 Becoming a People of Hope, Healing, and WholenessAs summer begins, I want to share both a personal note and an exciting invitation for our church family and community.
First, I will be away on vacation during the month of June and will return on July 5th. I am deeply grateful to Pastor Sue for graciously providing pastoral coverage while I’m away. Thank you as well to all of you who continue to faithfully serve, pray, encourage, and care for one another. Even while I’m away, ministry continues- and in many ways, something beautiful is beginning to grow among us. Over the past months, our Prayer Team has been prayerfully discerning how God may be calling us to more intentionally pray for our church, our neighbors, and our community. Out of that discernment has come a new initiative called “Covering the Community.” This is more than a program. It is a commitment to become people who actively carry the love, presence, compassion, and hope of Christ into the places where people are hurting, struggling, lonely, discouraged, or searching for hope. Beginning Monday, July 6, and continuing every Monday afterward, our chapel will be open from 11:00 a.m. to noon for quiet prayer. Prayer guides will be available for anyone who would like help focusing their prayers. Members of the Prayer Team will also be present for anyone who would like personal prayer. We will also be extending this invitation beyond our church walls- welcoming members of the community, including groups such as AA, the Dwyer Program, and others who may simply need a quiet and peaceful place to pray or be prayed for. Even if only one person comes on a given Monday, we believe something powerful happens when God’s people faithfully pray. Every week, someone will be intentionally covering our community in prayer. Then, on September 20, we will gather after worship for a shared meal before heading out into the community for a Prayer Walk. Those who are able will walk through neighborhoods praying for homes, families, businesses, schools, and the people we encounter along the way. If someone is open to it, we may even have the privilege of praying with them personally or receiving a prayer request from them. (Rain date: September 27.) On September 27, another part of “Covering the Community” will begin as individuals commit to regularly praying for specific streets and areas throughout the city. Prayer guides will provide information about community needs, concerns, and suggested ways to pray intentionally and compassionately for those who live there. We are stepping into all of this with expectancy. We believe God is already at work. We believe prayer changes things — including us. And we are looking forward to seeing many more “God Moments” as we pay attention to how God moves in our church, our city, and our own lives. As part of this initiative, we will also be creating “Covering the Community” t-shirts featuring our church name. We hope these shirts will serve not only during prayer events, but also in everyday life- a visible reminder that we are followers of Jesus seeking to love our neighbors, pray for our community, and let people know they are not alone. All of this is part of a larger vision: becoming a place of Hope, Healing, and Wholeness through Jesus Christ. This summer, our sermon series will help prepare us for that calling. Together we will explore what it means to become people who reflect God’s light and love into the world around us. The series will begin with “Living on the Vine” and continue through themes such as Unmasked, Unshaken, Untangled, Unstuck, Unending, Undoing, Unrestricted, and Uncommon. My prayer is that God will continue transforming us- shaping us into a people deeply rooted in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and ready to welcome others with grace, authenticity, compassion, and hope. Church family, I truly believe God is doing something among us. Let us continue praying. Let us continue listening. Let us continue following where God leads. And may we become a people who help cover this community in prayer, love, and the presence of Christ. In Christ’s Service, Pastor Sherry
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 There are so many signs of Spring—robins returning, trees beginning to bloom, grass that is turning greener, bulbs that have blossomed, occasional warm breezes, and beautiful, long awaited sunshine (YAY!!)
