Ironville UMC

Carry each other’s burdens.

Jesus doesn’t change.

Today we pause to be thankful for the things we have. James says, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 16-17). Everything we have is not ours, but God’s. We are just the temporary caretaker. How do your things change if we see them as God’s and not ours? What if our house became a place where the door was always unlocked, where people came for a place to stay or meal to eat and we always welcomed others with hospitality? What if our... yard was God’s creation and we took care of it and our neighbor children played in it? What if our excess furniture was given to someone who is just getting started or is starting over? What if we invited others over to eat our food so there would be no leftovers and always bought extra to donate to the food pantry? What if we took half of the clothes out of our closet to give to someone else? What if our car was used to deliver food to a neighbor who is sick or take someone to an appointment? What if our phone was used for only sending encouraging words to others? What if we only lived with what we needed at that moment? What would be the impact on this world if we viewed our stuff as God’s stuff instead of our own? Who would be blessed because of your mindset change? There is no need to store up treasures in this world. (Matthew 6:19 - 24). Give to the one who asks of you. And do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Luke 3:11, Matthew 5:40-42). This stuff is not our own. It is important to caution you that while being grateful for your stuff, you avoid seeing it as something to worship. We are grateful to God who provides us with the stuff. Changing our mindset of it being mine to it being God’s helps to steer you away from having stuff as an idol in your life. Use your things to love God. Realize they are a gift from God. Use your stuff to love people. If someone is in need, give it away. You are only the caretaker of your stuff. The things you take for granted, others live without - an internet connection, access to a Bible, money in a bank account, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electricity, a home, a bed to sleep in, a car, warm clothing, access to a grocery store, clean water, and more. And these are people living HERE in the United States, in Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County, in our town, in our school districts. Challenge: before next Tuesday, write down 100 things you are grateful for. (For a good read, check out Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts.)

When you look at the Nativity set, what do you notice about the Shepherds? Grab your Bible and read about them in Luke 2:8-20. Notice, the shepherds heard from angels, believed what the angels said, went to see it for themselves, and then told others the amazing thing they saw. They acted in complete obedience and faith and did not keep the good news to themselves! The shepherds challenge us to see the work of God, believe it is of God, and share it with others. These namele...ss Shepherds were our first hand witnesses to the birth of Jesus and the first people to worship Jesus. The job of a shepherd was to care for the sheep, and they were travelers who carried everything they owned with them (Genesis 46:32). God is identified as our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:11-16), and Jesus is given the distinction of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18; Matthew 2:6). This is the idea that God will take care of us and not lose hope in us. He will seek us out no matter how far we wander astray (Luke 15:3-7). Shepherds keep sheep safe, but God keeps us safe - safe from ourselves, from the world, and from sin. Many of our faith leaders were originally shepherds including Abraham, Moses, King David, and Rachel! All of them model the character of a good shepherd - a servant leader, a good, gentle, and humble person. But the reality is that in many respects, shepherds were considered outcasts in society. They would have been ceremonially unclean because of their work with the animals. Shepherds were a low rung on the social ladder. They roamed (also known as trespassed) on other’s land with their animals and went from town to town. They were always traveling so they covered a lot of ground and were a great choice by God to spread the good news of the birth of Jesus because of their extensive travel. But, the shepherds show us that God shows up in unexpected ways, in unexpected places, to use unexpected people - just like you. These unclean shepherds - who wouldn’t have been able to enter the Temple and worship God - were first to worship our God in person. They model Jesus’ sentiment that the last will be first, and the first will be last.

Join us tonight at 7 as we continue to talk about the significance of the nativity. Tonight, we’ll talk about the shepherds. Check your email or send us a message for how to join.

Join us tonight at 7 as we begin a discussion on gratitude. This week, we’ll focus on God's design for our stuff. Check your email or send us a message for how to join.

Be kind and compassionate today and everyday.

Do these 3 things when in trouble:

It wouldn’t be November, without being reminded of the importance of slowing down and being thankful. Consider memorizing this verse this month: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. This verse is so popular that it actually appears in 10 different places (1 Chronicles 16:34, 41; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 20:21; Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1, Jeremiah 33:11).

Give your whole self to God.

If Jesus is the king of another kingdom, we've got a choice to make. Who do we belong to? Join us as we talk about it.

Dear Faithful People of Ironville UMC, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV)...Continue reading

No matter what you’re going through, you can get through it with Jesus.

Some reflections from Acts 20: Last time, we saw Paul narrowly escape a riot in Ephesus. This time, we will see him bid them (and some others) farewell. We get a list of Paul’s coworkers from the various places of his travels (vv. 1-6). We are coming to the end of his missionary journeys, but he has touched an incredible number of people and places along the way. Most likely, you’ve had a number of people who have poured into you along life’s journeys. Take a moment to let t...Continue reading

Before the Church had a building, they were a people. Let's reclaim this as we study the book of Acts together tonight at 7. After a short study, we’ll pray and fellowship together. Check your email or send us a message for how to join.

Should we fear anyone?