Sunday Reflection (December 10, 2023)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboThrough the divine initiative of forgiveness, we are brought into fellowship with God and one another by Jesus Christ who revealed God’s glory in the flesh (Mark 1:1-5). Although the way of Christ stands in judgment against our way of sin, there is also hope because of divine forgiveness, confession, and repentance. There is the hope of peace with God and others.
Following Jesus Christ is much more than a one-time heartfelt experience. It is a daily experience of confession, repentance, making amends when possible. It is about bringing God’s love to the world. God has done God’s part through the shortcut of forgiveness and acceptance. What’s your response to God’s grace?
Prayer for the Week (December 10-December 16, 2023)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboLet us pray that we anticipate the coming of Jesus our Savior: God our Father, you sent your Messiah into our world with the power of love and compassion. May all your people accept him in faith so that Christ be birthed and grow within us and among us. May your Church be faithful to the Gospel of justice and peace. Amen.
(Claretian Publications)
Sunday Reflection (December 3, 2023)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboThe Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians that we in Christ’s Church have also been made into a people of God (1 Corinthians 1:2-8). We have been called into the light of God’s love revealed to us in Christ Jesus. Paul challenges us to remain steadfast to the end so that we be blameless at his coming, yet who believes that he or she will be blameless to the end? We can hope, but let’s be real: “All our righteousness is as filthy rags and we all have gone astray” as Isaiah said.
Paul presents us with a challenge, but with that challenge is a comfort, not a loophole, a comfort: “God is faithful!” God is faithful to us despite our imperfections. God is faithful “to infinity and beyond.” We have been brought into fellowship and friendship with God through Jesus Christ. “Our calling is not just to perform a mission or to obey certain norms; rather, we are called into a relationship of intimate mutuality with one another in Christ” (Richard Hayes). May we respond to God’s faithfulness by our being faithful to God and others: “To infinity and beyond!”
Prayer for the Week (December 3-December 9, 2023)
/in From the Pastor/by Diane PalumboFaithful God, tear open the heavens and come to dwell among us, that we might be enlivened by your presence. Reveal your ever-present activity among us so that our hearts be renewed, and our minds inspired to join your mission. Work with us, as the potter works with clay, that we might be molded for your good purposes. We pray in the name of Christ, who draws close to us, that we might draw closer to you, our God. Amen.
(Connections Worship Companion)
INTERESTING LINKS
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Worship Service on November 24, 2024 10:30 am
- Worship Service on December 1, 2024 10:30 am
- Worship Service on December 8, 2024 10:30 am
- UMW Monthly Meeting on December 10, 2024 10:30 am
- Worship Service on December 15, 2024 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