Marshall United Methodist Church

Marshall United Methodist Church Sunday School 9am
Sunday Service 10:30-11:30
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors! Marshall United Methodist Church believes in Jesus Christ.

We are a welcoming church that believes in open hearts, open minds, and opens doors. There are several church activities that take place: United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Seniors on the Go, Mission Teams, Parish Nursing, Choir, Food Pantry, Adult Bible Studies, Sunday School for both adults and children. We are always looking for ways to grow our ministries to reach out to our commun

ity and world. Please come join us! Sunday Worship (Traditional Service) begins at 11:00 AM. Sunday School begins at 9:45 for both children and adults

06/08/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 8
A Friend Who Sticks Closer
Proverbs 17:17

Today is National Best Friends Day, a day set aside to celebrate those special people who walk through life with us. We all know the blessing of a good friend. The one who laughs with us, cries with us, encourages us, and sometimes tells us the truth when we need to hear it.

Now, I have to admit something on this National Best Friends Day. I recently discovered that my best friend's best friend is Jesus...and apparently not me. I was a little hurt by that. I thought we had something special! But after thinking about it, I suppose if I'm going to get bumped from the #1 spot, Jesus is a pretty good replacement. Besides, if my friends are walking closely with Jesus, that's exactly where I want them to be.

Scripture places great value on friendship. David and Jonathan shared a friendship marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and love. Ruth stayed faithfully beside Naomi when it would have been easier to leave. Jesus Himself surrounded Himself with friends and spent time teaching, laughing, eating, and traveling with them.

Yet even the best human friendships have limits. Friends move away. People disappoint us. Life changes. Relationships shift. That is why one of the most comforting truths in Scripture is that Jesus calls us His friends. Jesus said: "I no longer call you servants...Instead, I have called you friends." Think about that for a moment. The Savior of the world, the King of kings, calls us His friends. Unlike human friendships, Jesus never leaves. He never grows tired of us. He never abandons us in our failures. He remains faithful even when we struggle to be faithful ourselves.

Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Many Christians have seen this verse as pointing ultimately to Christ. He is the Friend who stays when everyone else walks away. He is the Friend who forgives. He is the Friend who laid down His life for those He loves. On this National Best Friends Day, thank God for the people He has placed in your life. Send a message. Make a phone call. Tell someone how much their friendship means to you. But most importantly, remember that your greatest Friend is Jesus Christ. His love never changes, His grace never runs out, and His friendship will last for all eternity.

06/07/2026

Marshall UMC Sunday Service

06/06/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 6
A Word of Encouragement

Every day, I try to share a devotional based on what God is teaching me, showing me, or reminding me of. Today, however, I want to set that aside for a moment and simply encourage you. I don't know what kind of week you've had.

Maybe it has been a wonderful one. Maybe it has been exhausting. Maybe you've spent more time putting out fires than enjoying life. Maybe you've been carrying burdens that no one else knows about. But wherever you find yourself today, I want you to hear this:

Keep your head up. You're doing a better job than you think.

We live in a world that constantly reminds us of what we haven't done, what we should have done, or how we somehow don't measure up. It is easy to focus on our shortcomings and overlook the countless ways God is working through our ordinary, everyday faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Notice that Paul doesn't say, "Don't get tired." He says, "Don't give up." God knows that we get tired. God knows that life can be overwhelming. God knows that some days simply getting out of bed and facing the day takes courage.

Yet He calls us to keep going. Keep loving. Keep serving. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep showing up. The Wesleyan understanding of faith reminds us that God's grace is always at work in our lives. Often, we look for God in the big moments, the miracles, the breakthroughs, the mountaintops. But God's grace is also present in the ordinary moments: the meal you prepared, the phone call you made, the prayer you whispered, the kindness you offered, the responsibility you carried when no one else noticed.

Those things matter. You matter. Your faithfulness matters. You may not always see the fruit of your efforts. You may not always receive appreciation for what you do. But God sees it all. He sees the parent who keeps loving. He sees the caregiver who keeps serving. He sees the worker who keeps trying. He sees the disciple who keeps following. And He smiles upon every act of faithfulness done in love.

So today, give yourself a little grace. Take a deep breath. Lift your head. Thank God for bringing you this far. And then take the next faithful step. You don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to be perfect. You simply have to keep walking with the One who is faithful. And if no one has told you lately, let me tell you: I'm proud of you. Keep going. God is using you more than you know.

Remember today to keep your head up. Keep trusting God. You're doing a better job than you think. And remember: God loves you, and there is nothing you can do about it.

06/05/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 5
Home at Last
Philippians 3:20

There is something wonderful about coming home. After a few days away (even when those days are filled with joy, celebration, and precious moments) there is a deep comfort in pulling into your own driveway, sleeping in your own bed, and settling back into familiar surroundings.

I experienced that feeling after spending time away for something truly special: the birth of my grandson, Logan, and the opportunity to spend time with Jackson. The days were filled with laughter, excitement, and love. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.

Yet by the time I returned home, I was tired. Not because the experience wasn't wonderful, but because there is something exhausting about living outside of what is familiar. No matter how enjoyable the journey may be, there comes a moment when your heart simply says, "It's good to be home." And I think there is something much deeper to this.

