I believe that Paul’s secret to joy amid hardship is found in the prayer of encouragement that he prays for the church in Philippians 1:9-11. Gratitude grows out of receiving and sharing the love of God through Jesus Christ. As Paul was transformed from an embittered persecutor of Christians to a joyous and gracious example for Jesus Christ, so can we.

We are a light for Jesus Christ. Let it shine. People may have missed us before, but now we will again be a light for Jesus Christ at 1800 Stonebridge Drive. 

In 1 Chronicles 29, the prophet Ezra writes about the method King David uses to raise the funds for the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezra writes that David revealed in detail what he was willing to give to the building of the Temple. It was an extravagant offering. By making his commitment public David inspired the leadership and then the people to a level of generosity never before seen in Israel. 

This passage has often haunted me. Does God want me, as the pastoral leader of this congregation, to share in detail my financial commitment to the work of Stonebridge United Methodist Church? This year, God is challenging Amy and me to take a huge step in faith in our giving, to step forward as leaders in the work of Stonebridge UMC. 

We are the church because of the host of saints who have gone before us. We stand on their shoulders as followers of Jesus. I will be preaching this Sunday on James 2:14-20 and Romans 12:1. These passages lead us to consider the difference between faith (our acceptance of and salvation through Christ) and action (living as a disciple of Christ). James goes so far as to say, “faith without works is dead”. These are hard words for us.

Mediocrity is the opposite of power. We fall into the trap of thinking partial effort — 80% if necessary, 50% when we can get away with it — is good enough. 

We see this all too often in our faith lives. Following Christ can be a challenge.  Faithful worship, being active in prayer, studying the Bible, and serving as a member of the body of Christ all take time in a time-pressure culture. “How much is enough?” some might ask. 

For me, I do not think it is possible to be a growing and serving disciple of Jesus Christ without weekly worship, weekly participation in a small group, and a daily prayer life. Anything less will compromise our connection to our Lord.

What Prayer does for us…

• Lowers stress levels dramatically and prevents stress-related health problems.

• Reduces blood pressure and boosts heart health.

• Makes you a happier person.

For seventy-one years, Ruthie Taylor belonged to a small Presbyterian church in South Carolina. Ruthie was known all over town for her love of the church. Every Sunday for fifty years she would invite and bring someone to church. That was her mission in life. 

On the Sunday following the day she died, the minister of that little church did a great thing. As he announced her passing, he asked everyone in the service that morning that had come to the church for the first time with Ruthie to please stand. All but eighteen out of the 120 people in that service stood!!!

Who will be the Ruthie Taylor for Stonebridge UMC this Sunday?
Will it be you?

Last evening as Amy and I prayer walked the Stonebridge UMC property, God gave me a vision. We were on the northeast corner of the property, and I looked toward Celebration Hall where the cross of Christ rises dramatically above the building. I was praying for our worship services. Praying that God would bring just the right people at just the right time to be touched by the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, the sun broke from behind a cloud and lit up the cross like a beacon. It was incredible! These words from a hymn came to mind, “Lift high the cross, the cross of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore His sacred name.”

This was God's message for me. Lift high the cross of Christ. Let the presence of Christ prevail in everything we do. Believe that through our Lord Jesus Christ, a new vitality and community will be born at Stonebridge UMC. I went to the scriptures. The words were there in John 12:32, “Jesus said, ‘And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to me.’” 

Why do we spend so much time on issues that are destructive to our work together when there is so much good happening?  I am not sure I can answer that question.  But the next time I hear someone knocking the church or our nation, I am going to let them know about the massive work that is being done by the United Methodist Church. Instead of joining in the debate, let’s get to work and work together to make our community, our nation, and our world more like the Kingdom of God that Christ has called us to build. 

The Spirit is moving at Stonebridge UMC. Our attendance continues to grow as people are returning to worship and new people are filling the seats. Our youth group has more than doubled in attendance. Each Sunday, we are blessed by new children joining our ministries. The energy is fueling our missions as we collected 92 Harvest Boxes for Meals on Wheels. (Our goal was 20). 

Let’s not keep Stonebridge UMC a secret anymore. Let us shout from every rooftop that God is moving and working in people’s lives. Now is the time to let your friends know, something special is happening at Stonebridge UMC. Just say the words, “Come and see.” 

God is moving and working at Stonebridge UMC. We are building momentum as people are returning to worship and responding to the call to service and spiritual growth. Now is the time to invite friends and family to worship. Spread the good word, challenge yourself and others to reconnect with the church, and let’s see what God can do among us!

Things are buzzing around Stonebridge UMC. Every week, something special happens. New people showing interest, new opportunities are rising, and people are stepping forward to make our ministries great for Christ.

School is back. Football season is just around the corner. The weather is still hot, but the cool days of fall are just a few weeks away. Hallelujah! 

The good news is that these hot August days have not cooled our attendance and energy in worship. Each week the energy and attendance have been growing and building. For three weeks in a row, we have had more in worship than any Sunday (other than Easter) this year. People are returning to worship, and new individuals and families are coming each Sunday. Most exciting is that our children’s ministry has more than doubled in the past month. Hallelujah!

Hope is contagious. I know… life is not a kid’s baseball game. We are dealing with more serious issues than being undersized. But… we have the creator of the universe on our side. We have the King of kings as our redeemer. Believing that anything is possible in God’s hands is the first step to making everything in God’s hands possible.

“A member of your church invited me to come to worship at Stonebridge. I had told my kids before service....let's try some churches. And find our home. Pastor John....when we left today two things were said by my kiddos.... "When can we come again?!!!" and "mom, please don't take us other places. Can we please come back here?" And personally for me....your message today felt like it was written directly for my ears to hear. I had goosebumps during your sermon. I have been that person you talked about for a long, long time...  "I can connect with God outside of church. I don't need the church". Etc! I am fired up Pastor John. And it all brings me back to that plan... Things happen for a reason. Someone gave me that nudge last night at 11:30... The Holy Spirit maybe?!!!”

Why the Church? The Church is the place where the Good News is proclaimed. The Church is the place where the joy and hope of Christ is expressed through God’s faithful. The Church is the place where the Spirit of God is multiplied into a life changing force. There is no other place like the Church. We may not be perfect. We may make mistakes. But the Church is the place of God’s ultimate victory. Jesus put it this way, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church.” Why the Church? Because revival is coming and the Church will be the center of this great movement of the Spirit. 

We are finishing up Vacation Bible Camp. It has been an exciting week. The response of Stonebridge UMC to help with VBC has been overwhelming. Here is the best part… I think the volunteers in some cases have had more fun than the kids. It has been an awesome week! 

We live in a world divided by hate where the average person is more and more isolated. Fear and anxiety are common as we have experienced the decline of our society and the erosion of the values that hold us together as communities.

But… every great movement of the Holy Spirit has taken place when the world seemed lost beyond hope. I believe that we are on the verge of another great awakening. Especially now, people need the hope of Jesus Christ and the community of the Church. The words of Jesus still ring true, "Do you want to be healed?" Jesus is offering the words of hope and opportunity.

God’s grace is amazing. Just as God used Peter, so God can use anyone… even me. God uses us for his work not because of our abilities but because of our willingness to let God use us as God’s servants. It’s not about me, but rather what God can do through me. 

I believe that God smiles when we put our lives in the Master’s hands. In that moment we experience the joy of being all that God created us to be. The problem for most of us is that we see the obstacles and barriers. God sees the possibilities and opportunities. We see the limits of this life. God sees the potential. We see what has been. God sees what can be.