Buck's Grove United Methodist Church

05/27/2026

BUCKS GROVE/CIRCLEVILLE METHODIST CHURCHES NEWS
Sunday, May 24, 2026 ~ Memorial Sunday
By Colleen Reamer

A wonderful crowd of at least fifty-three people met to worship at Bucks Grove Methodist Church on the Memorial Day weekend of May 24th at 9:00 am.
Colleen Reamer lit the candles to the beautiful accompaniment of Lucas White.
After the Call to Worship the congregation sang “Spirit of the Living God”.
Other songs sung on Sunday were “Spirit Song” and “They’ll Know We are Christians”.
Pastor Dawn then gave the Children’s message. She told them it was a special day because it was Pentacost. It’s the only day when the church uses the red banners. It’s the day when the Holy Spirit came down as tongues of flame. The Cross and the Flame are the Methodist symbol and the fire of the Holy Spirit is a moving force inside you.
Leroy Rieschick then read the scriptures. The first scripture read was Acts 2: 1-21. These verses tell of how the disciples were together in one place when they heard what sounded like a violent wind. They saw what looked like tongues of flame come down that came to rest on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. There were many Jews from many nations staying there. When they heard this sound a crowd came together and were bewildered since they heard each one speaking in their own language. They asked how each of them heard their own language. Others, though, thought the disciples were drunk. Peter got up and spoke to these people telling them that these people are not drunk. They are only saying what was spoken by the prophet Joel.
The second scripture read was 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13. These passages tell us that no one can say “Jesus is Lord” without the help of the Holy Spirit. They tell us that there are different types of spiritual gifts but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve, but we serve the same Lord. They say that something from the Spirit can be seen in each person. The Spirit gives different gifts or talents to different people but One Spirit does these things and the Spirit decides what to give each of us.
Pastor Dawn then read to us from John 20: 19-23. This Gospel reading tells of Jesus’ followers who were together and had the doors locked against the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing there among them. He said “Peace be with you!” He then showed them His hands and His side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were very happy, Then Jesus again said “Peace be with you.” He then breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven. If there is anyone whose sins you don’t forgive, their sins are not forgiven.”
Pastor Dawn’s message was The Meaning of Pentecost. She told us it is one of the only days of the liturgical year when we use red. Pentecost is the day where we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus.
Pentecost originated as a harvest festival celebrating the wheat harvest. It was one of three pilgrimage festivals. Pentecost remained a harvest festival until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
Pastor Dawn told us that some of the important Christian observances are closely linked to Jewish festivals. Passover celebrates the time when the spirit of death passed over the Israelites during the final Egyptian plague. After that, Pharoah had had enough and finally granted the Israelites their freedom.
Jesus was crucified during the same time as the feast of Unleavened Bread. Passover.
The Hebrew word for this is pasah, which is more accurately translated as protect. So, when there was lamb blood on the door it was said the spirit would pass over you. It could also mean I will protect you. We equate the Passover lamb with Jesus and His Crucifixion. Like a lamb He was led to slaughter, perfect and sinless as He was. The lamb was slaughtered on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread and Pentecost was observed 50 days after that.
When Jesus lived on Earth, he promised His disciples that after He left them He would send another Advocate to help them. This is the Spirit. We think about the Bible as a book about God and Jesus. The first testament is God and the second is Jesus. But where is the Spirit? It’s everywhere. As you can’t separate God from Jesus, you can’t separate the Spirit from either of them. But, the Spirit is the hardest part of God to understand.
Pastor Dawn told us there were many pilgrims in Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. They were from all parts of the world. Many languages were being spoken. The disciples were responsible for spreading the good news about Jesus’ Resurrection and the spirit, by giving them the power to speak other languages, made this possible.
God gives us the gifts we need to do the work He calls us to do. These gifts are as diverse as the people who get them.
The description of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 is the most descriptive account of Pentecost we have. It describes a sound of rushing wind filling the house and the tongue of flame which separates and goes to each of the disciples. It’s the symbol of the Methodist Church.
What does the rushing wind mean? The Greek word “Pneuma” can be translated as wind, or breath or spirit. What does the fire represent? In many parts of the Bible God is associated with fire. The burning bush, the pillar of fire by night, and God spoke to the Israelites from the midst of a fire. The Holy Spirit then, is God. The tongues of fire come from God and carry His Spirit to the disciples in a visible way. The foundations for the concept of the Trinity, the three-in-one God, have been carefully laid throughout the writings of the Bible.
The Holy Spirit is how God is manifest to us in this day. Before Jesus, God would speak to the prophets and they would spread His message to the people. Then God sent Jesus, enfleshed, for a short 30 years or so. When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He sent the Spirit of God to dwell with us, to live among us and guide us in rhis life until we are one with God.
Frank Vance told us a new Vance has been born. Kyler and Rylee welcomed a new daughter, Adeline Joe. Barbara Hutchinson reported that the Circleville Alumni had a good turnout. Theresa Rieschick told us that her mother, Rose Marie, is doing much better and is now in physical therapy.
Services ended with the Benediction and the song “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
After services ended we had the yearly auction where Janet Trainer bought the beautiful quilt that was put together and quilted by Theresa Rieschick and Many Ringel. Many other beautiful and useful items were sold.

