Good morning everyone—
John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
For the last two Sundays, I have been preaching about the abundant life Jesus promises. I made the case that church is a sort of an abundant life factory, a place where we
· gather and welcome one another,
· where we support and encourage one another,
· where we dive in deep and ask big questions about life and faith and God,
· and then molded and fueled by the grace of God and the encouragement of the community, we launch into the world to live as people filled with grace serving others.
Last Sunday, we opened all the doors of the church, letting the Holy Spirit carry that vision and us into the world.
We are a redemption center really, a place where people who were cast off or lost can find worth again. And then the redeemed participate with God in the redemption of others. It’s all an upward movement. We, meaning everyone, rise because of Christ.
I love that image of the church. And honestly, as I preached those words, I felt refreshed. I like the idea of being in the redemption business.
In the last few days, I have had conversations with people about this idea. I have discovered two things:
· A lot of people have a much different image of the church.
· A lot of people have lost hope in the redemption of the world or people. It is just too far gone.
This email goes out to the WDMUMC church family. I would like to hear about your image of the church. What is our work? Bottom line, what should we be about? Why do we exist? Have you felt the redemption I am talking about?
A pastor who once served here always asked a lot of questions, and he would follow with “Jesus said we could ask.” So I am asking. In this complicated world, what is the church?
Blessings this day,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Visit us at wdmumc.org or like us on Facebook
We worship on Sunday at 8:30 in a traditional way or at 11:00 in a casual way. And you can follow the livestream of our 8:30 worship service on Facebook.
This week at WDMUMC
Trunk or Treat! Tonight from 6-7:30 ghosts, goblins, and Spiderman and a princess or two will gather in our parking lot for trick or treating. Bring your goblins to trick or treat or fill your trunk with candy and come and share. Suppers on too!
Omelet Breakfast! This Sunday the MitsWits Sunday school class is serving up breakfast from 8-11:30. Yumm!
Laity Sunday! This Sunday the pastors will be loafing and the people will lead worship. Mark Willson will share the message.
Bar+Church! Pastor Trevor will lead Bar+Church at The Hall on Sunday at 1 pm. A new place to talk about faith with new people. You are invited.
And if you haven’t made a financial commitment to the church for 2020, and you would like to, contact the church office for a pledge card.
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