Hymn Reflection: “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

Few hymns have captured the Christian heart as deeply and enduringly as Edward Mote’s “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” Written in 1834, this hymn has carried the faith of countless believers through trials, doubts, joys, and even into eternity. Its timeless message is as relevant today as it was nearly two centuries ago: Christ alone is our solid Rock.

Edward Mote, the son of non-Christian parents in London, came to faith in Christ as a young man. Later, while walking to work, he felt inspired to write a hymn about the firm foundation we have in Jesus Christ. By the time he arrived at his workplace, most of the words had already formed in his mind. Little did he know his hymn would comfort and inspire generations of Christians across the world.

The refrain of the hymn is one many of us know by heart: “On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” These words echo Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:24–27, where He describes the wise man building his house upon the rock, and the foolish man upon the sand. Mote reminds us that our lives, our faith, and our eternity cannot be anchored in shifting circumstances, human wisdom, or earthly security. Only Christ provides the unshakable foundation.

Each verse of the hymn points back to this truth:

• When we face trials, storms, and uncertainties, Christ remains steady.
• When guilt and fear try to overwhelm us, His righteousness holds us secure.
• When Christ returns in glory, we will stand faultless before the throne—not because of our efforts, but because of His saving grace.

In our present age, when so much around us feels unstable, economies falter, relationships strain, political systems shift, and personal challenges come uninvited, this hymn calls us back to what is unshakable. It reminds us that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

As we sing “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” we are not just rehearsing an old melody; we are confessing our faith. We are reminding our souls, and declaring to one another, that Jesus Christ is our Rock, our Foundation, our Security, and our Eternal Hope.

“On Christ the solid Rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.”



May this hymn encourage us to trust more deeply in Jesus, leaning fully on Him in every season of life.

A Prayer Minister will be available at the

back corner of Dunlap Hall, for at least

15 minutes after the benediction.

Masks will be worn when requested.

Prayer Minister this week is Cheryl Harper

“The Lord made the heavens and the earth, 
the sea, and everything in them.”

– Exodus 20:11

“Every living thing is a testimony to

your glorious creation.”

– Job 12:10

I love this time of year when summer begins to usher in another season. As we move into Fall, grass will wither while flowers begin to fade, and trees start to shed their canopy of shade. Farmers will harvest the bounty of the earth. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and children playing in piles of leaves will begin to dot the landscape. And roadside stands will fill up with fresh honey, apple cider, and fall flowers for sale.

We have been blessed with some really beautiful weather these past several days. As temperatures and humidity levels have fallen, it has been a great time to turn off the air conditioner, and open doors and windows to let cool breezes blow through like a breath of fresh air.

It is also a great time to step outside and listen to the many voices of creation. Have you ever thought about how everything has a voice? Think about it. God created everything with a purpose and if you know how to listen, you will understand the language or voice He has given to each and everything.

Start with the heavens. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” For the past few months I have been able to see the “Parade of the Planets” looking East early in the morning. I can almost hear them shout, “Glory to God”, in the language of light.

This morning as I came out of the house, I heard that familiar screech of a young hawk as he flew by. It was another reminder to me of the majesty of God and his creation. Not convinced? Job 12:7 says, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you.”

Stand by the ocean and you will hear its voice as waves crash upon the beach. Or listen to the voice of a wheat field as the wind blows through it - “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!” – Psalm 96:11.

Or ascend to the top of Loveland Pass in Colorado and witness the voice of the Rockies as declared by Isaiah: “The mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, -Isaiah 55:12a. Finally, almost anywhere on the earth that the wind blows you can hear “the trees of the field …clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12b.

I encourage you to take some time to get out into nature, even if it is only your front porch or backyard. Stop, listen and experience the wonder of God’s majesty and creation and see if you too are inspired to become a testimony to his glorious creation.

Have a blessed week,

Dave

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” – Psalm 150:6

Reminder for Church Committees and Teams

Please submit budget requests to

Marilyn Shultz, treasurer@jwumc.com

by September 30, 2025 so that the

 information can be shared with

the Finance Committee.

Thanks for your help!

The church picnic will be held on Sunday,

September 28, immediately following the service. 

More information will come in September.

Fellowship dinners will resume on Wednesday, October 15th, from 5:30 – 6:45.

SOUL PANTRY NEWS

Thank you all so much for your monthly donations to support

SOUL Pantry. Our shoppers appreciate your generosity. 

For the month of SEPTEMBER, we will be collecting the following:

SALT AND SUGAR

The 9:00 Sunday school class has converted half of Wesley Hall into two pickleball courts.

We have three times reserved weekly for those of you who would like to join us. We're set up for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to noon. You need to enter by the back Wesley Hall door, and ring the doorbell if you do not have a key.

Contact Lu Anne Gerard if you have questions.

SHARING OUR BLESSINGS

IN SEPTEMBER COALITION MINISTRIES

While no church can meet all the needs of the community, churches working together can meet more of those needs. We are blessed to help our coalition churches with some wonderful blessings they provide.

Augsburg Lutheran Church invites anyone to join them for a community

dinner the third Sunday of every month. On August 17, they served 43 families

(145 people.) They had to discontinue the hot meals but now do a

“Take and Make” meal such as frozen pizza, salad and cookies or

frozen entree, vegetables and cookies. They also have a small food

pantry where the participants can choose some items to take home.

The families are very appreciative of the blessings they share.

Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church has offered their Practical Grace Non-Food Pantry for a number of years on the third Saturday of the month,10:00 AM to noon. They provide items which are not available as part of federal or state “food stamp” programs, such as paper goods, cleaning supplies, laundry detergents and personal hygiene products. They serve folks in the following zip codes: 45014, 45218, 45231, 45240, 45251. Participants need to register one time with valid ID and a current utility or other bill with name and address. They serve approximately 50 clients each month.

To donate to SHARING OUR BLESSINGS:

• Any time during September, bring a check with Sharing/Coalition Ministries on the memo line or cash in an envelope marked the same way and put it in the offering plate. You can also mail your donation to the church office.

To Send A Prayer

To The Prayer Chain

Please ALWAYS send prayer requests to: prayerchain@jwumc.com

If you have any questions about the Prayer Chain,

please contact the church office at info@jwumc.com

Room Use and

Calendar Update

If you have any questions about meetings, scheduling, or room use, please always direct them to me, christie@jwumc.com or call me at 513-825-0733.

Keep in mind that all of our classrooms and meeting spaces are used by a variety of people throughout the week. No one group "owns" a certain room or meeting space so we all need to remember be kind and gracious as we work together to go about the business of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Christie Riggsby

Office Manager, John Wesley UMC

"Be A Rainbow In Someone's Cloud"

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