Hobson United Methodist Church

05/26/2025

Hobson Worship.
“ ‘IF’ has Consequences“

Hobson Worship “If Has Consequences“

01/26/2025

What are your views on collective action aimed at financially impacting companies?

09/29/2024

Evening Prayer for the week of September 29, 2024:

All-knowing and ever-present God,
As the day ends, I reflect on my blessings and the importance of gratitude. I come to You in prayer because it is prayer through prayer that I am empowered to be who You created me to be.

Prayer is not just about asking for things. It is a way to stay connected with You and others. I feel the need to be part of a praying community more than ever because of the increasing division and hate in the world. But I am often disappointed when I invite others to pray with me. Some people question the point of prayer in the face of so much conflict. Others wonder why a loving and powerful God would allow us to harm each other. In moments of conflict and doubt, prayer is the tool I use to be centered in Your grace and reminded of Your love.

As I prepare to rest, I need Your guidance to move my life in a new direction. I often find myself returning to old habits and dealing with familiar issues, which makes me hesitant to face today's challenges. My resistance to change comes from my attachment to traditional beliefs and practices that once inspired me but may not be relevant anymore. I need Your help to break free from the mindset of 'this is how we used to do things' and focus on what needs to be done now.

If You wake me up in the morning, please help me focus on accomplishing what You want me to do and not on trying to elevate myself by putting others down. Let me work on clearing the path for others to come to You instead of placing stumbling blocks in their way. Rather than spending time noticing and judging how my sisters and brothers differ from me, help me see and celebrate our commonality as Your children. Let my work be grounded in the belief that I should welcome others and see them as vital for knowing You better.
Amen.

09/29/2024

Morning Prayer for the week of September 29, 2024

Loving God,
Some mornings, the lingering sensation of rest from the night before feels like a suspended moment in an ongoing conversation with You. As the day ended, I was talking with You, and I do not remember going to sleep or being woken by You; this morning, I was talking with You, and it was as if the dialogue had never paused. The idea of You patiently awaiting my continuation of our exchange while I slept makes me smile. I appreciate the new day and am grateful for Your divine essence, which keeps our conversation going.

Today, I look forward to a typical day, and I am deeply grateful for it. This anticipation helps me feel prepared for whatever comes my way. I long for the same confidence when unexpected things happen, like when I receive unexpected news or face sudden challenges at work. Even though I know You are always present, I often struggle to remain composed when dealing with these unplanned situations. Only when Your Holy Spirit intervenes and prompts me to pray can I gather myself to manage the unexpected. I am deeply grateful for the grace and favor You have shown me in those unexpected moments.

On a typical day, I am often preoccupied and fail to notice the beauty in many people. I deeply desire to rid myself of that habit. I want to be open to unexpected moments when You draw me closer to those with whom I share mutual love and hope. Let me see Your love in new faces, hear Your joy in different laughs, and experience Your kindness in the actions of strangers. These moments, though fleeting, are reminders of Your endless love. God, I ask You to keep me open to receiving You in different ways, but more importantly, I ask You to keep me open to being a conduit of Your love and kindness to others, for it is a responsibility I hold dear.
Amen.

09/22/2024

Evening Prayer for the week of September 22, 2024:
Loving God,
As I conclude this day, my heart overflows with gratitude and thanksgiving. Your guidance has been my beacon, and I have felt Your reassuring touch at every step. All that I have achieved today was because I listened to You. My life took a turn when I stopped seeking advice from those indifferent to Your guidance. I am deeply thankful for the individuals You have used as Your messengers, guiding me to follow Your will.
If there have been moments when my decisions have not aligned with Your will, I pray that it was not due to listening to ungodly advice. In a world filled with falsehoods and evil spoken in Your name, I diligently immerse myself in Your Word and seek counsel from those who love You so that I may know the truth.
As I reflect on the events of this day, I am troubled by the instances when I may have failed to ask the right questions to guide my decisions. Interactions with distant, distressed, or insincere individuals have left me with a deep sense of unease. Despite my efforts to reach out with questions like 'What's troubling you?' or 'Have I done something to upset you?', I found it challenging to foster meaningful engagement. While I try to reassure myself that the issue lies with them, I cannot shake the worry that I may have inadvertently caused harm to someone.
God, I lift to You the needs of those You have placed on my heart, especially those who need comfort, peace, and hope. I pray for those who are grieving, lonely, and in pain. If You choose to call my name in the morning, guide me to make decisions that allow me to be an instrument of Your peace and comfort to those who are hurting. I also pray for those who are unhappy, negative, and malicious. May Your guidance reinforce my commitment to being an instrument of peace and comfort, and may I spread joy, positivity, and kindness among them.
I pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

