An Open Door

Greetings in the name of our Lord!

I am so excited about the energy surging through our ministries. Last Sunday, we held our annual Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival. Our campus was alive with laughter, conversation, and fun. We estimated that more than 2,000 parents and children came through our parking lot as children played games, joined the cake walk, played in the bounce houses, and collected plenty of candy. Last year, we had just over 20 decorated trunks. This year, that number grew to 33, along with even more games and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Molly Gardner, our Children’s Director, told me she brought more candy than ever before—and still ran out! After a quick trip to the store for more, they ran out again. What an amazing afternoon and a beautiful picture of the way our church opens its heart to the community!

I had the privilege—and great fun—of serving as one of the judges for the children’s costume contest. There were dozens of kids who stepped forward for the contest. One of the winning costume featured a set of twins dressed as a washer and dryer. Another young girl came as Little Red Riding Hood, accompanied by her dog dressed as the grandmother. The creativity and joy of the kids brought smiles to everyone.

Thank you to the remarkable army of volunteers who made the Fall Festival possible. Your generosity, creativity, and faithful service created an afternoon filled with joy. As I moved through the crowd, parents noticed my pastor-name-badge and stopped me to ask about Stonebridge UMC. They asked about our church, worship times, and ministries for children. Those conversations reminded me that every game, every decorated trunk, and every piece of candy can become an open door through which someone experiences the love of Christ.

This Sunday promises to be another wonderful day of worship as we conclude our sermon series on what we believe. Together, we will explore what is distinctive about the Methodist tradition and the spiritual characteristics that shape us as Methodists.

As a pastor, I am often asked, “What do Methodists believe?” At the heart of our answer is the good news of Jesus Christ revealed in the New Testament. This Sunday, we will look more deeply at how the Gospel shapes not only what we believe but also how we live. We are a people formed by grace and sent into the world to embody that grace for others.

We will use Steve Harper’s brief book, Five Marks of a Methodist: The Fruit of a Living Faith, as our starting point. He draws on John Wesley’s tract “The Character of a Methodist,” identifying five marks of a living faith: a Methodist loves God, rejoices in God, gives thanks, prays constantly, and loves others. These are more than ideas to affirm; they are signs of grace taking root in our hearts and bearing fruit in our lives.

I cannot wait to worship with you this Sunday. Bring your friends and family. Come ready to celebrate the abundant grace of Jesus Christ and the love we are called to share with a world in need. God is doing beautiful things among us at Stonebridge UMC, and I am grateful that we get to be part of it together.

Blessings,

Pastor John Allen