The Prayerful Pause - November 5

With Veterans Day coming up on Tuesday, November 11, I wanted to pause and share some ways you can prayerfully encourage veterans and those actively serving in the military.  
 
Today, we are holding our second annual Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon. Please pray that all the veterans who attend will be encouraged by the Union family today.  Union will also honor our veterans in other ways this week. We’ve placed our Veterans Day banner out front and will place flags on the graves of the nearly 50 veterans buried in Union's cemetery this Saturday at 9:30 AM. This Sunday is Veterans' Sunday, and we will recognize and pray for our veterans during morning worship. We will also have a slideshow of their pictures playing before and after worship in the Fellowship Hall. This week, please take a moment to offer a personal word of thanks to our veterans, and in your prayers, thank God for their service and sacrifice.
 
If you are looking for a way to encourage those actively serving in the military, I invite you to write a handwritten note of encouragement to someone who is serving now. You can send a note of encouragement to an unnamed service member through a wonderful organization in Duluth, Georgia. Hugs for Soldiers is a ministry of Duluth First United Methodist Church that shares encouraging notes with active-duty service members serving all over the world.
 
If you would like to write a note, be sure to check out Hugs for Soldiers letter writing guidelines at https://www.hugsforsoldiers.org/cards-and-letters and then mail your card to:

HUGS FOR SOLDIERS
Duluth First United Methodist Church
3208 Duluth Hwy. 120
Duluth, GA  30096

 Before mailing your card, pause and pray for the person who will receive it, and ask God to encourage them as they serve!
 
Thank you to all veterans and active-duty service personnel. We are thankful for you and for your service!

The Prayerful Pause - October 29

It’s hard to believe that November is upon us! As we enter the season of gratitude, my heart is full of thankfulness for you, Union Family. Your thoughtfulness and encouragement for my Birthday and during Pastor Appreciation Month have meant so much to me. You all are incredibly creative and have a special way of making a person feel deeply loved and appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
 
In November, we have so many things to look forward to together! Below are a few highlights I want to share. I pray you will take part as the Lord leads.
 
Sunday, November 2, is All Saints Sunday. During worship, we will light candles to remember and honor those who are now part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses. This service is always deeply meaningful as we give thanks for those who have gone before us and pointed us to the Lord.
 
This month, we are also looking forward to our Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, November 5, at 11:00 AM in the Union Fellowship Hall. This luncheon is a special time to gather, share a meal, and express our gratitude for those who have given so much in service to our country. I hope you will invite a Veteran you know to join us.
 
November 8 will be a busy day at Union in the cemetery and for our building safety readiness. We will place flags in the Union cemetery to honor the veterans buried there at 9:30 AM. Others will begin working in the cemetery that morning to rake the gravel on the plots at 8:00 AM. At 11:00 AM, we will have an Active Intruder Safety Training from Captain Maxey of Oconee County Sheriff’s Department in the Fellowship Hall.  
 
On Sunday, November 9, we will have our annual veterans’ recognition during morning worship. Please invite a veteran to join us that Sunday as we honor their commitment and sacrifice in a spirit of gratitude and remembrance.
 
November also comes with a host of opportunities to share with people in need. We will be busy sharing Thanksgiving Boxes, collecting supplies, and packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. I am thankful for the many ways you seek to serve and share God’s love in our community! God is using you well, and I am so thankful for your continued faithfulness.
 
Most of all this November, I hope you will take time each day to thank God for who he is and for what he has done in your life. God loves you, Union family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - October 22

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:2 (NIV)

There is a quiet but powerful pattern in Scripture: When God moves, his people speak. Israel breaks into song after walking through parted waters. Hannah prays aloud with overflowing gratitude when God gives her a son. The Samaritan woman runs back to town with news of a Savior. Paul testifies before leaders, churches, philosophers, and prisoners, declaring what Christ has done. We are reminded of these stories and remember the people who shared them. Their words and actions were not polished or rehearsed. Yet, they revealed the truth of what God had accomplished and demonstrated God's faithfulness.

That is what we will do together this Sunday at Union Christian Church as we gather for Testimony Sunday. We will set aside time in worship to share and hear real stories from real people about God's work in their lives and in the world. We will listen for how God has shown up in dramatic and quiet ways, in seasons of crisis and in the routines of everyday life.

It’s important to remember that testimonies are not about spotlighting people or even the things they have seen or experienced. Our testimonies are about spotlighting God’s work in our lives and in the world. They remind us that God is still writing our stories, still healing, still providing, still redeeming, and still making all things new. 

Here is the beautiful thing. There is always someone listening who needs to hear what God has done or is still doing in the lives of others. A story that feels small to you may be a lifeline to someone else. It may be a signpost of hope on a hard road. You may not be ready to share a story this Sunday, and that is okay. You are invited to come, listen, give thanks, and let the testimony of others strengthen you and your connection to God.

