Cumberland United Methodist Church

Cumberland United Methodist Church Pastor Casey Pelzer
Sunday Worship 10:00 - 11:00. Sunday School, 1st & 3rd Sundays
9:45 - 10:15.

06/03/2026

Midweek Message #591
"...and I will hope in your Name, for your Name is good."
-Psalm 52:9b

David wrote these words during a very difficult time in his life. The evil of men was pursuing and threatening him. Despite the evil circumstances, David remained hopeful in the Lord because of the Lord's goodness. Evil comes in all forms. It can be front page news worthy or it can come in secret. It can be extremely intense or it can be subtle. It can ruin a life or it can ruin a night's sleep. It's easy to understand how it can ruin our hope in the Lord. In fact, it's at least caused us to question God's goodness.
However, like David, we must hang on to the Truth. Evil is a liar and loves when we question or reject God's goodness. It's simple phrases like these that can hold the power to overcome whatever form evil presents itself. It's simple phrases like these that keep us centered on the truth of God's goodness. It's simple phrases like these that need to be written on our hearts and minds every day so that no matter what the day may bring, we know the One who sustains us.
Memorize this phrase. Repeat it throughout the day. Write it down and put it in your pocket. Put it in your phone. Do whatever you need to do in order to keep these words on your mind and in your heart. It will weaken the evil of the day and center you on the One who holds you. Have a good day.

~Grow the Word

Proverbs 22:6“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”Our c...
05/31/2026

Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Our church family is incredibly blessed to have such a faithful & beautiful person leading our little ones. Thank you, Laura, for all that you for our church family. ❤️

This morning we celebrated our 2026 High School Graduates! 🎓 Maddy Anderson, Jake Simonton & Kaitlynn Platt
05/31/2026

This morning we celebrated our 2026 High School Graduates! 🎓
Maddy Anderson, Jake Simonton & Kaitlynn Platt

This morning we celebrated two baptisms! 🤍 Vera Jordan Cutler & Alivia Marie Jones 🤍
05/31/2026

This morning we celebrated two baptisms!
🤍 Vera Jordan Cutler & Alivia Marie Jones 🤍

05/27/2026

Midweek Message #590
"But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you."
-1 Samuel 12:24

Let's start by pausing and taking a few minutes to consider all the great things the Lord has done for us. Some of these are things the Lord has done for all of His people while other things have been done for us in unique, intimate ways. The things that just came to your mind and heart are more than any of us could ever deserve. The things we just gave thanks for were not done because of anything we did or didn't do. They were done because God is good and the evidence is all around us in ways big and small, new and old.
This is why we serve the Lord. It's not so that He'll do more good things, which He will regardless. Rather, we serve the Lord in praise for all He has already done. Let's make this a summer of thanksgiving. Reflect and give thanks. The evidence is all around. And as we reflect and serve the Lord faithfully, new evidence will appear.

~Grow the Word

05/20/2026

Midweek Message #589
"After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel." -Judges 2:10

The next verse states the result of this generation's lack of knowing the Lord; "Then they did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served false gods." All because they didn't have a relationship with the Lord and weren't aware of anything the Lord had done for them. In other words, the generation before them punted on the responsibility of telling and teaching their children all about the Lord. God had become something their parents knew and did, but not what they would know and do. In other words, parents didn't share with their children stories of the work of the Lord in their lives. Parents didn't tell their children the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. Parents didn't model, explain, invite and encourage worshipping the Lord. This sounds eerily familiar. There's a reason why churches are more than half empty with the half that's full being older generations. There's a reason why other things have taken over for families on Sunday mornings. There's a reason why Wednesday evening is no longer church night.
We all play a role in this. We've all been called to tell of Jesus. No one can teach my daughters about all the Lord has done better than their mother and I. It's our responsibility. Sure many others have helped, but it's our home and our responsibility. Maybe you're the one who didn't have the generation before you to teach and show you about Jesus. Choose now, for yourself and learn about Jesus and follow the Lord. Then teach the next generation in your care. Start a new legacy. That's the beautiful thing; we get to decide. Perhaps you've grown up in a home where Jesus was or is worshipped and taught. Praise the Lord. Bless the Lord by passing this on to your children when the time comes. It's not just our responsibility. It's our honor.

