Author: Cindy Lee

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Connect: February 6-13, 2021

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, February 7 | “Centering Down (Part 2)”
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green
LIVE In-Person Worship @11AM in the Sanctuary (M260).

Online Pre-Recorded Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, & 1PM
Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING OUR YOUTH

Sunday, February 7 | SPY Sunday School
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@10AM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

Sunday, February 7 | Superbowl Sunday “Bible Studies”
Middle Schoolers will be at the Youth Building at 6PM until halftime show.
High Schoolers will be at the Miller’s home at 6PM until halftime show.
Contact Laura or Logan for more details.

Visit youth.spumccolumbus.com to subscribe to all things SPY.

CONNECTING OUR CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, February 7 | Children’s Sunday School (All Ages)
@10AM / Youth Building & Main Church Building
Contact Sally Key Bowden for more information about class locations, teachers, etc.

Sunday, February 7 | Children’s Sermon
w/ Sally Key Bowden @9AM, 11AM, & 1PM / Online Worship Service.

CONNECTING THROUGH SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, February 7 | Seekers Class (M234)
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, February 7 | Bridges Class (M235)
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, February 7 | Wildwood Class (M220)
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, February 7 | Welcome In Class (M232)
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.

Sunday, February 7 | New Covenant Class (Y101)
w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesday, February 9 | Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Hybrid)
The Book of Ephesians | 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM
In-person (Fellowship Hall/M220) & On-Line on the St. Paul Website.

Tuesday, February 9 | Grace’s Bible Study
Adam Hamilton’s “The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul”
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in room M232
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Tuesday, February 9 | Spring Harbor Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor at Green Island.
Contact John for more information.

Wednesday, February 10 | Zoom Bible Study (8 week-study)
The Book of Philippians
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @12Noon – 1PM via Zoom
Register attendance by email to Mary Lou Jarrell (to get the Zoom link)

Thursday, February 11 | Preschool Moms’ Group
w/ Grace Bailey @9:30AM / Fellowship Hall (M234).

Friday, February 12 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Gospel of John
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

Friday, February 12 | “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

Friday, February 12 | “Celebration of Discipline” On-Demand Study
w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

Sunday, February 7 | AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
8:00AM – 12:30PM, in the new Youth Building, upper level room Y210.

Wednesday, February 10 | FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER TAKE OUT STYLE
5:30 – 6:30PM, Drive-thru in the Wildwood Avenue Circle Drive

While we can’t yet gather for suppers on Wednesday nights, we can now share “Wednesday Night Suppers To Go”! Starting February 10, box suppers can be picked up between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. as “drive by” in the circular drive next to the offices. Reservations are required and can be placed by calling the Church Office (706)327-7419 or simply send an email to Kathy Hollon ([email protected]) no later than 5:00 p.m. on Mondays. Price is $8 per box (same box for adults and children). Max of $25 per family. Menu this week: fried chicken, butter beans, cabbage, cornbread, and bread pudding.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Every bit helps, so thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.

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First Steps – February 1, 2021

 

William Tyndale, an early 16th Century British reformer, who translated the New Testament into English against fierce opposition and ultimately martyred because of it, wrote:

“The Scripture urges us to do good, not in order to win God’s love but to do good because God loves us. Faith naturally results in good works. If good works are not the result, then it is only a dream, an opinion, a pretension of faith. Notice that fruit does not make a tree good. Fruit is testimony that the tree is good already.”

How true this is even today. Many people think in reverse that if we do good things, God will love us. We are already loved. God doesn’t love us more if we do good. Actually, he can’t love us more. He is love and that love is unconditional and constant. This is where we start. Any action stems from that love, because of that love; not to earn what can’t be earned.

If this is your struggle, stop trying to earn what can’t be earned. Before you do anything, allow the Holy Spirit to saturate your being with how much you are loved—not because of any action, but simply because God is love. In fact, stay in that state of being as long as needed. Don’t worry about your actions, they will come soon enough.

