Communication from the Heart - Contemporary Worship - Grand Lake United Methodist Church

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Communication from the Heart - Contemporary Worship

February 18, 2024 • Pastor Deb Ketcham • Mark 7:1–23

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Read Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-17 and Mark 7:1-23.

Communication is like 'a process by which information is confused by individuals through a conflicting system of emotions, behaviors, backgrounds, and desires.'

The six distinct messages heard when we speak are:

1. What we mean to say;

2. What we actually say;

3. What the other person hears;

4. What the other person thinks he or she hears;

5. What the other person says about what we said;

6. What we think the other person said about what we said.

Taken from "Relationship Principles of Jesus" by Tom Holloday

In what ways do previous conflicts, misunderstandings, or pinches make sense now?

There are ways we can stop anger from pouring out of our mouths. Which do you use?

First, take 4 deep breaths.

Second, step back and take 5 or 10 minutes to calm down.

Third, pray for the other person.

Fourth, eat. Sometimes we get angry when we are hangry, like the Snickers commercial.

Fifth, stop blaming others for how we feel, and own our own feelings.

Sixth, watch and control the tone and volume of our own voice.

Seventh, focus on a solution, not on the problem.

Eighth, learn to accept some things can’t be changed, at least at that moment.

What are ways you can help the church feel and be safe for all?

Prayer for the Week:

Lord, help me communicate better. Help me step out in faith and learn to reconcile. Lord, help me reflect Christ not only at church, but all areas of my life. Amen.

"Entering the Kingdom" - Contemporary Worship

May 26, 2024 • Pastor Mick Whistler • John 3:1–17

Read John 3: 1-17. 1. Who is Nicodemus? Why does he come to Jesus at night? 2. Read Matthew 23. What does Jesus think about the Pharisees based on this passage? What are the Pharisees doing wrong? 3. Do you ever see modern-day Christians acting like Pharisees? If so, in what way? Do you ever act like a Pharisee? If so, what needs to change? 4. Why do you think Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus? Why do you think Nicodemus struggled so much with Jesus’ teaching? 5. The Greek word “anothen” is used in verse 3 meaning one must be born again/from above. What does this mean? Why are both of these meanings important? 6. Read verses 5 & 6. What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit? 7. What is Jesus talking about in verse 14 regarding being “lifted up”? How does this relate to Moses lifting up the snake in the wilderness? (Hint: see Numbers 21: 4-9) 8. Think about John 3: 16. Can you quote it from memory? If not, go ahead and read it. What does this verse mean to you? 9. Now think about John 3: 17. Can you quote it from memory (probably not)? If not, go ahead and read it. What does this verse mean to you? How might these two verses be difficult for a Pharisee to accept? Prayer for the Week: Gracious and Loving God, We come before you in gratitude for the wisdom and truth unveiled through Your Word. We thank you for your boundless love and the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May the seeds of faith planted in our hearts today take root and flourish, bearing fruits of righteousness and love in our lives. Grant us the courage to embrace your truth and the humility to surrender to your will. As we depart from this sacred space, may your presence go with us, guiding our steps and illuminating our paths. Help us to be beacons of your light in a world shrouded in darkness, sharing your love and grace with all whom we encounter. We entrust our lives into your loving hands, knowing that you provide for all of our needs. May your name be glorified in all that we say and do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

“The Peace of Wholeness”Contemporary Worship

May 12, 2024 • Pastor Mick Whistler • Colossians 3:12–17

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Read Colossians 3: 12-17. 1. Today we finish our sermon series “Healing Hearts: A Journey to Wholeness.” What does wholeness mean to you? What do you think it takes to make you, and/or the congregation, whole? 2. What are the virtues with which Paul tells us to clothe ourselves? Why do you think he chose those virtues? What does it mean to clothe yourself with them? 3. How is clothing yourself with virtue different than putting on the armor of God (see Ephesians 6: 10-18)? How do we know when to put on virtues versus putting on armor? 4. Paul says in verse 13 to “bear with each other.” What does he mean by that? Why is this important? Can you think of times when you struggled to bear with someone? 5. Paul says “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” What does this mean to you? Is this easy or hard to do? What are some consequences of not forgiving like this? What happens when we do? 6. Paul describes love as above all the other virtues (see verse 14 and 1 Corinthians 13: 13). Why is love so important? What does the kind of love Paul describes accomplish? 7. Paul talks about peace in verse 15. What does peace mean to you? How do you understand the Biblical description of “a peace that passes all understanding”? (see Philippians 4: 7) How can we find such peace / what is the source? How are peace and wholeness related? 8. Paul says in verse 15, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” What is the message of Christ? How can you let it dwell within you and among others? 9. Why is it important to “sing to God with gratitude in your hearts” as Paul says in verse 16? How can gratitude lead to peace and wholeness? Prayer for the Week: Gracious and loving God, we humbly and hopefully come before you seeking the healing and wholeness only you can provide. Bind us together in perfect unity through the love of Christ as we share His message with the whole world. Let the peace of Christ keep us in tune with each other as we give the gospel room to work in all of our lives. Clothe us with righteousness and fill our spirits with forgiveness and gratitude. Grant us the peace that comes from truly being humble, hopeful, healed and whole, so we can share that peace with the world. We pray all of this in the name of the One who makes it possible, our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Power to Heal - Contemporary Worship

May 5, 2024 • Pastor Mick Whistler • Psalm 147:1–6

Read Psalm 147: 1-6. 1. The Psalmist begins by praising the Lord (Hallelujah) even amid what seems to be some difficult circumstances. Why is this praise important? Do you find it easy to praise God in difficult times? 2. Have you ever been wounded or heartbroken by others? How about by the church? What would healing look like in these situations? 3. Sometimes we choose to hang on to our anger, withhold forgiveness, and play the victim rather than allowing God to heal us. Why do we do this sometimes? 4. What are the examples, of Israel’s past healing by God, the Psalmist uses to remind us that God stands ready to help heal us again and again? Can you see any signs of God’s healing already taking place at GLUMC? How about in your own life? 5. Pastor Mick discusses the inability of humans to simultaneously praise and be angry or praise and worry. Have you ever noticed that? What does that teach us about the power of praise? How can you praise God more in an effort to worry less or be less angry? 6. Read Romans 8: 28. What does this verse mean to you? How does this verse speak to God’s desire to “heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds”? 7. Read Mark 5: 25-34. What does this teach us is the key to God’s healing? 8. Pastor Mick talked about forgiveness being the active ingredient in the healing balm of God’s love, mercy and grace. What did he mean by that? Why is forgiveness so important to healing? 9. Pastor Mick said to apply this healing balm generously to the affected areas and reapply as often as necessary until the wound is completely healed. What did he mean by that? How do we do this in real life? Prayer for the Week: Gracious and loving God, thank you for your willingness to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds. We confess, Lord, that we don’t always make this easy. We tend to hold on to past hurts until they fester and hurt us even more. Remind us that you have provided the healing balm, but it only works when we use it as directed. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us, so that all of our wounds might be healed by your love, mercy and grace. We pray all of this in the name of the One who makes it possible, our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.