As followers of Christ, this world is not our final home. We love many things about this life. We celebrate births, weddings, friendships, achievements, and countless blessings from God. Yet even on our best days, there is often a quiet sense that something is missing. We experience weariness, grief, disappointment, sickness, and loss. Deep within us is a longing for something more.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven. We belong to God, and one day we will be fully at home in His presence. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself spoke these comforting words: "In my Father's house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you."

Notice that Jesus doesn't describe heaven merely as a destination. He describes it as home. A place prepared by a loving Father for His children. Salvation is not simply about escaping punishment. God's grace is working even now to restore us, transform us, and prepare us for the life He always intended. Through prevenient grace, God seeks us before we seek Him. Through justifying grace, He forgives us. Through sanctifying grace, He shapes us into the likeness of Christ.

Every step of grace is moving us closer to home. Wesley often spoke of holiness as the restoration of God's image within us. The Christian life is a journey of becoming who God created us to be. Heaven is not an interruption of that journey, rather it is its fulfillment. One day, faith will become sight. One day, every tear will be wiped away. One day, every wound will be healed. One day, every longing will find its answer in the presence of Christ. The Book of Revelation gives us this beautiful promise: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." What a homecoming that will be.

Until then, we continue the journey. We celebrate God's blessings here and now. We cherish family. We rejoice in new life. We serve Christ faithfully. But we do so, knowing that the greatest joy still lies ahead. If returning home after a few days away feels this good, imagine what it will be like when we finally arrive home with Jesus. No more packing. No more traveling. No more exhaustion. Just the loving embrace of the One who has been preparing a place for us all along.

06/04/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 4
Not Settling: Content, Yet Growing
Philippians 3:12

As I was reading Philippians this morning, this passage struck me. I am in a place where I feel content. Not because everything is perfect. Not because I have everything figured out. Not because life has been free from challenges. But because I have seen God's faithfulness over and over again. I have experienced His provision, His grace, His presence, and His love in ways that remind me that He is always at work.

Contentment is a good thing. In a world that constantly tells us we need more, bigger, newer, and better, contentment is a gift. It allows us to pause and thank God for what He has already done rather than constantly focusing on what we do not have.

Yet as I reflected on Paul's words, I realized something. Contentment should never become complacency. Paul had every reason to feel content. He had faithfully served Christ, planted churches, shared the gospel with countless people, and endured hardships that most of us can barely imagine. Yet he did not view his faith journey as complete. He did not sit back and say, "I've done enough." Instead, he said, "I press on."

There is a difference between being content and becoming complacent. As Christians, we are called to be content with God's provision. We are invited to trust that what God has given us today is enough for today. We don't have to constantly chase more money, more recognition, or more possessions to find peace. Contentment is a gift that frees us from the endless cycle of comparison and dissatisfaction.

Yet contentment does not mean settling. The Apostle Paul writes that he has not yet reached the goal. Even after years of ministry, after planting churches, preaching the gospel, and suffering for Christ, Paul still says, "I press on." Why? Because God was not finished with him. The same is true for us.

This is what John Wesley called “sanctification.” It is the lifelong process of being transformed by God's grace. Wesley taught that God's work in us does not stop when we accept Christ. Instead, God continues shaping us, stretching us, refining us, and drawing us closer to perfect love.

We can be grateful for where we are and still desire to grow. We can be thankful for what God has done and still expect God to do more. We can celebrate how far we have come while recognizing there is still more grace to receive, more love to share, more forgiveness to offer, and more faith to develop.

Sometimes we become comfortable. We find a place where life is manageable, where our faith feels familiar, and where our routines seem sufficient. But God rarely calls us to comfort. God calls us to transformation. The question is not whether God has done enough. The question is whether we are willing to let God continue His work within us. Perhaps there is a relationship God wants to heal. Perhaps there is a ministry God wants you to begin. Perhaps there is a fear God wants you to release. Perhaps there is a deeper trust God wants you to discover.

The good news is that God never gives up on us. The God who created us is still shaping us. The God who saved us is still sanctifying us. The God who called us is still leading us. So be content with God's faithfulness today. But don't settle. God is not finished with you yet.

06/02/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 2
Celebration: Don't Just Sit Through It
Psalm 118:24

There are days when it feels easier to survive than to celebrate. The bills still need to be paid. Our diagnosis hasn't changed. The grief that we have still hurts. The prayers we pray still remains unanswered.

One of my favorite songs is “Celebration” by Forrest Frank. This song gives me a powerful truth. That is that our joy is not rooted in our circumstances; it is rooted in God's presence. This song shows me that God is not distant. The God who created everything is not somewhere far away. He is here. He is present. He is with us. I believe that this changes everything because too often we tell ourselves, "I'll celebrate when things get better." "I'll rejoice when the problem is solved." "I'll praise God when life calms down."

But Scripture never says, "Wait until everything is perfect." Instead, Psalm 118 tells us: "This is the day the Lord has made." Not tomorrow. Not when life is easier. Today.

