08/24/2026
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
‘‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that Grace appear the hourI first believed.
Through many dangers , toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘it’s Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
Our morning at Shady Grove began with our UMM/UMW’s breakfast meeting at 8:00. Bonnie Byrd and I prepared breakfast and I shared a devotion taken from the Parable of the Talents:”Use it or Lose it”.
We had wonderful meetings and discussed a lot of positive plans for our church and community.
Our Worship Service began at 9:30, with Pastor Tanner Hendricks leading our time together. Our Musician today was Rhonda Hollie, our Acolyte was Makenzie Hollie, our Choir sang a fun, old hymn, our Ushers were Garrison Hollie and Andy Loftis, and our Psalmist was Rachael Ribelin.
During our Announcement time we recognized a special member of our Shady Grove family. Abigail Sander(Abby), is a Senior at Averett University majoring in Equestrian Studies. On her way to the Averett Horse Stables one Sunday over a year ago, she noticed our beautiful church and decided to come in and worship with us. She has been coming as often as she could during her junior school year and just came back today, bringing her roommate, Katelyn. We presented her with a basket filled with all of her special “goodies”. We have “adopted” her during this school year and look forward to loving on her and her roommate. Welcome back, Abby! Thank you for bringing Katelyn with you.
Have you ever heard a minister preach and you were not ready for them to stop?? Well, that happened to me this morning. Pastor Tanner gets better and better each Sunday. Today his message came from Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas in Prison. I chose just a few things to share because you need to read this message in its entirety. He shared an interesting story about Horacio Spafford who wrote “It is Well With my Soul” after suffering many losses. Pastor Tanner then did a wonderful job sharing this Bible story. Next, I will share a section:”Living under the Lordship of Jesus is a lifelong journey of growth, not a one-time moment. Many people probably do not want to accept Jesus as Lord because they perceive correctly what would happen. Following Jesus would change their lives. The current way of living would in many ways have to be reconsidered. We then ask ourselves, what would Jesus do in this situation? Priorities that were once so important, all of a sudden might not be very appealing when Jesus is viewed as Lord. When Jesus is Lord, we say no to ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Christ. You know, it can be challenging to see the healing we need, if we do not understand the person we have been before our lives were shaped by Christ. We like to judge ourselves with a scale of Grace. When it comes to others, we measure with judgment and point our fingers. We like to focus on other people’s wrongdoing instead of ours. As long as we compare ourselves to other people, we can almost always find someone who makes us feel better about the way we are living. But change begins when we stop looking at everyone else and start looking honestly at ourselves…..Imagine how this story of Paul and Silas would have been different if they allowed darkness to change their faith in God.”
Thank you, Pastor Tanner and thank you, Jesus, for sending Pastor Tanner to share Your word.
Please read our Announcements. There are some important events in the near future. Please pray for those on our Prayer List.
Those of us who choose to stay for Sunday School are very thankful that Patricia Moshenek is willing to study and prepare for each Sunday except for first Sunday. I can imagine it can be disheartening for Patricia to see people leave instead of staying. Please know, Patricia, that you are appreciated!
“A Journey Fraught with Dangers and Opportunities” was the lesson title. It was taken from Acts 28:1-10, with the purpose to recognize the importance of extending hospitality toward others. A few statements:”It is a real testimony of the peace that passes all understanding that comes from our knowing that God is in control of whatever negative experiences life might bring our way. It is often during difficult situations that God reveals unusual kindness and love toward us in unexpected ways. Our friendliness and goodwill bring out friendliness in others.” Thank you, Patricia.
I will close with a song written by Horatio Spafford in 1873 after losing everything in the Great Chicago Fire. Afterwards, his four daughters perished in a shipwreck as they were traveling with their mother (who survived) to Europe.
It Is Well with My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
