Worship Preview 1.15.23 "What Great Thing I Know.."

This Weekend: Sunday at 10:30am “What Great Thing I Know…” Scriptures: Proverbs 3:1-6, Philippians 3:4(b)-14, John 1:29-45– with Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching.

Last week we celebrated both Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ. These kinds of "Ah-Ha!" moments help define our faith - but so do the "ordinary" days. As we are now well into the new year of 2023 and are resuming our routines of work and school and hopefully play and rest, the Christian calendar moves into a period of “ordinary time” which last until the next seasons of Lent and Easter. And yet, while there are not “holidays” - the Holy is still around us every day. We are called to be bearers of Christ in this time. We will begin worship Sunday with a beloved hymn “Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know.” It’s a joyful proclamation of faith experienced and lived. Not mere intellectual assent, but a transformed life and it is a great way to begin our new sermon series:Know, Grow, Serve, Share… exemplify. These key words, drawn from our mission statement, will guide us in these weeks of “ordinary time” to an extraordinary faith.

First UMC has had our current mission statement for about a decade – and it’s a good one: “Our Mission is: to share the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to exemplify the love of God by knowing Christ, growing in Christ, serving Christ and sharing Christ.” We will also be using a definition of Spiritual Formation by author Robert Mulholland to help us deepen our understanding: “Spiritual formation…is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ by the gracious working of God's spirit, for the transformation of the world.” Each week of the series we’ll take one of those key words from our mission statement and one of these phrases to explore our journey – individually and together.

No matter where you are on your own journey of faith, you are invited to join in worship and celebration at 10:30am at 301 S. National, coming just as you are, with your questions, doubts and hopes - and to experience the transformative, healing love and grace of Christ - which makes us whole. Visitwww.firstumcfsks.org/newvisitorsfor more information on what to expect.

Upcoming Events: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5:30pm Feeding Families in His Name –this weekly free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. We are thankful for all the volunteers from other area churches and community groups that make this meal possible each week.

Pastor Christopher’s “community office hours” will return in February.

Mark your calendar for our next “Shepherd’s Center: Adventures in Learning” event coming March 10th!