I welcome you to First United Methodist Church (FUMC). I pray that our worship leads you to an awareness of God’s presence in your life and among us.
If you are looking for a Church home, I hope you find First UMC to be that place. Our Church doors and communion table are open to you.
Sincerely in Christ’s love,
Rev. Mark B. McFadden
Pastor
(Claretian Publications)
Let us pray that our life and words speak out for the Lord: Lord God, our Father, we have experienced grace, love, and forgiving mercy from you. Your Son Jesus has brought us an unforgettable message of joy. Through the Holy Spirit, lead us to share with others the grace we have received from you. May our lives bear witness that Jesus walks by our side. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer is at the very heart of the ecumenical movement. Jesus prayed that we – his followers – may all be one. When we pray with and for one another, we can feel God’s gift of unity.
Jeremiah cautioned the people against their theological complacency, emphasizing that their sins would inevitably be judged. His prophetic stance and the lack of positive response from his audience deeply affected him. Jeremiah lamented his circumstances and questioned whether God had deceived him into accepting his prophetic calling. A similar expression of lament is found in Psalm 69, which resonates with us and is often interpreted in light of Christ’s sufferings. This psalm addresses feelings of abandonment and adversity, experiences that are universally relatable.
Although Jeremiah eventually found courage, it was a gradual process, and he endured significant suffering for remaining faithful to God and delivering a message that was unwelcome. While our situations may not mirror Jeremiah’s exactly, we all encounter challenges that make it difficult to remain faithful. Although others have faced greater hardships, this does not diminish the validity of our own struggles. May we, like Jeremiah, express our grievances to God honestly while also maintaining trust in God during adversity. This approach is integral to following Christ along the path of the cross.
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