"Letting Go of the Baggage" - Sermon - Grand Lake United Methodist Church

Grand Lake United Methodist Church

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"Letting Go of the Baggage" - Sermon

February 25, 2024 • Pastor Deb Ketcham • Matthew 11:28–30

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Read 1 John 1:1 – 2:11.

1. In what ways have you been living in the darkness?

2. What have you done differently to live into the light?

3. What else might you do?

4. What is stopping you?

Read Matthew 11:28-30.

1. John Wesley taught his followers to ask one another, “How is it with your soul?” So how is it with your soul?

2. In what ways are you weary?

3. How heavy is the baggage you’ve been carrying?

4. What pieces and parts can you give to Jesus?

5. What pieces and parts are you willing to allow Jesus to shoulder, to yoke with him, so He can lighten your load?

6. Ask God to help you lay your burden down at the feet of Jesus.

Prayer for the Week:

Jesus, help me give up my baggage, my stuff, the control I have held on to for so long. Help me to yoke up with you, allow you to shoulder the load, and give you the baggage I have clung to for so long. I thank you for the way you have worked and continue to work in my life. Amen.

"So My Debts Are Paid...Or Are They?" Sermon

April 28, 2024 • Matthew 25:34–36

Scripture for Study and Reflection: A team from GLUMC is participating in a reentry grant program through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections; training, mentoring and grant reporting has been facilitated by All In Community. 1. What is a reentry coalition? It is a group committed to helping people reintegrate into society after incarceration. What is recidivism? It is the rate at which people return to an incarcerated state following release. Reentry Coalitions reduce recidivism and increase public safety. 2. From 2019-2020 the overall recidivism rate in Ohio was 32.7%. 3. What is life like without hope? What does restorative hope look like for our returning neighbors? 4. Why is it the local church's responsibility to lead the community in the mission of restoring hope for those impacted by incarceration? 5. Read Matthew 25: 36-40. What would God have us do for those facing barriers like lack of shelter and transportation, basic needs of clothing, food, etc.? Listen to the song, "Do Something," by Matthew West and take in the lyrics. How can you put these lyrics into action in our community? 6. What barriers do our returning neighbors face in the Grand Lake community? 7. Do you know someone who has been to jail? Are they living a stable lifestyle now? Do they need some extra support from the coalition? 8. In what way can you help in this mission? *If you would like to be involved in the Reentry Program or join the prayer team, please mark the GPS stub today or contact the church office. Prayer for the Week: Father God, we know that you are the source of all our hope. And we know there are people in our community living hopelessly, drowning in defeat. We pray that your Holy Spirit would open our eyes to see the helpless and hopeless all around us. We recognize our own nature to be judgmental of others. Help us to remove the plank from our own eyes and truly see your children. For we know the mission you have placed upon us. Provide us with strength, wisdom, and patience as we step into new relationships with returning neighbors. Help us to love like You do. We give You thanks and praise for this new opportunity to serve You. We will not let it pass us by. In your glorious name we pray. Amen

"Hopeful Hearts" - Sermon

April 21, 2024 • Pastor Mick Whistler • Romans 15:12–13, Romans 15:1–6

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Read Romans 15: 1-6, 12-13. 1. What does “hope” mean to you? Why is hope important? What is life like without hope? 2. What is your hope for Grand Lake UMC as we go forward? 3. Read Isaiah 43: 19. How does that verse make you feel? Can you see it relating to Grand Lake UMC? 4. Read Romans 8: 28. Does that verse give you hope? If so, in what ways? 5. Pastor Mick talks about hope in togetherness. What does he mean by this? Why is togetherness important? How can it give us hope? 6. Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church says, “The local church is the hope of the world.” Do you agree with that? Why/why not? How are we at Grand Lake UMC providing hope to the world? 7. Pastor Mick talks about finding hope through Scripture. How do the Scriptures provide hope? 8. Read verse 13 again. How are we filled with joy and peace? What does this do for us? What might it also do for others around us? 9. In what ways is God the true source of all our hope? What do you need to do to tap into this hope more fully? How can you help others tap into this source of hope? Prayer for the Week: Almighty God, you are the source of all our hope. We find hope in the way you draw us together as a community of faith, the body of Christ, your church. We find hope for all of life’s ups and downs when we read the Scriptures. More than anything, we find hope in our relationship with you, as you fill us with joy and a peace that passes all understanding, regardless of our life circumstances. Remind us, Lord, that you are not done with us. You are always doing something new in us, whether we perceive it or not. For this, we give you thanks and praise. May our collective thanks and praise fill others with hope and draw them to you in a way that advances your kingdom and gives your glory. We pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Humble Hearts - Sermon

April 14, 2024 • Pastor Mick Whistler • Philippians 2:3–8

Read Philippians 2: 3-8. 1. What does humility mean to you? Why is humility important, especially in the church? 2. What does it mean to truly forgive? Why is forgiveness important, especially in the church? 3. Do you ever find it hard to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive others? If so, why do you think that is? 4. Pastor Mick said that forgiveness is transformative. What do you think he meant by that? Have you ever experienced forgiveness (whether giving or receiving) to be transformative in your life and relationships? 5. There’s a popular saying, or adage, that says, “Hurt people, hurt people.” What does this mean? Have you experienced this personally? How might this help to explain people’s words and actions in the midst of our denominational turmoil? 6. Who are you still holding in unforgiveness? How does that affect your own life? What do you need to do? 7. Pastor Matt often tells people, “I see you, I hear you, I love you; and there’s nothing you can do about it.” How does this get to the heart of the gospel? How might the church (and world) be different if we all practiced this more intentionally? 8. Why do you think Pastor Mick says that “Forgiveness” undergirds this series focusing on being “Humble, Hopeful, Healed and Whole”? What do you hope you (and the church) will learn from this series? What changes are needed, both individually and collectively, as a church? Prayer for the Week: Lord Jesus, forgive us for all the times we have been anything but humble, repentant and forgiving. Forgive us for all the times when our words and actions toward our brothers and sisters in Christ do not reveal your love to the world around us. Forgive us for all the times we have been more like stumbling blocks than building blocks for the faith of those around us. Help us do better. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and our minds so we can be your true disciples, good and faithful servants who practice humility, forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. Transform us into the humble and forgiving community that you call us to be, for the building of your kingdom and the glorification of you holy name. We pray all of this, Lord Jesus, in your precious, holy and strong, strong name. Amen.