As I thought about the powerful impact of kind and encouraging words, I was also reminded of the destructive power of harsh words. I sense most of us have been mocked or called a name at some point in our lives, and thus understand how those experiences impact us in powerful ways. One of our most dangerous human tendencies is to use words to denigrate those who we disagree with, or who may simply be different than us in some way. In seminary, I formed a close friendship with a fellow student about my age who is African American. I will never forget the time he shared how, as a young child, the father of one of his playmates came down the street and pulled his young friend away by the arm, saying “You’re not gonna play with that [racial epithet] anymore.” While I’m thankful those words are no longer tolerated broadly in our society, I also recognize how too many people still encounter similar words. It grieves me greatly that any person would have to face the crushing weight of those hurtful words.

  I think we all recognize how our society at large is wrestling with the impact and power of our words. Much of that discussion has to do with freedoms and rights in a legal sense. And yes, those are very important considerations that must be carefully discerned. Yet I sense that, for followers of Christ Jesus, there is a more important consideration: how do our words reflect the image of our Lord? In other words, do our words affirm and bring Christ honor, or do they conflict with the teachings and example of Christ’s life? I believe the answers to those questions are crucial in our calling to embody God’s goodness and peace in this broken world! In closing, I’ll leave you with a short prayer to help us all allow God to guide our words. May it be so-

    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Sunday, February 13

special time of 11:30am to 1:30pm (instead of at night)

MUSIC MINISTRY

Living Nativity Participants, please return your laundered costume to the church as soon as possible. We are still missing Angels A2, 12 & 16; Shepherd SH 7. Thank you for participating and thank you to all who have returned their costumes.

Donations Needed of

 Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex

Please contact Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help. 

           On Tuesday, February 8^th, Paul Henry’s Zoom class will feature Blair Revak, MD, speaking of her husband’s nearly two-year journey through a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. David, her husband, also a physician, died in 2014, but during his two years of treatment following the diagnosis, David dealt with his feelings by beginning to paint. During that time period he completed over 57 paintings, many with religious themes.

Blair is a life-long active Lutheran, and she facilitates grief support groups and speaks on grief.

Contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for Zoom info

Wade (Sandy) Rice.

Saturday, February 19^th at 10 a.m.

online (click here).or through the church email at stjumc@aol.com. 

if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks. 

Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit. Lenten Offerings may also be received through our website.

 TEXT GIVING 

email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

Words of Faith & Life- Bishop Peggy A. Johnson 

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church 

address, phone, email, etc.

Click on the button below to view the video about Bright Future Academy at El Mesias UMC, the recipient of our

2021 Advent Offering