Worshipping Together

Greetings in the Name of Jesus,

Happy July 4th! 

This Sunday, July 6th, there will be one service in the RAC at 11:00 am. Breakfast will be available starting at 10:15 am. During our IMAGINE Listening Tour, the idea of occasionally combining our two worship services was discussed. This will provide an opportunity for our congregation to meet others attending different services.

We will have both the Celebration Choir and the full worship team leading us in song. I am excited about what we have planned for this July 4th weekend as we celebrate the freedom to express our faith in Christ. Let’s use this special service to get to know each other better. It’s our chance to eat breakfast and worship with those we have not yet met. It’s going to be a great time to share the love of Christ and meet someone new. 

The sermon will focus on the teachings of Jesus as he enters Jerusalem before the Crucifixion and Resurrection. I will be working from the VBS theme, True North – Trusting Jesus in a Wild World. In Matthew, chapters 18, 19 and 20, Jesus focuses on the values that set the followers of Jesus apart from the ways of our culture. 

Our nation is divided like no other time in my life. As Christians, we can offer another way to solve the problems of our nation. The way of Jesus is filled with mercy, grace, and finding common ground. Let’s show others a different way to live, filled with the grace and acceptance of Christ. 

As I close this email, I want to share something from our IMAGINE Listening Tour. A recurring theme was the excellence of our welcoming ministries. One person said, “Stonebridge United Methodist is the best church we have ever attended! The church is so welcoming!” 

I truly believe we are surrounded by individuals and families who long for a place to belong and be loved. This is our message… to live and love like Jesus – To be the most welcoming, joyous place on earth.

See you Sunday! Have a safe July 4th!

Pastor John Allen