Verona United Methodist Church

December 17, 2017 Save the Memories, But keep your eyes on the prize.

      In 1985 Salem High School was a powerhouse in football. The only thing they hadn't won was the state championship. Enthusiastic about their team and believing that a long string of state championships lay ahead, the city invested 2.2 million dollars in a 7,500 seat stadium that was better than many small college stadiums and certainly better than any other high school stadium in Virginia.

       The years went by and Salem repeatedly failed to win the state finals. In 1991 they played my son's team from Spotsylvania in the championship game and fell again. It wasn't until 1996, eleven years after the stadium was built, that they finally achieved their goal of winning the title game. Since that time they have nine state championships in football and the stadium hosts championship games each fall, including the Division III College Championship game.

       I'm sure that the eleven years between the building of the stadium and the first Salem High School championship were tough years. I can imagine people saying they had wasted their money, that the dream was just a dream and that the team would never win the big one.

       That must have been how many people in Israel felt before the birth of Christ.They had a huge temple that was one of the wonders of the world. They had the promises of the prophets that a Messiah was coming who would turn their losses into victories. But where were those victories? When would they win the big one?

       It's important in life to never lose our faith in the promises of God. We look back and hold fast to the memories of what he has done in the past. But it is our hope in Jesus that keeps us holding on.

                                                                 In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

Luke 2:8-20

December 3, 2017 Save the Gift Wrap, But don't forget the gift.

       It's so easy to get caught up in the "gift wrapping" that comes along with our Christmas celebration. You know, the beauty of the lights and the greenery, the stories and traditions, the memories that deepen our longing for a Christmas "just like the ones we used to know."

       It's so easy to become infatuated with the wonders of Christmas that we might miss the irreplaceable gift inside the wrapping - Jesus Christ.

       This week we begin our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.

       I hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as mine. If, like me, you ate a bit too much pumpkin pie and turkey, December might be a good time to fast in preparation for Christmas and the new year (I hear some of you laughing but I'm serious!).

In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

Isaiah 53:1-12

November 19, 2017 The Days of Whine and Woeses

     This Sunday is just four days before Thanksgiving! To help turn our hearts toward a spirit of thanksgiving, we will have three special guests joining us from Woe Is Us UMC in Lowland County, Virginia:

These three experts on whining and grumbling will share some of the challenges they face at Woe is Us UMC and how they have learned to tolerate life in a dysfunctional church.

After the staff from Woe Is Us UMC shares their wisdom with us, I will join with Shawna Hiner and Joy Tinsley in a time of reflection about moving our hearts toward thanksgiving for the blessings we have received by God's grace.

In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

Romans 12:4-21

November 5, 2017 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven- All Saints Sunday

   The Kingdom of Heaven must be an "upside down Kingdom."

Every person I've ever met who lived out the beatitudes of Matthew 5 lived against the tide of human culture. They saw the world through Kingdom eyes and knew that obedience to God was the highest calling. That obedience would humble their hearts; cause them to be merciful when the world called for revenge; give them the courage to withstand human condemnation in exchange for God's approval.

You have had those blessed saints in your lives. This Sunday is a day to remember all those who lived out the Kingdom values of Matthew 5; who were made holy by the grace of God in Jesus Christ; who now rest from their labors.

Truly, theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday. Give thanks for all the saints in your life who are no longer on "this earthly plain" but who have blessed your life by their Godly love and example. I hope you will join us in worship as we light candles and offer up prayers for these loved ones.

Peace in Our Lord, Pastor Bob

Matthew 5:1-12