflation are enough to cause anyone a certain amount of stress. Rather than holding onto any anxiety, share it with God. And while you do, take time to give thanks for the things about St. Paul’s UMC that have blessed your life and the lives of others. As we move forward in our Pathway to Generosity, pray that your decision about participating will be shaped by gratitude rather than anxiety. __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Friday, September 16 2022
 Read Philippians 1:3-6 “I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy.” -Philippians 1:4 The journey of the Christian faith is one that is meant to be shared. Having a few good friends along the way can make all the difference. The Apostle Paul was especially grateful for the friendships he had formed in the city of Philippi. The people there had been a tremendous source of support and encouragement to him in his ministry. Imagine what a challenging life Paul had. His commitment to spread the gospel took him across thousands of miles under difficult circumstances and with many hardships. His life included imprisonments, beatings, illness, and shipwreck. Yet, whenever he thinks of the Philippians, he smiles and he gives thanks. From the beginning, one of our values has been the formation of a community where diverse strangers are becoming friends. So many great friendships have been fostered over the years among the people in this church, and these friendships have become a source of mutual support and encouragement. They strengthen us, especially in times of struggle. Give thanks today for the blessing of friends, especially those who have helped nurture your faith along the way. Imagine all the friendships still yet to be made through this church and the opportunity we have to help bring those to fruition. What friend might benefit from receiving a note of encouragement from you today? __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Wednesday, September 14 2022
 Read Psalm 138 “I give thanks to you with all my heart, LORD. I sing your praise before all other gods.” -Psalm 138:1 What a blessing it is that, embedded in our Holy Scriptures, we have inherited the Psalms, the songbook of the people of Israel. Like a family heirloom handed down, this gift is to be cherished by those of us who have received it. One of its treasures is the expression of the full range of human emotions. In its pages, we find permission to come before God when we are sad or happy, angry or at peace, confused or resolved, disappointed or content. A primary perspective that we find in the Psalms is one of gratitude. In fact, you might say that the repetition of gratitude throughout this songbook is how we remember to keep the main thing the main thing. To give credit where credit is due. In the beginning of Psalm 138, we hear a congregational response to the first commandments given to God’s chosen people: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt” and “You shall have no other gods before me.” Perhaps we smirk and say that the days of other gods are long gone. No reasonable person today would consider assigning responsibility for our well-being to some other god before the One who has delivered us…or would we? While we may not bow before the totem pole or the golden calf, more contemporary imposters have captivated us…the stadium, the stock market, the salary, to name a few. Reading through the Psalms frees us from the deception. God and God alone deserves our praise. Let us indeed offer our gratitude for all the LORD has done. Take a look at your calendar and your checkbook. What gods do they suggest may be distracting you from the One who deserves your thanks and praise? __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Tuesday, September 13 2022
 “Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good, because his faithful love endures forever.” -1 Chronicles 16:34 I Love You Forever is the title of one of the best-loved children’s books of all-time. It is the tale of a mother’s persistent love that knows no bounds and is ever-present for her son. The story has a familiar ring to it for people of Christian faith. The God we encounter in the pages of the Bible is one whose faithful love endures forever. This is the true measure of God’s goodness—that God would love us no matter what; that there is nowhere we can go and nothing we can do that would cause God not to love us. Thanks be to God! There is an interesting twist at the end of that little children’s book. When the mother grows old, the once-cradled boy who has been loved unconditionally responds in gratitude. In her final days, he is the one doing the cradling--first holding his mother, then opening his heart to offer that same kind of love to his newborn daughter. So it is in the life of faith. God’s faithful love elicits our gratitude, which overflows in loving actions toward others. As the church, we are called to extend that love especially toward those who have never known it. How is gratitude for God’s faithful love to you leading you to offer yourself and your resources in sharing that love with others? __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013.
