St. John Methodist Church in Florence, Ala.

St. John Methodist Church in Florence, Ala. A spiritually growing community of faith, believing and practicing Christ's words, "Love One Another" St. John Methodist Church in Florence, AL (formerly St.

John United Methodist Church) is a spiritually growing community of faith; believing and practicing Christ’s Words, “Love One Another”, in order to bring glory to God. We invite you to join us for worship this Sunday!

As Jesus established the order of the kingdom with his disciples, he gave them insight into how conflicts within the com...
09/02/2026

As Jesus established the order of the kingdom with his disciples, he gave them insight into how conflicts within the community should be handled.

Jesus described a process that works from deep humility, a process seldom followed well today. The procedure he described paralleled that which was followed in the day, where unresolved disputes were brought before the Sanhedrin -- the Supreme Court -- for resolution. The Sanhedrin's decision was final, considered to be supported by God.

It seems in Matthew 18 Jesus is setting up this same type of system for settling conflict in the church. And, according to the foregoing conversation, they should make decisions in deep humility and holiness. Within these parameters God's authority is delegated and enabled.

More on that Sunday.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
We'll see you at 10 a.m.

Peter, the Rock, had just been commended by Jesus. "You are blessed, Peter, Rocky, founder of the church! The Father rev...
08/26/2026

Peter, the Rock, had just been commended by Jesus. "You are blessed, Peter, Rocky, founder of the church! The Father revealed to you I am Messiah."

But moments later Rocky, the foundation of the Church, became Rocky the Stumbling Block. "Get away from me Satan! You are mindful of human things, not divine things. You are a stumbling block -- you are toppling the church."

So how did Rocky go from founding the Church to enabling its demise? By having a worldly mindset instead of a spiritual one. He meant well. But obviously Jesus was not interested in good intentions.

Sunday we take a look at how good intentions can really become a stumbling block for God's desire for his Church. I hope to see you then.

When Jesus traveled back from Lebanon, he went through Caesarea Philippi, a place beneath the towering Mount Hermon wher...
08/19/2026

When Jesus traveled back from Lebanon, he went through Caesarea Philippi, a place beneath the towering Mount Hermon where the pagans offered sacrifices to their gods at various shrines there.

"Who do people say I, the Son of Man, am?" Jesus asked.

They replied by naming various prophets: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or others.

"Who do you think I am?" Jesus continued. Peter responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Son of Man, Son of God.

Sunday we take a minute or two to look at these two designations for Jesus.

St. John Methodist Church
457 Coiunty Road 7, Florence
Worship begins at 10

When Jesus went for a brief retreat to the area of Tyre and Sidon he did not expect to be hit up for a miracle by one of...
08/12/2026

When Jesus went for a brief retreat to the area of Tyre and Sidon he did not expect to be hit up for a miracle by one of the women there. Desperate for a solution for her daughter's demonically driven condition, she called out to Jesus for mercy.

Jesus snubbed her. He ignored her constant loud pleas. The disciples insisted that he send her away. Yet she was undaunted.

“It is not good," Jesus declared, "to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.” Her comeback saved the day. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”

That little snark caught Jesus' attention and changed his mind. He complimented her faith. The girl was healed immediately.

What do dogs under the table have to with faith? Sunday we find out.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
We begin at 10 a.m.

After getting the go-ahead from Jesus, Peter climbed out of the boat during a ferocious storm and walked toward the Lord...
08/05/2026

After getting the go-ahead from Jesus, Peter climbed out of the boat during a ferocious storm and walked toward the Lord. Suddenly he realized where he was and what he was doing and began to sink. "Lord, help me!"

Jesus reached out and caught Peter and then asked, "You of little faith! Why did you doubt?"

This story from Matthew 14 has far greater applications than asking the Lord to "keep us safe till the storm passes by." It centers on where our focus should be. Sunday, we will look closely at this story. I think our conclusions will be a little different than you would expect.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
Worship begins at 10 a.m.

Something caught my attention as I read this week's lectionary passage. Jesus multiplied fish and loaves of bread and pa...
07/28/2026

Something caught my attention as I read this week's lectionary passage. Jesus multiplied fish and loaves of bread and passed them along to the disciples to feed the weary crowd until everyone ate and were filled. He gave thanks for the food and passed it on.

This seems to be a common theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. God delights in blessing his people with plenty of good food, and he wants them to be full. In fact, the old-time rabbis said that one had not eaten if he was not full.

This week, as we anticipate and celebrate Holy Communion (the most important meal), we will consider this aspect of eating in the kingdom.

07/28/2026

Something caught my attention as I read this week's lectionary passage. Jesus multiplied fish and loaves of bread and passed them along to the disciples to feed the weary crowd until everyone ate and were filled. He gave thanks for the food and passed it on.

This seems to be a common theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. God delights in blessing his people with plenty of good food, and he wants them to be full. In fact, the old-time rabbis said that one had not eaten if he was not full.

This week, as we anticipate and celebrate Holy Communion (the most important meal), we will consider this aspect of eating in the kingdom.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
We begin at 10 a.m.

07/16/2026

After a stressful Sabbath day Jesus went to the lakeside for a few moments of rest. The townspeople of Capernaum gathered around him and he began to teach, using parables to describe how the kingdom of God works.

One of those parables, which we'll discuss Sunday, describes a farmer planting good seed in his field, and someone planting weeds in an act of agricultural sabotage.

The farmer decided to let wheat and tares grow together until harvest, at which time they would be separated, with tares bundled and burned, and wheat stored in the barn.

How does this relate to the kingdom. Come Sunday and find out.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
We begin at 10 a.m.

After a stressful Sabbath day, Jesus went to sit by the lake in the evening. A large crowd gathered, and Jesus began to ...
07/08/2026

After a stressful Sabbath day, Jesus went to sit by the lake in the evening. A large crowd gathered, and Jesus began to teach. He used parables to convey the truths of the kingdom.

"Why do you teach in parables?" the clueless disciples asked. Jesus responded with a surprising reason why, and then he interpreted the parable for his disciples.

Sunday we will explore the surprising reason why Jesus used parables, and then we'll interpret this foundational teaching of the kingdom.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
We begin at 10 a.m.

When Jesus told the disciples he would build his Church, he had several things in mind. It would be a new nation, a new ...
07/01/2026

When Jesus told the disciples he would build his Church, he had several things in mind. It would be a new nation, a new gathering of people called from all nations, and a new royal priesthood. The Israelites had failed to keep God's covenant with them, and they were being replaced.

Now we sadly find the Church in decline. Instead of being priests and representatives of the kingdom, we have become a part of the culture around us.

Sunday we will be reminded what God intended with the Church from the beginning.

St. John Methodist Church
457 County Road 7, Florence
Beginning at 10 a.m.

Address

457 County Road 7
Florence, AL
35633

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. John Methodist Church in Florence, Ala. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category