I am pleased to share that all of the required documents have been signed and delivered to make our merger with The Open Door UMC become official as of July 1, 2019. Thank you for your prayers, support, and presence at meetings to facilitate this process. God is guiding us all into a new chapter of ministry together, and I am honored to be a part of this journey! (Note: The first official service after the merger will be Sunday, July 7 with one combined service at Grace UMC at 10 AM followed by a church picnic on the grounds. Make plans to be here that day as we worship as one combined congregation).
This Sunday, June 23, my message will focus on Galatians 3:23-29, and the message title is “The Power of One.” What does it mean to be united in Christ? How do we maintain our unique identities, gifts and talents while at the same time sharing a common connection as the body of Christ on earth? We can easily have our Christian identity hijacked by factionalism and an excessive focus on orthodoxy.
Jesus calls us to an identity that is grounded in the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Obedience to the Holy Spirit will lead to less arguing about ideas and doctrines and more practical engagement in making God’s love real and tangible to all people. I think this is Paul’s general message in Galatians.
I hope you will plan to worship at Grace this Sunday, and invite a friend. I remain honored to serve this community.
Pastor Steve Hart