Longstown United Methodist Church

09/05/2026

Join us Sunday September the 5th as we discuss forgiveness, reconciliation through God's grace. Sunday is also Communion Sunday so e invite you to join us at God's table. 9:45

09/03/2026

Day 4: I Will Be with You
Scripture: “He said, ‘I will be with you.’” —Exodus 3:12
When God called Moses to return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh, Moses asked, “Who am I that I should go?”
God did not answer by praising Moses’ talents or reminding him of his impressive background. God gave Moses something far better: “I will be with you.”
The success of Moses’ mission would not depend entirely upon Moses. It would depend upon the presence and power of God.
When God calls us, we often focus first upon our inadequacies. We think, “I am not strong enough. I do not know what to say. Someone else could do this better. I am too old, too young, too busy, or too inexperienced.”
Some of those concerns may be understandable, but God’s call is not based solely upon our natural abilities. The God who calls also accompanies, guides, and strengthens us.
Jesus was honest with his disciples about the cost of following him. The road would include sacrifice and a cross. Yet the cross would not have the final word. Jesus would be raised on the third day. God’s power would transform apparent defeat into victory.
We cannot answer every question about the road ahead, but we can trust the One who walks beside us. God’s presence does not guarantee an easy journey. It guarantees that we will never travel alone.
When you feel inadequate today, do not ask only, “Am I able?” Also ask, “Is God with me?” The answer to that second question can give you courage to take the next step.
Question for reflection: How would your response to God’s call change if you truly trusted that God would be with you?
Prayer: Faithful God, when I feel weak or inadequate, remind me that your presence is my strength. Go before me, walk beside me, and work within me. Give me courage to obey, knowing that I never answer your call alone. Amen.

09/02/2026

Day 3: Remove Your Sandals
Scripture: “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” —Exodus 3:5
Before God told Moses what he was to do, God told him to remove his sandals. This was an act of reverence and humility. Moses was standing in the presence of the holy God, and he could not approach that moment casually.
Removing his sandals also offers us a helpful picture of surrender. Moses had to lay something down before he could move forward in God’s calling.
We also carry things that interfere with following God. We may carry fear, pride, resentment, old failures, or the desire to remain comfortable. We may insist that God’s plan conform to our plans. We may say, “I will follow, but only if the road is easy and the destination is familiar.”
Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Following Jesus requires more than adding a few religious activities to the life we have already planned. It means allowing Christ to direct our lives.
Self-denial does not mean that we are worthless. It means that we are no longer the center of everything. We surrender our need for control and trust the One who calls us.
What are the “sandals” you need to remove? What fear, attitude, habit, or expectation must be placed before God so that you can follow more freely?
Question for reflection: What might God be asking you to surrender?
Prayer: Holy God, I stand in your presence with humility. Show me what I need to lay down. Free me from fear, pride, and my desire to control the journey. Help me surrender my plans to your loving purposes and follow wherever Christ leads. Amen.

09/01/2026

Tuesdays Sermon Study
Day 2: Here I Am, Lord
Scripture: “When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’” —Exodus 3:4
When God called Moses by name, Moses answered, “Here I am.”
Those words did not mean that Moses understood the assignment. They did not mean that he felt qualified or fearless. In fact, Moses would soon raise several questions and objections. “Here I am” simply meant, “I am listening. I am available. I am willing to hear what you have to say.”
We sometimes believe that we must possess complete confidence before answering God. We wait until every question has been answered and every uncertainty removed. But God’s call rarely works that way. Faith usually begins before we know the entire plan.
God knows your name just as surely as God knew Moses’ name. God knows your history, abilities, disappointments, fears, and limitations. God does not call an imaginary, perfect version of you. God calls the person you are today.
Answering God’s call may begin with a simple prayer: “Here I am, Lord. Show me what you would have me do.”
That answer does not commit us to accomplishing everything at once. It places our lives in God’s hands and makes us available for the next faithful step.
Set aside a few quiet minutes today. Speak the words “Here I am, Lord,” and then remain silent. Listen for the person, task, or act of faithfulness God brings to your heart.
Question for reflection: What keeps you from making yourself fully available to God?
Prayer: Calling God, you know me completely and call me by name. I do not understand everything you may ask of me, but I place myself before you. Here I am, Lord. Help me listen, trust, and respond. Amen.

08/31/2026

This is our sermon lesson for Moday. Hope you find it useful.

08/31/2026

Day 1: Turn Aside and Notice
Scripture: “I must turn aside and look at this great sight.” —Exodus 3:3
Moses was not looking for a miracle. He was simply tending his father-in-law’s sheep when he noticed a bush burning without being consumed. Something unusual interrupted his ordinary day, and Moses decided to turn aside and investigate.
That small decision changed his life.
God often meets us in the middle of ordinary routines. We may not encounter a burning bush, but God places people, needs, opportunities, and concerns along our path. A friend’s sadness, a neighbor’s loneliness, a need within the church, or a burden that repeatedly returns to our thoughts may become holy ground.
The difficulty is that we are often too busy to turn aside. We see the need but keep walking. We feel the prompting but postpone our response. We assume that God’s call must arrive through something dramatic when it may begin with simply paying attention.
Moses did not yet know what God would ask of him. His first faithful act was merely to stop and notice.
Today, slow down long enough to look for signs of God’s activity around you. Pay particular attention to whatever stirs your compassion. The concern you cannot easily dismiss may be the place where God is beginning to call you.
Question for reflection: What person, need, or concern has God repeatedly placed upon your heart?
Prayer: Gracious God, quiet my hurried heart and open my eyes. Help me notice where you are working and recognize the people you place before me. Give me the willingness to turn aside, listen, and stand upon the holy ground of your presence. Amen.

08/30/2026

08/27/2026

Beginning next week, I will send out a Sermon study message each day of the week. The study will include a focus on verses that we discussed in the sermon and will pose a question for reflection and a prayer.
I hope this short study will provide some daily reminders of Sunday’s message and might provide for an opportunity for some additional Bible Study.
I will post the same message on our page. I hope you ill view it there also and share it with your friends. If you missed the sermon, it will be on our page as well.

If you would like to add people to the email list please let me know. I also invite you to comment on Facebook regarding the question for reflection if you feel so moved.

Blessings to you all.