The song also points us toward another biblical truth: less of us and more of God. When we stop making life about ourselves and remember who God is (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) we discover freedom. The song celebrates the truth that Christ opens our eyes and sets us free.

Christian celebration is not denial. It’s actually defiance because it is standing in the middle of a broken world and declaring: "God is still good." "Jesus still saves." "The tomb is still empty." "The Spirit is still moving."

The enemy wants believers to sit quietly, defeated, and waiting but Jesus invites us to live joyfully, gratefully, and expectantly. Today, don't just sit through your life. Look for God's fingerprints around you. Notice the blessings you normally overlook. Thank Him for His presence. Then celebrate, not because life is perfect, but because Jesus is alive.

06/01/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – June 1
Anticipation
Isaiah 40:31

There is something special about anticipation. As I write these words, many know that I am waiting to meet my second grandchild (Logan Francis). In just a few days, a little boy will enter the world, and already my heart is full. I find myself wondering what he will look like. Will he have his Katie's eyes? Brandon’s smile? What will his laugh sound like? What adventures, joys, and challenges await him?

The waiting is exciting. And even though she will be induced on Wednesday, every time the phone rings, I wonder if this is the call. Every day feels a little longer. Every conversation somehow finds its way back to this child I have not yet met but already love.

Anticipation has a way of changing us. When we are anticipating something good, we begin to live differently. We make preparations. We tell stories. We imagine possibilities. Our hearts lean forward toward the future.

Scripture is filled with people who lived in anticipation. Abraham anticipated a son that God had promised. Hannah anticipated an answer to her prayers. Simeon anticipated the coming of the Messiah. The disciples anticipated the power of the Holy Spirit. They all waited. And while waiting is not always easy, God often does some of His deepest work in us during the waiting.

I think about that as I wait to meet Logan Francis. The truth is, I do not know much about him yet. I do not know his personality, his gifts, or the path his life will take. But God does. Before he takes his first breath, God already knows every day of his life. Before I hold him in my arms, he is already being held in the hands of his Creator. And that realization fills me with peace.

Our anticipation reminds us that God is always ahead of us. We wait for what is coming, but God is already there. We wonder about tomorrow, but God is already working in tomorrow. The arrival of a grandchild is also a reminder of hope. In a world that often feels divided, anxious, and uncertain, every newborn child is a declaration that God is not finished with His creation. Every baby is a reminder that life continues, that love grows, and that the future belongs ultimately to God.

Soon I will meet this little boy. Soon I will count fingers and toes. Soon I will hear his cry and see his face. Soon I will hold him and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving. But for now, I wait. And in this waiting, God reminds me that anticipation itself is a gift. It teaches us to hope. It teaches us to trust. It teaches us to look forward with expectation to what God is doing.

Maybe there is something in your life that you are anticipating today. A prayer being answered. A healing. A reconciliation. A new opportunity. A fresh beginning. Whatever it is, remember this: God is already there. The same God who is preparing the arrival of a grandchild is preparing the answers to our deepest prayers. The same God who knows the future of a newborn child knows the future of each of us. So, wait with hope. Wait with expectation. Wait, knowing that God's timing is always perfect. And when the moment finally arrives, may your heart be filled with gratitude for the God who was at work all along.

05/31/2026

PJ’s Thought of the Day – May 31
The Gift of Being Tired
Matthew 11:28

Yesterday was one of those days that left me completely exhausted, but in the best possible way. The day began with meeting with people for the work of the church. Then I had the joy of attending a dance recital. There is something beautiful about watching young people use their gifts, seeing their hard work on display, and sharing in the excitement of proud families. Later, I stopped by a birthday celebration for Barbara. What a gift to celebrate a life that has witnessed nearly a century of God's faithfulness. It was such a blessing.

By the time I got home, I was tired. Yet ministry and responsibilities still awaited me. Sunday's work was not finished. The sermon needed a little attention. Some details about the service needed to be completed. And my temptation was to put things off or even to complain about how exhausted I felt. But as I worked through those final tasks, I realized something: I was tired because I had spent the day experiencing such wonderful blessings.

I was tired from celebrating life. I was tired from sharing joy. I was tired from preparing to serve God's people. Sometimes we think weariness is always a bad thing. Yet there is a holy kind of tiredness that comes from pouring ourselves into meaningful things. Jesus Himself knew what it meant to be weary. He taught, healed, traveled, listened, loved, and served until He was physically exhausted.

The goal is not to avoid weariness altogether. The goal is to bring our weariness to Christ. After the work was completed, I went to bed. A little early for me but there was a deep sense of peace in knowing that the day had been spent well. Not perfectly. Not effortlessly. But faithfully.

Perhaps today you are tired too. Maybe you are tired from caring for family, serving others, working hard, or carrying responsibilities that few people see. If so, remember that God sees. He knows your labor. He knows your sacrifices. And He invites you to rest in Him. The same God who gives us meaningful work also provides needed rest.

So, when you find yourself weary, don't just ask, "Why am I so tired?" Ask, "What blessings has God allowed me to experience that brought me here?" Sometimes exhaustion is not a sign that life is empty. Sometimes it is evidence that life has been full.

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8405 W Main Street
Marshall, VA
20115

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(540) 364-2506

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