As I was looking out of my window recently, enjoying the sunshine that I’ve missed for months, I noticed something else about Spring that sprang up within me...a desire to do some spring cleaning! Because filtering the sunshine were little fingerprints—and even nose prints—from my grandchildren who had just visited...as well as a layer of grime on the outside after the winter months of keeping the windows shut tight against the cold. The sunshine didn’t just make me smile or bring warmth to my home—it revealed some cleaning that needed to be done. God’s light works in much the same way. God’s love makes us smile. God’s care warms us. And God’s presence gently reveals areas within us that need attention—perhaps with a deep “spring cleaning”. Not in a condemning way, but in a way that draws attention and even inspires within us a desire for God to spruce up the home of our lives. God’s light shines into the house of our soul, and sometimes what it reveals is a little uncomfortable. We may have smudges on the windows of our perspective that are preventing us from seeing clearly. We may have some sin, like dirty baseboards that need to be wiped down, but we haven’t done it because we keep telling ourselves that no one will notice. We may be holding onto baggage from the past, like a stuffed closet loaded with items we haven't worn in years, leaving no room for what God would want to do now. Or we may have collected a pile of excuses for why we can’t change, like that one drawer that seems to gather everything and never gets cleaned out—the “junk drawer” (and we all have one). But spring cleaning isn’t just about seeing what’s dirty, messy, broken or needing to be changed. It’s about making space for something fresh. We open everything up to let the fresh air move through, and we begin to freshen up and renew our spaces. In the life of faith, we aren’t left alone with a lengthy “to-do list.” Right now, we are in a season of Eastertide—a time when we remember that God not only reveals what needs to change, but also brings new life. Through the power of the resurrection, God is actively renewing us, shaping us, and creating space within us for grace, peace, and purpose. God inspires, equips, and empowers us to journey into the fresh, new life God wants for us. In the days after Jesus’ resurrection, people encountered him and found that everything was being made new. In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb, overwhelmed with grief—until Jesus called her by name, and she was suddenly able to see clearly. In the Gospel of Luke, two disciples walked along the road, carrying confusion and disappointment—until their eyes were opened and their hearts burned with new understanding. Resurrection didn’t just change what they believed—it changed how they saw, what they carried, and how they lived, as God created new life within them. And the same is true for us. Spring cleaning in our lives isn’t about scrubbing harder or trying to make ourselves perfect. It’s about allowing God to gently clear what no longer belongs, so that something new can take its place. It’s about releasing what we’ve been holding onto, healing what’s been hidden away, and opening up space for grace, peace, and purpose. Because resurrection power through Jesus Christ isn’t just about an empty tomb. It’s about our lives being made new—again and again. And thankfully, God’s renewal is much more thorough and far more loving than anything we would try to do on our own. God is with us in the process—in the noticing, in the letting go, and in creating something new within us. And God also designed for believers to experience that renewal together in community as we gather, reflect, pray, encourage one another, and share God Moments along the way into the new life God is creating among us. So, as we move through this Easter season together, consider: · Where is God gently shining light into your life? · What is God inviting you to release? · What new thing might God be making space for within you, and among our church family? May we be a people who not only welcome the light, but trust what God is doing in it. I’m looking forward with gratitude and anticipation to the fresh new work God is doing among us. Peace and Grace, Pastor Sherry  As we continue through Lent—a season of prayer, reflection, and repentance—we begin to turn our hearts toward Holy Week. All of Lent leads us to this sacred time, when we walk step-by-step with Jesus through the final days of his earthly ministry.
