Good Samaritan United Methodist Church

03/29/2026

Hosanna!

11/06/2024

If you are sad or grieving, let this be an encouragement:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

10/18/2024

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you. I speak a blessing over you, that as you continue to pour out your generosity—whether through time, prayer, or service—the Lord would abundantly return favor to you, filling your hearts with joy and your lives with providence. May you experience blessings in ways that uplift you and remind you of unfailing love and care.

I ask for your prayers as I continue recovering from my recent meniscus surgery. Your support means so much to me, and I am immensely thankful to be part of this beautiful ministry with you all. I also want to express my deep appreciation to our Trustees. On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of joining them for a celebratory lunch: honoring the dedication and hard work they’ve invested throughout the year. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Starting this Sunday, we will embark on a sermon series focused on generosity. As we move into the season of Thanksgiving, let’s allow the spirit of gratitude to permeate every aspect of our lives and move us towards a life of generosity. This Sunday, we will reflect on the source of generosity. Here are a few questions you may wish to ponder in the days ahead:

• Where do I believe generosity comes from in my life?
• How have I experienced generosity from others or even unexpected sources?
• In what ways can I align my heart with the ultimate source of all good gifts?

Let these reflections stir within you a deeper understanding of the role generosity plays in our faith journey, as we prepare our hearts for the season of Thanksgiving.

Also, please remember that our Charge Conference will take place on October 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The church conference, open to all congregation members, will begin at 3:00 PM, and at 4:00 PM, the District Superintendent, the Pastor, and the SPRC will meet.

As we continue to seek God’s guidance and favor, I invite you to join in a collective prayer of thanksgiving and petition:

“Generous God, we thank You for Your abundant blessings and the opportunity to serve one another in love and generosity. As we step into this season of reflection and gratitude, guide us by Your Spirit. Open our hearts to give generously, as You have given so generously to us. Strengthen our community and unite us in love, that we may shine Your light in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

May the peace of Christ be with you as we walk this journey together.

I encourage you to join us in person for Sunday’s service and to invite friends and family to share in this time of worship and reflection.

With blessings and gratitude,
Pastor Rajiv Pathik

10/12/2024

I’d like to remind you about our ongoing sermon series titled “Thou Shall Not Be a Jerk.” This Sunday will be the concluding message under the theme God Will Take Care of You. This message aims to gently remind us that, regardless of who holds the office of president, God remains our ultimate ruler—just, kind, and sovereign. So, let us not be discouraged but trust in His divine guidance. Here are a few questions to ponder as you prepare for this week’s sermon:

1. How can remembering God’s sovereignty bring peace during times of uncertainty?

2. What does it mean to trust God as a just and kind ruler in your daily life?

3. How can you actively share God’s love and kindness with others, even when circumstances are challenging?

I also encourage you to keep praying for the upcoming elections, asking that the process be peaceful and transparent. Let us also lift up the ongoing conflict between Israel, Iran, and other nations, praying for peace and resolution in those troubled regions.

Our church is a blessing, filled with love and care for one another. Let’s continue to uphold each other in prayer, support each other through calls and visits, and cherish the beautiful community we have. It’s our privilege and responsibility to nurture and safeguard this spirit of unity.

This Saturday, we have another opportunity to serve. You are invited to join us in preparing food for those in need within our community, from 8 to 11 AM. Feel free to bring along neighbors and family members, even if they aren’t regular church-goers but have a heart for making a positive difference. Let’s come together in service and love.

Let us close in prayer, lifting our hearts together before God:

Adoration: Lord, we adore You for being the ever-faithful ruler of our lives. You are sovereign, just, and merciful, guiding us through every season.
Confession: Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have allowed fear and anxiety to cloud our trust in Your plan. Help us to lean on Your promises.
Thanksgiving: We thank You for the blessing of our church community and the new addition of Kimberly to our team. Thank You for the love and support we find in each other.
Supplication: We ask for Your peace to cover our nation during the upcoming elections, and for the conflicts around the world, especially in Israel and Iran. May Your peace bring healing where there is hurt, and unity where there is division.
May God continue to bless and guide each of you. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we reflect on how God Will Take Care of You.
In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Rajiv Pathik

10/04/2024

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on a message that is deeply relevant in our current time, especially as we navigate the election season. You may recall the words from a song we often sing: “And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.” This reminds us of our responsibility to support and uphold each other’s dignity as we walk together in our faith journey.

Our sermon this Sunday, titled “Thou Shall Not Be a Jerk: Do Not Label People,” will focus on how we remain Christlike in our calling and actions, even when tensions rise. We’ll explore the ways we sometimes label others—and the labels we may have received ourselves. Here are three questions I encourage you to reflect on before Sunday:
Have I been labeled or have I labeled others in ways that hurt their dignity?
How did it feel to be labeled or to label others, and how did it affect my relationships?
What political, social, or religious labels have I seen used, and how can I resist such divisions in our community?
Our wonderful church community has always been a place of love, acceptance, and support. Let’s continue to go the extra mile for each other, knowing that if we don’t do our part, those who work hard to maintain this community may grow weary. Your support, prayers, and presence are essential to the life of this church.