05/20/2026

Please join us this Sunday at Buck’s Grove to admire the beautiful quilt and other handmade treasures available at auction. Each creation represents countless hours of hard work, talent, and love. We hope to see you there as we celebrate our traditions and these wonderful handcrafted items!

05/20/2026

BUCKS GROVE/CIRCLEVILLE METHODIST CHURCHES
Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Ascension Sunday
By Colleen Reamer

On the windy Sunday morning of May 17th thirty people congregated to worship at Circleville Methodist Church at 9:00 am.
Pastor Dawn lit the candles to the accompaniment of Lucas White.
After the Call to Worship the congregation sang “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”.
Other hymns on Sunday were “Christ is Risen” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.
Steve Duryea had the special. Lucas White beautifully played the song Doctor Gradus and Parnassium for the congregation.
Barbara Hutchinson read the scriptures. The first scripture read was Acts 1: 6-14. In these passages the disciples are asking Jesus if He is going to restore the kingdom to Israel. He answers them that it is not for them to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. He tells them they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. After He told them this He was taken up into a cloud and hidden from their sight. The disciples were still looking into the sky when suddenly two men dressed in white were there. These men told the disciples that Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way they had seen Him go into heaven.
The second scripture read was 1 Peter 4: 12-14 and 5: 6-11. In these verses Peter tells the people listening not to be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on them to test them. They are to rejoice as they participate in the sufferings of Christ so that they may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If they are insulted because of the name of Christ they are blessed. Then they are told to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand that He may lift them up in due time. They are to cast all their anxiety on Him because He cares for them. They are to be alert and of sober mind because the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. They are to resist him and stand firm in the faith because they know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Lay Pastor Immenschuch then read from John 17: 1-11 In this Gospel reading Jesus prays to be glorified. He asks the Father to glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. Jesus then prays for His disciples saying I have revealed You to those whom you gave Me out of the world. They were yours, you gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your word. He says that I gave them the words You gave Me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that you sent Me.
Lay Pastor Immenschuh then gave her message which was entitled Eternity and Discipleship. She told us this was the last Sunday of Easter in this season of resurrection. She said that something about eternal life that stands out is that eternal life is to know God and to know Jesus.
Some call this Sunday waiting Sunday because it is tucked between the Ascension and Pentecost. It could easily be overlooked and dismissed, but if we skipped it we would miss one of the great gospels.
Jesus doesn’t describe “eternal life” in terms of time but in terms of relationship. Jesus said that eternal life is to know God and to know Christ. When we know Christ we experience His glory and know we belong to God. Jesus also said that those who believe in Him belong to God.
Sometimes you hear people make comments about people they think don’t have any chance of going to heaven, but you do not know what is in that person’s heart. God is always drawing everyone toward a relationship with Him so who are we to say some person doesn’t belong?
Jesus prayed for His disciples. He was not praying for the world but for those God had given Him. He asked for protection for who would remain in the world after He returned to His place at the right hand of the Father. He said “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name, the name you gave me so they may be one, as we are one” Jesus really said that those who believe in Him are one with Him and the Father. He is asking God to protect those who believe so they may be one with each other, as the Father and the Son are one.
Now, obviously, we live in a very different time than the disciples did. We may find it difficult to understand their choices and actions because most of us, as Christians, in this day and age, aren’t a persecuted minority but there are those in this country who are persecuted for their religious beliefs.
At a time when there are so many kinds of divisions, Jesus' prayer that we may be one is pretty striking. Jesus taught and encouraged the disciples as much as He could. Then, on the eve of their despair He committed them to the Father in prayer. As Jesus was praying he said to God “I have revealed Your name to the men whom You have given me”.
Jesus may also have been thinking about the years of His ministry and teaching with His disciples. It shows Jesus did not simply teach about the character of God. He displayed that character. He lived out the love, goodness, righteousness, grace and holiness of God. He revealed God’s name to them as well as His nature.
Believers today have a similar call and duty. Paul wrote that believers are like living letters read by the world with the responsibility to reveal the name and character of God to a watching world. Lay Pastor Joyce told us that this is something she really believes. People watch and judge us by our actions. If we do someone unfairly or rudely or say something hurtful you can almost hear them say “if that’s what being a Christian is like, I don’t think I want to be one”.
Jesus spent His last night on earth praying that the church would be one, as He and the father are one, “That we may be one” remains God’s desire. May it become ours as well,
David Allen reported the Allen family all got together where all the children and grandchildren were all present. Helen Farley reported the doctor had given her a good report on her heart. Linda Rieschick told us that Marcus and his fiancee, Trinity, are going on a mission trip to the Philippines. Prayers are asked for Rose Marie Clements and Doug Brown.
Services ended with the Benediction and the song “He Lives”.
The Bible study group met after services ended.

