Redlands FUMC

Life is an ongoing flow of ups and downs, a river of struggles, but place a stone of remembering that God carries you through your story of grief, addiction, loneliness, fear, sacrifice, disappointment, and more.

Future generations would be told of the stones, that God had removed their shame. It's not that God removed the struggle but it commemorates that all may know the Lord's hand is powerful. Communion is a commemoration of God's presence, a meal of forgiveness, transformation and renewal.

But they have experienced the grace of God and name the place Gilgal with stones from the place of challenge, the river Jordan. Today we search for meaning in the spiritual narrative of our stories.

I may not be where I ought to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. We have the windshield view of possibilities. Without struggle, there can be no progress. The people of the Exodus had experienced many kinds of struggle, and crossing the Jordan came with struggle.

Here's what we're learning today at Redlands FUMC:

The journey forward every now and then will have to engage and experience struggle to give life to progress. Never forget how far you've come. We don't have to live our lives through the limitations of the review view mirror.

#BeUMC

It's great for anyone with practical office skills looking for a way to use them for ministry. It's an affirming church job doing the behind the scenes organizing and PR. Plus, you'd work with me (social media manager) and a bunch of other great folks, both staff and volunteers!

Redlands-area folks! @redlandsfirstumc.bsky.social is hiring an administrator/comms director/office manager. They put "assistant" in the title, but that's more a duty description than a role or rank.
redlandsfirstchurch.org/wp-content/u...

We're having a lunch and ice cream social on Sunday, August 10 after worship! Join us and bring an item to share.

Don't expect to take the credit. It's God's name who gets the praise. God has done it today and will tomorrow.

The main theme is that God is always the hero of the story, no matter what you go through, remember God is the hero of the story.

We have to give God thanks as if it's already done because we know this is not the end of the story. It's through God that we are experiencing the joy, deliverance, and ways God has made a way.

Sometimes it takes being grateful for the small things. God provides.

They are getting ready to cross the Jordan, with the ark of the covenant reminding them that God is with them, and they have to consecrate themselves as if it's a sure thing.

Here's what we're learning today at Redlands FUMC:

As Henri Nouwen says, God's for us, with us, and in us.

God's presence provision and power are with us, just as he was with Joshua and the people delivered from bondage into freedom. The journey is part of the story.

The women's dinner group will meet at Eureka! Redlands on Tuesday, July 29, at 5:30 pm. Let us know if you want to be added to the list so we can have enough chairs at the table for everyone.

If we didn't have problems, we wouldn't know the power of what God can do, what he can deliver us from.

Remember the promise that God's with you, have strength and courage, and move with reassurance that God's goodness and faithfulness are still real even when it doesn't look the way we want. Everywhere we go, when friends come and go, even in the wilderness and the wait. Through it all, God is here.

God says, "I will never forsake you." The promised land is yours, from the Lebanon to the desert, from the Euphrates River to the sea. Prepare. Be strong and courageous. Remember God's word, hold fast in difficulty, and be careful to act like God's followers.

The road has been rocky, but the same God that brought his people out of slavery will be faithful to bring us across the Jordan. Maybe it won't all be resolved the way we want, but God does great things in our lives. It's a Moses reminder: "As I promised, so I give to you."

In Joshua, we see a people who have traversed the desert and Red Sea, wandering in the wilderness. God finally says "Get ready to cross the Jordan River." God has promised you a space in your life, as full of "a box of chocolates" as it is.

Here's what we're learning today at Redlands FUMC:

As Forrest Gump says, you never know what you're going to get in life. There will be bad and good days. Easy days and uphill days, struggling to get by. We prepare for the journey and are reminded of the promise that God is with us.

Join us next Sunday, July 13 at 1:30 pm for award-winning movie soundtrack music and more! We have 15 cellists and the Class trio of professional music teachers enjoying the summer break with some fun tunes!

We have @staterbros.bsky.social gift cards and an account with Raise Right to raise money for @unitedwomeninfaith.bsky.social such as housing, advocacy, and poverty relief. We have many more ministries here in @calpacumc.bsky.social and around the world!

It's not about how fast it goes or what we thought it would look like. But we trust that with patience and endurance, we can trust that our presence alongside people makes a difference, even if we can't see it.

The disciples were inclusive, intentional, and impactful. It made a difference to the people they encountered. Impact may look different in various circumstances. You may not always see it. But if we're inclusive and intentional, we're making an impact in our discipleship.

They are intentional and inclusive about where they go. We all come together to aid in disaster, like the churches and organizations providing aid in Texas this weekend with the fatal, catastrophic flood.

Jesus sends them to places he intends to go. He wouldn't send them where he wouldn't go himself. He calls disciples to follow but also to lead. It's growth to lead the way in making a difference. They are not just diverse and inclusive, but they are intentional.

We are all invited to be members of the beloved community. Each of us has value, and Jesus sends us out to be inclusive disciples for impact. Not only are all welcome, but all of us can contribute and do ministry.

Grace is costly in that we must follow Christ even if it's not safe or comfortable. Jesus sends 70 disciples, including women, poor people, Jews, and other oppressed people. Jesus' mission extends to all people. We must make sure we are inclusive.

Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, written during the rise of Nazi Germany. The Confessing Church stood in opposition to the cheap Christianity that had given in to the Nazi government. Being called by Christ is to take up a cross.

Here's what we're learning today at Redlands FUMC:

Jesus calls and sends ordinary people to make an extraordinary impact. Embrace the call to discipleship with commitment and confidence.
#BeUMC