God, on this day, we turn our hearts to those who may not be feeling joy this season. As we reflect on the symbol of the candle lit on Sunday, we pray for those facing challenges, loneliness, or sorrow. May your comforting presence be felt by those in need, bringing them solace and peace. Grant them strength, and may the light of hope shine brightly in their lives. Amen.
Monday, December 18, 2023
God of Fierce Joy, open our eyes to the beauty in small blessings. Let our joy be so infectious that it spreads to those in need of encouragement and upliftment, celebrating not only the birth of Christ but also the anticipation of His glorious return. Amen.
Week Three: Joy
Sunday, December 17, 2023:
Lord, as we light the third Advent candle, the joy candle, fill our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing you are our salvation. May our worship and praise reflect the joyous anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth and the ongoing joy found in anticipating His return. Amen.
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Lord, on this last day of our focus on peace, guide our hearts to always seek your peace. Instill in us a commitment to global harmony. Inspire leaders worldwide to earnestly pursue peace, fostering understanding and unity, especially in conflicted regions. May we actively work towards a world where your peace reigns. Amen.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Eternal God, source of true peace, as we draw near the end of this week devoted to peace, grant us the insight to actively pursue global harmony. Inspire world leaders to work earnestly for peace, especially in regions marred by conflict, such as the Middle East. In moments of tension, let your transcendent peace be our steadfast anchor. Guide us to engage purposefully, seeking reconciliation where there is discord and extending compassion to those affected by strife. Amen.
12.13.23
Building a Just Peace This Advent
Dear Church,
This past Sunday, our focus was on peace. We delved into the powerful message from Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). This call to action isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s a prophecy urging us to actively participate in creating a world where peace and justice prevail.
Isaiah envisions a society where inequalities are dismantled, barriers removed, and everyone is valued. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a guiding light propelling us toward a just and peaceful world. The call to action echoes across the centuries, urging us to build a highway for God, not waiting for others but taking responsibility for ourselves.
Preparing the way means making room for God, cleansing our lives of negativity, and allowing God to bring a just peace. This call resonates with the challenges we face today—wars, suffering, inequality. Isaiah’s promise is a bountiful feast, rectifying all wrongs and providing healing.
Building peace starts within each of us, requiring self-reflection, forgiveness, and choosing compassion. Beyond individual action, it calls for collaboration—speaking out against injustice, supporting peace organizations, and holding leaders accountable.
Isaiah reminds us that peace begins within, offering personal, comforting peace. This Advent, may we commit to building a just peace, being messengers of hope and agents of peace. Even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect, bringing us closer to Isaiah’s envisioned world and God’s kingdom.
Pastor Sela
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
God, as we pursue peace, guide us to extend the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. May our actions reflect the peace that Christ ushered in with His birth and the lasting peace He promises in His return. Strengthen us to actively engage in the work of peace, being instruments of unity and understanding in our communities. Amen.
6.25.23
Today I was off from the pulpit, which gave me opportunity to worship anywhere or sleep in. I chose to go to church and worship at Meadowridge Community Church in Fort Worth, accepting an invitation from a neighbor a few months earlier. This neighbor told me how their church was intergenerational and diverse in race, and it was an offshoot of another bigger church nearby. I am always hesitant to believe anyone who says their church is welcoming and diverse because that perspective should be reserved for someone from the outside. It’s like looking in the mirror and saying, “I look good.” Yet… 🤣 Anyhow, Arnold, my neighbor, explained that their church was initially set up to reach diverse people.
This morning we walked into Meadowridge Church and immediately felt at home. The people around us, the folks leading, were truly diverse in race, ethnicity, and generation. There were abundant children and young people, and also middle-aged and older, and we could sense joy in the air and freedom in movement. “Freedom” was today’s message. The choir and band were phenomenal. They sang my favorite hymn, “Blessed Assurance,” when we walked in, although to a more upbeat tune. Even though I was trying to catch up, I loved it. The worship space was set up differently because tables were set for lunch after worship. However, the setup allowed us to worship around a table, and what better way to serve communion than pass it to neighbors around the Table. Indeed, I can say that Meadowridge Community Church is the first church I’ve ever been in that reflects the diversity of the community and heaven. It wasn’t a predominantly white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Tongan, or two dominant group. The representation of each group was ideal. This Baptist church has it together, and we Methodists could learn something.
The pastor, leaders, and people were hospitable, wonderful, joyful, musical, and worshipful—described by my young Alaska people.
Thank you, Meadowridge, for being the church with the community.
Here’s a short clip of our time there today!
5.25.23
This weekend, we find ourselves at the intersection of two significant events: Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day weekend. Pentecost, often referred to as the “birthday of the Church,” marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, empowering them to spread the Gospel fearlessly. It reminds us of the transformative power of God’s Spirit in our lives, urging us to embrace the spiritual gifts bestowed upon us and courageously share the Gospel’s message of love and hope.
Simultaneously, Memorial Day weekend invites us to remember and honor those who sacrificed in service to our nation. It is a time to reflect on the bravery, selflessness, and unwavering commitment of the men and women who laid down their lives to protect and preserve our freedoms. Their sacrifice inspires us to consider the cost of our freedom, not just in the context of our nation but also in our spiritual journey. Just as they willingly gave their lives for a greater cause, we are called to surrender ourselves to God’s purpose, serving Him and others with devotion and humility.
As we commemorate these two significant occasions, let us remember that the power of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of sacrifice are intertwined. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to boldly proclaim the Gospel, even at the risk of their own lives. Similarly, the soldiers who laid down their lives for our country exemplify the spirit of sacrifice for the greater good. Today, let us renew our commitment to living a life of faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and dedicate ourselves to the service of God and our fellow human beings. May the fire of Pentecost ignite our hearts with love, compassion, and courage, enabling us to positively impact the world around us.
5.4.23
This past Sunday, our message focused on being the church. In the early and forming days, the church congregated both in the temple and in homes for worship, prayer, song, fellowship, and sharing meals and resources. Despite being persecuted, their hearts overflowed with hope, joy, and gladness as they placed their faith in a powerful and loving God.
As a challenge, we were encouraged to reach out to someone we didn’t know well and invite them to share a meal with us. If you missed the service, consider yourself invited to participate in this challenge. We’d love to hear your story about whom you invited and how it went.
I also loved that you willingly moved and sat by someone different, displacing you from your comfort zone. The point of the activity was to get us moving out of our comfort zone and being open to what and where God may be calling us.
a journey in existence 