05/11/2026

BUCKS GROVE/CIRCLEVILLE METHODIST CHURCHES
Sunday, May 10, 2026
by COLLEEN REAMER

A very nice crowd of thirty-three people met together to worship on the beautiful Mother's Day Sunday of May 10th at Circleville Methodist Church at 9:00 am.

Jodie Shupe lit the candles to the accompaniment of Lucas White.

After the Call to Worship the congregation sang “Because He Lives”.

Other songs sung on Sunday were “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” and”There’s Within My Heart a Melody”.

Thursa Wade hosted the special. She had Karen Ford, Carrie Kahle and Dawn Duryea play their flutes for the congregation.

Evelyn Allen read the scriptures. The first scripture read was Acts 17: 22-31. These verses tell of how Paul is in Athens where he tells the people that he sees they are very religious. He tells them as he was walking around he found an altar with the inscription: To An Unknown God. He then tells them they are ignorant of the very thing they worship. He tells them the God who made the world and everything in it does not live in temples built by human hands. He gives life and breath to everyone. Paul tells them that from one man he made all the nations. God did this so they would seek Him out and reach out and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.

The New Testament scripture read was 1 Peter 3: 13-22. In these passages Peter is asking who is going to harm you if you do good? He says that even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. He says to not fear their threats and do not be frightened. He tells them they should revere Christ in their hearts and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but to do this with gentleness and respect. He tells them that it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good then for doing evil. Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Pastor Dawn then read to us from John 14: 15-21. In this Gospel reading Jesus tells His disciples that if they love Him they will keep His commands and He will ask the Father to give them another advocate to help them and be with them forever. This is the Spirit of Truth. He tells the disciples the world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him but you know him for he lies with you and will be in you. Jesus tells them that before long the world will not see Him anymore, but they will see Him. Because I live, they will also live.

Pastor Dawn then gave her message which was entitled Alive in the Spirit. She spoke about how she gets a kick out of the story of Paul preaching in the Areopagus, which is a real place in the ancient city of Athens. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all called this city home. It is the birthplace of philosophy.

And here comes Paul, introducing a whole new philosophy. He is preaching monotheism to a bunch of pagans. If you remember from studying Greek mythology, they had a whole bunch of gods. One for war, one for love, one for the underworld, one for the sea and one who ruled over the whole bunch of them. Now, it takes a lot of nerve to preach a new idea to all these sophisticated Athenians but Paul found an original way. While he was walking around the city he found an altar dedicated to an unknown god. They must not have wanted to offend some god they had accidentally left out. Paul uses this as an opening to begin talking about his God and our God. The God who created the world and everything in it.

Paul is an interesting person and it could be argued that we wouldn’t be worshipping Jesus today if it weren’t for Paul. He was the foremost missionary in the early church. His words, which make up 23 percent of the New Testament, have heavily influenced our theology.