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Matthew 28 
  • Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1
  • Wednesday – 1 Thessalonians 2
  • Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 3
  • Friday – 1 Thessalonians 4
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world. 
 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

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Connect: January 30 – February 6, 2021

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, January 31 | “Centering Down (Part 1)”
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green
LIVE In-Person Worship @11AM in the Sanctuary (M260).

Online Pre-Recorded Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, & 1PM
Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING OUR YOUTH

Sunday, January 31 | SPY Sunday School
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@10AM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

Sunday, January 31 | SPY Unity Night
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@5:30PM – 7:30PM in the Youth Building.

Visit youth.spumccolumbus.com to subscribe to all things SPY.

CONNECTING OUR CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, January 31 | Children’s Sunday School (All Ages)
@10AM / Youth Building & Main Church Building
Contact Sally Key Bowden for more information about class locations, teachers, etc.

Sunday, January 31 | Children’s Sermon
w/ Sally Key Bowden @9AM, 11AM, & 1PM / Online Worship Service.

Friday, February 5 | Confirmation Class to Camp ASSCA
w/ Sally Key Bowden, Tammy and Matthew Reynolds @4:30PM / Fellowship Hall (M220).

Sunday, February 7 | Confirmation Class return from Camp ASSCA
Return time to St. Paul UMC to be announced.

CONNECTING THROUGH SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, January 31 | Seekers Class (M234)
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, January 31 | Bridges Class (M235)
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, January 31 | Wildwood Class (M220)
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, January 31 | Welcome In Class (M232)
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.

Sunday, January 31 | New Covenant Class (Y101)
w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesday, February 2 | Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Hybrid)
The Book of Ephesians | 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM
In-person (Fellowship Hall/M220) & On-Line on the St. Paul Website.

Tuesday, February 2 | Grace’s Bible Study
Adam Hamilton’s “The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul”
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in room M232
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Tuesday, February 2 | Spring Harbor Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor at Green Island.
Contact John for more information.

Wednesday, February 3 | Zoom Bible Study (8 week-study)
The Book of Philippians
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @12Noon – 1PM via Zoom
Register attendance by email to Mary Lou Jarrell (to get the Zoom link)

Thursday, February 4 | Preschool Moms’ Group
w/ Grace Bailey @9:30AM / Fellowship Hall (M234).

Friday, February 5 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Gospel of John
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

Friday, February 5 | “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

Friday, February 5 | “Celebration of Discipline” On-Demand Study
w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Every bit helps, so thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.

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First Steps – January 25, 2021

 

What are we to make of these words from Psalm 94?
The Lord is a God who avenges.
    O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
    pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,
    how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
    all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord;
    they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
    they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;
    he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
    the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,
    till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

How does one handle this harsh language of what some call a psalm of wrath or vengeance? One first must understand this psalm is to attempt to take justice and righteousness, and conversely injustice and sin, as seriously as God does. God turns against evil because of what evil does to God’s good creation—it destroys or perverts it. Because God loves creation so much, it is a natural reaction to turn against that which would destroy what is dearly loved.  

In this psalm, we read the level of moral outrage to injustice and evil. Love has a goal for the object of that love to be better in every way. When that goal isn’t reached or actualized, the lover will do what is necessary for the object of love to reach that goal. This is not mean-spirited but the willingness of one to go to great lengths for another’s wholeness.  

I like what Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “I pray the imprecatory psalms in the certainty of their marvelous fulfillment.  I leave the vengeance to God.” If I leave it to God, then I don’t have to worry about its fulfillment. That is something for God to do…and God alone.   

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Matthew 23 
  • Tuesday – Matthew  24
  • Wednesday – Matthew 25 
  • Thursday – Matthew 26 
  • Friday – Matthew 27 
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world. 
 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

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Connect: January 23 – January 30, 2021

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, January 24 | “Spiritual Sign of Maturity”
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green
LIVE In-Person Worship @11AM in the Sanctuary (M260).

Online Pre-Recorded Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, & 1PM
Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING OUR YOUTH

Sunday, January 24 | SPY Sunday School
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@10AM / Lounge downstairs in the Youth Building.

Sunday, January 24 | SPY Middle & High School Groups
w/ Laura Marvets & Logan Ogletree
@6PM in the Youth Building and other locations off campus.