On Sunday. March 29th, we celebrate Palm Sunday. Jesus entered Jerusalem to crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” - which means “Save us!” They waved palm branches, welcoming him as a king and celebrating what they believed would be a victory. Yet Jesus entered knowing the danger ahead. Because of his great love, he chose to enter anyway. On Thursday, April 2nd, we observe Maundy Thursday. Jesus gathered with his disciples in the Upper Room to share the Passover meal. He knew the cross was before him. He knew he would be betrayed, denied, and abandoned. And still—he loved. He knelt down and washed his disciples’ feet, taking the posture of a servant. He washed the feet of Judas , who would betray him. He washed the feet of Peter, who would deny him. He washed the feet of those who would scatter and leave him alone. We may not think of ourselves in those terms, but truly, we have all had moments where we’ve fallen short—times we’ve turned away, stayed silent, or chosen our own way instead of God’s. And still...Jesus loved anyway. And that same love is offered to us—no matter who we are or what we have done. On Friday, April 3rd, we remember Good Friday, when Jesus gave his life on the cross. It is a solemn day, reminding us that Jesus knows us fully—our fears, our doubts, our regrets, the things we carry quietly—and chose to give himself for us anyway. His love held nothing back. And then comes Easter Sunday, April 5th—the celebration of resurrection and new life. Jesus rose again, defeating sin and death, restoring what was broken, and making a way for us to be in relationship with God once again. Through Jesus, there is victory—over sin, over death, over every broken place in our lives. All because Jesus loved anyway. If you are still exploring what that love means, I invite you to take a step closer this season. It truly is life-changing. And if you already know this love—rejoice! And live it out. Love others as Christ has loved us. Where might God be inviting you to love anyway? “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) May you experience God’s deep and abundant love this season. Grace and Peace, Pastor Sherry  There’s an old saying about the month of March, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” I remember my children in preschool focusing on this with arts and crafts, and they would make puppet faces for both a lion and a lamb that they played with. When this phrase is used, it is typically referring to March beginning with weather that comes in as a strong and powerful Winter but then transitions to a mild and gentle Spring. “In like a lion and out like a lamb” can also describe Jesus’ experience during Holy Week, and some believe the origins of this phrase actually came from that Biblical understanding.
We are now in the season of Lent, and are doing a sermon series that is exploring Holy Week. It began with Jesus coming into Jerusalem like a lion, a king, with his triumphal entry. (Don’t worry, we will still wave palms and shout “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday!) Throughout Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’ life, many events took place until Jesus experienced his arrest and trials. Jesus chose to become the “sacrificial lamb,” on our behalf, being crucified for the atonement of the sins of the world. Yet in the Biblical story, and in our lives, it doesn’t end in death, but in life! Jesus rose again, triumphant as king! (Hallelujah, Amen!) New life in Christ and eternal life are available to everyone through Jesus Christ! Jesus is both the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world and the “Lion of Judah”! (see Rev. 5:5-10) During Lent, we focus on our need for new life within, our continual sanctification, and eternal life through Jesus. The beginning of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, with a prayer vigil. There was the imposition of ashes that reflects humility, repentance, and even our own mortality, as a reminder that we need a Savior! Lent is a time determined by the Church for reflection, preparation, and participation. Throughout Lent, we focus on growing in our faith and devotion while also determining to repent. We participate in practices over 40 days, such as fasting, prayer, increased reading of Scripture, and increased giving (sometimes referred to as almsgiving). During the prayer vigil, people prayed about how God would have them respond—either by giving up something or taking up something (or both) - listed in the other article about the prayer vigil. When we participate in Lent with a seeking and repentant heart, we draw near to our Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Throughout the 40 days of Lent, as we continue to reflect, repent, commit, and grow, we look forward to the experience of our Lion of Judah who triumphed over the grave on Easter. Please prayerfully consider participating in Lenten practices this year- it’s not too late to start. All are also encouraged to attend Holy Week services. Take the time, and experience the new life that Christ offers. I invite you to journal about your experiences through Lent and consider sharing your reflections and experiences, your God Moments, with your faith family. March is ushering in Lent, “In like a Lion, and out like a Lamb,” and we remember that Jesus continues to be for us the Lion and the Lamb! Praise be to God! Shalom, Pastor Sherry  There are moments in life when we find ourselves standing at a threshold. A doorway between what has been and what is coming next. A pause before we step forward. A moment where we sense that something new is beginning- but we’re not quite sure how to enter it.
