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
(Sunday Missal)
Let us pray for the faith to recognize God’s presence in our world: God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. May we cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with others, and to experience the joy of life in your presence. We ask 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.
the life of Joseph in Genesis
The central theme of the story is Joseph's decision to break the cycle of revenge and violence. Upon recognizing his brothers’ genuine remorse, Joseph embraced them and sought reconciliation. Contrary to expectations, Joseph’s brothers did not reap the consequences of their actions in kind; Joseph neither enslaved nor mistreated them. Instead, he extended forgiveness to restore familial relationships.
This narrative also reflects the revelation of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Through forgiveness, God initiates reconciliation and embraces humanity. However, the question remains: how do we pursue reconciliation with others? At a minimum, we can refrain from malice toward those from whom we are estranged. Ultimately, are we prepared to seek reconciliation to the extent possible? Both the story of Joseph and the story of Jesus affirm that reconciliation is attainable.
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