Canton First Methodist Church

09/05/2026

Week 6, Day 6; Read Acts 12

Acts 12:13-16 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. (NIV)

Don’t you love how real the people in the Bible are? Let’s look at the servant girl, Rhoda, one of my favorites perhaps because of her rejoicing gone-wild. Picture this – In the darkness of night, Peter is urgently knocking at the door, and she is so overcome with excitement that she runs away to relay the glorious news to the others. Don’t you just want to shout, “Rhoda, he’s an escaped prisoner. Let him in!”?

Then we have the disciples who have been in fervent prayer for Peter’s release. God mightily answers their prayers, yet they tell Rhoda she’s “out of her mind,” upon hearing the good news. Rhoda is proved right when they finally see Peter standing right before them. They’re astonished that God had answered their prayers.

Luke is telling us about some imperfect people. Why were these characters included in the book of Acts? I see it as beautiful confirmation of how our Precious Lord continually extends His faithful grace and mercy to far-from-perfect people such as me. Our Abba Father may shake His head in amusement at my antics, even chuckle, but He still loves me, because that’s what parents do. Thank you Father. Thank you Father!

By Ruthanne Giattino

09/04/2026

⚠ NEW MINISTRY⚠
Canton First Methodist is honored to be one of four churches in Cherokee County serving as a host site for a Warming Station this winter.

Come learn how Warming Stations will help serve our community and discover the many opportunities to get involved and make a difference!

Interest Meetings will be held in the Chapel:
• Sunday, Sept 13 | 12:30pm
• Wednesday, Sept 16 | 6:30pm

09/04/2026

Week 6, Day 5; Read Acts 11

Acts 11:17 And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way? (NLT)

Think of a time you didn't include someone, maybe simply in a game at school, plans with friends, family events or outings, or something else entirely. Why? Believe it or not we do this a lot, and it’s not what Jesus calls us to. We read in Acts chapter 11 that God’s love is remarkably inclusive! Jesus takes the norm of our society and turns it around to show we are called to be loving and inviting to all.

Some background - Peter goes to Cornelius’s home and they eat together. In their world, this was a massive violation of religious views. Nobody celebrates that Peter has shared the gospel with Cornelius, but they immediately criticize him. Peter tells them his vision from God, where he is told “Not to call anything impure that God has made clean” God wasn't just talking about food, but people. The world likes to make barriers of insiders and outsiders, but God destroys these ideas in Acts 11. God didn't make them jump through cultural or religious hoops first, He accepted them right where they were.

1. Why do we naturally build walls and keep certain people out?
2. What are some situations where we act as gatekeepers and “stand in God’s way” of who belongs?
3. Who do we naturally exclude others, and what's a practical way we can welcome them?

Peter's realization in Acts 11:17 was the ultimate mic-drop of “who are we to think we can stand in God’s way?” God doesn't check for credentials, a certain culture, run background checks. All He wants is your whole heart. His table is wide, and His grace is remarkably inclusive!

Dear Lord, as we go into our week let us not draw boundaries between others but allow us to more fully surrender to you, bringing all to Christ and inviting every person right where they stand. Help us to stop acting as gatekeepers and to become servants for Your glory Lord. Amen.

By Reagan Booth

09/03/2026

Know someone who could use a helping hand? Nominate a person, family, or organization for BE the Church!

Projects should:
-Take 3–6 hours and be completed in one day.
-Be on privately owned property or at an eligible nonprofit, school, park, etc.
-Help us build relationships while being a good neighbor.

👉 Nominate a Project Today!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hzrmcv_OU06WY0IrUksMODH7sH-h7XlNs4TxerNddhZURDZCSlgwWFJIR0hLUE9DUUZRM0RJSTRGUi4u
Nomination deadline: September 12

Sharing Life. Sharing Christ. For Others.

09/03/2026

Week 6, Day 4; Read Acts 10

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

Have you ever assumed that someone wouldn’t be interested in the church, faith, or Jesus because of how they looked, acted, or lived?

In Acts 10, God challenges Peter’s assumptions and teaches him an important lesson, which is that the good news of Jesus is for anyone and everyone. This chapter also showed a turning point in the early church as God reveals that His love is not limited to one group of people. We can see that God welcomes all who come to Him in faith and calls us to do the same as shown by Peter and Cornelius.

Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius who was a Roman centurion and Peter who was one of Jesus’ disciples. Around this time, the Jews and Gentiles were normally separated by culture and tradition. God gave Peter a vision to show him that the gospel was for everyone, not just one group of people. When Peter meets Cornelius, he realizes that God’s love is bigger than what he assumes. God welcomes people from every culture and background. Sometimes we can make quick judgments about people based on things like how they look, act, or where they are from. God calls us to see people the way He sees them which is as people He loves.

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves these questions:
-Do I treat everyone with the same kindness and respect?
-Are there people I avoid because they seem different from me?

This is a reminder that God’s love has no boundaries. He welcomes everyone into His family. As a follower of Jesus, we are called to do the same: love others, breakdown the barriers, and share the good news with everyone.

Prayer: God, thank you that your love is for everyone. Help us see people the way you see them and treat others with kindness and grace. Remove any favoritism or discrimination from our hearts. Give us opportunities to share your love and welcome others as you have welcomed us. In Jesus name, Amen.

By Clara Reiner

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

What does multiplication look like in God's Kingdom? It's simpler than you think — and it applies to every single one of us. 🔥
Watch the full sermon at cantonfmc.org

09/02/2026

Week 6, Day 3; Read Acts 9

Acts 9:3-6 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (NIV)

Saul was about as opposed to Christ and Christianity as one could get. He was the one who was breathing out murderous threats against the disciples (Acts 9:1). Then Christ appeared to Saul, speaking from heaven with a flash of light so powerful that he fell to his knees (Acts 9:3-6). Saul became Paul, one of the most effective Christian missionaries the world has ever known.

For most of us, it is hard to relate to that kind of experience. I personally can’t recall a time when I didn’t know the Lord, love Him, and want to serve Him, as I was so fortunate to be raised by Christian parents and surrounded by Christian friends. Yes- there were times that I strayed from discipleship, but I always knew that God loved me and was present.

There have been times when I felt I was lacking something because I had no dazzling experience to share for my testimony. Over the years, I’ve come to realize the value of my quiet sort of experience. There haven’t been blinding visions or bright lights from heaven, but I have always felt the comfort and guidance from God. Your walk with God may not resemble Saul’s (or mine), but it is yours – and is just as transformative. God uses willing, everyday people to accomplish His will.

A Prayer for Today: Lord, open my eyes to see where you are working in my life. Transform my heart so that I may use my gifts for Your glory, just as You transformed Saul. Give me courage to obey even when it feels daunting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By Sherry Wiedman

09/01/2026

Adults with disabilities are invited to join us on Sunday, September 13 for a fun time of food, fellowship, and games! Come enjoy some delicious pizza, spend time with friends, meet new people, and enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter and fun.

Whether you’re a regular or joining us for the first time, you are welcome! We’d love for you to be part of this special time together.

09/01/2026

Week 6, Day 2; Read Acts 8

Acts 8: 29-31, 34-35. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 34 The eu**ch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. (NIV)

The legacy of my childhood Sunday School teachers lives on. I will never forget Mrs. Musser, Mrs. Raab, Mrs. Adams, and Mr. Bates. Every Sunday from kindergarten through sixth grade, we gathered in our small hometown church basement. We sang along to Mrs. Adams’ piano, shared animal crackers and juice, and learned about Jesus from teachers who truly modeled His love.

Their faithfulness mirrors today’s scripture. An angel directs Philip to a desert road and tells him to stand by a chariot. Obeying the call, Philip finds a man reading from the book of Isaiah and asks if he understands it. The man replies, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” Philip then sits beside him and shares the good news of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit asks us to be similarly obedient when He nudges us to explain who Jesus is. I am deeply grateful that my Sunday School teachers answered that call; their obedience surely reached countless lives in my hometown.

How and where are you being called to share Jesus with others who do not understand? Is it through an opportunity at church, in a community organization, on a park bench with someone wanting to hear more, with a neighbor on their porch, or a stranger that just looks like they could use the “good news.”

May each of us have the obedience of Philip when we feel that nudge, to step out, sit next to someone, and share Jesus. Amen.

By Rod Metcalf