The Holy Spirit Soared

Sunday was fantastic.  What a crowd for summer and what a wonderful service.  We baptized another little baby and what a blessing it was to the entire church.  We heard beautiful music…you go Ashley.  We opened up God’s Word and surprised everyone with some special additions to the sermon…thank you Lynn…gorgeous as always.  A special thank you is in order as Lisa and I were welcomed back for another year.  The church celebrated and we were humbled by the love given to us.  Three and a half years have flown by and we continue to be amazed at how much God has worked at Stockbridge First.  We continue to soar.  We continue to fly high.

Life is like that.  It was designed to soar and fly, not be grounded or waiting to take off.  You were designed to rev your engines and put the after burners on.  Hit mach 1, 2, or 3 on occasion.  Perhaps back off a bit and coast a while, but whatever you do live life and live it to it’s fullest.  Some just want to complain.  Some just want to stay stuck.  Those people want you to be miserable as well.  Don’t let them steal your joy.  Keep flying.

At Stockbridge we are doing just that.  Some have tried to bring us down.  Not any longer.  Some have tried to slow us down.  Not any longer.  Some have tried to steal the joy.   No more.  We are a church that continues to rise above, work it out, and soar like an eagle.  

Come fly with us.  Come be a part of a church that is real, that struggles with the best of them, but that knows how to be a church with God as its center.  We are here.  We hope you will be too!

Have a blessed week!

Rev. Jim

VBS…WOW!!

Last week we did something incredible.  Over 130 kids met Jesus Christ through song, dance, crafts and story!  Each night was powerful and a real testimony to what we believe is the most important thing…OUR CHILDREN!  The kids at Stockbridge First and beyond are given so many opportunities to learn, love and have fun.  Stacey Doremus has done a fabulous job as our Children’s Coordinator and we are blessed God has led her to serve in this capacity.  She has organized and inspired people to serve and be a part of this wonderful ministry.  In the fall, we will be starting a CHILDREN’S WORSHIP SERVICE designed to meet the kids specific needs.  We can’t wait to watch the Spirit of God take hold of this ministry.

We continue to be stretched and challenged by God’s Spirit.  The Maker of Heaven is working powerfully in this church and we are always humbled by it.  The Spirit of God continues to bring us new people to be a part of this wonderful family as well as inspiring those that have been here for years.  

Come meet us.  You know where we are.  We are a church with love to share and we hope you will want to be a part of it.  During these tough times that is something we certainly all need.

Hope to see you Sunday!  Until then I pray for you to have a glorious week!

Peace,

Rev. Jim 

A Connection

Every time I attend Annual Conference I am pleasantly surprised.  First, Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is the time when all the churches come together in one place and discuss the business of the church.  Thousands of clergy and laity unite and vote, celebrate, worship, dream, and commit themselves to another year together.  Some of it is serious, but a lot of it is seeing God at work in the global church of Methodism.

For me it is a time to see Christ at work in my colleagues.  It is reunion of sorts and it is always blessed by God.  We call that connection.  We call that family.  We call that being the BODY OF CHRIST.  Sometimes ministry at my level can “feel” isolated and alone.  However, when we meet as an Annual Conference I feel the presence of God working through everyone.  

God is working through you.  He is trying to connect you to people.  He is trying to use you to bring hope, love and healing to all you meet.  We don’t live in a bubble.  We don’t live in a fishbowl, but, instead, a vast ocean filled with possibility and potential.  How will you be led?  What will you do to connect and maybe reconnect with God and those around you?

At Stockbridge First there is a connection.  A connection that if you come and discover it will change your life.  It is filled with people that really care.  Lives just like yours.  There is a place for you here.  We look forward to meeting you soon.  In the mean time, have  a blessed week and a wonderful day!

Peace always,

Rev. Jim

Seen and Unseen

Sunday was a great service.  Our music rocked and we had a great Holy Spirit filled day!  Thanks to all who made it special.  However, it didn’t stop there.  We started our Vacation Bible School…CAMP E.D.G.E.!  The church was filled with kids.  I play BLAZE who is the camp leader. I don’t do much except read some lines and get the kids pumped up.  