Monday, September 12 2022
 Read Colossians 3:15-17 “Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” -Colossians 3:16b For Christians, singing has always been important. Multiple New Testament verses testify to this early church practice for communicating with God. Music touches us deeply in ways that nothing else can. Our roots as Methodists also reveal a love for music as a means of expressing our faith. Charles Wesley composed hundreds of hymns, a number of which we still sing today—“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” for example. And John Wesley thought it was so important that he wrote instructions for congregational singing, including the exhortation to “sing lustily!” When it comes to expressing thanks, then, it’s no surprise that we are encouraged to sing to God. Consider the great hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” In the chorus, when we sing “all I have needed thy hand hath provided,” how could our hearts not swell with a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude is the first stop for us on this journey of imagining the future. When we remember with gratitude the many blessings God pours into our lives, our hearts begin cultivating the desire to be a blessing for others. So sing out today…and don’t worry if the neighbors hear you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! What are some of God’s provisions for which you are grateful? __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Sunday, September 11 2022
 For the next four weeks, people of all ages in the St. Paul’s family will be praying and seeking God’s guidance for our congregation. We hope this devotional guide will help prepare your heart as you imagine the future of St. Paul’s UMC and consider how you are being called to participate in making it happen. It contains four weeks of devotions, five per week, for a total of twenty devotions. Each one is contained on a single page and designed to coincide with that week’s theme. Each day, we encourage you to find a time and place where you can take a few uninterrupted moments to read through that day’s devotion. You may want to have a highlighter and pen handy to mark anything that stands out and to write down your responses to the accompanying questions. Lastly, take a moment each day to reflect on the question, “Lord, what do you want to do through me?” We hope you enjoy the journey! __________________________________________ McKenzie, Scott and Miller, Kristine. The Journey Begins. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2013. Thursday, September 01 2022
 Early morning at the farm Saturday, August 27, 17 women gathered for a retreat in a place called Land Alliance Folk School, which is on a farm south of Oxford, Iowa. The title of the retreat was Curds & Honey: God’s Provision and the Tension of Trust. Sponsored by St. Paul’s United Women in Faith (formerly known as United Methodist Women), all women of St. Paul’s and their friends were invited. The speaker for the day, Anna Geyer, is also owner of the Folk School. An enterprising woman with many interests, she is a farmer, a mother, an artist and preacher with a Mennonite upbringing. Her endeavors include Anna’s Cutting Garden and floral arranging, Geyer’s Oven pizza on the farm, the Folk School, and teaching courses in entrepreneurship: “the economy of enough.” Anna Geyer Anna’s source material included quite a few chapters of the Book of Isaiah, and a look back to Chronicles. We had a bit of a history lesson to see what two kings and nations did in times of threat: how did they respond to fear? One trusted God. King Jehosephat went to God and asked what to do, and the nation humbled themselves with fasting, and approached their enemy singing praise to God. The other, King Ahaz did not trust, but sought the protection of another nation that in turn oppressed them. The difference was their orientation toward God. Anna’s suggestion for how to become oriented toward God is Sabbath. Whether that means taking a literal Sabbath day of rest, or finding other practices in which we regularly humble ourselves in the presence of God and allow ourselves to be refined. This takes courage! It’s like Anna shared, that God’s presence is like water: it can be a gentle pool, and a mighty flood. But that courage to live in God’s presence allows us to be formed in a way that shapes every other part of our lives. “Provision” art print by Stephanie Heifner Another theme from the day is the provision of God, even in times of destruction. In Isaiah, the agricultural fields are overtaken by briars, bees, cows, and sheep live there, and the people have curds and honey to eat. I created some art to accompany this theme, including the print above. When I imagined the thorns and briars, I saw blackberry brambles, and they remind me of the sweetness and abundance that can be found, even as I am threatened by the sharp prickles. One of the other art pieces that I created to display at the retreat is a papercut wreath. As I was preparing for the retreat, I kept thinking of the quote, “Even a wounded world is feeding us,” from the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. So the plants in this piece are plants that the author wrote about in the book, including wild strawberries, sugar maples, beans, and squash. I also added blackberries to connect the piece with my other work. Title TBD, papercut by Stephanie Heifner It was a beautiful day in a beautiful setting. We were visited by the friendly farm cat and chickens. We had time to spend in the open air in solitude or visiting with each other. There were paths to wander in the garden or among the trees, and spots to sit and rest. Kristin Simon shared, “I miss the ‘farm life’ and enjoyed the location very much. I even picked green beans which brought back many good memories. It was good to visit with all the ladies and learn an unusual Bible lesson.”
Thursday, September 01 2022
 Spirited Living: Grateful for Grapes As we roll into September or drag our heels at the thought of fall approaching, we are in the peak of the California table grape season. They're the ones in the grocery stores versus those grown for wine. Since grapes arrive in our stores pretty much year-round, I don't usually think of them as seasonal, but they are. Right now, and into November we'll see the greatest variety of the year. No longer just green, red or black (purple), grapes now come to use with a fascinating range of subtle flavors and some surprising shapes and textures. “Cotton Candy” and “Gum Drop” really taste like their names. I love the green “Autumn Crunch” that snap when I bite into them and the weird, almost finger-shaped purple “Moondrop” grapes taste very sweet and, well, like grapes. While we usually think of grapes for snacking or in a fruit salad, they can be cooked as well. Check out www.grapesfromcalifornia.com for creative recipe ideas, and a lot of interesting information about grapes. Nutrition-wise, I don't consider grapes superstars, but they do contribute small amounts of vitamin C and Vitamin A, lots of water and a bit of fiber. One cup (my infamous “handful”) provides around 60 calories coming from about 15 grams of carbohydrate. They also contribute some of those phytonutrients being studied for their possible protective effects against all kinds of maladies including heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer and more. I don't believe that they're going to find eating grapes a practical way of protecting us from every conceivable nasty disease out there, but the research may find useful components in grapes. Typically, those powerful chemicals must concentrated to be effective. Moving back to everyday practicality, grapes might help satisfy a sweet tooth with fewer calories. They add variety to our fruit choices and they are just plain pretty. Enjoy the grape season by keeping some washed and ready to eat in the refrigerator. Blessings on those who grow and harvest grapes for our enjoyment. |