What is one way you can share your story this week? It could be through a conversation, a written note, sharing a story with a friend, or an act of love in Christ's name. Indeed, we share God's story of love when we share our stories of faith!

Sunday, October 26, promises to be a great day of worship, and I hope you will join us as we share stories of faith, hope, and love. Each story of faith matters, and when we share them, God is glorified, and the joy of the Lord is multiplied among us!

See you Sunday, Union Family! Jesus loves you, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - October 15

“God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20

Union is blessed to have a Congregational Permanent Fund for missions. Through investment with the Christian Church Foundation, this fund continues to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom well beyond our church walls each year. Grants from the Congregational Permanent Fund’s investment gains continue to help meet real needs in our local community and around the world. Every grant shared through the Permanent Fund becomes a seed of hope, planted in faith and tended by the Spirit, so that others might experience God’s abundant love.

This Fall, the Permanent Fund Committee will prayerfully discern how to distribute $20,000 that the Church Council has approved for use in 2025–2026. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in dreaming new dreams and listening for how God might be calling Union to share generously with missions organizations and projects that the Lord has laid on your heart.

Perhaps God is calling us to walk alongside a ministry that serves families in crisis, feeds hungry neighbors, or provides a safe place for those seeking hope and a sense of belonging. Perhaps there's a mission organization or project that you're aware of that brings clean water to villages, provides medical care to the sick, or opens doors to education in communities where opportunities are scarce.

Now is the time to imagine together how grants from Union’s Permanent Fund can help meet the needs of real people, right now. Through our prayers, our giving, and our partnership, we can be part of God’s ongoing story of renewal and grace in the world.

If you would like to suggest a missions-oriented organization, group, or project for funding consideration, please fill out a Permanent Fund Request Form (available in the Gathering Space) and return it to the church office by October 19.

Let’s continue to be a church that dreams big, gives freely, and trusts God to multiply what we have, so that countless others may experience the hope and love of Christ.

The Prayerful Pause - October 8

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
 
This week, I have been thinking about what it means to be a nimble and agile church. I was really impressed with how quickly we were able to move inside after our planned outdoor worship service was suddenly rained out. Worship and ministry continued, even when a quick pivot was needed.

The world around us changes every day. New challenges arise, needs shift, and opportunities appear where we least expect them. Sometimes, it can feel easier to stay put in what we know and resist change or to look back and long for the past. Yet, God invites us to move in response to his leadership, to stay nimble and agile in our faith and ministry.

To be nimble means to move quickly and lightly. To be agile means to adapt with grace. When we follow Jesus, both qualities matter. Our discipleship and our ministry together do not follow a fixed path. It is a living and growing journey of trusting God to lead us through unexpected twists and turns, or to guide us with holy nudges in unexpected directions. Sometimes it is through a conversation that becomes an opportunity for prayer, a new way to serve, or a change that deepens our trust in God’s guidance.

As a church and as Disciples, being nimble and agile means we listen closely to God’s voice and hold our plans with open hands. We move when he moves, trusting that he is already making a way in the wilderness.

This week, let's ponder this question: How might God be inviting you or our church to be more nimble and agile in responding to his lead?
 
A Prayer for Following God’s Lead:

God of new beginnings, help us to stay flexible and faithful. Keep our hearts open and our hands ready to serve. When you move, may we move with you? Make us nimble and agile in our discipleship and our shared ministry. Make us quick to listen, quick to love, and quick to follow your lead. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - October 1

October is my favorite month of the year because it has a way of slowing me down. The air grows crisp and refreshing, inviting us to step outside and take in the world around us. The trees dress themselves in their most colorful garments with rich reds, brilliant yellows, and deep oranges. Even the sunsets linger a little longer, glowing with a radiance that captures our attention and reminds us of the artistry of our Creator. I have even given a name to the color of October sunsets, “Pumpkin Splendor.”
 
In these October days, we catch a glimpse of God’s glory. The seasons shift, and with each change comes a new reminder of the One who holds all things together. Just as the leaves transform before our eyes, God’s Spirit works in us, changing us from the inside out. What may appear to be endings, such as the falling leaves and the shortening days, are also the beginnings of God's promise to bring life again in its due season.
 
October also helps me find a fresh perspective. The cool air that brushes against our cheeks is the same air we breathed all summer. But in October the air seems to feel fresher, filled with possibility. The same sky that stretched above us yesterday suddenly seems more brilliant with the colorful sunsets within a frame of the changing leaves. When we pause to notice these changes, we realize God has been here all along, speaking through the colors, the breeze, and the quiet shifts of creation.
 

A Prayer for October:
Lord, thank You for the beauty of October!  
 