Last week, when we were hearing about the stoning of Steven, there was a sentence that read “And Saul approved of their killing them” This Saul was actually Paul before his conversion on the road to Damascus. He was a bloodthirsty Pharisee who was bound and determined to destroy the mission Jesus started. So, how does someone like him change so much?

Well, Pastor Dawn had just read a devotional about people in the Bible who had suffered unjustly and Saul/Paul was one of them. Really? But, Paul was struck blind on that road to Damascus. Pastor Dawn always thought that was a good thing but no one thinks undeserved suffering is good, do they. But what if it serves a good purpose?

That brings us back to Jesus. Jesus suffered. No one can argue with that. He didn’t deserve it. Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. He died because some felt threatened by the newness he brought to their faith. They feared change so they clung to their tradition rather than let the Holy Spirit do its work.

Last week in our message Jesus talked about being one with the Father, saying if you have seen Me you have seen the Father. Now Jesus is introducing the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He tells us that we know this Spirit because it is inside of us. The Day of Pentecost brought in the Age of the Holy Spirit. This is the day the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and entered the disciples. Jesus' Ascension came first because Jesus had to leave before the Holy Spirit could come. Jesus knew that His work on earth was done and for it to continue he needed to leave and let the Spirit take over. Remember, Jesus was also human. He couldn't be in more than one place at a time. He was the spark that started the fire, but once He finished His work He turned the world stage over to the Holy Spirit.

The word used in the New Testament to name the Spirit is pneuma, which means breath or wind. We need this breath, this Holy Spirit. It is the very breath of life.

Pastor Dawn said that she sometimes thinks the church forgets that it lives in the Age of the Holy Spirit. We want to go back to the good old days of Jesus. Jesus is the gate. You aren’t going to get very far down the Path if you stay by the Gate. You can’t move into the future if you are stuck in the past. The Gate is the starting point of the journey. To progress we are going to have to step past the gate into the unknown.

Leroy Rieschick reported that Linda gets to come home Sunday afternoon. He also told us that he has a new great granddaughter and his grandson just became engaged. Prayers are asked for the Zeller family at the death of Fred. We were thankful to have Mary Tessendorf, Wayne Rieschick and Helen Farley back after their illnesses.

Services ended with Communion, the Benediction and the song “He Lives”.

