Faith, Hope and Love At Greenwood UMC

What We Already Know

faithatgreenwood — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:40:36 +0000

This week I am meditating on Micah 6:8. It begins: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good.” Today it made me think about how many times I have heard from an earnest questioner, “How do I know what God wants?” And God answers in Scripture over and over, “I have told you what is good, but you have not listened. You want to create your own good, but that is not the way it works. I, says the LORD, have told you what is good.”

Musings on Philippians

faithatgreenwood — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:42:48 +0000

This coming Sunday’s sermon text is Philippians 1:27 – 2:11. Back earlier in January I heard a brief use of this text by Marc Brown at the Winchester District UMC training session. When I heard the verses read, I knew that I would use it for this week’s sermon without a doubt. I think Mark’s message that day was on point to that audience, but I also knew that when I spoke it would be before a different audience, yet one to which this passage would speak deeply.

The center of this text is the beautiful hymn Paul uses to illustrate a Christ-likeness we rarely see in the church at any time, but we occasionally have moment when we approach such rarified air of holiness. The hymn is this:

6      Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7      but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8      And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9      Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10      that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11      and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. [1]

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:6–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Thinking on Psalm 62

faithatgreenwood — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:41:35 +0000

“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and Salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” (NRSV)

It is really hard to wait on God in silence. We can wait, but as we wait we want to grab on to the distractions of the world to help us through the waiting. If you are a sports fan, you might take in this or that NFL, NBA, NHL, NHRA, or what ever acronym you chose in order to wait. If you are a music fan, there are so, so many choices in the air or online or in you r I-Pod or other device. Wait in silence? We ask why. But I remember that Elijah fled to the crevice of a rock and though distractions came his way, did not hear God except in the silence. That is why.

The wisdom of Billy Graham

faithatgreenwood — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:10:25 +0000

“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” – Billy Graham, who turns 93 today.
(Christian Post)

Lectionary Reading Nov 13, 2011

faithatgreenwood — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:42:46 +0000

Judges 4:1-7

Psalm 123 or Psalm 76

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

Lectionary Readings for Nov. 6, 2011

faithatgreenwood — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:16:30 +0000

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Psalm 78:1-7

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

Upcoming Events

faithatgreenwood — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:26:14 +0000

Wednesday, Oct 26, Community Dinner. starts at 6:00. Come and meet your neighbors and enjoy a wonderful meal with us. Invite a friend to come with you.

Monday, Oct 31, Trunk or Treat Fall Fest for the Family in Our Community. Pie Testing, Hot Drinks, And opportunity to meet your neighbors.

Lectionary Oct 30, 2011

faithatgreenwood — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:07:48 +0000

Joshua 3:7-17

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37

1 Thessalonians 2:19-13

Matthew 23:1-12

Lectionary Reading Oct 16, 2011

faithatgreenwood — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:23:06 +0000

Exodus 33:12-23

Psalm 99

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

Lectionary Reading October 9, 2011

faithatgreenwood — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:34:53 +0000

Exodus 32:1-14

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23

Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 22:1-14