Thank you for the changing leaves, the cool air, and the glorious sunsets.
 
Help us to notice you and your handiwork in the world around us.
 
Help us sense your presence in the rhythm of the seasons.
 

As the trees release their leaves, teach us to let go of what we no longer need, trusting that you are making all things new.
 
May our lives, like all creation, proclaim your glory.
 
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - September 24

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Laughter can bring joy to our days when we least expect it. We may giggle at a child's innocent comment, chuckle at a friend's quick-witted response, or even belly laugh at ourselves after a silly mistake.

God created us with the capacity to laugh, and in that gift, we find both healing and joy. Laughter, a soothing balm for the soul, reminds us that we don't carry the weight of the world alone. It bonds us together, breaking down walls and softening hard days. It lifts our eyes from the pressures of life and points us toward the goodness of God.

Think about the last time you laughed so hard your sides hurt or happy tears streamed down your face. In that moment, the stress faded, the burdens felt lighter, and joy bubbled up. That is a glimpse of God’s grace at work in our everyday lives.

Jesus knew the power of joy. While Scripture doesn’t record him laughing outright, He was fully human—sharing meals, attending weddings, sitting with friends. Surely, his presence brought laughter, because joy radiated wherever He was. We can find the same joy with Jesus all these years later.

This week, let's look out for the playful ways that God reminds us of his joy. Take notes of those humorous conversations, a child's giggles, or even the lighthearted moments in our own routines. And when laughter comes, receive it as a holy gift, and a loving reminder that God's medicine for weary souls often comes wrapped in joy.

May this simple prayer help you connect joyously with the Lord this week.

Lord of Joy, thank you for the gift of laughter. Let it fill our hearts with gladness. Let it strengthen bonds between friends and family. Let it remind us that you are the source of true joy. Help us not to take ourselves too seriously, but to delight in the moments of laughter you send our way. Amen.
 
Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - September 17

Sometimes the weight of the world feels overwhelming. When we think of wars that destroy lives, people living without basic daily needs, violence that disregards our common humanity, disasters that wipe away homes, and illnesses that steal away those we love, it can feel cumbersome and heavy. In moments like these, it is essential to remember that God does not ask us to hold everything ourselves. Below, I have shared a prayer asking God to give us eyes to see what is ours to do and the wisdom to release what only God can carry. I invite you to pray this prayer with me this week and any time that the weight of the world presses in.

O Gracious and Loving God,

Sometimes the weight of the world presses down on us.
Wars we cannot end, and violence we cannot stop.
Sorrows we cannot heal, and burdens too great for our arms to carry.
Give us eyes to see, Lord, what is ours to do today.
Show us the small kindnesses we can offer and the quiet prayers we can whisper.
Show us the faithful steps we can take to magnify your love.
Give us wisdom to release what belongs to you alone to hold.
The brokenness beyond our reach and the wounds that seem too deep for our mending.
Help us trust the unseen work you do in our lives and in our world.
Teach us to rest in your presence and not in our own striving.
Teach us to labor with open hands and trust that you are God.
May we remember that your love is stronger than all that weighs us down.
Carry us when we falter and calm us when fear rises.
Remind us once again that while the world is heavy,
It is always held in your hands.
Through Christ, who bears the burdens of all, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - September 10

Have you ever noticed how water has the power to refresh and renew us? A cool drink on a hot day, a shower after hard work, or a walk by a river can restore our strength. In an even greater way, the baptismal waters are symbolic of the refreshment and renewal that new life in Christ brings. We were thrilled to see Michelle and Eddie Chambers enter the waters of Baptism at Union this past Sunday, and we give thanks!

When we are baptized, we are saying “yes” to God’s “yes” to us. Our baptism marks us as God's beloved and sets us on a new path of life in Christ. The water is a sign that our old life, full of failures, fears, and sins, is washed away, and we are raised to new life in Jesus. As we descend into the water, it serves as a reminder that we, along with our old way of life, are buried with Christ in baptism. When we come out of the water, it's a reminder that we are risen to walk in newness of life that Christ gives us. That doesn’t mean life is suddenly easy or perfect. It means that no matter where life takes us, we belong to God, and he guides us forward with faith, hope, and love.

If you would like to be baptized, please reach out to me. Let's talk and pray about it together. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment to trust and follow Jesus as your savior and Lord. I would love to discuss it with you if it is something you are interested in.

If you have already been baptized, I invite you to pause and remember your baptism this week. You could touch some water and say a prayer of thanksgiving. Maybe you reflect on how God has been faithful to you since that day you entered those baptismal waters. Perhaps you can consider how you are called to live into your baptism by seeking to follow Jesus’ example of love, grace, and compassion.

Here are some reflection questions and a prayer to guide you as you remember your baptism:

• What do you remember about your baptism, or the baptisms you’ve witnessed?