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05/04/2026

BUCKS GROVE/CIRCLEVILLE METHODIST CHURCHES
Sunday, May 3, 2026
By Colleen Reamer

A nice crowd of thirty people met together to worship on the beautiful Sunday morning of May 3rd at Circleville Methodist Church at 9:00 am.
Lucas White and his mother Jessica Karns played a beautiful prelude whlte Thursa Wade lit the candles.
After the Call to Worship the congregation sang “Seek Ye First”.
Other songs sung on Sunday were “I Know Whom I Have Believed” and “The Church’s One Foundation”.
Avis Figgs had the special. Since we no longer have pennies to deal with she read us a poem about the penny.
Mary Jo Fernkopf read the scriptures. The Old Testament scripture was Acts 7: 55-60. These verses tell of how Stephen is full of the Holy Spirit. He looks up to heaven and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He tells the others there what he sees and they cover their ears, yell at the top of their voices and rush at him, dragging him out of the city. They began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, asking the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit. Then Stephen fell on his knees and cried out asking the Lord not to hold this sin against them. Stephen then fell asleep.
The New Testament scripture read was 1 Peter 2: 2-10. These passages talk about craving pure spiritual milk which means hearing God’s word. They then talk about Jesus as the living stone. He has been rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him. We, also, can be living stones as we are being built into a spiritual house. For those who believe the stone is precious.
Pastor Dawn then read to us from John 14: 1-14. In this Gospel reading Jesus is comforting His disciples telling them to not let their hearts be troubled. If you believe in God, believe also in Me. His father’s house has many rooms and if that wasn’t so would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? He tells them that He will prepare a place for them and will come back and take them to be with Him. He tells them they know the way to the place He is going. Thomas tells Jesus that they don’t know where He is going so how can they know the way? Jesus tells him that He is the way and the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. If they know Him, they will know the Father as well. Philip then says Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough. Jesus answers Philip by saying “Don’t you know me, Philip, after I’ve been with you this long. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
Pastor Dawn’s message was The Way of Christ. She began by talking about John’s gospel that she’d just read and how it was some of Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled and that He is the way and the truth and the life and that no comes to the Father except through Him. Last week she spoke of how Jesus is the gate, which goes along with coming to the father through Jesus. Jesus is the gate you have to go through. Jesus is the way. Following His way could mean following the example of His life or following His teachings or both. She spoke about the path of righteousness which she likes to think is that Jesus has gone ahead down this path and by following His way we will eventually come to the Father’s house.
In John’s gospel Jesus makes statements that emphasize His divinity. He uses the words “I am” which are the same words that God used to tell Moses His name. Jesus says that if you know Him you know the Father and if you have seen Him you have seen the Father. He also says that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. In other words, they are one and the same. You can see how the doctrine of the Trinity started to form.
Jesus describes His oneness with the Father by saying that His words and actions are not His own by those of the Father. Pastor Dawn interprets this to mean that He does the will of God and conforms His will to that of the Father. He has His own will which sometimes conflict with the plan that He is meant to follow. When He prayed in Gethsemane it showed the human part of Him where He expressed feelings that conflicted with what He is called to do by God. Nevertheless, His actions are the actions of God, his will is conformed to that of His father.
When Jesus lived on earth He was fully human and fully God. How is that possible? It’s a mystery. But maybe, in light of this passage, they were one. They were of one mind and their wills were in sync.
If we could just figure out how to join in the union of God, Jesus and the Spirit our problems would be over. Our petty problems wouldn’t mean anything and our souls would be at peace.
Pastor Dawn thinking Jesus is the gate is because He is relatable. He’s human like us. God isn’t like us. He’s scary. He’s not just a gigantic human or a wise old man. He appears as a pillar of cloud or a pillar of fire. Moses entered the cloud to speak to God and even asked the Lord to see His glory. What kind of man Moses must have been to boldly step into the cloud. What did he see there?
She then spoke about a medieval devotion she read called The Cloud of Unknowing. It is a book to instruct a young monk on the work of contemplation. It says that the first time you do it you will find only a darkness except that you feel in your will a naked longing for God. No matter what you do, this darkness and this cloud is between you and your God for if ever you can see Him or feel Him, it is fitting that it always be in this cloud and in this darkness. It says that He is actually close to our soul by virtue of His Godhead and our soul is actually close to Him by the dignity of our creation in His image and His likeness.
This work of contemplation is so far removed from our culture of busyness. We must always be doing instead of just being. In order to become one with God we need to move through the Gate of Jesus into the complete unknown - into the being of God. We must be like Moses, stepping into the cloud that obscures the true nature of God to move beyond the comfortable presence of the human form of Jesus into the divine mystery that is God.
When Jesus left this earth he sent another helper, The Holy Spirit or the Advocate. Jesus tells us that He will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him because he abides with you and he will be in you
Pastor Dawn told us that we must leave our reason behind and go forth into that nebulous place that is beyond sight, beyond knowledge and only achievable by sending out our searching love before us with what may be called the spiritual part of our soul. The way of Christ leads us to the Father and shows us that by conforming our will to His we can enter into the unending presence of God.
Sue Wichman told us that she went to Troy to the flea market, met some friends and had a wonderful day. Leroy Rieschick reported that both Linda and Wayne are coming home today. Prayers are asked for Helen as she has been feeling ill. Leroy Rieschick also reported that they are expecting their fourteenth great grandchild within the next couple of days. We wished Denny Ashcraft and Betty Bernritter happy birthday. Thursa reported that her great granddaughter from Kentucky was selected to participate in an ROTC competition in Daytona.
Services ended with the Benediction and the song “He Lives”.
The Bible study group met after services ended where we discussed praying even when we didn’t want to.

