Page 27 – First United Methodist Church of Galax

Devotion January 23, 2024

January 24, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Sunday Reflection (January 21, 2024)

January 22, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Reflection upon Nathaniel’s encounter with Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ in John 1:41-51, have your views of God, the Christ, the world, and others changed? Have your hatreds been addressed? Have your prejudices been challenged? Has your lack of compassion been noticed? Have your simplistic answers given way to a deeper understanding? I ask myself these same questions. In what ways has following Christ changed and challenged your life?

One aspect of a broader view is revealed in this person’s story: “When I understood that the words ‘love your enemies’ actually mean what they say, my whole understanding of Christ’s teaching suddenly changed. I was appalled at the peculiar way I had understood it until then. I know that all people everywhere are my brothers and sisters, yet the enmity between nations has caused untold evil and suffering. I must expose patriotism which puts the love of country above the love of humanity as a monstrous fraud. We are all children of the loving Father” (Leo Tolstoy as quoted in 366 Readings from Christianity). May God broaden our view of the world and others in merciful, kind, and loving ways.

Prayer for the Week (January 21, 2023-January 27, 2024)

January 22, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Let us pray for the gift of peace: Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth live in our hearts and reflect peace to others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Sunday Missal, alt.)

Sunday Sermon January 21, 2024

January 22, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Devotion January 17, 2024

January 17, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Devotion January 16, 2024

January 17, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Sunday Reflection (January 14, 2024)

January 16, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Remember your baptism and be thankful!

Prayer for the Week (January 14, 2023-January 20, 2024)

January 16, 2024/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Look upon us O Lord and let the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of your brightness. Fill us with holy love and open to us the treasures of your wisdom. All our desires are known unto you, therefore perfect what you have begun, and what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek your face, turn your face to us and show us your glory. Then shall our longings be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. Amen.

(St. Augustine)