• Worship in the sanctuary at 8:30 & 11am on Sundays
• Sunday School for all ages at 9:45am
• Livestream Worship at 11am on YouTube

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NEW SERMON SERIES

This Sunday’s movie is the 1957 classic, 12 Angry Men. It’s a celebrated and faithful representation of Reginald Rose’s play centering on the deliberations of 12 jurors serving on a murder case, highlighting failings of the American judicial system, from personal arrogance to racism and classism. Where to watch: It is available for free with Amazon Prime or on Freevee and Tubi. 

I often like to read through favorite sermons or writings by Martin Luther King Jr, Prathia Hall, Ibram Kendi, and John Lewis. I do this throughout the year, not just during Black History Month (February). I do this because I believe in continuing to learn and grow: learning about the past and learning more about who I am, so that I am doing my best to avoid repeating the past. I do all of this through the lens of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. day, so I have been rereading one of his sermons “A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart.”

Taking Matthew 10:16 as the main text, King reflects on Jesus’ instruction to his disciples to “be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves,” mounting an argument for his black hearers to adopt nonviolent resistance in their struggle against segregation.

King admonishes his hearers to hold several opposites. Snake and dove. Justice and love. Tough mind and tender heart.

For King, having a tough mind and a tender heart is about cultivating a sharp analysis of oppression and a resolve for justice along with a disciplined and humanizing love for self, neighbors, and even the perpetrators of injustice and oppression. I find this sermon to be deeply pastoral and personal, inviting us to look at our own toughness and tenderness of minds and hearts.

Today, I feel like fear, resentment, nostalgia, hopelessness, despair, loneliness, defensiveness, rage, disgust, and judgment dominate the expected emotional responses to people and situations. When left to fester, these emotions lead to what King diagnoses as a hard-hearted obsession with the self and neglect of the other. I see this as an important reminder to find ways to stay aware, so that I (we) do not neglect others. I believe in our best moments, we strive to be faithful to Jesus. We strive for ways to open our eyes and be aware of the injustice in our community and we work hard to love those we call enemies. But so often, we fall short. We fail. We get it wrong. We are soft-minded and hard-hearted.

In the moments we strive and fall short, we find ourselves in gracious space, embraced between what King calls God’s two outstretched arms—God’s justice and God’s love. We are clearly, sometimes painfully, aware of our failings; and yet, at the same time, we are already assured that our worst moments do not define who we are in the eyes of God. We find ourselves as God’s beloved. I believe in working as a disciple of Jesus Christ to build a beloved community and I am thankful to serve a church that continues to take steps to welcome all and create a beloved community in South Lyon.

Love and Peace in Christ, Rev. Mary

LET’S GET MOVING!

The Walking Club is back! Everyone is welcome to join this group walking the hallways of the church building from 3:30-5PM on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Some walk fast, some walk slowly. One lap around the building is between 1/10 and 2/10 of a mile. Bring walking shoes to change into to help keep the carpets clean. We are looking for walkers to volunteer to coordinate the start and end of each period. If you can help as a host or have questions on the role of the host, please contact Lindy Juergens at the church office.

BLOOD DRIVE JAN 18

Our January blood drive is especially important. The need for blood never decreases. It is a 24/7 need. Even though the need never decreases, as you can imagine, the availability does tend to decrease over the holidays. As a result, blood supply does tend to decrease during this time of the year. Every donation is needed and greatly appreciated to help supply hospitals with life-saving units. Please sign up to give using the QR code.

Date: Thursday, January 18th, 2023

Location: First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall

Time: 1:00pm-6:30pm

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Sparrow Freedom Project: Join Our United Front Today

Stand with Sparrow Freedom as they fight to empower exploited and trafficked individuals on their path to independence. The Sparrow Freedom Project - a survivor-led community dedicated to supporting those who have been exploited. With their vision led by survivors, and their mission powered by allies like those of us at SLFUMC, a community determined to change lives is built and strengthened.

Together, We Are Stronger

Just like sparrows - small, protective, hardworking, and creative - we draw strength from unity. As one, our voices resonate louder and stronger, reaching those in need and ensuring they are heard. By cooperating with our neighbors, businesses, and other organizations, we can make a shared vision a tangible reality.

Giving Love, Hope, and Faith

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:29-31.

We are all valuable and loved. This empowering message fuels our faith and hope, reminding us - and especially survivors - of our inherent worth.

Join hands with the Sparrow Freedom Project today. Your support can help transform the journey of a survivor, leading them to a life of independence. Together, we can be a force of change. Stand with survivors. Stand with us. Stand for change. We are the Hands and Feet of God, working to protect all his children.

SAVING GRACE: A GUIDE TO FINANCIAL WELL-BEING

Church Council and the Finance Team are pleased to support and offer the six-session Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being course. The course will be facilitated by Rev. Mary and Damon McInnes who took this course through The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

We believe a link exists between good personal financial management and generosity. This course can help us as individuals and as a congregation unlock the keys to personal financial freedom and well-being. 

Money…is it good or is it bad? How do we, as people of faith, create healthy relationships with money and possessions? Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being, adapted from the best-selling Freed-up Financial Living curriculum from Good Sense, provides the text and tools you need to address the topics of saving, earning, giving, spending, and debt, along with helpful strategies for achieving a sustainable financial life. This six-part study is based on Wesleyan values and helps you reach personal financial goals as well as address life concerns.

If you are interested in participating in this discussion during January and February please sign up… Participants will pick a day and time that works for this study. The cost for this course is $20 per household. I look forward to reevaluating my budget and continuing to apply Wesleyan values to help our family reach our financial goals. Reach out to Rev. Mary with any questions. Sign up using the link below.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED DECORATE THE CHURCH FOR ADVENT AND TO ALL WHO HELPED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE, AND PREPARE THE CHURCH AT THE START OF 2024!

THANK YOU & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TALENT AUCTION 2024 FEB 3

If you have a talent to share, please sign up using the link below.

ALL ARE WELCOME! Please let us know if you are planning to attend, so that we can plan free refreshments for everyone. Please use the link below to RSVP. If you would like oceanside seating (for $25/seat benefitting youth missions), which includes food and beverage service and a souvenir cup, please indicate using the same RSVP link.

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Use Text-To-Give on your phone, send #oper or #mom to 844-418-2873

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.