“Devotional”

No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” Matthew 6:24

“Read this!” Sara said to me as she placed a devotional book in my hands while I was eating breakfast.  “This was my devotional this morning and I was really blessed by it.”  I put down my phone, on which I was reading some news story, and picked up her devotional book.  As I did, I thought about how I wished I had the time for a morning devotional routine like Sara does. 

This is a total lie.  I do have the time.  I sleep in later than Sara does.  I take time before I get out of bed to glance over news stories and check my email and respond to any texts I received overnight.  I might even play a round of trivia or two before getting out of bed.  And then I wonder why I don’t have the time for a morning devotional like Sara does.

The word “devotional” refers to an act, typically of a religious nature, one uses to display their devotion.  Obviously, the root of this term is the word devotion, which is synonymous with words like loyalty, affection, and love.  A devotional time shows to who or what we are devoted.  So, the reality is that I do practice a devotional every morning.  The only problem is that my devotional is not what it should be.  Instead of spending time devoted to spending time with God, reading His Word and seeking greater understanding, I devote my time to more meaningless pursuits. 

Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters.  We must pick what will be the master, the top priority in our lives.  All too often I choose to allow things other than God to be my master.  Jesus was speaking specifically about money when he talked about the two masters, but money isn’t the only problem.  We allow many things to become the object of our devotion – money, power, information, gossip, success, our kids, sports, comfort – and eventually those objects become our master.  We allow these things to become the top priority in our lives and we mistakenly lament that we just don’t have enough time to show devotion to the things that really matter.  I show more devotion to my desire to be informed about the latest news than I do to spending time in God’s Word.  Without meaning to, I have chosen to serve that master instead of God. 

This week I invite you to consider to what or whom you show your devotion?  What are the masters you serve?  If your devotion is to something other than our God, I invite you to consider what one or two small changes could you make in your daily routine to better reflect the real master of your life? 

It is an honor to be your pastor and to walk alongside you as we seek to be fully devoted to an amazing God.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This week our message is titled “Jesus People.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the Book of Acts, chapter 4, verses 8-12 and 18-20.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied: Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?  You be the judges!  As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!”

Acts 4:8-12, 18-20

We will begin our service with the song Old Church Choir by Zach Williams.  Our hymns for Sunday include: How Great Thou Art, and Are Ye Able.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is How Great is Our God, by Chris Tomlin. 

As the COVID-19 virus continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

I continue to receive questions about our practices of social distancing, mask-wearing and other considerations in place as a result of COVID-19.  If you’re at all like me, you are ready to be back to “normal,” and have had enough with all these changes.  The trouble is, COVID is still a threat.  We need to remain vigilant in these practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing our masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing our hands as often as appropriate.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.   Even though it doesn’t feel like it, this will be over someday.

Announcements

Small Groups Forming: September 20 Pastor Chris will begin a new five week message series titled “Active Faith.”  As part of this series, we are forming some small groups to continue to discussion about developing an active faith life.  These groups will meet for five weeks at various times throughout the week.  There are signup sheets listing the various options in the Sanctuary by the south doors.  We hope you will prayerfully consider participating in one of these groups.

New Prayer Group Forming: Praying together is faithful, effective, and important to God. If you have been wanting to grow in prayer and join together with others in praying for our church, our community, and our world, consider becoming part of this Wednesday morning prayer group that will meet weekly on Zoom at 8:15.  We will stay short and focused, just 15-20 minutes.  No books or special knowledge are required, and “silent types” will not be asked to pray our loud.  Come now and then, or every week if you can!  Contact Evelyn Rogers at 537-1724 or RogersES@missouri.edu.  We begin on September 23.

Help Wanted! We have four very eager children in our Pre-K Sunday School class who are in need of a teacher. We use a wonderful curriculum produced by Cokesbury (the United Methodist Publishing house) to help with the weekly lessons. If you feel led to provide leadership and direction to these four (and maybe more) young learners, please speak with Melissa Baker or Pastor Chris. Your help could plant seeds of faith for many years to come.

Fellowship Cruise: Bring the family and your bikes to the Katy trailhead on Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 pm. We will meet at the Rails and Trails Visitor Center, ride a few miles to the MFA inlet/outlet, have a few snacks, and ride back. The Education Committee will provide drinks and snacks. Let’s build our endurance together as a church family.

Events this week:

Saturday, September 12: United Methodist Men, 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday, September 13: Youth Group, 4-6 pm at the Jackson’s home.

Monday, September 14: TOPS, 9:30 am

Mid-State District Hub meeting, 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 15: Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee, 6:00 pm

PEO, 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 16: Bible Study, 9:00 am in the Church Lounge

Thursday, September 17: Baby Grace, 5:00 pm in the Church Annex

Closing Words of Wisdom:

It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people. ” ― John Wesley