Pastor's Page

From the Pastor--

Welcome to Summer! It seems like we hardly had a Spring before we went straight into hot weather, but isn't it beautiful? The flowers have bloomed more abundantly this year than in many years past. With school ending for the year, we are preparing at Glenwood Park to put our ministry into "high gear," and embrace our community. This Sunday we kick off the summer with a guest speaker, Dr. Terry V. Morris, a local obstetrician/gynecologist, who is a member of Christ UMC and recently went on a medical mission trip to Haiti. Dr. Morris will be showing his pictures and talking about God's presence there after the earthquake on Sunday 6/6.

This is the last note I will write as the pastor of Glenwood Park-- as of July our congregation will have a new sister-- Northern Boulevard, and the Missouri Conference will refer to us as the Glenwood Park/Northern Boulevard charge. This means wonderful things for us: beginning July 4, we will have new summer hours, with worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday school at 10:45 a.m., while Northern Boulevard changes its worship and Sunday school hours also. I will be serving Glenwood Park half-time, and Northern Blvd. half-time, with offices in each. We will also have new support for our Project Feed and Read program because of this, and the opportunity to reach even more people in our community.

If you are like me, you always have a bigger list of things you want to do (a "bucket" list, perhaps) than you ever get done in the Summer. I always start out with big goals for the things I want to get accomplished, and don't always get everything done. If you are making a list, I want to encourage you to add these to it:
     1) attend Wednesday night Praise at 6:30
     2) volunteer at least 3 times during the Glenwood Park Project
         Feed and Read program (July6 -- August 13)
     3) visit at least 2 shut-ins from our congregation (call Judy Wolfe
         or Cindy Fillpot for ideas)
     4) invite a friend to worship with you
     5) get on the list of people trained to run the computer for our
         praise music Sunday, usually the 4th Sunday of the month,
         when we give our organ and piano a rest
     6) resolve and commit to pray for the church at least once every
        day!

These are just a sample of my bucket list ideas, and I'm sure there are many more opportunities out there to give God glory and work for the kingdom. Please pray for me and my family as we transition into pastoring two churches, and for our congregations as they adjust to be "joined" as a two-church (two-point) charge.

Blessings,

Sarah

August References &

Sermon Topics

August 1st

Communion Sunday

Scripture: Col. 3:1-11

Sermon: "Playing Well with Others"

August 8th

Scripture: Luke 12: 32-40

Sermon: "Treasure Seeking"

August 15th

Scripture: Luke 12: 49-56

Sermon: "Unity? Yeah, Right."

August 22nd

scripture: Luke 13: 10-17

Sermon: "Knowing Your Place"

August 29th

Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon: "Guests of Honor, or, What Would Emily Post Say?"

Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Brokenhearted

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

Confusion

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace ...
1 Corinthians 14:33

Defeat

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair ...
2 Corinthians 4:8

Disappointment

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28

Doubt

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20

Failure

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
Proverbs 24:16

Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Grief

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Hunger

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

Impatience

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Impossibilities

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Luke 18:27

Inability

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8

Inadequacy

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Lacking Direction

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Lacking Intelligence

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Lacking Wisdom

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30

Loneliness

... the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Mourning

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Poverty

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Rejection

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39

Sorrow

I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Temptation

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Tiredness

... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Unforgiveness

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Unloved

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
1 John 3:1

Weakness

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Weariness

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Worry

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

Glenwood Park United Methodist

Welcome!