Lent is one of those moments. Before we rush toward Easter’s celebration, Lent invites us to stop, to breathe, to take an honest look at our lives and our relationship with God. It is not a season meant to weigh us down, but to help us make room- room for grace, truth, and transformation. Ash Wednesday stands right at the threshold. It reminds us of our humanity as we hear the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” But it also invites us into grace through repentance as we hear the words, “Repent, and believe the gospel.” To repent, to turn around, is to reorient our lives toward God again. Not in shame, but in hope. Not in fear, but in trust. For many of us, the hardest part of faith is not believing- it’s slowing down enough to listen. Life moves quickly. Our days are full. Our minds are busy. And even our prayers can begin to feel rushed or routine. That is why this year, we are offering something a little different as we begin Lent. On Wednesday, February 18th, from 4-6:30pm, our Prayer Team has created an Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil in Darrah Hall. Rather than a single, scheduled service, the space will be arranged with eight prayer stations, each designed to offer an opportunity to pause, reflect, and pray. A place to breathe, encounter and connect with God, and experience the threshold into Lent. We anticipate and open ourselves to how God will move in our lives throughout the 40 days of Lent and beyond. You are welcome to come at any point during those two and a half hours. You may stay briefly, or linger. Among the stations will be an opportunity for the imposition of ashes, reminding us of our shared humanity, and to receive Holy Communion, reminding us that grace always meets us at the threshold. If your life feels full… or noisy… or heavy… If you’re not sure what direction God is calling you… If you desire a deeper experience of Lent… If you simply need a quiet moment to catch your breath… Come, and prayerfully participate on Ash Wednesday. Lent doesn’t ask us to have everything figured out, but invites us to pause long enough to breathe deeply, trust that God will meet us there, and to step forward into wherever and however God is leading. My hope is that this prayer vigil will be for all of us a sacred threshold where we can breathe, pray, and move forward on a transformative journey together. Grace and peace, Pastor Sherry  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! - II Corinthians 5:17
We often consider January 1st as a time of new beginnings. A new year, a fresh start, with resolutions to live a different life, a better life. But January 1st is just a date on the Gregorian calendar, an invented time measurement. Nothing really changes on January 1st (except trying to remember new numbers when writing the year), and some of us even make resolutions that begin on January 2nd- wanting one more day of our old life. Typically, resolutions have been found to not be lasting. Every once in a while, it will stick, but not usually. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t look forward to and strive for positive change, but it does mean that we should instead examine it from the perspective of our faith. Lasting change, real transformation, is available to us every day through Christ. If we were to call it a resolution, it would be to resolve to live into the promise God has given us. The Christian life is a world of new beginnings, fresh starts. God wants us to live a life filled with the fruit of God’s Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. God wants all of us to live by the Spirit and experience God’s abundant blessings in every area of our life. Typical New Year’s Resolutions are usually decided by us, propelled forward only by our own will and stamina, and then we wonder why a resolution did not result in lasting change. As people of faith, we need to invite God into our decisions, into every area of our life. We ask God about what God would want us to change, submit to God’s will, and then rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live into God’s new and fresh start. Transformation, sanctification—the “new” is here and available to all of us at all times through Jesus Christ, our Lord. May you have a blessed New Year! Peace, Pastor Sherry  ‘Tis the season to be...
