Zion Ridge United Methodist Church

05/24/2026

We were so blessed to have the Crowther family gather with us for Sunday School, as they are celebrating their family reunion! They are such a blessing to our church and community!

05/21/2026

Brokenness

"But the pot he was shaping from clay was marred in his hand, so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seen best to him." Jeremiah 18:4

Jeremiah observe a potter at his wheel, when something goes wrong the clay becomes "marred" or "spoiled" in the potter's hands.

This "marring" wasn't because the potter was unskilled, it was due to something in the clay itself-an impurity or resistance.

We often feel marred by our own past mistakes, hidden sins, or the stubbornness of our hearts. It's easy to feel like we've ruined God's plan for us, but notice where the spoiled clay was, it was still in the hand of the potter. The potter didn't throw it away. He didn't reach for a new lump, He took the same clay and made it again.

God is a specialist in restoration. He is willing to take the broken pieces of our lives and reshape them into something entirely new.

The clay doesn't choose its shape, the potter does. He has a vision for your life that is better than any plan you could design for yourself.

Our job is to stay soft and flexible on the wheel, yielding our pride and our "own plans" to His hands.

Ask God to take the broken pieces of your heart and remake you into what seem best for Him.

May God bless you🙌
Rev. Daniel Preston

05/17/2026

Fellowship is such a blessing!

05/17/2026

We had a wonderful service! Pastor Preston had an inspiring message for the graduates - “Trusting God with the Next Step”! (Proverbs 3:5-6). The mothers and graduates were blessed to receive special gifts, also!

05/17/2026

05/10/2026

Mother’s Day Moments

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day! We had a wonderful service with beautiful music and singing. Pastor Preston reminded us that “A Mother’s Love is Seen by God, and Mothers are Strengthened by His Grace!”

04/30/2026

"I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the Sheep." John 10:11-18

These verses say, the shepherd knows the cost. Jesus doesn't say he might risk his life, he says he lays it down. In our lives, we often feel like we have to prove our worth to be cared for. But the good shepherd paid the ultimate price before we ever did anything to deserve it. His love isn't a reaction to our goodness, it is a commitment to our rescue.

He stays when it's hard. A hired hand leaves when the "wolf" comes, whether that wolf is grief, failure or fear. Jesus stays. When life get dark or dangerous, the good shepherd doesn't look for an exit, he stands between you and the danger. You are never navigating your valley of the shadow of death alone. Think about the "wolves" in your life right now.

Are you trying to fight them off on your own? Are you worried that God will abandon you If things get too messy?

Today, practice "hearing His voice." Take a deep breath and remind yourself. The shepherd is here. He has already proven his love at the cross. He isn't running away.

May God bless you🙌
Rev. Daniel Preston

04/24/2026

Finally, he said to his gardener, "I have waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig. Cut it down. it's just taking up space in the garden" Luke 13:4-9

This week is a time to focuse on repentance and re-centering your life on God, using the metaphor of a fig tree to turn away from outward ritual toward true, inward transformation. Reflect on your spiritual "fruitfulness," asking God to soften your heart, renew your trust, and guide you toward acts of love and Justice in your daily life.

In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the gardener waiting patiently for a barren fruit tree to bear fruits. We are that tree. It's not enough to just "have leaves" (going through the motion), God desires the fruit of repentance, love, and kindness. This is a gentle reminder that we have time to change, but that time is now. We have time to change, but that time is now. Consider, where is your heart not bearing fruit, and what attitudes or habits are keeping you from loving others as God loves you.

Today, ask for the grace to soften your heart. Identify one area where you need to turn back to God, perhaps how you speak to a family member, use your time, or care for the marginalized.

May God bless you🙌
Rev. Daniel Preston