An Altogether Peace

We dedicated the first Sunday of Advent to Peace. We pondered what it might look like if we each truly embraced the Peace that Jesus offers. Not the peace that is defined by the world — assuming more power and more possessions will bring peace. This is a temporary peace because with power comes more responsibilities and stress, our possessions wear out.

Instead, Jesus says, “I give you my peace.” In our study, “Almost Christmas,” we are reminded that Jesus isn’t giving us a peace like his. Jesus is giving us his peace. Jesus is giving us a part of himself.

Jesus’ peace allows us

to forgive,

to face uncertainties with confidence,

to welcome the stranger,

to release the greed and self-indulgences,

to be authentic

to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

to love our neighbor and to love ourselves.

So, if you’ve tried all of the above and are left confessing, “I just don’t have it in me,” I encourage you to spend time this Advent Season to explore what is in you — what is filling your heart, mind, and soul. What is strengthening you?

Fill me with your Peace, O God.

May all that is in me praise you.

May all that is in me be redeemed by your Love.

May all that is in me rest in your Promise to never leave me or forsake me.

Fill me with your Peace, O God,

An Altogether Peace.

Pastor Jo

November 29, 2022

Our Real Work

In The Real Work by Wendell Berry we find these words:

It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work,

and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.

I have mixed emotions about this thought but I imagine if I had the ability to accurately review events in my life I might see that in those moments of uncertainty and feeling lost God led me to purpose and God never lost sight of me.

Maybe like me you can recall how some of the “the worst moments” in life have led you to “the best moments.” As we gathered in worship on Consecration Sunday we remembered that even in the worst of time and the best of time we carry a hope into what is and what is to be.

This is a time — a crucial time — when we must find clarity in our “real work” and a clear path for our “real journey.”

We have much to celebrate! Not only the new members, but the faithfulness of those members who have remained diligent in the work of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Let us never forget that this is our “real work.” And, our “real journey” begins when we notice that we do not journey alone. We have God’s guidance and we have each other.

Let us be “real” in the work we do for Jesus.

Pastor Jo

November 14, 2022

Consecration Sunday

If we think Consecration Sunday is about dropping a card in a basket we need to think again. Wikipedia succinctly describes Consecration as the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred." This Sunday we will gather to offer praise to God and to consecrate our 2023 financial commitment. This commitment is also a statement of faith — not only in God but in the plans God has for us — to invite God to take what we offer and use it for what is sacred. We continue to celebrate how God is taking what we offer and use it to change lives-- even our very own. We have heard testimonies of how God is at work in the lives of his people called Gretna United Methodist Church. Our church continues to be committed to "connecting a diverse community to a lifestyle devoted to Jesus." Let us continue to pray about how God would have us support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness as we grow in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This Sunday we will also have a team living it out as we share a meal with the unhoused at St. Mark’s UMC in the Quarter! (Please let us know if you’d like to be a part of this awesome experience!) God is a God who always meets us where we are and journeys with us every step. So, as we celebrate all that God has done for us and through us, we are also invited to dream and explore new possibilities in how we will reconnect to God and one another through ministries and outreach. Consecration Sunday! Join us at 10 am as we Celebrate with worship And a delicious potluck lunch And the burning of the mortgage! YES! The burning of the mortgage! Hallelujah!!!

Pastor Jo

November 9, 2022