PROSPECT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

09/08/2026

Sometimes silence is wise.

But sometimes silence protects the problem instead of protecting the person.

This week’s sermon reflection, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗨𝗽, comes from 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟯𝟭:𝟴–𝟵:

“Speak out for those who cannot speak…”

Faith does not require us to have an opinion about everything.

But there are moments when love requires a voice.

Sometimes that means saying:

“That is not fair.”

“We need to hear their side.”

“What happened to you matters.”

“I hear you.”

And sometimes the courageous words are:

“I was wrong.”

“Please forgive me.”

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹.

We are called to speak truth without surrendering love.

So perhaps this is the question to carry into the week:

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱?

Read the full reflection:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/faith-that-speaks-up.html

Read this month’s 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

💬 When do you think silence becomes something more than simply staying quiet?

09/02/2026

🌿 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 🌿

𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡

Some of the greatest battles we face do not come from people or circumstances around us. They arise within us through fear, self-doubt, hesitation, and the quiet resistance that tells us we are not ready, capable, or worthy.

But fear does not have the final word. God has given us power to move forward, love to steady our hearts, and a sound mind to make faithful decisions.

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻.

📖 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

— 𝟮 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝟭:𝟳

Read the complete September reflection:

🔗 https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

Share this encouragement with someone who may need courage for the battle within.

08/31/2026

Sometimes we ask God to change our scenery when God may be trying to change our sight.

This week’s sermon reflection, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁, comes from 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟭𝟲:𝟮𝟭–𝟮𝟴.

Peter had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah. But then Jesus began talking about suffering, sacrifice, and the cross.

Suddenly following Him became costly.

Jesus still says:

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲.

Sometimes following means forgiving when resentment would be easier.

Sometimes it means doing what is right even when it costs approval.

Sometimes it means surrendering control.

And sometimes it means asking:

𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝗮𝗺?

And remember:

𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.

Read the full reflection:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/faith-that-sees-beyond-the-cost.html

𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

💬 What might Christ be asking you to see—or surrender—differently this week?

08/24/2026

The crowd will always have something to say.

About Jesus.

About faith.

About what matters.

And sometimes even about 𝗬𝗢𝗨.

But in Matthew 16, Jesus turns away from public opinion and asks His disciples one deeply personal question:

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺?

This week’s sermon reflection, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱, reminds us that faith cannot live forever on what somebody else believes.

Eventually, faith becomes personal.

And when Peter declares that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” something else happens: Jesus begins speaking into Peter’s identity and calling.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.

You are not merely your past.

You are not your worst failure.

You are not the criticism someone placed over your life.

You are not simply your title, age, accomplishments, or disappointments.

Christ still calls.

Christ still restores.

Christ still speaks grace.

Read this week’s reflection:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/faith-that-sees-beyond-the-crowd.html

𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

💬 How would you answer Jesus’ question today: Who do you say that He is?

08/18/2026

Prospect Park United Methodist Church celebrates our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Sterling L. Eaton, on being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Organizational Development by Nobel University.

The recognition honors his years of leadership and service across ministry, organizational development, military service, nonprofit engagement, and community impact.

Rev. Dr. Eaton continues to serve Prospect Park UMC with a commitment to biblical preaching, discipleship, pastoral care, community outreach, leadership development, and ministries that bring hope and wholeness to our neighbors.

We give thanks for this recognition and for the continued ministry God is doing through Pastor Eaton, his family, and the congregation and community he serves.

Read the full World News Report feature:
https://world.einnews.com/pr_news/935118619/rev-dr-sterling-l-eaton-awarded-honorary-doctor-of-philosophy-by-nobel-university

08/17/2026

What good is worship if worship never changes the way we treat people?

This week’s sermon reflection, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲, is rooted in 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟱𝟴:𝟲–𝟭𝟬 and challenges us to move beyond simply feeling compassion.

God calls us to loosen burdens, feed the hungry, protect dignity, welcome those who feel forgotten, and allow our faith to become visible through the way we treat people.

One line from this message says it clearly:

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀, “𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱.”
𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀, “𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”

We may not be able to solve every problem.

But every one of us can ask:

𝗪𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿?

Make the call.
Share the meal.
Listen without judgment.
Protect someone’s dignity.
Stand beside someone who feels alone.

When compassion becomes action, God’s light becomes visible.

Read the full reflection here:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/faith-that-sets-others-free.html

Read this month’s 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 here:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

08/10/2026

Sometimes the wind can be against you even when you are moving in the right direction.

This week’s sermon reflection, 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿, is rooted in 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟮–𝟯𝟯.

The disciples were in the boat because Jesus sent them there, yet the wind was still against them.

That gives us an important reminder:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱.

Peter did not wait for the storm to disappear before stepping out of the boat. He moved because Jesus said, “Come.”

Maybe the question for us this week is:

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀?

Fear may speak, but it does not have to lead.

Read the full reflection here:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/faith-that-steps-beyond-fear.html

Read this month’s 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 here:
https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

08/07/2026

08/03/2026

🌿 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 🌿

𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣

There are seasons when the next step is not fully clear. We may have questions about the road ahead, the timing, and what the future may hold. Yet faith reminds us that 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀.

When we place the unknown in God’s hands, His presence goes before us, His peace steadies us, and His grace is enough for the journey ahead.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲.
𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲.
𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

📖 “𝘚𝘦𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨… 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵.”
— 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟰𝟯:𝟭𝟵

Read 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 and explore the complete collection:

🔗 https://www.pumcchurch.org/encouragement-matters.html

Please share this encouragement with someone who may be trusting God for their next faithful step.