Corinth United Methodist Church

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

These small words deliver a large, radical message.

The word radical is defined this way: “A drastic, sweeping, or extreme departure from the usual, traditional, or ordinary.”

Presently, we too often use our hands to point at those we disagree with, we use our hands to throw grenades at the opposing side. We are reminded by these small words, that there is a much better way to use our hands.

Washing each other’s feet is a reference to the “new commandment” Jesus provides in John 13:34. Jesus, the master teacher, had just finished washing the disciple’s feet before declaring: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus was in a position to judge, to chastise, to accuse. Instead, he offered an example of a better way. Serve one another with grace; doing so makes us radical, demonstrating an extreme departure from the usual and ordinary.

Our world is in desperate need of more foot washers and fewer stone throwers.

Let’s get radical.
Steve

06/02/2026

Hello Folks-
A reminder to check out our church website for our June newsletter, chock-full of great information (thanks, Del!) Del does a wonderful job producing our newsletter-
Also see the latest sermon notes, events schedule, an object lesson video (under the "BLAST" tab) and much more! 🙂

Corinth United Methodist Church offers Sunday Morning Worship, Fellowship & Study Groups, and Sunday School B.L.A.S.T. Come grow with us!

06/01/2026

This past Friday I walked into our garage, quickly noticed some chirping nearby. Good grief! Two birds were trapped inside our garage. As they flew around the ceiling, I attempted to shoo them back outside where they belonged with hand gestures and eventually a broom. Judy even came out with a net! As we tried to rescue these birds, I was struck by how easy it would be for them to find freedom. The garage doors were wide open after all; all they had to do to find freedom was to alter their flight just a few inches lower.

When we feel trapped by difficult circumstances, we may find ourselves repeating the voice of the psalmist: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Psalm 55:6)

Perhaps when trapped, we would do well to change course, to alter our flight, seeking a new direction rather than continually flying the same pattern. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “Those who look to the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles…”

It’s a new week, dear friends. Let’s find freedom together as we fly forward.

Steve

05/29/2026

Hello Friends!
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Trinity Sunday; we serve a "Triune" God--what does that mean? Join us for learning, laughter, an object lesson for the kiddos, we will celebrate two baptisms, share inspiring music and more. Looking forward to our time together-make plans to join us at 9am!

Order of Worship

Welcome, Announcements
Lighting of Candles

Call to Worship
Leader: We gather in this place-yearning on this Trinity Sunday for inspiration to follow in God’s way.
People: We come to embrace love and grace, as we share these gifts with one another.

Words of Confession
Leader: Holy God, it is our intention to follow you faithfully, yet we stumble often.
People: Forgive us, healing God. Reconcile us to you; may the Holy Spirit strengthen and direct to walk faithfully.

Words of Assurance
Leader: Our brother, the Apostle Paul, reminds us when we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Behold, the old has gone, the new has come!
All: For this we are thankful! Amen!

Hymn: Change My Heart Oh God (Insert)

For the Young at Heart
Baptism (Insert)

Apostle’s Creed: UMH 881
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:26-28
Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17
Message: “Testifying for the Trinity”

Hymn: Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Insert)

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offertory Prayer
Together: With a sense of happiness and gratitude, we eagerly offer you these gifts to support your ministry through our church. All praise and glory be unto you. Amen.

Benediction
May the seed of Christ’s word, planted and watered by the Holy Spirit, find root and grow in your hearts. May your work and your relationships reflect Christ’s constant presence in the days of this week. Amen.

Benediction Song: Love the Lord Your God (John Haskell)

05/27/2026

Church of Universal Fellowship is a historic church on Main Street in Orono, filled with wonderful congregants, led by inspiring clergy (Moriah and Malcom.) We walk by their church quite often; over the past several weeks we’ve witnessed transformation before our eyes as repair work has been ongoing on their steeple.

What are steeples for, anyway? The architecture of steeples, with their narrowing vertical structure from base to pointy top, is intended to “point” people’s view toward the sky, to the heavenly realm, so to speak. Put another way, the intent of steeples is to point people toward God’s presence.

But of course, steeples do not magically appear. They are designed and built by human agency. Construction on this nearby church is ongoing, with a recent hoisting of the steeple to its lofty spot on top of the building.

We too are called to point others toward the Divine. We too, are often in need of transformation and repair as the storms of life come and go. I am reminded of the metaphor presented to us by Jeremiah: “The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel…then the Lord’s voice came: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.”

