Saratoga United Methodist Church

06/10/2026

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1-2)

Lord God, we are so thankful that you hear our cries and listen to our prayers. You are indeed higher than we. You are the rock to which we can turn in times of weakness and distress. In such times we are reminded of our frailty and our tendency to stumble and fall.

Lift us up with your strong hand and help us catch a vision of the world and of ourselves as you see us. People created in your image, born to live forever, standing on “the rock that is higher than I.” Amen.

06/07/2026

06/02/2026

"We have received grace upon grace." - John 1:16

I often dream. Sometimes my dreams are very comforting. At other times they are quite disturbing and difficult to disengage from my mind. Such was the case this morning. Do you ever experience such as this? If so, how do you relax? Of what do think that can change your focus? There are two things that I often use in moments like these: scripture and song.

This past Sunday morning we sang the hymn "Grace Greater Than Our Sin." Something subconsciously brought this song to mind and with it John's words, "We have been given grace upon grace."

I may not think about my dream or these words very often. But I have a feeling that song will continue to echo in the chamber of my brain for a while to come. Maybe they, or words with a similar effect will in yours too. - Steve

05/26/2026

"Unless you become like a child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:13)

Heavenly Father, open the eyes of our hearts to the wonder of the world in which we live. Help us to enter this day and this week with excitement about the possibilities it brings. Help us to work, help us to play with an awareness of your presence, presence that gives us the freedom to once again be the children we were created to be. Amen.

Shalom,
Steve

05/24/2026

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05/07/2026

“God has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

I have struggled with impatience to some degree since childhood. Birthday celebrations, Christmas, vacations never came soon enough. But they eventually came - in their time.

Heavenly Father, give us grace that we might wait for things to happen in your time. In this imperfect world there is so much we want to see happen, so much good we want to come to pass. And we believe that in your time they will. Thank you for the hope this gives us now as we face the challenges of this day. Amen.

Throughout recent years Mothers Day has been a very special occasion for our Saratoga church family. Help us to continue this tradition by worshiping with us this Sunday. Beginning with coffee and doughnuts prior to our worship service, and with special recognition of mothers during the service, it hopefully will be a very meaningful experience for all present, mothers and children alike. And if you can’t be with us please pray for us as we give thanks to God for our families past and present. Our worship service will begin as usual at 9:45.

Shalom,
Steve
May 7, 2026