Visit youth.spumccolumbus.com to subscribe to all things SPY.

CONNECTING OUR CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, January 24 | Children’s Sunday School (All Ages)
@10AM / Youth Building & Main Church Building
Contact Sally Key Bowden for more information about class locations, teachers, etc.

Sunday, January 24 | Children’s Sermon
w/ Sally Key Bowden @9AM, 11AM, & 1PM / Online Worship Service.

Sunday, January 24 | Confirmation Class
w/ Sally Key Bowden, Tammy and Matthew Reynolds @5:30PM / Fellowship Hall (M220).

Saturday, January 30 | Confirmation Class to Holy Family Church
w/ Sally Key Bowden, Tammy and Matthew Reynolds
@4:40PM Off Campus

CONNECTING THROUGH SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, January 24 | Seekers Class (M234)
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, January 24 | Bridges Class (M235)
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, January 24 | Wildwood Class (M220)
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, January 24 | Welcome In Class (M232)
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM. Contact Buddy for more information.

Sunday, January 24 | New Covenant Class (Y101)
w/ Michelle Hudson @10AM. Contact Michelle for more information.

CONNECTING THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesday, January 26 | Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Hybrid)
The Book of Ephesians | 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
w/ Rev. Dr. P. Shane Green @10AM – 11:30AM
In-person (Fellowship Hall/M220) & On-Line on the St. Paul Website.

Tuesday, January 26 | Grace’s Bible Study
Adam Hamilton’s “The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul”
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM – 12:15PM in room M232
Register in-person attendance by email to Grace Bailey.

Tuesday, January 26 | Spring Harbor Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
w/ Rev. John Fugh @4PM at Spring Harbor at Green Island.
Contact John for more information.

Wednesday, January 27 | Zoom Bible Study (8 weeks)
The Book of Philippians
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @Noon – 1PM via Zoom
Register attendance by email to Mary Lou Jarrell (to get the Zoom link)

Thursday, January 28 | Preschool Moms’ Group
w/ Grace Bailey @9:30AM / Fellowship Hall (M220).

Thursday, January 28 | REAL Women’s Ministry
w/ Grace Bailey @6:30PM / Fellowship Hall (M220).

Friday, January 29 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Gospel of John
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

Friday, January 29| “The Work of the Holy Spirit” On-Demand Study
w/ Emily Trotter and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

Friday, January 29 | “Celebration of Discipline” On-Demand Study
w/ Tommy Bridges and Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
The study will be posted on the St. Paul Website.

CONNECTING THROUGH GIVING

It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Every bit helps, so thank you so much for contributing to the ministries of St. Paul UMC. In order for you to make your online donation, click here.

Posted on

First Steps – January 18, 2021

Focus on these words from Psalm 93:
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2 Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.
An Old Testament scholar, Michael Jinkins, once said:
“Nowhere in the Psalms do the cries of human experience and the claim of divine sovereignty clash more powerfully than around the statement ‘the Lord is King.’  Humanity seems hell-bent on trying to put someone or something other than God in charge of things, that is, on the throne. Indeed, many would prefer to do away with even the language of lordship or kingship when speaking of God. Surely our contemporary bias toward democratic processes (which most of us accept as being a very good thing) should be extended to our doctrine of God, right?

“While it is true that there are many wonderful images and metaphors in the Bible describing the character of God—from a just judge to a loving parent to a loyal friend—at our peril we ignore the qualitative difference between God, the Holy One, the Creator, the Preserver, and the Sustainer on the one hand and God’s creatures on the other.  

“But most importantly, this is good news!  For in acknowledging that it is the Lord who reigns, we know that we do not.  We do not reign over this world.  We do not reign over our lives, and certainly not over the lives of our neighbors.  One infinitely and eternally wiser, truer, more compassionate, and more just than we are reigns supreme.”

 
We are called to lift up our hearts because He is king.  For this, thanks be to God! 
 
 
This Week’s Readings:
Please Pray for:
  • Families in crisis.
  • Loved ones battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our leaders, our country, and our world. 
 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

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