Springdale United Methodist Church

05/04/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about community and spirituality lately. For those of you who don’t attend church (or haven't in a long time), I’m curious: what would it actually take for you to walk through the doors on a regular basis?

Is it about the music? The politics? A specific type of community? Or is it something deeper, like needing to feel safe or seen? No judgment at all—I genuinely want to hear what’s missing or what would make it worth your time. Please comment and let us know.

04/04/2026

03/22/2026

Week 5 of Pastor Joie's Lenten devotional
Fifth Sunday in Lent – When Hope Feels Late

Gospel Lesson: John 11:1–45
In this week's Gospel, Jesus stands outside the tomb of His beloved friend Lazarus. Though Mary and Martha had prayed and hoped, it seemed that help had arrived too late. Yet Jesus proclaims a promise that transforms everything: "I am the resurrection and the life."
Even in the darkest moments of grief, Christ brings hope.

This Week’s Invitation: Trust God in the Waiting
Faith often blossoms not in the answers we long for, but through the patient endurance of our waiting. Before the miracle takes place, we see Jesus weeping, deeply moved by our suffering.
In our moments of grief, Christ draws near, offering comfort and compassion before ushering in the promise of new life.
Practices for the Week:

1. Name What You Are Waiting For
Take a moment each day this week to identify something you are waiting for – a prayer that has not yet been answered, a situation that feels uncertain, or a hope that feels delayed.
Offer it honestly to God.

2. Sit in Quiet Trust
Spend a few minutes in silence each day. Simply breathe and repeat this prayer: “Lord, help me trust Your timing.”

3. Bring Hope to Someone Else
Connect with someone who is facing the heavy burdens of grief, the challenges of illness, or the fog of uncertainty.
A thoughtful message or a heartfelt conversation can serve as a powerful source of hope and comfort.

Even when hope feels late, remember that God is always at work.

03/15/2026

STRONGER FOR LONGER
A presentation on Healthy and Safe Aging

A practical, hands-on session that
empowers older adults to stay safe,
independent, and confident at home.

Community members 65+ as well as
caregivers, community health
workers, or anyone interested in
promoting safe and empowered
aging are welcomed!
Early detection, wellness habits, fall
prevention strategies, and more

Springdale United
Methodist Church
Location: 851 Springdale Drive
Clinton, SC 29325
Date: March 21st, 2026
Time: 10:00 am
Light refreshments will be served

03/15/2026

Pastor Joie's Lenten Practice for this week
Fourth Sunday in Lent – Learning to See
Gospel Lesson: John 9:1–41
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus restores sight to a man who has never seen before. But the deeper miracle in the story is not just physical sight.
It is spiritual sight. The man who was blind begins to see clearly.
And the people who believed they understood everything discover how much they have missed.
Lent invites us to ask a simple prayer: “Lord, open my eyes.”

This Week’s Invitation: Notice What You’ve Been Missing
The man in this story did not understand everything.
But he knew one thing for certain: “I was blind. Now I see.”
God is often at work around us -
We just need to open our eyes to see it.

Practices for the Week:
1. Pray the Prayer of Sight
Each morning this week, pray a simple prayer:
“Lord, open my eyes to Your work today.”
Ask God to help you notice moments of grace, kindness, and opportunity.
2. Look Again
Choose one ordinary part of your daily routine – a walk, a commute, a conversation.
Slow down and look again. Notice details you normally overlook.
Sometimes seeing clearly begins with simply paying attention.
3. Offer Light to Someone Else
Each day, look for a small way to encourage someone.
A word of gratitude. A thoughtful message. A moment of patience.
When Christ opens our eyes, we begin to see how our lives can bring light to others.

Sometimes, the simplest testimony can shine the brightest.

