Fairmount United Methodist Church

09/10/2025

Read these words slowly: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

Take a deep breath and let those words settle into your heart. God knows. God has plans. God offers hope.

When Jeremiah penned these words, the Israelites were in exile, far from home, facing an uncertain future. They felt forgotten, abandoned, perhaps even punished. But God's message through Jeremiah was deeply personal: "I know the plans I have for you.

Notice that God says "for you" – personally, intimately, specifically. Today, whether you find yourself sitting in that doctor's waiting room, lying awake at 3 AM worried about test results, or watching a loved one suffer, God knows your name. He knows the exact nature of your pain, your fears, your questions that you're afraid to voice out loud.

The beautiful promise in this verse is that God gives us "hope and a future." Hope in Hebrew is "tikvah," which literally means a cord or rope – something strong that connects us to something secure. Our hope isn't wishful thinking or positive attitude, though those have their place. Our hope is a strong cord that connects us to the unchanging character of God. AMEN!

09/02/2025

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Every single morning, God's mercies are fresh and new. Not recycled from yesterday, not worn out from overuse, but brand new.

This means that no matter what happened yesterday - our failures, our mistakes, our disappointments - God's mercy toward us is fresh today. It's like waking up to a new sunrise that has never shone before. God doesn't ration His compassion or put limits on His mercy.

I love how this connects to our daily rhythm. Just as we need physical food each day, we need God's mercy each day. And just as He provides daily bread, He provides daily grace. The God who painted a new sunrise this morning has also prepared new mercies specifically for you today. Yesterday's mercy was sufficient for yesterday, but today you get a fresh supply.

07/11/2025

08/21/2024

Jesus stated in John 10:14, 'I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.' Being a good sheep is challenging as we tend to desire control over our lives and prefer to make our own decisions. However, this often leads us down a destructive path. A story from a pastor who visited the Holy Land illustrates this point. Several shepherds were tending to a large flock of sheep, and when it was time for lunch, they left the flock in a fenced area. Tragically, one sheep climbed over the fence and fell to its death, and soon after, 400 additional sheep followed, resulting in a significant financial loss. Similarly, we often choose things that feel good in the moment but ultimately lead to negative consequences. Without a shepherd, our lives can become consumed by worry, anger, and dissatisfaction. However, we can choose to return to a simple relationship with a loving shepherd. We all have a shepherd in our lives.

08/07/2024

Dear Heavenly Father, As we wake up this Wednesday morning, we thank You for Your love and grace. Amid our struggles, we seek Your divine presence, which fills us with infinite joy. Help us to see, O Lord, through the fog of our challenges, the radiant light of Your love and the enduring joy it brings.

07/17/2024

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully" Luke 4;10
Deuteronomy 31:8 You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip...Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.

On Friday my husband and I had two little girs at our house for a sleep-over. The next day we did some things together, including loading their scooters and going to the park where they could ride. After about an hour we loaded up the scooters and headed home to cool down.
In a little while they declared they were going to build a tent to go camping. Blankets and pillows were gathered. All the stools were brought into the camping area and setting up the tent began. Once the tent was put up, bedding was put in place and doors added to the tent. After we all admired their skill at putting up the tent, away to the kitchen they went. We could hear their giggles as the refrigerator was opened and closed a couple times. And then the pantry door was opened. Finally, they came back the campground with two pretty full Aldi bags.

You see, they had gathered everything thing they needed for their trip. They had several bottles of water, a couple huggie containers, some apples and bananas, snack cakes and brownies. They were ready!

The planning and thought that they put into preparing for the trip/journey really amazed me. How about you? How well prepared are we for this journey God has called us on? What's in your Aldi bags...Do you have prayer in there? And I mean intentional, go to a room by yourself Intentional. Have you brought your Bible along on the journey? You really need to be in the Word. Start with just a couple of verses every day if you need to. Do you fast?Many things have been changed through fasting. What about kindness-we need to make sure we practice kindness. And let's not forget generosity. Do you give to the less fortunate? WHAT'S IN YOUR ALDI BAG?

06/26/2024

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Luke 14:10-14

Imagine for a moment what it was like to be this woman. She was living on the outskirts of the community, often overlooked by others. It's important to note that Luke points out that Jesus sees her. This woman had been in this condition for 18 long years. Imagine her difficulty in getting around. What did she see as she shuffled on the way to the synagogue? She saw what she always saw...dirty feet, dirt streets, dirt floors. Dirt and more dirt. After 18 long years, she understands this is her life. There is no cure for her or others in the same situation. There is only hopelessness. But, then she encounters Jesus and encounters with Jesus have the power to transform lives. Her life will never be the same! Jesus has given her hope. Hope of a new life, a life she has probably given up on. Did you notice the first thing that she does? She straightens up and praises God!

Jesus offers hope, healing, transformation and redemption. We are called to offer hope to the hopeless, love to those who feel unlovable. Before we can reach out to offer Jesus to others, we, like Jesus, need to truly SEE them.

06/16/2024

It's hard to believe, but this is my last sermon with you all.

To wrap it all up, I've got 10 (or 11?) final stories that capture my 10 years here.

I cannot thank you enough for letting me be your pastor.

It's hard to believe, but this is my last sermon with you all.To wrap it all up, I've got 10 (or 11?) final stories that capture my 10 years here.I cannot th...

06/15/2024

IMPORTANT: Worship tomorrow is at 10:00am. This will be one, big, combined service for my last Sunday.

06/09/2024

Sometimes the last place you want to go is the exact place you need to go.

This message is 10 years in the making. It's one of the most important lessons I can pass on to you.

Sometimes the last place you want to go is the exact place you need to go.This message is 10 years in the making. It's one of the most important lessons I c...

06/02/2024

If I could pick ONE THING to leave you with before I head out at the end of the month, it would be this.👇

If I could pick ONE THING to leave you with before I head out at the end of the month, it would be this.Here's today's message, "And Then The Power Went Out."