October 2023 Newsletter – Pastor’s Page
Happy Autumn church!
Recently I heard a comedian say that there’s one question he uses to figure out how long people have lived in Montana – “How many deer have you hit with your car?” It’s not a matter of if you will hit a deer, but when, right? Well, we hit one in late August on our way home from a gathering at Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp. It’s a reminder that even though we work to be careful and do our best in life, sometimes the environment around us shapes and challenges us more than we realize.
mail access will receive a paper copy of the devotional.
As Christians, we desire to live faithful, confident, and peaceful lives. But we are often affected by the culture and environment around us. Society tends to foment divisions and conflict, and we are bombarded by anxious messages of scarcity and self-centeredness. How can we resist those messages and find the strength to walk in the fullness of God’s calling in our lives?
The spiritual practice of gratitude can help us cultivate a healthy, life-giving faith. That’s why I’m excited to explore a devotional series “Living Gratitude: 28 Days of Prayer and Thanksgiving” for our 2024 stewardship focus. Scripture reminds us to give thanks instead of being anxious (Philippians 4:7). When we voice our gratitude, we can discover the peace and presence of God. Practicing gratitude helps us articulate God’s message of goodness and love in the midst of our challenges and circumstances.
Our stewardship series will begin on October 22. We’re trying something a little different this year. Instead of giving everyone a paper devotional, we will send a daily email with a devotional scripture and message. These devotionals come from a diverse group of pastors, business and church leaders, speakers, and authors. Homebound church friends and those without e
Join us as we grow in faith and love along this journey of gratitude together!
Blessings,
Pastor Jared