"Have plans for the weekend?" Midweek Invitations Pastor Cindy's Devotion 01/22/2019

Hello friends,
We are hunkering down for a snowstorm.  I hope you are warm and safe.
Today I have three invitations for you.
Breathe, Pray, Live.  That’s the first invitation.  (You can go ahead and do that right now.)  Take a breath.  It’s good for you.  Pray.  Speak your heart.  Listen for God’s response.  Live.  Live a healthy balanced life.  Repeat often.  Breathe, Pray, Live is also our sermon series for February.  We all want to get our lives in balance.  We all have some toxic stuff we need to exhale.  We all need to fill our lungs and our lives with the good stuff God wants for us.  Come to worship in February and we will do this wildly freeing thing:  we will Breathe, Pray, Live.
Invitation #2, our Annual Celebration, 5 pm on Saturday.  2000 years ago, a few dozen people started a movement based on loving God and loving neighbor and loving self.  It was modeled after the life of Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified and then rose from the dead.  The movement is fueled by the Holy Spirit.  The goal of the movement is to change the world through love.  There are thousands of franchises around the world.  We are one of them.  How are we doing?  Saturday night we will review our mission and see how we changed the world in 2018.  We will thank our retiring leadership and consecrate our incoming leadership. We will take time to thank and encourage new young leaders who are rising up.  And we will make plans for 2019.  And good food will follow.  Come and celebrate this movement of grace and peace. (We will be done by 6!)
Invitation #3, Taize’ Service at 4 pm on Sunday.  Ever been to a Taize’ service?  It is a quiet contemplative service.  Songs and scripture and prayer are shared in a candlelight setting.  Tired of the noise of the world?  Want to simply sit quietly in thought and prayer?  A Taize’ service feels a bit like a spa for your soul. 
All these invitations have one thing in common.  They are invitations to grow closer to God.  I need that, and maybe you do too.  I need holy assurance that God is near, that I am ok, that God knows me and is giving me strength.  These are just three invitations here at WDMUMC.  God is always inviting us into an adventure of faith. You are invited.
 
Hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy Hickman
PS:  Last week I told you all that my grandson had just been born.  He and his family are doing fine.  Thank you for your well wishes. 
And I want to do a shout out to all young parents.  How do you do it?  My 8-year-old granddaughter stayed with us for four days.  I had just one child in my care and I was exhausted!  The morning conversation went something like this:
Time to get up.
Are you ready for breakfast?
Can you finish your juice?
Time to brush your teeth.
Did you comb your hair?
You need to wear socks.
Do you know where your shoes are?
Do you have your backpack? 
Buckle up!
And off we went.  I love my grandchild—but oh my goodness, parenting is a lot of work!  Hats off to your parents!
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.
This week at WDMUMC:
MidWeek Refuel Wednesday night.  Walking Taco night!  Supper at 5:30 and of course you are invited! 
Closing the church due to weather.  We will follow West Des Moines Public Schools with regards to cancellation and closings.  If WDM Schools close due to weather, we will also close. Today the church is closing at noon.