"Midweek and a PT Edition" Pastor Trevor's Devotion 03/11/2020

Hello All! 

Welcome to the PT (Pastor Trevor) Edition of the Midweek Devotion. Pastor Cindy is off doing sacred work for a couple of days this week. I had the honor of preaching about prayer last week and I want to re-share an image from that sermon as well as ask you to use that image to help me prepare for my next sermon on March 22nd!

One of my seminary professors, Dr. MaryKate Morse said, “If we imagine for a moment that God is a city, prayer would be the way into the city. Depending on where you are in life, your way into the city might be a freeway or a boulevard. Or maybe and avenue, alley, sidewalk, train track, bike path, or a winding dirt trail. All of these ways get you into the city.” We pray so that we may connect with God. As we pray, we remember that we are spending time with God, learning who God is and who we are, learning to love God, love ourselves, and love God’s people. This happens over a lifetime. So whether our prayer is more like a boulevard or a winding dirt trail, we keep moving into the city.

I’m preaching on "stewardship" next. It’s giving. There are multiple ways to give: financially, time, emotionally, etc. But we’re specifically going to focus on financial giving as "an essential practice of the Christian life." These practices encompass our worship series for all of Lent as we learn to walk together in faith. 

I have a good idea why you pray but I know less about why you give your finances to God. Do you tithe as an offering to God? Do you give to the church and/or other places? Whether you do or don’t, can you tell me more about why? To be clear, there is no judgment. I’ve never seen a record of who gives or who doesn’t give. You haven’t seen my record either but I can tell you I have a goal of getting to a 10% tithe to the church but I’m not there yet. I’m not even close. So no judgment from me!

Any insight y’all can give me about this spiritual practice of our faith will help tremendously. 

Blessings!

Pastor Trevor

Pastor Trevor Vaughn

West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826

Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.

On Sunday morning we worship at 8 am in a traditional way, at 9:30 blending tradition and new music and 11 in a casual way.  You are invited to join in worship in whatever way is right for you.  NOTE!  These are new worship times!   Sunday school is from 9:30 to-10:30.  

And we will Livestream our 9:30 service! 

This Week at WDMUMC

Midweek Refuel tonight!  This is our weekly meal.  Build Your Own Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap with Homemade Caesar Dressing; Lettuce, Guacamole, and Salsa; Trees and Raisins “Special Salad”; Tortilla Chips; Salad Bar Extravaganza; Chicken Nuggets for Children; Homemade Desserts.

• It all starts at 5:30 p.m. Come for the food and stay for the fun, faith, fellowship, and education. See you there!
• A free-will offering supports our Everybody Eats! program ensuring that neighborhood children and beyond have the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. 
• Additionally, Pastor Cindy & Parents will meet after dinner while Morganne takes the kiddos. 

Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, March 30
8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Bidwell Riverside Center operates one of DMARC’s Food Pantries--and one that assists a large number of the average 19,000 individuals we see each month through our Pantry Network. Help support the many services they offer:

• Join us for an All You Care To Eat pancake breakfast to support Bidwell Riverside Center, hosted by Grace United Methodist Church.
• Food includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, and beverages. There will also be quilts and baked goods for sale, as well as a silent auction.
• All funds generated at the event support Bidwell Riverside Center’s programs that help those in our community who are struggling to meet basic human needs.
• https://www.eventbrite.com/o/bidwell-riverside-center-14797743153