Stacy douglas
sENIOR PASTOR, fumc-bROOKHAVEN
"The people started grumbling about Jesus, because he said, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.'" ( John 6: 41; Good News Bible: Today's English Version )
Grace & peace!
Blessings on this eve o' September 2023!
As we 'rest' from our labor this weekend, please prayerfully prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Communion as we gather for Worship on Sunday. As you pray, consider inviting someone to Worship and Sunday School. And be sure to tell them that they are welcome at the Lord's Table!
I enjoy verse forty-one quoted above! I imagine the people did "grumble!" How dare Jesus say he was the bread that came down from heaven. Besides they knew that particular bread as manna. So this was a complicated moment that John brings into our discipleship. This teaching is obviously longer than the one verse that I selected. For more detail, read: John 6: 25 - 59.
I once read that Jesus was the least ego-centered of all human beings. And that statement re-enters my mind and spirit from time to time. Perhaps that was the attraction of Jesus. Jesus loved as God loves. And God's love is sacrificial. And to find this witness of discipleship, we deny our ego and follow. We deny the world and follow.
Jesus states to us, I am the bread that came down from heaven. This figure or symbol of bread is a life-saver/life-giver. And it isn't ordinary bread. It sounded cryptic then and it still sounds cryptic! It sounds like a peddler showing a bottle that contains an elixir that grows hair and restores youth. And so Jesus makes himself clear, "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me; and I will raise him to life on the last day." ( John 6: 44 ) WOW! Imagine those hearing this scratching their head and saying to each other, "over bread?"
I beleive that every day God witnesses His love to us in beautiful, compassionate ways that can draw us to Jesus so that we can feed on the bread of heaven. Yes, everyday it happens! Sunday is not just another day of the week. Sunday is a weekly reminder of this opportunity to draw near and experience the bread of heaven in community. It does not require strenuous self-exertion to experience this bread that comes down from heaven. We simply need to be attentive to Gods' call to draw near, and if we are, we will be fed. Thanks be to God!
I hope to see you Sunday at Sunday School & Worship.
Emmanuel,
Grace & peace!
Blessings on this eve o' September 2023!
As we 'rest' from our labor this weekend, please prayerfully prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Communion as we gather for Worship on Sunday. As you pray, consider inviting someone to Worship and Sunday School. And be sure to tell them that they are welcome at the Lord's Table!
I enjoy verse forty-one quoted above! I imagine the people did "grumble!" How dare Jesus say he was the bread that came down from heaven. Besides they knew that particular bread as manna. So this was a complicated moment that John brings into our discipleship. This teaching is obviously longer than the one verse that I selected. For more detail, read: John 6: 25 - 59.
I once read that Jesus was the least ego-centered of all human beings. And that statement re-enters my mind and spirit from time to time. Perhaps that was the attraction of Jesus. Jesus loved as God loves. And God's love is sacrificial. And to find this witness of discipleship, we deny our ego and follow. We deny the world and follow.
Jesus states to us, I am the bread that came down from heaven. This figure or symbol of bread is a life-saver/life-giver. And it isn't ordinary bread. It sounded cryptic then and it still sounds cryptic! It sounds like a peddler showing a bottle that contains an elixir that grows hair and restores youth. And so Jesus makes himself clear, "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me; and I will raise him to life on the last day." ( John 6: 44 ) WOW! Imagine those hearing this scratching their head and saying to each other, "over bread?"
I beleive that every day God witnesses His love to us in beautiful, compassionate ways that can draw us to Jesus so that we can feed on the bread of heaven. Yes, everyday it happens! Sunday is not just another day of the week. Sunday is a weekly reminder of this opportunity to draw near and experience the bread of heaven in community. It does not require strenuous self-exertion to experience this bread that comes down from heaven. We simply need to be attentive to Gods' call to draw near, and if we are, we will be fed. Thanks be to God!
I hope to see you Sunday at Sunday School & Worship.
Emmanuel,
SUNDAYS @ fumcbrookhaven:
8:30 AM | "The Connection" - an informal Worship service held in the Ministry Center.
9:30 AM | Sunday School for all ages
10:45 AM | "Wesley Service" - a traditional Worship service held in the sanctuary.
7:00 PM | Evening Prayer is held in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM on Sunday.
8:30 AM | "The Connection" - an informal Worship service held in the Ministry Center.
9:30 AM | Sunday School for all ages
10:45 AM | "Wesley Service" - a traditional Worship service held in the sanctuary.
7:00 PM | Evening Prayer is held in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM on Sunday.
Or, Join us ONLINE:
Sundays on Facebook: First United Methodist Church - Brookhaven, MS (service & Adult Sunday School lesson)
Sundays on YouTube: Brookhaven FUMC (service & Adult Sunday School lesson)
Sundays on Facebook: First United Methodist Church - Brookhaven, MS (service & Adult Sunday School lesson)
Sundays on YouTube: Brookhaven FUMC (service & Adult Sunday School lesson)
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