March 4, 2018 Reviving the Soul
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." - Psalm 19:1
We have a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets here in the valley. On a clear night, as I walk my dog, I often look up at the stars and the ever-changing moon and wandering planets. Those moments, reveling in the beauty of the sky above, give me more understanding of the first verse of Psalm 19 than any Bible commentary can possible provide.
We need to take care during the season of Lent not to spend so much time with our heads bent down in self-examination that we fail to raise our eyes to the heavens and behold the glory of God. Lent is not a time for our souls to be weighed down - it's a season for our souls to be revived, renewed, and transformed. I hope you are spending time each day experiencing the joy of the Lord in creation, in His Word, and in the presence of His Spirit.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 19
- Mar 4, 2018Reviving the Soul
Reviving the Soul
March 4, 2018 Reviving the Soul
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." - Psalm 19:1
We have a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets here in the valley. On a clear night, as I walk my dog, I often look up at the stars and the ever-changing moon and wandering planets. Those moments, reveling in the beauty of the sky above, give me more understanding of the first verse of Psalm 19 than any Bible commentary can possible provide.
We need to take care during the season of Lent not to spend so much time with our heads bent down in self-examination that we fail to raise our eyes to the heavens and behold the glory of God. Lent is not a time for our souls to be weighed down - it's a season for our souls to be revived, renewed, and transformed. I hope you are spending time each day experiencing the joy of the Lord in creation, in His Word, and in the presence of His Spirit.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 19
- Feb 25, 2018They Will Know The Lord
They Will Know The Lord
February 25, 2018 They Will Know The Lord
The latter verses of Psalm 22 declare that one day the whole world will know the Lord and praise his name. What is our role in making our God known to the world? As disciples? As a church? Will the world praise God's name because of the lives we lead and the message we bring? We'll open God's Word and address these questions during worship this Sunday. Let's all come together to praise the Lord of all!
Our fifteen-strong mission team of men and women from VUMC and Aisle 7 will be heading to Florida this weekend for their week-long hurricane relief trip. Please keep them in your prayers!
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 22:23-31
- Feb 18, 2018Instruct Me O Lord
Instruct Me O Lord
February 18, 2018 Instruct Me O Lord
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 25:1-10
- Feb 11, 2018Don’t Get Too Comfortable
Don’t Get Too Comfortable
February 11, 2018 Don’t Get Too Comfortable
I've got to confess - I've got a love-hate relationship with comfort. Like most of us, it's a goal in life. To get to that place where you can retire, settle in with the TV remote and finally get to do what you've dreamed of all your life - nothing!
The fact is, Jesus is often a dis-comforting Lord. Churches want to settle in and avoid the messiness of an often nasty world - but Jesus says go into that world. Christians want to hang around like-minded people - but Jesus says go seek and serve the unlovable. Church members tend to hide behind the stained glass windows -but Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow him come what may.
So be prepared to be dis-comforted this Sunday by the message of Jesus.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Mark 1:29-39
- Jan 28, 2018Can We See Where The Spirit is Leading Us? Bob Weeks
Can We See Where The Spirit is Leading Us? Bob Weeks
Jan 28, 2018 Can We See Where the Spirit is Leading Us?
This Sunday we'll be asking the question "Can We See Where the Spirit is Leading Us?" This will be a great way to follow up the previous day's regional discussion of "a way forward" for The United Methodist Church at the Bishop's Chat & Chew at VUMC.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
I Corinthians 2:1-10 -11
- Jan 27, 2018Chat-N-Chew Bishop Sharma Lewis
- Jan 21, 2018Can We Hear God’s Call to Holiness?
Can We Hear God’s Call to Holiness?
Jan 21, 2018 Can We Hear God’s Call to Holiness?
During the month of January we are focusing on the issues that The United Methodist denomination has been struggling with for decades and whether there is a clear road forward toward reconciliation and unity.