As we approach the election, I also ask that you continue to pray for wisdom, protection, and the well-being of all people. Let’s be mindful of the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia, and the potential for a new beginning between Israel and Iran—both of which could have profound impacts not just on those nations but on all of humanity.

Let’s keep these matters in our collective prayers as we seek to be people of peace, understanding, and unity.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Rajiv Pathik

10/04/2024

Thank you all for birthday wish. I had a wonderful birthday. I request your prayers for me and my ministry.

09/29/2024

https://youtube.com/live/rn64cgGOem4?feature=share

Sermon- Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: Do not put God in the boxBy Rajiv PathikSongs -God of the AgesYou Can’t Beat God GivingYou Got to Put One Foot in Front of ...

09/27/2024

I want to take a moment to let you know how deeply valued you are within our church family. Your constant positive presence and the way you interact with others makes a genuine difference. It’s clear that you shine with the love of Christ, and many people are uplifted by your example.

As followers of Christ, we know that others often look to us not only for guidance but also for the way we carry ourselves in daily life. Your life is a testimony, and we are so thankful for how you reflect Christ’s love.

This Sunday, when you come to the church, you’ll see a beautiful display of quilts made by one of our own members. This member discovered quilting as a healing hobby during COVID-19 and now wishes to donate these quilts to the church. We invite anyone interested to make a donation and take one home with them. It’s another beautiful reminder of the generosity within our community.

I also want to express gratitude to everyone who has contributed in various ways to our worship services. However, we are hoping for even greater involvement. Tomorrow, John will send out link to a meeting where anyone can join in as we plan Thursday at 5:30 for this upcoming Sunday. For the remaining months, we are aiming to create one uniquely themed worship service each month. We’re also looking for someone who might feel called to help us as a worship leader. If you feel a little uncertain, I encourage you to take that step of faith and let God use you in new and powerful ways.

This Sunday, we will continue our sermon series titled, *"Thou Shall Not Be a Jerk!"* In this series, we’re focusing on how we as Christians should behave during the election season. This week, our focus will be on *“Do Not Put God in a Box.”* We’ll explore how God is neither Republican nor Democrat, and how we cannot limit God by our own political viewpoints.

Here are three reflection questions for you to consider as we prepare our hearts:

1. In what ways have I unintentionally placed God into my own limited political or personal boxes?
2. How can I show greater grace and love to those with whom I disagree, knowing that God transcends all sides?
3. What steps can I take to see beyond political identities and focus on being a witness of Christ’s love?

As we continue to grow together, I invite you to join me in prayer:

Collective Prayer:
"Lord, we come before you in awe of your greatness. You are beyond anything we can imagine, yet you choose to dwell with us in love. Help us to walk humbly before you and before others, showing kindness, grace, and understanding. Give us the courage to stand for truth, but also the wisdom to embrace unity, especially in divisive times. Guide our hearts to never place limits on your power or your love. May we, as a church, reflect the light of Christ in all we do, and may we continually seek to grow deeper in faith and service. In Christ Jesus’ name we pray, Amen."

In Christ Jesus,
Rajiv Pathik

09/20/2024

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." – Numbers 6:24-26

I pray that you are all experiencing God’s grace and peace in abundance as we continue this journey together. As we approach this upcoming Sunday, I wanted to share a heartfelt reminder about the sermon series we are continuing under the title: "Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: Our Responsibility as Christians During the Election Season."

This week’s focus will be on “Speak the Truth in Love”. As we navigate this often tense and divisive time, I encourage you to reflect on these three questions in preparation for Sunday:

1. How can I speak the truth without compromising love for those who disagree with me?
2. Am I more focused on winning arguments or winning people for Christ?
3. In what ways can I be a peacemaker while standing firm in Biblical truth?

As always, I want to warmly encourage you to attend in person if possible. There’s something so special about gathering together in the presence of God with our church family. Our community here at Good Samaritan Church is one of love, kindness, warmth, and inclusivity. Let’s do all we can to nurture and promote these beautiful values, both inside and outside of the church walls.

In addition, let us continue to uphold our nation and the upcoming election in prayer. May the process be safe, secure, and free from violence. Pray that God’s hand would guide our nation through this time, and that peace would reign in the hearts of all candidates and voters.

Let me end this note by lifting up all these things before the Lord.

Gracious and loving God,
We thank you for the gift of community and for the love we share as brothers and sisters in Christ. We ask for your guidance this Sunday as we gather to hear your Word. Help us to speak truth in love, reflecting your heart in all we do. We also lift up the upcoming election, praying for safety, security, and peace across the nation. May your will be done and may your kingdom come, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Rajiv Pathik

09/15/2024

https://youtube.com/live/alG_S4amKJE?feature=share

Sermon- Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics: Love Thy Neighbor, Even Thy Political opponentBy Rajiv PathikSongs -For the Heal...