New Hope United Methodist Church - Owensville

04/23/2026

https://livingtreepoetry.com/books/

04/22/2026

Devotional for Earth Day
(by Philip J. Brooks)

April 22 is Earth Day, a time when Christians are encouraged to express their thanks for God’s glorious creation and reaffirm their commitment to holistic creation care.
(Find a quiet and comfortable place for reading and mediation. Weather permitting, we encourage you to go outside or sit by a window where you can be close to nature.)

Scripture Reading: Psalm 104:10-25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20104%3A10-25&version=NRSVUE

Reflection
Take a deep breath. Look around you and ponder the majesty of creation. What plants or animals do you see? What sounds do you hear? Consider how everything is interconnected and how God has so beautifully sewn the earth together in such a way that each part sustains the others, just as we, as the Body of Christ, are called to sustain one another. Think about your own place in creation. How does it sustain you? How are you part of that interconnectedness? What can you do—as part of the tapestry of creation—to better protect it and honor its Creator?

Prayer
Gracious and loving God. Your voice rose out of the darkness and brought forth light. In your glory, you created the heavens and the earth and filled them with life. You brought forth trees, flowers, fruits, and vegetation from the ground and shaped every creature that draws breath. You made us in your own image and gave us the ability to understand and contemplate the miracle of your creation. Help us, Creator, to be good caretakers of this wonderful planet. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(ResourceUMC)

04/17/2026

John Wesley founded Methodism. A prolific writer, he printed several volumes of his sermons during his lifetime. The published sermons either were rewritten from ones that he had preached or were written specifically for print.

04/16/2026

04/09/2026

“Resurrection is not just about life after death; it is about life after devastation. It is about the courage to begin again, to rebuild, to hope in the face of everything that says hope is foolish.”
— Nadia Bolz-Weber

04/03/2026

A blessed Good Friday from your friends at New Hope UMC. Service begins at noon today.

And we know he was tempted to evil till he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." ~ John Wesley (Of Evil Angels, ii.10)

04/03/2026

Holy Week Prayers: Good Friday

Into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46).

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in his death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

04/02/2026

Through Jesus Christ all are welcome, forgiven, and resurrected!

"So come to the table, not because you must but because you may" -- do not think yourself unworthy to sit at his table --
Re the hymn below: my favorite verse in which Charles tells it like it is, is at the end of this post!

Come, sinners, to the gospel-feast,
Let every soul be Jesus' guest,
You need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all humankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call,
The invitation is to all.
Come all the world: come, sinner, thou,
All things in Christ are ready now.

Jesus to you his fulness brings,
A feast of marrow, and fat things:
All, all in Christ is freely given,
Pardon, and holiness, and heaven.

Do not begin to make excuse,
Ah! Do not you his grace refuse;
Your worldly cares and pleasures leave,
And take what Jesus hath to give.

Sinners my gracious Lord receives,
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves,
Drunkards, and all the hellish crew,
I have a message now to you. ~ Charles Wesley

04/02/2026

Holy Week Prayers: Maundy Thursday

My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)

O God, by the example of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, you taught us the greatness of true humility, and call us to watch with him in his passion. Give us grace to serve one another in all lowliness, and to enter into the fellowship of his suffering; in his name and for his sake.
Amen.

04/01/2026

Holy Week Prayers: Wednesday

Woman, here is your son (John 19:26-27).

Most merciful God, your blessed Son, our Savior, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, to overcome all that seeks to overwhelm us, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

03/31/2026

Holy Week Prayers: Tuesday

Today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).

Holy and compassionate God, your dear Son went up to joy before he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified. Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior.
Amen.