09/22/2024

Morning Prayer for the week of September 22, 2024:
Dear God,
Some mornings, I awaken from a deep sleep, feeling like what I imagine a baby feels when You urge it to leave its mother's womb, unsure of my surroundings and disoriented. As I gather my senses, I realize that You, as the Giver of Life, have blessed me with the beginning of a new day. Amidst the uncertainties of anything new, I hold onto one certainty– Your love for me. With Your love assuring me that You are my Provider, I rise from my slumber, determined to conquer the apprehensions of the early morning.
May Your Holy Spirit empower me to embrace the hope You have instilled in me, enabling me to serve others today. I carry with me the words from this week's Gospel reading, where Jesus, taking a child into His arms, declared, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
In a world filled with misinformation and disinformation and where Your family is bitterly divided, do not let me accept the status quo. Please help me resist the temptations of distrust, denial, dread, and despair and instead lead me to extend a welcoming hand to others. Let my acts of service be radical and counter-cultural, grounded in the belief that everyone deserves love and honor, irrespective of their station in life. Guard me against the arrogance of doing things for the "least of these," and remind me that to welcome a child is to welcome You.
Knowing You value humility and vulnerability, I ask You to send me forth as a follower of Jesus. I go with the assurance that You will equip me with the optimism I will need to navigate any stressful situation or conflicting circumstance I may encounter today. I take comfort in knowing that You are guiding and protecting me, giving me a sense of security.
Amen.

07/07/2024

Morning Prayer for the week of July 7, 2024:

Creator and Sustainer of life,

I am deeply grateful for being guided safely through the night and awakened to a new day. This morning, I embraced the world with a rejuvenated spirit and a renewed sense of purpose. I know today is a gift, for You called many to return to You last night. I am determined to cherish it by approaching every action with reverence and honor. While You are in control, I am humbled to know I have the freedom to make choices. My hope is that the decisions I make today will benefit the community.

Amid the turmoil of unrest, uncertainty, deceit, and despair, I am grateful for the reminder to practice mindfulness. It helps me be aware of the comforting and guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. My extensive concern about the oppression of so many of Your children has motivated me to be engaged. Please grant me the discernment I need to recognize what You are calling me to do and to embrace that which sustains me.

As You opened my eyes this morning, open my spirit so I can give and receive love. During this sacred time of reflection, I confess that there have been days when expressing love was difficult for me. Please grant me the fortitude and vigor to prevent that from happening today, even in uncomfortable situations. I ask for the strength to love unconditionally, regardless of the cost. Just as You love and forgive me, may I also love and forgive others. Help me recognize those estranged from the community and use me as an ambassador of reconciliation rather than someone who complains about division and brokenness.

I am ready for today, trusting You will give me the power, strength, and tenderness to deal with the pressures, strains, and tensions that this day might confront me with. Keep me mindful that You intend for Your children to be miracles for each other. I pray in the incomparable and extraordinary name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Evening Prayer for the week of July 7, 2024:

Holy One,

As I center myself for evening prayer, I am fascinated by Your endless creativity and innovation, evident throughout existence. From the intricate beauty of nature to the richness of human experiences, Your fingerprints are on everything. I am in awe and so grateful You are my God.

I am immensely grateful for Your enduring grace, which has sustained me in times of despair, pain, and hardship, rejuvenating my weary soul with hope, healing, and peace. It has brought me contentment where there was bitterness and instilled an intense sense of purpose where doubt once lingered.

I am grateful Your Holy Spirit was attentive to me today. I regret I could not take advantage of every opportunity She provided me to serve others today, but I was overwhelmed by the needs I saw. Even though I often disappoint You, You have never stopped providing me with opportunities or supporting me.

Tonight, I ask for Your Holy Spirit to fall afresh on me. Melt, mold, and fill me so You can use me as an instrument of Your infinite grace. Grant me the wisdom to adhere to Your call for growth, change, and renewal. Strengthen my determination to dismantle the walls of division that I have contributed to constructing and embolden me to strive for the solidarity of all Your children. Instead of feeling daunted by Your expectations, let Your faith in me energize me.

I am mindful that You never send Your disciples out alone, and You advise them to travel lightly. As You send me, may I perceive the inherent goodness in those You choose to partner me with and release the unnecessary burdens of the past. Shield me from the sway of others' biases, prejudices, and partisanships, especially as I engage with strangers. When I am extended hospitality, help me accept it with a grateful heart; when people do not receive me, guide me to respond with grace and understanding.

Before I bid You "good night," I pray that those facing the darkness of grief, loneliness, need, or pain may find solace in knowing You are their guiding light. I pray in the name of Christ, who knows each of us by name and loves us.

Amen.

07/07/2024

Hobson Worship!

06/30/2024