GPS | Week of January 10, 2021
Weekly Grow-Pray-Study Guide
This week we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord, renewed our baptismal vows and began a new worship series about self-care. In case you missed it, click below to view worship.
Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength.
Self-Care for a Happier & Healthier New Year
READ | Scripture Readings
You are encouraged to use the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina as you read this week's scripture passages.

Try reading each scripture through 3 times, aloud if possible. (You may want to choose one scripture a day)
  • Pause when a word or phrase seems to “jump out” or “shimmer” as you read.
  • Why does that word or phrase seem to stand out?
  • What is God saying to you in this moment? What action is God calling you to?


Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
  you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
  and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
  O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
  and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
  it is so high that I cannot attain it.
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts;
  you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
  Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
15   My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
  intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
  all the days that were formed for me,
  when none of them as yet existed.
17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
  How vast is the sum of them!
18 I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
  I come to the end—I am still with you.

Mark 1:4-11
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
REFLECT | Reflection Questions
These questions can be used as personal reflection questions, prompts for journaling, or as discussion questions with a friend or small group.
Remember your Baptismal Vows:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? I do.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? I do.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? I do.

According to the grace given to you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world? I will.
The United Methodist Church

  • What are my core commitments, and how might they shape my self-care?

  • How do I practice self-care—not always first, but in a way that is life-giving and sustaining for me and also allows me to honor my core commitments?

  • Using the framework of Jesus’ great commandment, how do I love God, love my neighbor, and still take care of myself? 
PRACTICE | Committing to Self-Care
This series invites us to commit to a life of self-care, balancing this with a life of discipleship that calls us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our self.
As we consider WHY we need to take good care of ourselves, take note this week of the times you find yourself feeling tired, anxious, worn out or burned out.

When you find yourself feeling that way, read Jesus' words from this scripture aloud:

“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
PRAY | Wesley's Covenant Prayer
I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being.
In truth, O God, I am Yours.
Make me into what You will.
Make me a neighbor with those whom You will.
Guide me on the easy path for You.
Guide me on the rocky road for You.
Whether I am to step up for You
or step aside for You;
Whether I am to be lifted high for You
or brought low for You;
Whether I become full or empty,
with all things or with nothing;
I give all that I have and all that I am for You.
So be it.
And may I always remember that you, O God, and I
belong to each other. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS

  • Diane Hammond asks for prayers for her neighbor who just lost his brother to Covid. For her friends that are going through cancer treatment. And for her own health as for what this new diagnosis of severe Congestive Heart Failure and severe mitral value damage means for her future, employment and their family.

  • Renita Walker gives thanks for all the prayers for Jim Jensen over the past weeks. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his wife, Pam and daughters Annie and Tammy. Please continue to hold them in your prayers at this very sad time.

  • Prayers for Jeff Johnson who suffered a stroke today (Thursday) and is still waiting to hear from the neurologist and a plan for rehab. Please pray for a full and speedy recovery.