Wister Church of the Nazarene

09/13/2026

PATIENCE, KINDNESS, AND GOODNESS: Learning to Wait

FEW OF US (if any) enjoy waiting, but we do it a lot: we wait in traffic, in the drive-thru, for a promised raise, for test results, for kids to put their shoes on, for God to move. This week, notice what you do when you are waiting. If you get aggravated, ask yourself why. Use it as an opportunity for conversation with God about the circumstance or about your own impatience. Remind yourself that waiting may be an opportunity to increase your desire and capacity to receive.

09/13/2026

We'd love to have you join us this morning in-person or online at 10:45!

(In-person only Sunday School begins at 9:45)

Sermon Title: "A Kingdom of Forgiveness"Biblical Texts: Matthew 18...

09/06/2026

LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE: Daily Examen

IT IS OFTEN easier to recognize God's action in hindsight than in the moment. This week, we will practice the discipline of Daily Examen as a way to notice the presence and invitation of God in our lives. We look back on the previous day, rummaging through our “stuff,” and find God in it—sometimes in the most unexpected places. To practice the Examen this week, set aside three to five minutes at the same time every day. Use these steps to guide your reflection.

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to join you as you review events of the last twenty-four hours.
2. Focus on the day's gifts and give thanks for them.
3. Notice what emotions you felt. What is God saying to you in these feelings?
4. Ask the Spirit to guide you to one particular event or emotion of the day that is important, and pray repentance, gratitude, or a request/petition accordingly.
5. Ask for the Lord's light to shine on tomorrow's events and decisions.

09/06/2026

We'd love to have you join us this morning in-person or online at 10:45!
(In-person only Sunday School begins at 9:45)

Sermon Title: "Heed the Watchman"Biblical Text: Ezekiel 33:7-11

08/23/2026

LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE: Listen to Words of Love

HADEWIJCH OF ANTWERP was a member of the Beguines, a medieval renewal movement of women (c. 1200, Belgium) who formed communities of worship and mutual economic support. Though renowned for their zeal in prayer and their charitable works, several were pronounced heretics, and even executed, for their mystical teachings. Hadewijch wrote essays and poetry about her experience of God’s love, which empowered her obedience. Use her words this week to reflect on your own experience of God’s love and your response.

Love is always new!
Those who live in Love are renewed every day
And through their frequent acts of goodness
Are born all over again.
How can anyone stay old in Love’s presence?
How can anyone be timid there?

08/23/2026

We'd love to have you join us this morning in-person or online at 10:45!

(In-person only Sunday School begins at 9:45)

Sermon Title: "Christ, Messiah, and King"Biblical Text: Matthew 16...

08/16/2026

LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE: Making Amends

THE TWELVE STEPS of recovery used in Alcoholics Anonymous are powerful tools for change. Steps 8 and 9 of the Twelve Steps are:

8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

This week, allow the Spirit to guide you through these practices. Be aware that becoming willing to make amends is a process of its own, and it’s okay if you’re not there yet. Making amends may include a spoken or written apology, returning something that was stolen, or simply giving up a grudge you’ve been holding. For those in recovery, these steps are taken with the help of a sponsor. This can be difficult, so don’t feel the need to do it alone. A pastor or trusted Christian friend may be a necessary companion on this journey.

08/16/2026

We'd love to have you join us this morning in-person or online at 10:45!

(In-person only Sunday School begins at 9:45)

Sermon Title: "Faithful Impatience"Biblical Text: Matthew 15:20-28

08/09/2026

LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE: Counting Up Redemption

“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” - Romans 6:11, NLT

IN THIS VERSE, the word translated as “count” (NIV), “consider” (NLT), or sometimes “reckon” (KJV/NKJV) is an accounting term in Greek. It has the connotation of adding up a sum to know what you already have. This is an action we take to understand and live into the reality of what has happened in us. This week, take time to consider your salvation during one of your daily routines, like making coffee, driving to work, or packing a lunch. Each time you engage in that activity, rehearse the reality of what God has done in you through Christ. Take time to count up the balance you’ve been given, and spend the rest of the day living with the knowledge of who you are now and where you stand.

08/09/2026

This morning at 10:45, we'll devote the service to celebrating our amazing time at VBS. We'd love to have you join us in-person or online!

(Regular Sunday School will still begin at 9:45)

VBS Celebration Service