Greetings in the name of Christ, on November 5th (All Saints Sunday http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/all-saints-day-a-holy-day-john-wesley-loved), we will remember the saints who have gone before us with the reading of names of those called home to glory. If you have a name of a loved one who has died in the past year please notify the church office.
As we remember those we have lost we experience grief. This is the sorrow and pain we feel as we think about those no longer in our lives. A way to deal with this pain is to find our grief, find ourselves and find our new normal.
Find our Grief: This means acknowledging our loss. It is normal to experience grief when we lose someone we love. Sometimes we repress or hide pain of grief, pretending that the loss does not bother us. This is not healthy. It is okay to feel that pain that comes with grief. God has granted us the blessing of grief as a tool to cope with our loss. We should use it. Do not stay in our grief for long however.
Find Our Selves: We find ourselves when we acknowledge our pain and summon the nerve to continue on. In John 14, Jesus tells his disciples of his impending death. He urges them to not let their hearts be troubled, but to believe. Jesus is saying to not be paralyzed by this moment. To not be stuck in our grief forever. We find ourselves by putting our trust in God.
Find our New Normal: When a loved one passes away, we are left here to pick up the pieces. This is our new normal. Our lives will never be the same. We may wish for things to get back to normal, but the reality is this is our new normal. We must learn to live our lives in the reality of our loss. I’m not convinced it gets easier with time. In my experience with loss and grief it is a day by day exercise living in our new reality, our new normal.
Finding our way forward is possible through our faith. As Christians we can rely on Christ, on Scripture and on the Church in this process of finding our grief.
Here are resources in dealing with grief:
Scripture on grief: http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-for-overcoming-grief/
The Stages of Grief: https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/
Pastor David
Revised Common Lectionary Readings:
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- Monday, October 30, 2017: Psalm 119:41-48 ; Numbers 33:38-39; James 2:8-13
OR Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25; James 2:8-13 - Tuesday, October 31, 2017: Psalm 119:41-48;
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Exodus 34:29-35; James 2:14-26
OR Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 10:10-22; James 2:14-26- Wednesday, November 1, 2017: All Saints Day
- Thursday, November 2, 2017: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 1:1-11; Romans 2:17-29
OR Psalm 43; 1 Samuel 2:27-36; Romans 2:17-29 - Friday, November 3, 2017: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 2:1-14; 2 Peter 2:1-3
OR Psalm 43; Ezekiel 13:1-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3 - Saturday, November 4, 2017: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 2:15-24; Matthew 23:13-28
OR Psalm 43; Malachi 1:6-2:9; Matthew 23:13-28
- Monday, October 30, 2017: Psalm 119:41-48 ; Numbers 33:38-39; James 2:8-13
Sermon Notes
‘Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then “give all you can.” John Wesley
John Wesley’s sermon on Money:
http://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-50-The-Use-of-Money
Scripture on Money: https://www.openbible.info/topics/money
Pastor David recommends: Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University: https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu
Pastor David’s schedule:
Subject to change based on needs of the congregation and community:
Daily Workout: 7:00 am – 8:30 am at The Natatorium
Monday: IN – Pastor David in the office 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday: IN – Pastor David office 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesday: Out – Pastor David out of office
Thursday: IN – Pastor David office 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Friday: Family Day
Saturday: Sermon Practice
Sunday: Worship: 10:30 am
Call or Text Pastor David: 740-343-9550
Best time to Contact: Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Emergencies anytime: Emergencies include death in the family, hospitalizations, crisis of faith, etc.
Follow Pastor David on Facebook: facebook.com/pastordhf
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