St. Andrews Parish UMC

06/18/2026

Day 37 — Learn Before You Argue

"Understanding is more valuable than winning."

One small thing you can do today to make the world better: Learn before you argue.

We live in a world full of opinions. Everybody has one. And most of us have become pretty good at defending ours.

But here's a question: When was the last time you changed your mind because someone shouted louder?

Probably never.

Me neither!

But I have changed my mind because someone listened, asked questions, and cared enough to understand.

Jesus asked a lot of questions. He did that more than most people realize. Why? Because questions create conversations.

Arguments often create walls.

I remember a time in my life when my convictions were not yet fully formed. Back then, I sometimes avoided difficult conversations because I worried they might threaten what I believed.

What I eventually discovered was that if my convictions could not withstand an honest conversation, they probably were not very strong convictions to begin with.

And something else happened.

As I listened, learned, and sought to understand others, some of my old positions changed.

Not because I abandoned conviction.
Because I found stronger convictions.
Better reasons.
Deeper understanding.
A larger view of God's grace and truth!

Learning from others did not weaken my faith.
It strengthened it!

So today, before jumping into a disagreement, ask one more question. Listen a little longer. Try to understand before trying to be understood.

Because making the world better may begin...

with one person choosing understanding over winning.

Love First...Love Always!

🙏❤️🙏

Rev B

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

We remember 😢
🙏❤️🙏

06/17/2026

Sunday morning is just the beginning. God is calling you to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in every place the Spirit sends you this week.

06/16/2026

Day 35 — Learn Someone's Name

One small thing you can do today to make the world better: Learn someone's name.

That may not sound like much. But names matter. A name says: "I see you." "You matter." "You are more than a face in the crowd."

Have you ever noticed how good it feels when someone remembers your name?

Me too.

In fact, when I first arrived at The Church on the Path, one of the first people I met introduced herself and immediately said, "You'd better remember my name!"

We both laughed. But then she told me why. A previous pastor had repeatedly forgotten her name, and over time it made her feel unimportant and unseen.

That conversation stayed with me. Because she wasn't really talking about a name.

Though, I promise you, I did remember her name! (Miss Charolette, if you get a chance to read this, I love you!)

She was talking about belonging. About being noticed. About knowing that you matter.

The truth is, belonging often begins with being seen.
A visitor at church.
A cashier at the grocery store.
A neighbor down the street.
A new coworker.
A server at your favorite restaurant.

Every person has a name.
Every name has a story.
And every story matters to God.

Jesus seemed to understand this.
He called people by name.
He knew their stories.
He saw individuals where others saw crowds.
And people were drawn to Him because they felt seen.

So today, make it a point to learn someone's name.
And if you already know their name, use it.
Say it.
Remember it.
Honor it.

You never know what it might mean to someone simply to feel remembered.

Because making the world better may begin...with one person helping another feel seen.

Love First...Love Always!
🙏❤️🙏
Rev B

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Day 34 — Come and See

One small thing you can do today to make the world better: Extend an invitation.

At The Church on the Path, we call this the Nathaniel Project. It’s based on the story in John 1 when Philip encounters Jesus and then goes looking for his friend Nathaniel.

Philip doesn’t have all the answers.
He doesn’t present a theological argument.
He doesn’t try to force anything.
He simply says: “Come and see.”

I love that! Because sometimes we make discipleship far more complicated than Jesus ever intended.

We think we need to have all the answers.
The perfect words.
The perfect argument.

But Philip reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is extend an invitation.
Come and see.
Come and see what God is doing.
Come and see this community.
Come and see this Bible study.
Come and see this mission project.
Come and see this act of love.
Come and see Jesus!

The truth is, most of us are here today because someone invited us. A parent. A friend. A neighbor or a pastor.

Someone cared enough to say: “Come and see.”

And maybe there are people in your life right now who are waiting for the same invitation. Not pressure. Not guilt. Not obligation. Just an open door!

So today, think of one person. One friend.
One coworker. One neighbor. One family member.

And simply invite them!

Because making the world better may begin…with one person saying, “Come and see.”

Love First…Love Always!
🙏❤️🙏
Rev B

06/15/2026

What if the most important thing you do today is something you may never see fully grow?
In this week's message from The Church on the Path, Pastor Brent reflects on Jesus' words: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Through stories of faith, service, and God's surprising work in unlikely places, we are reminded that disciples are called to be seed-planters—sowing grace, compassion, hope, and love wherever God sends them.
From Abraham and Sarah's impossible promise to Christ's compassion for the crowds, Scripture reveals a God who is always planting seeds before the harvest is visible. The question is not whether God is at work. The question is whether we are willing to step into the field and join Him.
This message challenges us to see people as Jesus sees them, to allow compassion to become mission, and to trust God with the growth. Because every act of kindness, every invitation, every prayer, every moment of service, and every expression of grace has the potential to become part of a harvest far greater than we can imagine.
You may never see the full impact of the seeds you sow—but God does.
Scripture: Matthew 9:35–10:8