Grounded in Grace

Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

This coming Sunday is All Saints Sunday. It is the day we remember and celebrate those who have gone before us in faith. I will be preaching on Hebrew 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

As we remember our past, we must admit that we are grounded in grace because of the saints and believers who have helped us grow in faith. Somewhere along the line, parents, grandparents, family members, pastors, teachers, and friends helped us understand grace. They helped us to know that God loves us unconditionally. We worship the one God of all because someone enabled us to realize that there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less. God simply loves us.

Next week, each family will receive information on our ministry plan for 2025, as well as ways to serve the church. The best way to respond is to fill out the digital forms. However, if you would prefer to print out a card yourself and bring it or mail it to the church, you are always welcome to do so.

Each year, we ask our church to submit Estimate of Giving cards so we can be good stewards and plan the budget for next year. Our campaign slogan is Unstoppable: I’m ALL IN! This year, we are making this a digital campaign again. We will also have commitment cards and ministry service commitments at the church and in worship. This is an opportunity to reflect on our time, talents, and treasure. Boldly and prayerfully, let us be the joyfully generous people of Stonebridge UMC.

This has been a year of regrouping and rebuilding. Eric Jones and Molly Gardner (and their incredible volunteers) are doing wonderful things with our kids and students. I am convinced that we are just getting started reaching the next generation for Christ!

We have new families and community members joining us for worship each week. Many of these have already made the decision to join our church family. Each time someone joins, we are reminded of the promise we made (whether it was last week or a few decades ago) to support this local body of believers with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We do this because we believe in Jesus, and we believe in His Church. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the upcoming national election. As I have followed these campaigns over the past few months, I have realized how divided our nation has become. Now more than ever, our nation and the world needs the church. Please vote and pray for our nation. 

The world needs the hope of Jesus Christ, not in a theoretical, abstract idea, but in an embodied, living demonstration of God’s love and kindness. That is what we can offer the world! As we are transformed to live and love like Jesus, we can more accurately show the world who God is through our words and actions. Let’s work together to make Stonebridge UMC Unstoppable by being ALL IN! through the amazing ministries of our church. 

At Stonebridge UMC, we believe in the Church, and we are better together.

See you Sunday  and remember to set your clocks back Saturday night.

Pastor John Allen