Mt.Zion - Orange United Methodist Charge

John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.           While I was working on this week’s message, I heard a muffled crash outside my window. I asked Beth if she heard it but she had not. Looking around outside I discovered that the patio furniture that I had piled on some palettes on the far side of the house had fallen over. They were covered with big bag that covers palettes of shingles during shipping. It seems that with all the winter and spring winds we have had, the furniture had crept bit by bit to the edge of the palette and then gravity took over and everything fell over. The wind is a powerful force, even with heavy objects being affected over time.     Jesus uses the wind as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit with Nicodemus in John 3:8 He says the Holy Spirit is like the wind. Bec...

This past Sunday, one of the Lectionary Scriptures was from 1 Peter. The last two verses are as follows. 1 Peter 1:22–23 22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. One of the families in my current appointment have been beekeepers for at least three generations, maybe more. I have learned that honey does not go bad unless it is contaminated in some way. It may change it’s color or texture but it is still just as delicious and full of life sustaining energy. Our Christian love is like honey, if our love is pure and unconditional it will remain imperishable as long as we don’t let the hate of the world to contaminate and harden our hearts. Peace - Pastor Tom

Mt. Zion - Orange United Methodist Charge Join us in worship today, April 29, 2020 Today's Gospel  Luke 24:13-35 "On the Road to Emmaus" Today's Music "Just As I Am" Peace and Blessings - Pastor Tom

Psalm 71:1-5    In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.      When we make time during our day to praise God, frustration, doubt, and fear dissipate. Praising God may not eliminate our trouble, but praising God allows us to lift our eyes to God and lift our spirit. Do No Harm – Follow Recommendations        Do Good - Follow Recommendations              Stay in Love with God – Follow Recommendations Be safe everyone Pastor Tom p.s. Follow Recommendations

An encouraging word for today: Psalm 36:5-7                                             Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. This Psalm reminds yet again of the faithfulness of God. I have been reminding you (and myself) over the last few weeks that God will never leave us alone, God is always with us we have the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. I pray for you and the world daily, and I ask the you do the same. Pastor Tom

Psalm 95:7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. T oday, hear his voice, (paraphrased) Sometimes when everything just seems overwhelm, we just need to come in for a landing and meditate and listen for God. I took this picture several years ago at Cape Elizabeth Maine, Two Lights State Park. Beth and I go there at least once anytime we get to Maine. We just sit on the rocks listen to the waves pound against the rocks. It’s our favorite spot in Maine. This is where we can be still, and maybe encounter God in a new way or maybe even in a forgotten old way. Prayer: Lord may we use this time of separation to listen for You. May we learn what breaks Your heart Lord, so that it may also break ours, that we may be Your hands and feet to do Your work here on earth. Amen! Stay safe, stay home, and be kind. Pastor Tom Do No Harm – Do Good – Stay in love with God