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The following are some recommendations from the United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries (a committee of Global Ministries) for improving accessibility and inclusion for Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and Deafblind people who may join your congregation for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. Quick Tips If you have an interpreter, […]
Joy 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation…” I Thessalonians 5:16-18a Has anyone ever asked you, “What final words do you want to leave with those you love when you are gone?” It is a challenging question. I have shared with many the words my father said to me shortly […]
Joy Psalm 126 “Let those who plant with tears, reap the harvest with joyful shouts.” Psalm 126:5 There is an undeniable ebb and flow that is the nature of life. Every year moves us through the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. There are times of plentiful rain, and times of drought. There are […]
Joy Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-10 “. . . my heart is joyful because of my God, . . .” Isaiah 61:10 Joy is a good word. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by wellbeing.” It is interesting to me that people don’t seem to use the word “joy” in their common communications […]
Love Isaiah 11:6c “. . . and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6c When my eldest son, Jason, was just four years old, I was on the patio going over some materials for a teacher training prior to the Advent season. It just so happened I was looking over the 4-year old class […]
Love Psalm 72:1-7 “May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” Psalm 72:6 There is a certain pouring out that is characteristic of God’s love. Psalm 72 is said to be a prayer for the guidance of a king, assumed to be Solomon. It is a […]
UMCOR On the Ground in Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria, Day 58 Ted Warnock, missionary on assignment to UMCOR, Sager Brown, shared the following report with Judy and Doug Lewis on November 17,upon returning from Puerto Rico. He was with Bishop Ortiz of Methodist Church Puerto Rico (MCPR), along with UMCOR staff persons and a number […]
Love Philippians 1:3-11 “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.” Philippians 1:9-10 The Message by Eugene Peterson […]
Love Mark 1:1-8 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ . . .” Mark 1:1 It is always a bit of a challenge to read from the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John as Advent draws us closer to the birth of the Christ child because these two Gospels begin with […]
Love 2 Peter 3:8-15 “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish . . .” 2 Peter 3:9 Remember the old joke about the impatient person who prays for patience saying, “Dear Lord, give me patience . . . right […]
