October 16, 2019


PASTOR’S MESSAGE
This Sunday is Laity Sunday. While we normally recognize this
day every year, the UMC is calling on pastors to really
emphasize how special this day is to our yearly church calendar.
One of the hallmarks of Methodism is the key role lay people
play in the life of the church. That has been the case from our
earliest days. When Methodism was spreading across the
American frontier, circuit-riding ordained ministers might only get
a chance to visit, preach, and offer the sacraments at any one
church on their circuit every few months. In between visits, it fell
to the lay leaders to preach, teach, and keep the church alive. It
is still that way today in many respects.

So, this Sunday the UMC is asking pastors not to preach a
traditional sermon. Instead, we want to hear from you. We would
like for you to share the story of your walk with the Lord. Here
are the questions the UMC wants you to ponder as you plan your
testimony:
The lectionary passages (this week) discuss how we are to
make sense of our “living” in this world. How are we to be faithful
to God in our everyday lives? What is our “calling?” What is our
vocation? By virtue of our baptisms, we are all called and
equipped to do the work of ministry – be it ministry as laity or
ministry as clergy. How do we live out that ministry in our daily
lives? ...how are we—in living out our everyday faith--
embodying the light of God?

I hope that all of you pray over this request and come prepared
to offer your stories to our St. John’s family. I sincerely look
forward to hearing them.

Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Ernest






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