Well, the next song lyric says "jolly," yet if we aren’t careful, this season can easily become something very different. Instead of joy, it can feel stressful, debt-inducing, anxiety-filled, consumeristic, envy-laden, chaotic, crazy busy, and exhausting. The world around us pushes us toward a mindset and pace that is counter to the heart of this season. It can make the season of light feel strangely dark. In the church, the season we are entering is called Advent—a time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, and a time when we prepare for the second coming of Christ. Truly, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Christians have been saying this phrase for many years, reminding themselves and others to keep the focus on Jesus during the season of Advent and Christmas. It’s been used so often that it can sometimes feel cliché, but it's a reminder we truly do need. Jesus is the One who brings light into our darkness. Jesus is our reason to celebrate. Jesus is our reason to prepare our hearts with expectation for the coming of our King . ‘Tis the season to be jolly, yes- but also the season to be hopeful, peace-filled, joyful, and loving. 'Tis the season to hold on to your faith- no matter what’s going on in your life, because we remember that Jesus was born for us- the Light of the World, Emmanuel, which means, "God with us." As the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” - Isaiah 9:2 As believers, the light of Christ is within us. We carry the light of Christ into the darkness of the world. Christmas lights, candles, and our cherished traditions remind us of this reality. We tell the story of Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem. We give to others to celebrate and honor God, who gives generously to us. We sing songs, bake cookies, and have many traditions for celebrating the birth of Jesus- shining Christ's light everywhere we go! So keep Jesus as your reason for this season, and may Christ’s light within you burn brightly! ‘Tis the season to light up the world, to carry hope, and to celebrate the One who came to save us! Peace, Pastor Sherry  Rooted in Gratitude, Growing in Faith, Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” — Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV) November is a month that turns our hearts toward gratitude and remembrance. We remember the saints who have gone before us- those who sang the hymns, built the walls, prayed the prayers, and passed on the faith. We give thanks for the many ways God has been faithful through every generation of this church. And as we approach Thanksgiving and Consecration Sunday, we also look ahead- asking how we might live thankfully, faithfully, and fruitfully in this new season. Our roots run deep. Like a great tree planted by streams of water, this congregation has endured storms, changes, and seasons of both abundance and pruning. Every leaf of your story- every person, every prayer, every act of service—has mattered to God. We are rooted in a rich soil of grace and faithfulness, nourished by generations who trusted that God was not finished yet. Their faith still sustains us. But trees are not meant to stay the same. They grow. They reach upward toward the light and outward toward others. That’s what faith does, too. This fall, as our new Vision Team begins its work, we are listening together for how God is calling us to grow- not just in numbers, but in depth of faith, in community connection, and in fruitful ministry. We are praying for open hearts, fresh imagination, and holy courage to follow wherever God leads. The heart of stewardship is really about growth. When we give our time, talents, and resources, we’re not just keeping ministries running- we’re helping the Kingdom of God take root in new places. Our giving is an act of trust that God will take what we offer and multiply it for purposes far beyond what we can see. Every gift becomes a seed of hope. Every prayer becomes living water. Every act of service bears fruit in someone’s life. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) That is our calling- to stay connected to the Source of life and to bear fruit that blesses others. The fruit of a healthy, rooted, growing church is not just in attendance or programs, but in lives changed by grace, families strengthened in love, and a community touched by compassion. This November, as we remember the saints and celebrate God’s goodness, may we also look ahead with gratitude and expectation. God is not done with us. The same Spirit who sustained those before us is calling us now- to nurture our faith, to deepen our roots, and to reach out in love. As we continue to discern God’s vision for our future together, I invite you to pray daily- asking God to guide us, to stir our hearts, and to show us where new life is waiting to grow. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 30th, will be Consecration Sunday, when we’ll take time in worship to dedicate our financial pledges and commitments for the coming year. During that service, we will give thanks to God for His faithfulness and ask God’s blessing over all that we offer- trusting that, together, Christ First UMC will continue to be rooted in gratitude, growing in faith, and bearing fruit for the Kingdom. Peace, Pastor Sherry  I love the season of fall! When the air turns crisp and the trees start showing off their colors, I find myself pausing to breathe and reflect. It feels like an invitation from God to pay attention, to notice what God is doing.