03/09/2026

The latest installment for week 3 of the Lenten Season by Pastor Joie

Third Sunday in Lent – The Well That Never Runs Dry
Gospel Lesson: John 4:5–42
At a well during the heat of the day, Jesus encounters a woman who
came simply to draw water. But, He offers her something much deeper.
“Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never thirst.”
Living water.
Grace that refreshes the soul.
This Week’s Invitation: Notice What You’re Thirsty For
We often rush through our days without recognizing the deeper thirst beneath our routines.
This week, slow down and notice what your heart is seeking.

Practices for the Week:
1. Identify Your Wells
Each evening this week,
take a moment to reflect on where you looked for satisfaction today.
Was it in the search for approval, productivity, comfort, or control?
It's important to acknowledge these feelings without judgment.
Awareness is the beginning of grace.

2. Drink Before You Scroll
Before checking your phone in the morning, take one minute to pray:
“Jesus, give me the living water I need today.”
Let that be the first thing that fills your heart.

3. Offer Living Water to Someone Else
Each day, take the opportunity to perform a small act of kindness that uplifts someone's spirit: a word of encouragement, a listening ear, or a moment of patience.
When we receive grace deeply, it flows outward to others.

The woman came to the well thirsty. She left with living water. –
You do not have to have everything together for Christ to meet you.
You only need to be thirsty.

03/01/2026

Pastor Joie's Lenten Meditation for Week 2

Lent 2026 – Led by the Spirit
Lent is not about earning God’s love.
It is about responding to grace already given.

Second Sunday in Lent – Grace in the Dark
Gospel Lesson: John 3:1–17 – Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. With questions. With curiosity. With uncertainty. And Jesus did not shame him. He spoke of a new beginning, of the movement of the Spirit, and of love that comes first. “For God so loved the world…”
Lent is not about becoming impressive. It is about becoming alive.
This Week’s Invitation: Bring Your Questions Into the Light
Nicodemus came in the dark. But he left carrying light.
You do not have to understand everything to be loved completely.
This week, stop striving for spiritual improvement.
Instead, receive the gift of new life.

Practices for the Week:
1. Name Your Question
Each morning, write down one honest question you have for God.
– It might be about suffering, direction, or doubt.
– Instead of hiding it, bring it to prayer.
New birth begins with honesty.

2. Begin the Day With Love
Before checking your phone each morning, slowly pray:
“For God so loved the world… and God so loves me.”
Let love shape your day before fear does.

3. Practice Receiving, Not Achieving
Choose one moment each day to receive instead of perform.
– Sit in stillness for five minutes.
– Accept help without apology.
– Let someone else have the last word.
New life is not earned. It is received.

Faith does not grow by pretending certainty.
It grows by honest conversation with Christ.

02/23/2026

This Lenten season Pastor Joie is providing us a weekly Lenten meditation guide for the week. We will publish them each Sunday evening for the upcoming week. Below is the first installment.

Lent 2026 – Led by the Spirit

Lent is not about earning God’s love.
It is about responding to grace already given.

First Sunday in Lent – Trust in the Desert
Gospel Lesson:
Matthew 4:1–11 – Jesus in the Wilderness
This Week’s Invitation: Trust Over Proving
Lent begins in the wilderness – a place of testing, honesty, and deep formation.
Instead of proving yourself this week, practice trusting God.
Practices for the Week:
1. Pause Before You Prove
When you feel the urge to defend, fix, or control –
pause and whisper: “I trust You, Lord.”

2. Feed on the Word
Read one short Gospel passage each day,
slowly and prayerfully –
Let it shape you more than headlines do.

3. Quiet Faithfulness
Choose one small act of faithfulness this week –
a kindness, restraint, or unseen service.

We do not earn grace in the wilderness.
We discover it there.

02/22/2026

What a great time we had at our annual pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday. If you missed it - you missed a great time. We hope to see you at a future event or on Sunday Morning at 9:30.

02/15/2026

Join us at Epworth United Methodist Church, Magnolia Street in Joanna, SC at 6pm for our Ash Wednesday Service.