~Grow the Word

05/13/2026

Midweek Message #588
"But the Lord said to Cain, 'Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.' Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him."
-Genesis 4:15

Cain had just killed his brother Abel. The Lord knew and questioned Cain about it and ultimately, told Cain he would work the ground but never yield its crops. Cain expected vengeance from others and ultimately feared for his life. The Lord responded with a mark. No one is sure what this mark looked like, but we know it was identifiable. Not all that long ago the Lord had just made garments of skin for Adam and Eve due to their sinfulness so we can be confident Cain's mark was done with intention and beauty. This is yet another picture of God's grace. Cain deserved the retaliation and vengeance of others and yet the Lord marks and protects him.
God's story is a story of grace. It always has been and always will be. Nothing has changed over the years. We, too, were deserving of death due to our sin. Yet the Lord marks us, calls us His own, and protects us. Give thanks the Lord marks us in different ways so that others may know we are His. Give thanks for God's protection and provisions. Give thanks for God's grace, which is always sufficient.

~Grow the Word

05/06/2026

Midweek Message #587
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

Joshua was starting something new. He was taking over as leader of the Israelites for Moses. I'm sure Joshua had questions. No doubt there were fears and reservations. It seemed as though Moses had done the majority of the work and now Joshua was brought in as the closer. It's not going to be that easy; it never is. There will be new challenges, new reasons for the people to be discontent and grumble. The Lord says just what Joshua needs to hear but it's always more than words with the Lord.
The Lord speaks in truths, promises, and commands. Every word spoken by the Lord is true as not one word falls empty. This wasn't just something to make Joshua feel good in the moment, these were words Joshua was to remember, treasure and live by. The Lord knew both what was in Joshua's heart and what he would need to successfully fulfill his calling. Joshua had been around long enough, witnessed and experienced enough to know the confidence he could have in what the Lord was saying.
The same is true for us today. The Lord knows what's in each of our hearts and exactly what each of us needs to successfully fulfill our calling. Perhaps, like Joshua, it's strength and courage. Or maybe it's humility and contentment. The list goes on and on as we each have challenges in fulfilling what the Lord has called us to do. Take time to discern in prayer the Lord's calling on your life. Listen to what the Spirit is suggesting you need in order to fulfill this calling in a way that glorifies God. Humbly accept what the Lord offers. The Lord doesn't call us to fail. The Lord calls us to advance a Kingdom that cannot be stopped. May the Lord be with you.

~Grow the Word

04/29/2026

Midweek Message #586
"Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep'."
-John 21:16

Prior to this interaction, Jesus had predicted Simon Peter's denial and of course, just as Jesus said, Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus now appears to some of the disciples in resurrection form and He pursues Peter so that Peter can be reinstated. I don't think it's a coincidence that Jesus asks Peter three times if he still loves Him. It could be that he was asked once for each time he denied Jesus. But here's what just struck me about this encounter. Peter denied Jesus and yet Jesus is the one asking Peter if he still loves Him. Oftentimes, when I deny Jesus I wonder and ask Jesus if He still loves me. Never once is there any indication that Peter questioned the love of Jesus, nor should we.
The question is never about Jesus' love for us. His love is perfect and unconditional. When we deny Jesus intentionally or not, in ways big or small, a thousand times or one, His love for us remains. God's love for us is without a doubt and unquestionable. However, God wants to know that we still love Him. He wants to know that there is conviction and repentance when we mess up. Due to God's perfect nature, He cannot love us any more or any less. Unfortunately, that's not the case with our love.
Take time to give thanks that God loves you. Give thanks that God's love is not something we can earn or even unearn. Ask for grace and forgiveness when we deny Jesus. Hear the Holy Spirit whisper, "Do you still love me?" Take the time to answer with a resounding, "Yes!"

~Grow the Word

Address

317 Monroe Street
Cumberland, IA
50843

Opening Hours

10am - 11am

Telephone

(712) 774-5818

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