Both of Grace UMC’s pastors share information via blogging. Pastor Steve Hart shares a message each week in the blog listing below, with his message also emailed out in our weekly Gracevine Newsletter. Associate Pastor Beth Burton also blogs, sharing thoughtful insights on faith and everyday life. Click here to visit Pastor Beth’s blog and see the latest messages from Pastor Steve below.
The scripture for Easter Sunday is Luke 24: 1-12. Of course, this is Luke’s version of the resurrection of Jesus. The two men (angels) who appeared in the tomb asked the women who were looking for Jesus, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” This one question is filled with meaning. When we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating life…
Holy week begins on Palm Sunday and includes the entire week leading up to Easter. I have found that experiencing and participating in every aspect of Holy week strengthens my faith. From Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the very personal and intimate time with the disciples on Maundy Thursday, to the darkness and agony of Good Friday, we…
I know that many Christians question the importance of regular, consistent church attendance. Sometimes the rationale for this questioning is the idea that we can study scripture and worship anywhere, even at home or with friends. However, the importance of consistent engagement in the life of the local church is rooted in our need to be present for new people who enter…
It is truly a wonderful time of year here on Merritt Island. I hope we can all appreciate the comfortable weather that is with us briefly, before the heat of summer comes in full force. Our campus looks especially nice, thanks to our trustees and many volunteers, including our lawn team, who work tirelessly because they love this church. Even on days…
As we continue into the Lenten season, some of the scripture readings can be quite challenging. For example, Luke 13: 1-9, the passage that will form the basis of this Sunday’s message, clearly refers to fig trees that do not bear fruit being cut down, and thereby destroyed. This is a parable, and one way of reading it is to assume a…
This Sunday, March 17, I am planning a message based upon the Old Testament minor prophet Zephaniah, focusing upon Zephaniah 3: 8-12. This passage offers insight into the anger of God, but the anger is clearly followed by an image of people who are “humble and lowly”, who are able to seek refuge in the Lord of all creation. When we get…
I hope you are entering into the Lenten season with a renewed focus upon growth as disciples of Christ. This Sunday, March 10, the scripture passage is Luke 4:1-13, and the message is entitled “You Can’t Play Just One Note.” We are excited to hear from Rev. John Gerth, the new executive director of Links of Hope, who will share a special…
This coming Sunday, March 3, is Transfiguration Sunday on the church calendar. We will be taking a close look at Luke 9: 28-36, and the message is entitled “Mountaintop Visions and Valley Realities.” Jesus’ appearance changed on the mountain, and the encounter with Moses and Elijah seems to have brought joy to Peter and John and James. But the joy was short-lived,…
Dear Grace Community: You may have seen the news about the results of the United Methodist Church’s General Conference, which concluded yesterday in St. Louis. The Traditional Plan was approved by a slim majority of the delegates from around the world. What this means is that the United Methodist Church’s ban on same sex weddings remains in effect, and the church’s Book…
Many stories about hidden treasure focus not on the difficulty of finding the treasure but on our failure to recognize the treasure in front of us. Jesus’ parables about the value of the kingdom of heaven involve ordinary objects, like mustard seeds, yeast, and pearls. People experience miraculous life changes upon seeing ordinary things with new eyes. The kingdom of heaven is…