First United Methodist Church of Shelton, CT

09/09/2026

Midweek Pause — Fall in Love, Stay in Love

This week, I am attending a Spiritual Formation Training Program, and I have been spending a lot of time thinking about spiritual growth. For me, spiritual growth is not simply about knowing more about God. It is about growing closer to God, loving God more deeply, and learning to live from that love.
As I was thinking about this, I thought of our church family—and of one of my favorite prayers, attributed to Father Pedro Arrupe. I wanted to share it with you today.

Nothing is more practical than finding God,
that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love,
stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
— attributed to Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

My prayer for you today is simple: Love God. Stay in that love. And let that love shape the way you see your day and the choices you make within it.

From Pastor Juhye

09/04/2026

The September 6th Worship Livestream link and the associated Worship Guide are now available:

- 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: https://youtu.be/pPvCDAIFgFQ
- Worship Guide:https://umcshelton.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/9-6-26-with-Hymns.pdf

Visit our website for much more information @ www.umcshelton.org

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

09/03/2026

August 30th Recorded Worship Service - Now Available
https://youtu.be/zL2k1lvRI4U

Archived worship videos from past services are also available—see below. Click on Worship Services to view the archived recordings from current to past years.

Please feel free to share our worship service with family and friends. And encourage them to sign our guest book under our website's "Contact Us" tab.

Archives: https://umcshelton.org/video-archive/

Visit the post for more.

09/02/2026

Most mornings, one of the first things I do is look at my calendar. What is happening today? Where do I need to be? Then I look at my to-do list and begin moving from one thing to the next.
Sometimes, by the end of the day, I realize that I was so focused on where I needed to go and what I needed to get done that I hardly noticed the road I was walking. I wonder how much we miss that way.

A conversation we didn’t expect. Something beautiful just outside the window. A small kindness. A moment that makes us smile. Perhaps even a quiet glimpse of God’s presence in the middle of an ordinary day.

The psalmist reminds us,
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24

Maybe this verse is an invitation to receive the day, not simply get through it. Not everything meaningful is waiting for us at the destination. Some gifts are found along the way.
So today, as you move through whatever is on your calendar, I hope you leave a little room to notice what is along your path.

May God give you eyes to notice the small gifts of grace along your way.

From Pastor Juhye

08/28/2026

The August 30th Worship Livestream link and the associated Worship Guide are now available:

- 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: https://youtu.be/5L76k0pDRhs
- Worship Guide:https://umcshelton.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/8-30-26-with-Hymns.pdf

Visit our website for much more information @ www.umcshelton.org

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

08/25/2026

August 23rd Recorded Worship Service - Now Available
https://youtu.be/LnddSanak8I

Archived worship videos from past services are also available—see below. Click on Worship Services to view the archived recordings from current to past years.

Please feel free to share our worship service with family and friends. And encourage them to sign our guest book under our website's "Contact Us" tab.

Archives: https://umcshelton.org/video-archive/

Visit the post for more.

08/21/2026

The August 23rd Worship Livestream link and the associated Worship Guide are now available:

- 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: https://youtu.be/ezvp2dGwKok
- Worship Guide:https://umcshelton.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/8-23-26-with-Hymns.pdf

Visit our website for much more information @ www.umcshelton.org

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

08/19/2026

August 16th Recorded Worship Service - Now Available
https://youtu.be/h3Kayf0d2gE

Archived worship videos from past services are also available—see below. Click on Worship Services to view the archived recordings from current to past years.

Please feel free to share our worship service with family and friends. And encourage them to sign our guest book under our website's "Contact Us" tab.

Archives: https://umcshelton.org/video-archive/

Visit the post for more.

08/19/2026

WHAT HYMN CARRIES YOU?

Is there a hymn that lifts your spirit, gives you strength during difficult times, brings you comfort, or reminds you of God’s presence?

We would love to know the hymns that are meaningful to you—and sing more of them together in worship.

Please choose a Post-it note and write down the title of a hymn or song you love from The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, or Worship & Song. Then place it on the whiteboard in the narthex.
Share a song that has carried you, so we can sing it together.

08/19/2026

Midweek Pause — What Do You Do for Fun?

I came across this picture I drew some years ago,
and it made me smile.
These days, I spend much of my time doing ministry, reading, and studying.
I enjoy what I do, but I’ve realized something:
I’m not very good at having a day off.

Friday is my day off, and lately I’ve been asking myself a surprisingly difficult question:
What do I do just for fun?
Not because it is productive.
Not because I need to accomplish something.
Just because it makes me happy.
And now I’m curious about you.
What do you do for fun?
I’d really love to know.
Tell me when you see me or send me a note.
Maybe you’ll help your pastor learn how to play a little more. 😊
May you find a little time this week
to laugh, play, and simply enjoy one of God’s good gifts—joy.

From Pastor Juhye