This fall, our church is making a shift that I think holds that same kind of invitation. Instead of our Administrative Council meeting every month, we’ll be meeting quarterly. And in those “off” months, we’re opening the space to the whole church family — not for business or reports, but for prayer, learning, and listening together for God’s direction. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about this. Too often, churches can get caught up in the nuts and bolts of running things and forget to pause, pray, and dream together. These new gatherings will be a chance to do just that—to slow down, to ask what God is doing in and among us, and to imagine what’s next. Think of it like sitting around the family table, where everyone has a seat and everyone’s voice matters. My prayer is that these times together will deepen our discipleship—helping us grow in Christ—and inspire us toward new ways of reaching out with God’s love. I believe that as we step into this new rhythm, God will show us more than we can ask or imagine. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20 that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” I am confident that as we take this next step, God will do just that—immeasurably more! Let’s move forward together in faith, prayer, and vision. The first Vision Meeting is Monday, October 13th at 6:00 pm. I hope you will join us—I can’t wait to see what unfolds as we seek God’s vision together! Grace and peace, Pastor Sherry  (Jesus said) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing your selves to be my disciples.” - John 15:5, 8
Years ago, I was talking with someone who had been in church for many years. She was active in a couple of ministries, attended worship weekly if at all possible, and yet our conversation startled me. I had mentioned discipleship, and was talking about how believers are called to be disciples, and she said that she didn’t believe she was a disciple. Somehow, she had come to think that disciples were “too holy” to include her. But really, a disciple is simply someone who follows Jesus, and that opportunity is open to everyone! Once we receive justifying grace, salvation through Jesus Christ, we are all called to be disciples through a community of believers, the church. The point, however, is to stay on the journey of sanctification, becoming transformed into Christ’s likeness throughout our lives, not just be busy with church stuff. That differentiation is often determined by our attitude, our heart posture. While one person may participate in church programs or activities and experience it as busyness, or even a hardship, or a burden, someone else may do the same thing and feel inspired, closer to God, and others. For instance, at one of my former churches, they could not afford to pay someone to clean the church building—and it was huge! A small group of people came together excitedly and decided to create a Cleaning Team. They would come early in the mornings and clean, making the church spic ‘n span. Most wouldn’t find this satisfying, or believe they were following Jesus and experiencing God’s transforming sanctifying grace in the process. But this team did! They enjoyed it! They would play Christian praise music as they cleaned together. They got to know one another better, developing strong, caring relationships. They laughed and cried together, and they prayed for and with one another. They looked forward to seeing one another every week in worship. All because of cleaning! They were sold out on their mission from God to make the church a beautiful place, honoring the gift of the building that God had given. That’s how God had called them to serve. Part of discipleship is serving—where is God calling you to serve? Another part of discipleship is how we “become.” Some of that may occur as we serve, but all the way through Scripture it is encouraged that believers read and know the Word of God, pray, worship, and give. Some of this we can do privately, but greater and stronger spiritual growth occurs when we also do it together, experiencing authentic Christian community. All of this is part of that verse in John 15 when Jesus described how he is the vine, we are the branches, and we are to remain in him. We are to stay close to God, connected and growing always. In what way is God calling you to grow in this area? Ask God about it! And, as we look ahead, we remember that another part of discipleship is to be a witness- to share our faith! We are, hopefully, doing this by living grace-filled, God-honoring lives, but we also want to invite others to join us! Join us for worship, join us to serve together, join us for fellowship, join us and be part of something bigger than ourselves- God’s kingdom mission, on earth as it is in heaven! I want to encourage you to watch for who God brings before you, giving the opportunity to extend an invitation to join us, and then boldly and courageously just do it! I look forward to seeing how many new faces we will see because our church is actively inviting others to join us! Make sure to introduce me to them! Serving, Growing, Sharing- it all points to the other part in John 15 when Jesus said that we would bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Take a moment, reflect and ask God, where is there fruit in who I am becoming through Christ, and what is the fruit through serving and sharing? How is God being glorified through you? That person I shared about at the beginning—she went from being busy to being devoted, from doing tasks to serving with joy. She once thought discipleship was beyond her, but God transformed her! She began a journey of spiritual growth by attending Bible study, Prayer Team, and more. Soon after, she was led by the Spirit to start leading ministries—she jumped in with two feet into discipleship, never looking back! After just a few years, she is now prayerfully considering becoming a pastor!! Her story reminds us that discipleship is not just for the ‘holy few’ — it’s for each of us. That same transforming grace is available to ALL of us! Imagine what God will do in our church as we all lean into the fullness of being a disciple! Where is God calling you to serve, to grow, and to invite? Imagine how our church will be transformed as we all step more deeply into following Jesus together! God is SO good! In Christ’s Service Pastor Sherry |
AuthorRev. Susan Hadley Archives
June 2026
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