Pastor's Page
In lieu of Pastor Don's monthly note, here is a message from Bill McAlilley, our District Superintendent:
Question: When did you awaken to God's longing for you? Was it last year, 10 years ago, last week or this morning...or are you still waiting?
Of all the gifts we United Methodists offer the world, none is more essential than the opportunity to invite persons to awaken to God's longing for them through the person of Jesus Christ. What seems like a lifetime ago, I read Paul Tillich's sermon, You are Accepted, as a seminary student. It is a message that is as fresh today as it was when Tillich wrote it. The sermon is about divine grace. Tillich writes that "sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying 'You are accepted,' accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know."
We sing Amazing Grace with the familiarity of an old friend. However, like an old friend whom we have known for long stretches of time, we tend to miss the details. Perhaps this week you might choose to sit down in a quiet place and listen for the graceful sounds around you and in so doing, hear God say His word of acceptance to you.
"I once was lost but now am found." Most of us have been lost at some time or another in some wilderness of our own making. When we stop long enough to listen, we discover that Jesus is not as far away as we imagined, reaching out His hand to us, accepting us, forgiving us, calling us to a deeper walk with Him.
We are people of Grace. May there be enough grace for you and for those you serve.
Serving through Grace with you.
Bill
