June: Staying Connected and Growing Together
As summer begins, we are reminded that every season brings its own blessings and opportunities. June often gives families time to travel, rest, reconnect, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. It also gives the church a good moment to look around with gratitude and look ahead with faith. At St. John Methodist Church, there is much to be thankful for, and there is still much good work before us.
Even during the busy days of summer, the life and ministry of the church continues. Worship continues. Prayer continues. Fellowship continues. The work of serving Christ and encouraging one another continues. Whether we are in town, traveling, or spending time with family, we remain part of the church family. Let us continue to stay connected through worship, prayer, encouragement, and service wherever we may be.
At St. John Methodist Church, we have much to be thankful for. Over this past year, we have seen positive energy, faithful service, and encouraging signs of growth. God has been at work among us. Every act of service, every prayer offered, every song sung, every lesson taught, every meal prepared, every visit made, and every word of encouragement shared matters in the life of the church.
Sometimes the work of the church is easy to see, and sometimes it happens quietly behind the scenes. There are people preparing the building, helping with worship, caring for others, supporting ministries, welcoming guests, encouraging members, and doing the small but important things that help the church remain strong. We give thanks for all who serve with willing hearts and faithful spirits.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
That is a good word for the church. The work we do for the Lord matters. The prayers we pray matter. The encouragement we give matters. The faithfulness we show matters. Nothing done for Christ is wasted.
As we look around St. John, we can see reasons to be encouraged. There is a spirit of hope, a sense of commitment, and a desire to see the church continue to grow in faith and ministry. Growth is not only measured by numbers, though we certainly pray for more people to come, worship, and become part of the church family. Growth is also measured by deeper faith, stronger fellowship, greater service, and a renewed commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
A Challenge to GROW
Jesus calls us to be disciples. That means we are not only people who believe in Him, but people who continue learning, growing, serving, and living out our faith each day. A growing church is made up of growing disciples. As we move through the summer months, let us each ask, “How is God calling me to grow?” and “How can I help strengthen the ministry of my church?”
One simple way to think about discipleship is through the word GROW:
G — Go to God in Prayer
A growing disciple begins with prayer. Prayer keeps us connected to God, reminds us that we depend on Him, and opens our hearts to His guidance. Before we try to do more, plan more, or fix more, we should first go to God in prayer.
R — Read the Bible
A growing disciple spends time in God’s Word. The Bible teaches us who God is, shows us the way of salvation, corrects us, encourages us, and helps us live with wisdom and faith. If we want to grow stronger spiritually, we must stay rooted in Scripture.
O — Offer Yourself as a Sacrifice in Honor and Service
A growing disciple offers their life to God. Romans 12:1 reminds us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. That means our time, talents, gifts, words, attitudes, and service should honor the Lord. We grow when we stop asking only, “What can I receive?” and begin asking, “Lord, how can I serve?”
W — Worship in Spirit and in Truth
A growing disciple worships faithfully. Worship is more than attending a service; it is giving God the honor, praise, and devotion He deserves. Jesus said true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth. When we worship sincerely, faithfully, and humbly, God strengthens us and draws us closer to Him.
There are also many ways to help grow the ministry of St. John. We can welcome guests warmly. We can support the work already taking place. We can look for new opportunities to serve. We can speak positively about our church. We can share what God is doing among us. We can invite family, friends, neighbors, and others to come and experience the fellowship and faith of this church family.
As we move through this summer, let us enjoy the blessings of the season, but let us also stay connected to the life and ministry of the church. When you are in town, be present in worship. When you are traveling, pray for your church family. When you see a need, look for a way to help. When someone is missing, reach out. When there is an opportunity to serve, say yes.
God is doing good things at St. John Methodist Church
As we enter this summer season, may we not only enjoy the blessings around us, but also remain faithful to the calling before us. Let us keep growing in Christ, serving with joy, welcoming others with love, and trusting God to guide the future of St. John Methodist Church.
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