Happy our friends at CUF will soon be sitting under a shiny new steeple pointing us upward; thankful for repair jobs available to us, directed by the carpenter from Nazareth through the Spirit we celebrated on Pentecost Sunday just days ago.

Wednesday blessings,
Steve

05/25/2026

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Today is Memorial Day, which we remember, is different than Veteran’s Day. On Veteran’s Day we honor and commemorate all who serve and have served in our armed forces. Today we honor those who have given their lives in service to our country.

I remember stories about my Uncle Al (actually, Great Uncle) who was in the Army, and my Uncle Wayne who served in the Navy. They both experienced very difficult days, particularly my Uncle Wayne, who enlisted the day before Pearl Harbor was attacked. Wayne was in a number of battles in both the European and Pacific theaters while serving on the destroyer U.S.S. Greene. Typical of many veterans, my uncle preferred not to discuss his war experiences.

Since 1914 (start of WW1) almost 620,000 U.S. soldiers have given their lives for our freedom. Our family is grateful our uncles returned from their duty, yet for a number of years, they set aside life with their families, friends, hometowns, jobs, and churches in order to serve. As of today, 2.8 million U.S. soldiers are doing the same.

Not just today, but every day, let’s be thankful for those who serve and have served on our behalf as we also honor those who have lived into Christ’s words recorded in John 15:13.

05/24/2026

May 24th

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05/23/2026

Greetings! For those of you joining us online at 9:00 Sunday morning 5/24, here is our church bulletin. We will be celebrating Pentecost Sunday; ever heard of a Fire Tetrahedron? Fire needs 4 ingredients to exist; we will connect these elements to our Pentecost understanding. Looking forward to it!

Welcome to all visiting with us today, in-person and on-line.
Please silence your cell phone during the service. Thank you.

Order of Worship

Welcome, Announcements
Lighting of Candles

Call to Worship
Leader: We gather in this place-yearning on this Pentecost Sunday for the Holy Spirit to fill us and our church!
People: We come as a people desiring to be shown the way, trusting that God will speak to our hearts.
Leader: We invite the author of grace, so that we might be fed by the Bread of life;
All: That graced, we may serve others; that healed, we may bring hope to each other and the world. Amen!

Words of Confession, Assurance
Leader: We rejoice as we witness your presence and purpose made known through your people. Yet we recognize and confess too often we fall short as you call us to live faithfully; to do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly.
All: Today we remember the experience of Pentecost, an indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empowering us as your people, the guiding presence Jesus promised would be ours.
Leader: Here the good news! When we are in Christ, we become new; the old is gone, the new has come!
All: For this we are thankful! Amen.

Hymn: God of the Sparrow God of the Whale (Screen)

For the Young at Heart

Nicene Creed UMH #880

Scripture Reading: Acts 21:1-21

Message: “The Fire Tetrahedron”

Hymn: UMH 347 Spirit Song

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offertory Prayer
Holy Spirit, come upon us this day. We feel your joy and delight as we celebrate together. With a sense of happiness and gratitude, we eagerly offer you these gifts for your ministry in this community and beyond. All praise and glory be unto you. Amen.

Benediction
May God cause the wind to blow again; and may tongues of fire inspire our speaking, our doing, and our ministry, this day and forever. Amen!

Benediction Hymn "Peace Like a River" by John Haskell

05/22/2026

You know what you don’t see when watching a band concert? The sheet music!

Last evening I was invited to participate in a small way with the Old Town Middle School band concert. I spent much of my time backstage, which was an interesting vantage point-one I’d never had before. One thing people in the audience can’t see is the most important part of the scene, besides their instruments….the sheet music! Also known as the score, the music produced by the students doesn’t happen without the sheet music in front of them, which tells them when and when not to play, which notes to play and for how long, how fast and slow to play, and so on. As the conductor directs, the musicians pay close attention to the score in front of them.

While we may not be playing a musical instrument, we do have people watching us, our “audience,” so to speak. How will we perform in front of them? Depends on the score we’re looking at. What are our eyes on? What do these instructions tell us?

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalm 32:8)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

We’ve been provided with a score friends, let’s place it in front of us while keeping an eye on our conductor as we seek to share beautiful, holy music together for those who are watching.

Looking forward to being together Sunday morning as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday together (my favorite Sunday of the year!)

Steve