It made me think about people who are seen and unseen.  I was really the only one on stage, but there were many who were there, but not seen.  In fact, we have over ninety volunteers for VBS this year!  WOW!  You might never know their names or see their faces, but they  keep the engine running.  They make this church shine.  They are the unseen.  They are the ones that never need a thank you.  SO HERE IT GOES…..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!! Your Lord sees your good work.  Heaven rejoices with you.

Stockbridge First is filled with people like this.  Come and meet them.  Come and be a part of it.  You will be glad you came!

May God Bless You TODAY!

Rev. Jim

We Know How To Celebrate!

Wow!  What a Sunday.  The church kicked off the first Sunday of summer in an incredible way.  First, we shared in Holy Communion.  That is always special as we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.  We also watched a special Kids Video where we learned about the Vacation Bible School this year as well as the Water Day that we had for the kids on Saturday.  They had a blast and we got to share in it on Sunday as we watched them, soaked to the bone, say thank you to their church.  What a day!  

If you are wondering about who we are, we are a church that continues to unite people with the vision God has placed here.  We are a church that loves people…all kinds of people.  People that hurt, struggle and are in need.  People that wish to learn more and people that wish to teach.  People who stumble and fall down, but repent and get back on their feet.  We are a church that is always here for each other.  It would take days to write down all that we do, but trust me WE DO!  

We would love you to be a part of this great church as well.  If you are looking, come on in.  There is no pressure, no frills…just the Word of God proclaimed and the celebration that follows.  Hope to see you this Sunday!

Peace always,

Rev. Jim

Summer Time!

I love hot weather.  It is something that just makes me feel alive.  In hot weather the south comes alive.  The skin gets a little tanner, the sweat on the brow becomes noticeable, the heart pumps a little more, the calories burn faster and most of all hot weather means water!  Water becomes something we want to jump, splash, dive, float and immerse ourselves in.  Pools become our sanctuaries.  Beaches become our places of retreat.  In fact, Lisa and I will be enjoying that kind of retreat soon. 

Water in the summer time of the south has such a cleansing and renewing effect on our lives.  We give thanks to God that this year we have had plenty of it.  How will you be renewed this summer?  How will you be cleansed?  What will you do to find a sanctuary of peace and blessing? 

If you know anything about God, renewal comes in Christ, cleansing is found in His love and forgiveness.  Sanctuary is found at His feet as we sit to listen, be taught and to be filled.  Peace is felt in His voice that gives peace.  Blessings are made known to us every day as we watch our Lord work miracles big and small. 

This summer, find time for renewal.  Vacations will be a great time for a get away.  Get away and out of the hectic world in which we live.  However, don’t forget the renewal that truly gives life…our Lord.  Let Him replenish your spirit through worship, study and service.  So glad you came to experience some of it today!

Love you all,

Rev. Jim

The Holy Spirit Moves!

Worship was wonderful!  It always is.  We talked about how the Holy Spirit is very much alive at Stockbridge First UMC.  People continue to unite and make this their church home…thank you HOLY SPIRIT!  Ministries continue to grow…thank you HOLY SPIRIT!  People continue to ask how can I help…thank you HOLY SPIRIT!  Worship excites, welcomes and rejuvenates…thank you HOLY SPIRIT!  

The Holy Spirit is alive and lives in you!  If you don’t know Him just say hello.  Begin a conversation.  Let your heart open just a hair and watch what He will do in your life.  God’s Spirit will love you, forgive you, help you, console you, lift you, fill you, surround you, hear you, be with you and so much more.  WHY?  Because God loves you!  

At Stockbridge UMC incredible things happen, because people are Holy Spirit filled.  Wonderful things blossom when we allow God to work in us and through us.  Come experience it here.  Meet wonderful people.  Meet loving people.  Meet people who care.  Hope to see you on Sunday.

Peace,

Rev. Jim