Sunday Reflection (February 2, 2025)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboSunday Reflection upon 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
As finite, limited beings, we are on a journey of grace and love guided by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, who forms Christ within us and among us, can turn even the most hardened hearts into vessels of grace and love. If these virtues do not naturally spring from your heart, turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Spirit empowers us to embody the Christian ideal of love and compassion in our words and actions.
When it comes to God’s love, do we truly believe in its power? Do we have unwavering faith in it? We must be vigilant against the world’s influence, which often leads us to think that destructive forces like bombs and weapons are more potent than God’s love. Let us hold onto the hope that God’s love triumphs over hate, malice, evil, and even death in the unfolding of time. As followers of Christ, let us have faith in God’s love, for it is the ultimate force that can transform our lives and the world around us. May love and compassion be the guiding principles of all our values.
Prayer for the Week (February 2-February 8, 2025)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboLet us pray that we grow in a genuine love of God and others: Lord God, our Father, you keep loving us, even when we fail you and one another. You even sent your own Son so that we learn to love you and others. Through the Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with a constant, grateful love that overflows to others. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Publications)
Sunday Reflection (January 26, 2025)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboSunday Reflection upon 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
The early Church from which we spiritually descended was uniform in its belief that Jesus Christ was the crucified Messiah who rose from the dead. The Holy Spirit forms each person as a unique part of any congregation. Diverse, different people, united by One Spirit, create a congregation of Christ’s Church. The role of the Holy Spirit in this unity is significant, as it is the Spirit that guides us, empowers us, and unites us in our diversity.
On a larger scale, the Holy Spirit unites a diversity of congregations and Churches to create the one Universal Church, which we term the catholic Church in the Apostles’ Creed. We all have a part in Christ’s Church. Let our diversity not overshadow our unity, and let our unity not diminish our diversity. Both are equally important and should be celebrated, all under the unifying influence of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer for the Week (January 26-February 1, 2025)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboLet us pray for unity and peace: All-powerful and ever-living God, direct your love within us and among us to bring unity and peace to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord who eternally dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen.
(Sunday Missal)
Prayer for the Week (January 19-January 25, 2025)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboPrayer for the Week
Let us pray that with Jesus as beloved sons and daughters of God: God our Father, with your whole people reborn in baptism we give you thanks. In Jesus, each of us has become your beloved son or daughter. Fill us with the fire of the Holy Spirit who guided Jesus in life and death. May the Holy Spirit set us free to serve you and one another with unselfish, grateful love.
Amen. (Claretian Pulbications)
INTERESTING LINKS
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Worship Service on March 2, 2025 10:30 am
- Worship Service on March 9, 2025 10:30 am
- UMW Monthly Meeting on March 11, 2025 10:30 am
- Worship Service on March 16, 2025 10:30 am
- Worship Service on March 23, 2025 10:30 am
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
PLEASE VISIT!
Galax First United
Methodist Church
306 West Center Street
Galax, VA 24333
(Get Directions)
Phone: 276-236-9937
Email: fumcgalax1@gmail.com
Sunday Services:
10:30 am