We often hear the word “salvation” and think about a one time event. Someone says a prayer or gets baptized and from that point turns their life around or we say that they are “saved.” Wesley, however, believed that salvation goes far beyond a one time moment and likely takes place for many on several occasions throughout our lives. What does it mean to be made in the “image of God”? How do we get there? And how are “grace” and “salvation” connected? Join Pastor Ross as we explore these and several other questions as we continue our journey around what it means to be a United Methodist, why we believe this and how we make sense of the UMC’s understanding of “salvation.” We will also be celebrating in some special action songs, and family-friendly worship as we celebrate our 5th Sunday. 

What will I have for dinner? Will I go left or right? Where will I choose to live? I’m just not sure this job is right for me anymore…should I move on to something different? These and so many other questions flood our minds on a daily basis. And the truth is, whether we like it or not, this is simply a part of life. It all gets back to what we in the Church refer to as “Free will,” or that piece of life where we are given the opportunity to make a choice. This can be everything from the simple split-second decision we make when selecting an item off a menu to more life altering decisions that may have a bigger impact on our lives, or the lives of our family.  And the truth is, whether we like it or not, “Free Will” has been around for decades. Our founder, John Wesley not only struggled to make sense of it, but it first showed up in the Bible as well. It is within the Book of Genesis, at the beginning of creation, that humanity is first given the opportunity to make their own choice. They are granted “Free Will.” So the question is, how do we make sense of it? What does it mean for us on our faith journey and how do United Methodists differ in their understanding of “Free Will” versus other denominations or branches of Christianity? Join Pastor Ross as we explore the question of “Who’s the Boss…” when it comes back to our everyday lives, and how God is a part of it. 

For John Wesley, prayer was the primary means of strengthening our relationship with God and one another. It was the means by which we reconnect back to God and understand God more fully. So if prayer is so crucial to our walk with the Lord, how are we engaging in various acts of prayer? Not simply as something we do once a day or once a week in church, but as a constant part of our spiritual journey? Join Pastor Ross as we explore what it means to engage in prayer and do so in ways that are not forced, but to allow for prayer to happen more naturally. How do we move away from “prayer” being an activity, and instead a continual flow of conversation between us and God? 

Worship has always been an essential piece of our life with God. Before there were hymnals, choir robes and baptismal fonts, the Hebrew people gathered to pray, sing songs of praise and lament, and share in the stories of God’s faithfulness. John Wesley also believed in the importance of gathering together for prayer, the Word of God, and sharing in our lives together through worship. For Wesley this remained as a means of grace, and was a guaranteed way in which to meet Christ each week. But I wonder…what is worship anyway? Why are we called to participate in worship in community and not simply keep it personal? And why are we called to move beyond simply gathering for worship and are called to go out to share in this message with those outside the church? These and many other questions will be addressed as we look back at Worship and Service within the UMC.