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Traditional Worship Service/Romans 8:1-4, 14-17
Easter Sunday Service – “What’s Next?” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green
Week 6: Letters 27, 29, & The Toast
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Welcome to this week’s episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, where we’re exploring the themes of humility and pride in Letters 27 and 29 of CS Lewis’ masterpiece.
In Letter 27, Lewis shows us the danger of pride and self-importance, as Screwtape warns Wormwood of the potential downfall of the “patient” if he allows himself to become proud of his spiritual achievements. Screwtape argues that by inflating the “patient’s” ego, he’ll be less likely to see his own faults and more susceptible to the traps of the enemy.
In Letter 29, Lewis takes us deeper into the theme of humility, as Screwtape encourages Wormwood to use the “patient’s” false sense of humility as a means of leading him away from God. Screwtape argues that by encouraging the “patient” to believe that he is too unworthy to receive God’s grace, he’ll be less likely to accept it and more likely to fall into the traps of pride and self-righteousness.
Join us as we unpack the wisdom and insights of Letters 27 and 29, and explore their relevance in our modern world. Gil and John will provide their unique perspectives and experiences, helping us to understand the power of humility and the dangers of pride.
So tune in to this episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, and let’s discover together the importance of staying humble and relying on God, even in the face of success or failure.
First Steps – April 10, 2023
| Easter Sunday is over. Frankly, I always have mixed emotions on Easter Monday. On one level, there is a collective sigh of relief, because all the events are completed. Energy levels can be replenished and restored. For a pastor, Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas are incredibly busy, so with the passing of those days, there comes that time for renewal. Every pastor enjoys Easter Monday, normally with a slow start to the morning, an extra cup of coffee, a late arrival to the office, or an extra day off. However, there is a longing for Easter to linger for just a bit longer. With each season of preparation (Lent and Advent), we live differently—like we should live year around. It is for this reason I grieve Easter’s passing. After all, we are Easter people, and our job is to “Easter” the world. We do this with our witness. In both our words and deeds, people are drawn to Christ by what they “witness” in another person. They are drawn to Christ by what they see in us! Therefore, this Easter Monday, let the day linger for a bit longer. Continue to live the Lenten life of witness that draws another to the Resurrected Lord.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Colossians 1, Colossians 2, Colossians 3, Colossians 4 *Tuesday – 1 Timothy 1, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 3, *Wednesday – 1 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Timothy 6 *Thursday – Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3 *Friday – 2 Timothy 1, 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4 Prayer Requests: -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Guidance for those seeking to find their way. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “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 |
First Steps – April 3, 2023
| There is a very subtle seductive voice that whispers to every one of us. In our ears, we hear a word, “if.” Even Jesus wasn’t spared this voice for he heard it at least three times: If you are the Son of God…If you are the Son of God…If you will bow down to me. This powerful temptation often wreaks havoc because many fall prey to its seduction. When we hear that simple word, “if”, we become trapped in the conditional desires of another person. In essence, someone else then controls our identity and subsequently our behavior. I’m sure you’ve heard it: If I have this job…If I go to this place…if I obtain this level…if, if, if. A person thinks if, then I will be something different than I am today. Again, that difference is linked to what someone else thinks about you. When this happens, they become your chief influence. They determine what you do. Perhaps there is a better way, one where we derive our identity from what we already are. These are the New Testament’s dominant messages. We are (already)… – Loved by God, – One of scared worth, – A Child of God. These are things God freely gives without a conditional “if” for out of his nature flows his grace. Our role is to allow it to be our ground of being, our bedrock, our identity. This is where we start. It is out of who we are that we act; therefore, our actions don’t determine our identity. Our identity determines our actions. We begin in the center of God’s love, a place of wholeness, strength, and stability. It is only then that we can live without an “if.” This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Romans 9, Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12 *Tuesday – Romans 13, Romans 14, Romans 15, Romans 16 *Wednesday – Ephesians 1, Ephesians 2, Ephesians 3, Ephesians 4 *Thursday – Ephesians 5, Ephesians 6 *Friday – Philippians 1, Philippians 2, Philippians 3, Philippians 4 Prayer Requests: -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Guidance for those seeking to find their way. *Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “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 |
“How Great Thou Art!” – A Special Worship in Song and Readings for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Traditional Worship Service
Mark 11:1-19 – “The Holy City” by S. Adams
John 14:15-21, 28-31 – “I Will Not Leave You Comfortless” by C. Young
Matthew 26:26-30, 36-45 – “Remember Me” by D. Govenor
John 18-1-24 – “My Jesus, I Love Thee” by P. Sjolund
John 19:1-16 – “Ave Vernum” by W.A. Mozart
Luke 23:32-46 – “The Gate of Heaven” by C. Courtney
Luke 23:47-56 – “How Great Thou Art” by D. Forrest
“How Great Thou Art!” – A Special Worship in Song and Readings for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
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Traditional Worship Service
Mark 11:1-19 – “The Holy City” by S. Adams
John 14:15-21, 28-31 – “I Will Not Leave You Comfortless” by C. Young
Matthew 26:26-30, 36-45 – “Remember Me” by D. Govenor
John 18-1-24 – “My Jesus, I Love Thee” by P. Sjolund
John 19:1-16 – “Ave Vernum” by W.A. Mozart
Luke 23:32-46 – “The Gate of Heaven” by C. Courtney
Luke 23:47-56 – “How Great Thou Art” by D. Forrest