Good morning!
We are in the middle of a sermon series called Finding Peace in an Anxious World. So for today, I thought we could share in the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer. It was written in 1932 by Reinhold Niebuhr. World War I had ended a little over a decade earlier. Thousands of people died in the Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920. The stock market crash had brought the country into the Great Depression. In Eastern Europe powers were forming that would lead to World War II.
2020: A hurry-up pace and constant media. Coronavirus, worries about finances, loneliness, national debates. A big disparity between the rich and the poor.
And always, in 1932 and 2020, a listening and acting God.
Niebuhr wrote this prayer, but sometimes I wonder if we compose our prayers or if God writes them on our souls, giving us the words and inspiration we need, just when we need it. The prayer appears below. Read it slowly. Let the words come in rhythm with your breath.
God, give me the grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Here’s a thought. Print it and carry it with you. Reach for God’s calming presence wherever you are, enabling us to live as God’s people, facing the storms, sharing God’s grace.
Blessings,
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.
On Sunday mornings, we worship in a traditional way at 8:30 and in a casual way at 11. And we invite you to join us and worship in whatever way is right for you. And now we are live streaming our 8:30 service.
Coming Up At WDMUMC
Tonight! Midweek Refuel! Soup’s on! Baked Potato soup and lots of fixin’s at 5:30! See you there!
Sunday! A concert you won’t want to miss! Dan Hanze and Gina Gedlar, AMAZING MUSICIANS, will entertain us with music and song Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. This is part of our Music and More on Grand Concert series. A great way to soothe our souls. I will be there and I hope you will be there too.
New Security System is in place! Our new controlled access system has been installed. Our doors will be locked when the preschool is in session in order to increase the security for our children. Groups and individuals can access the building by using their assigned code or by ringing the doorbell. Patience as we get used to a new system!
Are you good at marketing? Love weddings? We are looking for someone to review our wedding policies and develop a wedding ministry that connects young couples to our church. Interested? See Pastor Cindy
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