This Sunday we'll be looking at the heart of John Wesley's message to the Church - holiness of heart and life. How does our current divide in teaching and practice relate to Wesley's idea of Perfect Love? While Wesley sought to wed the necessity of both obedience and grace in the Christian life, he was fully aware that both must be kept in balance lest obedience lead to legalism and grace to indulgence and disobedience. We see this same tension in the issues facing The United Methodist Church.
This sermon series is as important and difficult as any I've ever preached - let's all be in prayer together as we hear God's Word and will. While the issue of human sexuality has taken center stage as the heart of our division, I believe there are other deeper issues that must be addressed, including biblical authority and the place of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Lord and Savior. I hope you'll come and listen and then join me throughout January on Sunday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m. in the sanctuary for a time of questions and discussion.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Ephesians 4:17-32
- Jan 14, 2018Can We See Our Own Sin?
Can We See Our Own Sin?
Jan 14, 2018 Can We See Our Own Sin?
There are so many good things happening this month at Verona UMC. We just started a Sunday morning confirmation class for our youth and a new Sunday evening Bible study for adults. Through January from 5 to 6 p.m. I've invited anyone who wished to come and discuss that day's sermon to meet with me in the sanctuary. And on January 27th Bishop Lewis will be with us from 8:30 am to 2 pm for discussions around a way forward for The United Methodist Church.
There is also, of course, the return to a more regular routine after an event-filled Advent and Christmas season. B.L.A.S.T. for our children began again on Sunday evening and choir practices are back to their regular schedule.
I hope and pray you'll take advantage of any of these classes and events that will help you in your walk with Christ!
I also hope you will continue to pray for our congregation and United Methodist churches throughout the world as we move toward a specially-called General Conference in February 2019 to determine God's will for The United Methodist in the future.
______________________________
During the month of January we'll focus on the issues that The United Methodist denomination has been struggling with for decades and whether there is a clear road forward toward reconciliation and unity. This sermon series is as important and difficult as any I've ever preached - let's all be in prayer together as we hear God's Word and will. While the issue of homosexuality has taken center stage as the heart of our division, I believe there are other deeper issues that must be addressed, including biblical authority and the place of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Lord and Savior. I hope you'll come and listen and then join me throughout January on Sunday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m.. in the sanctuary for a time of questions and discussion.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
John 8:1-11
- Jan 7, 2018Can We Talk? Can We Listen?
Can We Talk? Can We Listen?
Jan 7, 2018 Can We Talk? Can We Listen
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you had a blessed Christmas celebration and time to reflect on the things that truly matter. As a church, God was generous in his blessings this past year - may we continue to move forward with faith in Him in 2018!
During the month of January we'll focus on the issues that The United Methodist denomination has been struggling with for decades and whether there is a clear road forward toward reconciliation and unity. This sermon series is as important and difficult as any I've ever preached - let's all be in prayer together as we hear God's Word and will. While the issue of homosexuality has taken center stage as the heart of our division, I believe there are other deeper issues that must be addressed, including biblical authority and the place of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Lord and Savior. I hope you'll come and listen and then join me throughout January on Sunday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m.. in the sanctuary for a time of questions and discussion.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
James 1:19-26
- Dec 31, 2017They Grow Up Too Fast
They Grow Up Too Fast
December 31, 2017 They Grow Up Too Fast
As I spend some time with my three Connecticut grandchildren (and Skype with my two older ones in Colorado), it's hard to believe how quickly they're growing up.
This Sunday's Scripture passage captures that all-to-familiar feeling of parents and grandparents who long to slow or even halt their children's development. Mary and Joseph have gone up to the Temple in Jerusalem to present their newborn son Jesus, just days after his birth. At the Temple, a righteous man named Simeon comes forward and prophesies of Jesus' life. In his short prophesy, this infant's entire life is encapsulated - all the glory and all the pain.
How quickly Jesus will grow up! Too soon, Mary will stand at the foot of his cross; and all the world will know that this baby, who's birth we celebrated a few days ago, is the Lamb of God, given for the sins of the world.
______________________________
We'll also announce this Sunday an important sermon series during the month of January focusing on the issues that The United Methodist denomination has been struggling with for decades and whether there is a clear road forward toward reconciliation and unity.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Luke 2:22-40