04/27/2026

BUCKS GROVE/CIRCLEVILLE METHODIST CHURCHES
Sunday, April 26, 2026
By Colleen Reamer

A nice crowd of twenty-four people met to worship on the cloudy Sunday morning of April 26th at 9:00 am.
Mary Ringle lit the candles to a wonderful medley of songs played by Lucas White, which included “Onward, Christian Soldiers”.
After the Call to Worship the congregation sang “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.
Other hymns on Sunday were “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” and “Victory in Jesus”.
Carol Po***ck read the scriptures. The old testament scripture read was Acts 2: 42-47. These verses tell of how the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship. They were all filled with awe at the wonders performed by the apostles. All the believers had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to people in need. They met together every day, breaking bread and eating, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The New Testament scripture read was 1 Peter 2: 19-25. These passages tell how Peter is telling his followers that it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. If you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. They say you were called to this because Christ suffered for you, giving you an example. Christ committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth and when they insulted Him, He did not retaliate. When He suffered He made no threats. He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He bore our sins that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Carol Po***ck also had the special. She told a story of how when Moses asked God His name Moses was told Yhwh which, in our need for vowels, we have changed to Yahweh. But the name Yhwh is much like a breathing sound. Try it. So, when a baby breathes its first breath it is saying God’s name. When we gasp, take a deep breath or take our last breath we are saying His name. When we breathe, with every breath we take all day long for all our lives we are praising His name.
Pastor Dawn then gave her message. She began by telling us that Peter wrote “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.” So, because Christ has given us this sacrificial gift and we are to follow His example - we also will be called to courageous sacrifice. Say what? We have to suffer?
Pastor Dawn has spoken before about developing a theology of suffering. That is a way to explain to yourself why people suffer. Does God assign suffering to people or not or do bad things just happen due to natural or human causes leaving God completely out of it.
Or, is it a test? As much as we suffer, we also experience joy and love. Our life situations make us what we are. They shape us. You remember the good times and the bad. Maybe our suffering serves a purpose. Or maybe they are just a part of life. But that’s it, Pastor Dawn told us, they’re a part - not the whole thing. Take notice of nature, the birds and plants. All the things that bring you joy.
But we have gone astray like sheep, seeking our own ways. Peter commends us to return to the shepherd and guardian of our souls. Jesus, the guardian of our souls, shepherds us to become better versions of ourselves.
Pastor Dawn told us that if we view suffering as having value rather than just being random, its value would lie in the shaping of our humble lumps of clay into something worthy. Christians call this shaping sanctification. The pulling, stretching, squashing and breaking work together to make us into worthy vessels. This process is not fun but Jesus, remembering the fragility of human nature, leads us to places of restoration. If only we would follow. We know all the sheep ways, but only Jesus knows the ways of righteousness. Why does Jesus lead us in paths of righteousness? Why must we live to righteousness? Because God is Holy and God’s holiness calls us to Holiness.
Now, we are still attached to our original identity so we resist putting on the identity of Christ and letting ourselves be transformed. It’s not the physical or emotional pain that deters us but the fact that we’re attached to our individuality. But as you attempt to hold on to this conception of yourself this process will strip away your ego until Christ is revealed.
Today, John isn’t talking about Jesus as the Shepherd. He’s talking about Jesus as the gate. What does the picture of Jesus as a gate mean to you? Can you see what lies beyond? Like a chain link fence. Or is this gate more like the kind you don’t know what’s on the other side until you walk through it?
Pastor Dawn asked us what lies beyond this gate. She said nothing less than our salvation. It is the sheepfold - the place of safety and refuse for our souls. God awaits us in the place of restoration with nourishment for our souls.
Pastor Dawn said she’d been holding onto Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” This concept of shelter can be very helpful. You may ask how is God a refuse or a place of safety? Well, we all understand home as a place we return to when we feel troubled. Home can feel like our safe space, a place to recuperate after a trying day. How is God like home? God has created this beautiful earth as our Home and there is something restorative about nature. God inhabits every space and if we take time to BE in nature - we feel at home and with God.
The second Home we have with God is in the WORD. The Holy scriptures contain vast human knowledge collected over millennia. There is something mysterious and sacred about that. Not only are the stories in the Bible old, they also let us know what things were like thousands of years ago. Were they like us? How did they think?
God is our refuge - our safe space - our HOME. And Jesus can lead us there.
Theresa reported that Wayne is getting better and Barbara reported that Dennis got his stitches removed. Barbara also reported that Lisa and Doug Brown brought their twins up to ride their bicycles in Circleville. Fred Venneberg reported his eye surgery went well and thanked everyone for their prayers. Mary Ringel reported that her daughter, Debbie, and grandson, Brody, went to the greenhouse with her where Broady liked everything that was yellow and green.
Services ended with the Benediction and the song “He Lives”.
After services ended the Bible study group met where we are studying Praying in Community.