Creston United Methodist Church

10/29/2026

Thursday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 11:11–16 NIV
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

I believe that we will win!

10/15/2026

Thursday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 8:31–39 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our lives, with all our pain, conflicts, tragedies, . . . are held together by his broken body, risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

10/15/2026

“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” — John 17:3

Tonight, we began the first session of our five-week journey of growing in our knowledge of God. What a joy it is to learn God’s Word and come to know God more deeply!

Just look at us. We shared a wonderful evening filled with joy, fellowship, and learning. We are grateful to Pastor Dave and everyone who joined us tonight. We look forward to continuing this journey together!

This Bible study is open to you, too! We would love to have you join us. We meet every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Steward Church.

10/14/2026

Wednesday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 8:26–30 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Sweep us up into this mystical place of prayer, where you work out your winning even through losing and even especially in losing.

10/08/2026

District eNews

Email from Northern Illinois Conference Catch up on district and conference news.   View as Webpage   News & Updates   Oct. 8, 2026 ** Note ** You are receiving the district eNews because your name is

10/06/2026

🍂 Let’s Walk in God’s Word Together This October! 📖

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Church family and friends, let’s join together throughout October for our 31-Day Courage & Encouragement Challenge!

We all have days when we feel weary, uncertain, or afraid. God’s Word reminds us that we are never alone. As a lamp lights our next step, Scripture helps us trust God, find courage, and share hope with others.

Using the challenge calendar, take a few moments each day to:

📖 Read the day’s Scripture.
💭 Reflect on what it reveals about God.
🙏 Pray for courage to take your next step in faith.
💛 Encourage someone with a kind word, a prayer, or a caring action.

Keep the calendar somewhere you’ll see it, and invite a friend or family member to join you. If you haven’t started yet, you’re welcome to begin with today’s reading!

Whether you’re part of our church family or a neighbor in our community, there’s a place for you in this journey.

Let’s make October a month of growing in faith, lifting one another up, and walking together in the light of God’s Word. We’d love for you to join us!

Creston UMC

10/06/2026

Tuesday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 7:7–10 NIV
What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

The commandment is not an exercise of the control of God over his image bearers but the care of God for us.

09/24/2026

Thursday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 5:7–8 NIV
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Amazing grace can only come from one place: amazing love.

09/16/2026

Wednesday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 3:27–31 NIV
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Faith does not mean, “I believe in Jesus.” Faith means, “I belong to Jesus.”

09/15/2026

Tuesday Devotion
We keep looking at J.D. Walt's.
Today, we are looking for Romans 3:21–26 NIV
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

We are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes—and for me.