Last Sunday, we had a wonderful day of celebrating children and preparing them for a new school year. In blessing the backpacks and the children who carry them, we invited God’s presence to be with them in all their activities. Recognizing the role that teachers and parents play in support the learning process and guiding personal development, we also prayed that God will be with them to empower them in their special roles. Then Ben Williams reminded us of children who do not have supportive homes and foundations. He also shared the amazing work of The Methodist Home for Children, a United Methodist ministry that brings stability and new opportunities to these children in at-risk situations. Thank you for your generosity. The special offering for the Methodist Home for Children totaled $3,125.
This Sunday, in our sermon series, “Psalms: Song of the Souls,” we turn our attention to the cry of our heart for confidence. We all hunger for a more robust sense of confidence. It might not rise each day, but when waiting for a diagnosis, facing an uncertain future, or knowing our situation requires something beyond our resources we sense the need. We’ve all heard the clichés on how to cope: fake it till you make it, talk yourself into it, believe harder. But what if confidence isn't something you can manufacture out of sheer willpower? What if it's something you must be led into?
The sermon will use Psalm 138 as a map that guides us along the path of confidence. It's not a psalm about pretending trouble doesn't exist or forcing yourself to feel brave. It's a psalm about a person who found a way to face an uncertain future with startling boldness. If you've ever felt too ordinary, too worn down, or too far gone to expect anything good from God, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Come find out where confidence really begins.
Mike Frese