Gordonsville United Methodist Church

09/07/2026

JOSEPH EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED GRACE
Being sold by one’s siblings can easily be recognized as evil, “bad” choices, that were generated by the Jacob-cultivated unhealthy dynamics, perhaps unknowingly, among his 12 sons. But if we read the rest of the story, we see that, because Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave and because Joseph’s heart and actions were pleasing to God, Joseph was in the right place, “good”, to save his family from death during the famine.

It is likely that Joseph did not expect good to come out of his enslavement. He; however, did not respond to the “bad” experience by turning away from God-pleasing ways in Demeanor, Actions, or Words. And so, his enslavement was transformed into God’s Good for his family and for Joseph himself.

*Can we trust God?
*Can we keep on trusting that God will bring us out of “bad” into an unexpected place where “good” emerges revealing what God can do for our personal good or for our good use?
*How will you cultivate Patience, a Fruit of the Spirit, so that you might await seeing God’s Good during “bad” situations?

Suggested Reading: Genesis 37 5-28; 426-26

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

JOSEPH EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED GRACE
Being sold by one’s siblings can easily be recognized as evil, “bad” choices, that were generated by the Jacob-cultivated unhealthy dynamics, perhaps unknowingly, among his 12 sons. But if we read the rest of the story, we see that, because Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave and because Joseph’s heart and actions were pleasing to God, Joseph was in the right place, “good”, to save his family from death during the famine.

It is likely that Joseph did not expect good to come out of his enslavement. He; however, did not respond to the “bad” experience by turning away from God-pleasing ways in Demeanor, Actions, or Words. And so, his enslavement was transformed into God’s Good for his family and for Joseph himself.

*Can we trust God?
*Can we keep on trusting that God will bring us out of “bad” into an unexpected place where “good” emerges revealing what God can do for our personal good or for our good use?
*How will you cultivate Patience, a Fruit of the Spirit, so that you might await seeing God’s Good during “bad” situations?

Suggested Reading: Genesis 37: 5-28; 42:6-26

09/05/2026

GOD’S UNEXPECTED WAYS
God is always at work in our lives. So, we can trust God beyond what we, in our limitation as humans, can see. God is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-caring, and all-loving. So, we are often surprised and even perplexed, unable to see where “this is going.” This is most often our state of mind when bad things are happening, right in front of us. We often forget that the good happenings which we celebrate have their source in God’s Presence with and Provision for us. Often, we cannot see God’s Work until we look back down the road and the “good” God creates out of the “bad” is evident.

The Lord is our rock and our salvation. Let us explore this week the Scripture evidence that God works in unexpected ways, through unexpected ordinary people, people like you and like me.

*Can you recall a time when you experienced a “God Sighting,” seeing God work in unexpected ways right before your eyes? Take time to remember.

We invite you to join us in worship tomorrow at 11:15 at Gordonsville United Methodist Church. To dig a little more deeply, we invite you to join Bible Study at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays at Gordonsville United Methodist Church and 10 a.m. on Wednesdays at Barboursville United Methodist Church.

Suggested Reading: Psalm 46

09/04/2026

SEEKING COMMUNITY DAILY
…discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 2b

This week we have explored Holy Conversation, Compassion, and Justice. These are all about our interpersonal relationships with those we know as well as those who are strangers. They call us to live in healthy community with other humans and with God’s Creation that is the responsibility of all humanity. Health in community begins with our increasingly healthier relationships with God. Our cultivation of Holy Conversation, Compassion, and Justice is preventative maintenance. We do that maintenance work through our spiritual practices, keeping us in touch with God’s Will and Way, living into the teaching and life model of Jesus.

* How are you with your use of the Spiritual Practices of Prayer and Fasting, Worship and Devotions, Bible Study, and Care for others that includes seeking Justice for the oppressed—service?
* Are they fueling your Holy Conversations, Compassion, and Justice making, nurturing your spiritual health and maturity, and equipping you for the needed Ministry Work God requests?
* Which Practice might need the most attention and what might you do to begin that portion of your journey?

09/03/2026

LIVING INTO JUSTICE FOR ALL
And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. Amos 7:8

What the Lord, our God of Justice, requires of us is to do good. Micah 6:8 states it plainly: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. That is our work as Disciples. We are God’s handiwork in God’s Creation. It is through our hands and feet, our actions, that justice is cultivated in the human community and in the care of God’s Creation.

Holy Conversations can help us identify places, especially those obscure to us or our churches, that need justice to prevail. Awareness of injustice can lead us to understand where our compassionate actions can promote Justice where it does not exist. Justice is needed in our interactions with others, and Justice is needed in the systems that our social structures create. Are they impacting all people in ways that promote abundant life and wellbeing?

*Are you only focused on the injustice you and yours experience or are you also willing to work for justice for those whose experiences differ from your own?

09/02/2026

DISCERNING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. Romans 12:10-13

As children of God, we are the recipients of God’s Compassion, Comfort, Grace, and Love. We look to God for help in all our troubles, even when we are the ones responsible for that trouble. Having received, we ought to freely give those who are experiencing any kind of discomfort or trouble, even when it is the result of bad choices or faithless actions. We can give from whatever blessings we have, using our hands and feet, our hearts and care, and we might help others identify blessings during or after a time of trouble.

We are called to give thanks in all our circumstances, for God’s Love is not consumed and God’s Compassion does not fail. This is the prompt for us to expand in giving love and compassion and mercy that defies human expectation; that meets God’s Expectations for Believers.

What does it take for you to walk and talk with others throughout a time of need? What process do you use to understand what others need that can be given?

09/01/2026

USING QUESTIONS WELL
For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Cultivating the practice of asking questions that create an open conversation enables us to be both the listener as well as the speaker in turns. To form good questions, resist judging what has been said, and be curious about the other person’s thinking. This requires thinking about personal preferences, behaviors, and beliefs, especially when we believe ourselves to be correct.

The opposite of faith is not doubt and God wants us to wrestle with our beliefs. Through doubt, God can lead us into a deeper faith. Remember Thomas, called the Doubter? (John 2024-29) Because he doubted about Jesus’ Resurrection, he was able to develop a deeper faith. The opposite of Faith is apathy, the lack of will and of attention to our spiritual health and well-being. It may be harmful to live as if, either, the whole Truth resides in our personal beliefs or that God does not speak to us through others. Let us judge only the person we see in the mirror, questioning ourselves before God and listening and speaking with love, respect, and openness to see the heart of another.

Where do you see yourself as you read Scripture? How might you become more in touch with who you are and with the soundness and the fullness of your beliefs?

09/01/2026

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will reopen on Thursday at 10AM. Have a blessed day.

08/31/2026

Proverbs 1: 1 – 7: The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young—
let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NRSVue)

God offers restoration of Creation by drawing every part back into Right Relationship. So, God Seeks to guide us each into God’s Will and Way. Have you ever experienced another person’s actions or words surprisingly causing you to reconsider your way of thinking or doing something?

God Speaks to us in various ways, often through people we underestimate, overlook, or assume have nothing to teach us or that we have nothing worth listening to share with them.

When another person does something that you might do differently, are you curious about why they have chosen this difference? Are you ready to learn and grow in partnership with others, realizing that you are not all knowing and not always correct?