Marching with God

By Rev. Matthew Smith

I shared with staff this week a message from Isaiah 40:1–8. This chapter begins the message of the latter things that will largely be missed apart from the context in which it appears. The Babylonians have defeated the Assyrians and are now the super power. The people of Israel are dragged off into exile in Babylon because they ignored the message of the prophet. For the people, they were fully aware that they had lost everything and they believed there were no more second chances. As the saying goes, they had hit rock bottom. Into this situation though, a voice cries out, “Comfort, O comfort my people . . .” As you read on, it becomes recognizable as battle language. God is marching on Babylon to bring the exiles home. He is coming with his mighty arm. He is marching with his army, the very captives themselves.

In the New Testament every gospel writer announces the ministry of Christ with the ministry of John the Baptist, and each of the gospel writers recognizes that John the Baptist is a prophet tasked with identifying the coming King. In her study in Isaiah, Sandra Richter makes the point that, “In this restoration Yahweh, the God of all creation, is going to march on the gates of hell and every exile of Eden is coming home!” There is nothing more comforting than a God who is victorious no matter what the circumstance. With that said, our victories in life are directly tied with the Lord. The strength to overcome adversity, heal relationships, work for justice, and to simple bring blessing is determined by our faith and trust in the God who has already won the victory. As Dr. Richter points out, our God is marching upon the gates of hell, and his army includes the redeemed in Christ. John Wesley once said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.” One can pick apart this quote but how do you march with God? According to Wesley, you fear sin and desire God, or as the Bible puts it, walk in righteousness and holiness. We must walk though. Edmund Burke, in a letter addressed to Thomas Mercer, writes what has become a famous quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Although not particularly religious in nature, is nonetheless applicable to faith. God is marching on and he calls us to march with him; that’s how the kingdom of God becomes evident, that’s how our faith becomes active, that’s how the captive are freed.

We march forward with God into a new reality this fall, remaining true to the hallmarks of our faith while championing the cause of creativity. In the next couple of weeks we’ll be going live to both our website and Facebook. Beginning in August we will be opening our Nursery for Sunday morning worship while following the toughest of restrictions and precautionary measures. Traditional on-site Children’s and Youth programming will be delayed until September (to be evaluated in August). Virtual learning and ministry will continue through greater enhancements, including weekly Children’s church worship videos. Special events, for Children and Youth, with precautionary protocol, will be announced as planned. Due to the nature and diversity of our Adult Sunday classes, decisions will be made on a class by class basis, with optional during the week meeting possibilities. Restrictions will apply, and classes can continue learning remotely if desired. We’ll be in contact with class leaders to determine decisions and details in the next week or two for a mid-August return. Again, these are tentative plans and can be readjusted depending on recommendations from the bishop and/or government leaders. Keep the faith, keep praying, and keep doing good! See you Sunday at 10:00, in-person or online!

  

Grace and Peace,

Matthew

Current Sermon Series

It's summer time! Join us on a Summer Road Trip through the book of Genesis as we explore the places where it all began, and maybe learn a new thing or two. This Sunday we will see what God is teaching us through his call to Abram to sacrifice Isaac, as Stewart Kouba brings the message from Genesis 22:1-14.

Join us this Sunday, July 26 at 10:00 as we promote our children who are advancing through the various levels of Sunday School. Due to present circumstances, names and level advancements will be read, as well as appear on the screen for those watching online. A certificate will be mailed following. We recognize those moving into Sunday Morning Kid's (Cassidy Sholar, Derrick Moore), Pre-Teen (Cy Erickson), and Youth (Carter Garmon, Kendall Ingram, Lily Henson, Sadie Henson, Kara Jo Schoon)!

This Sunday, Youth Minister, Stewart Kouba will continue our series “SUMMER ROAD TRIP: Journey Through Genesis,” with Scripture from Genesis 22:1-14. His sermon topic will be “Provisions on Mount Moriah.” The Prelude played by Bill Marshall will be “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” The opening hymn will be “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and the closing hymn will be “God Will Take Care of You.” Both hymns are from The United Methodist Hymnal. We will be blessed on this day with Brandon Garmon playing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Runyan as a clarinet solo. The Postlude played by Bill Marshall will be “He Leadeth Me; O Blessed Thought.” Printed below are words to our two hymns for the day: See you in Worship!! Lora

If you have kids or grand kids in our Children's Ministry program please take a couple minutes and fill out this short five question survey. Your input will help us shape ministry programming moving forward.

Hi, Puppeteers and Church Family! Just when we thought life was as strange and difficult as it could be, things continue to unfurl don't they? The virus continues to rage on, many of us are seeing up ticks in the case numbers as things open back up. Decisions are now being made about fall--schools for all ages, sports, youth activities, and other events, yet I think we all know, all of this could change at any moment. We are living in a never-ending partial quarantined limbo right now, taking our risks at every turn.

All of us are searching our hearts and our beliefs. I know I've struggled with what to say and do against this backdrop. Every day I shake my head in disbelief at how much has changed. I keep saying aloud to anyone who will listen, "Isn't this just the strangest time ever?" No one disagrees. Many are struggling at a very deep level. Many have lost loved ones, faced sickness, lost jobs, and face basic issues of survival. And yet, thankfully, every day the sun rises again and then sets. The rains come and go drenching our dry earth. The seasons change.

It's still too uncertain, as to when the Puppets for Jesus team will start up again. As much as we enjoy bringing happiness, entertainment, love, and joy into our audience's lives, as people of faith we must believe it will happen again. We will get through this. We are learning. God is at work. New life is happening all around us. All will be well. I just know it. Be kind to one another,

Babs

First United Methodist Church offers grocery pickup and delivery to members of our church with compromised immune systems who do not need to come in contact with larger groups. Click the button below to order and prepay for your groceries from Brookshire’s in Gilmer, and we can have another church member pick it up for you and deliver it to your home. We can even leave it at your door if you need to have zero contact.

Before placing your order contact Dolly Robison at 903-931-2077 so that she can find a member available and a good time for them to pick up and deliver your groceries. You will also need the name of the pick up/delivery person so that you can put it with your order.

If you are a member and have free time and a car to help with the delivery service, please contact Dolly Robison at  jtanddolly@yahoo.com  to let her know you are available.

For instructions on how to save firstgilmer.org to your phone's homescreen, select the device you are using below.

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4) One recommendation: you can customize the text below the icon, Just touch the text inside of the Add to Home Screen box and change it up.

The deadline is fast approaching for those who who want to apply for a scholarship from our church. Regardless of the Coronavirus issue and whether schools will open differently, you can still apply and the committee will make adjustments as it deems necessary. You can download the application below or you can drop by the office to pick one up. The deadline for returning the completed application is August 1, 2020.

New P.O. Box Option

You now have the option to mail checks or other important documentation to the new church Post Office box in addition to our physical address. Address as follows:

First United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 1132

Gilmer, TX 75644

Pray For Our Friends

Judy Avery, Ceci Crombie, Kathy Daniels, Roy Helpenstill, Dr. David Jenkins,

Sue Lansdale, Sarah Monk, Steve Williams, Barbara Williams, Norma Hough, Aaron Dudley, Peggy Bledsoe, Betty Butler, Paul David Williams, Janice Mullen, Lynn Davis, Billie Thomas, Betty Wallace's nephew, Eddie Harter, Ed Orms, Tammy Orms

Connecting real people to a real relationship with JESUS