• How does baptism shape the way you live each day?

• Where do you need to be reminded that you are God’s beloved child?

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the gift of baptism. Thank you for claiming us as your children, washing us in your grace, and calling us to walk in newness of life. Remind us each day of this promise, and help us live as people who belong to you. Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - September 3

I recently started painting with watercolors as a way to relax. I am a novice, and none of my works are art gallery-worthy, but much of the time I spend painting helps me reflect on God's gracious work in our lives.

When you sit down with watercolor paints as a novice, you quickly discover that you don’t control very much. The colors spread, bleed, and blend in ways you didn’t always plan. What seemed like a mistake may turn into a beautiful surprise. Watercolor painting teaches us patience, trust, and wonder, much like life with God. Our God is full of Holy surprises, and even when they are unexpected, his plans are the most abundant for us.

We often want crisp lines and neat boxes in life, but God works more like watercolor—letting his Spirit flow into unexpected places. A brushstroke may spread wider than intended, but it can form a depth and richness we never imagined. In the same way, God takes the messy parts of our lives and creates something beautiful out of them. He specializes in bringing beauty out of life's messiness. 

Watercolors also remind us of gentleness. Press the brush too hard, and the paper frays. Add too much water, and the colors run together into chaos. But with a light touch, grace appears in delicate shades. God’s work in our lives is often gentle as well, frequently slow and filled with care.

Painting with watercolors also helps us learn to pause. We have to let the water dry and wait before adding another layer. That waiting creates depth and movement. So it is with God. We may not understand why we must wait or why something feels unfinished, but in God’s timing and in God’s way, the layers come together to form a masterpiece.

Union Family, may we trust God is a master artist and is at work in us and all around us. Even when we only see a part of the picture he is painting, we can always trust his hand. He is creating something beautiful in us and through us every day.

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - August 27

It's almost September, and I have been reflecting on the importance of labor and rest.

From the very beginning, Scripture speaks of the gift of purposeful work. In Genesis 2, before the fall, God placed Adam in the garden “to till it and keep it.” Work is a way of reflecting the image of our Creator, who labored in creation. Whether it’s teaching, farming, building, parenting, or serving, our labor has dignity because it participates in God’s ongoing care of the world. Work shapes us into contributors, not just consumers, and offers us opportunities to serve both God and neighbor.

Yet just as surely as God worked in creation, God also rested. On the seventh day, God stopped and delighted in his creation, calling it "very good." Sabbath rest reminds us that our worth does not come from constant productivity. It teaches us to trust that God sustains the world even when we stop. In a culture that glorifies busyness, the practice of rest is a countercultural act of faith and trust.

Labor without rest can lead to burnout, and rest without labor can lead to stagnation. But when we hold faithful work and intentional rest in balance, we discover a rhythm of trust. Jesus Himself embodied this balance: healing, teaching, serving tirelessly, but also withdrawing to quiet places to pray. His example shows us that rest restores us for meaningful work, and work gives shape and purpose to our rest.

As we reflect on the importance of both labor and rest, here are some questions to consider:

• Where is God calling you to work faithfully? Maybe in your job, your home, or this church. Offer your labor to God as worship, remembering, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23                                                                                                                                          

• Where is God calling you to rest intentionally? Maybe setting aside your phone, taking a walk, taking a nap, or spending Sabbath hours in worship and delight. Remember, Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28                                                                                                                      

• How can you offer your labor and your rest to God? Both your work and your rest are holy when offered to our great God. How does God want to use them both? This question may prompt you to offer a simple prayer like the one below.

Prayer: Lord of creation, thank you for the gift of labor and the gift of rest. Teach us to work with joy and to rest with trust, following your example. May our lives find their rhythm in you. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too.

The Prayerful Pause - August 20

Christ-Centered, Bible-Based, Ministry-Focused

My time studying at Campbell University Divinity School from 2007 to 2010 was one of the richest experiences of my life. It was a season where I learned to love God with my whole self. The essence of Campbell Divinity School’s mission statement has stayed with me all these years later. Campbell taught me to be “Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Ministry-focused. Over time, I’ve come to see that these three phrases can also be a compass for individuals and churches alike.

Christ-Centered                                                                                                               
Being Christ-centered means that Jesus is not just part of our life but the very center of it. Our faith, our decisions, our relationships, and our callings are all oriented around him. As Colossians 1:17 reminds us, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

To be Christ-centered is to let Jesus shape our daily choices and our deepest priorities. For the church, it means keeping him—not tradition, personalities, or preferences—at the center of everything we do. When Christ is at the center, everything else finds its rightful place. Even in our disagreements, being centered on Christ draws us into unity, reminding us to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing for a Christ-centered person and church is always Jesus—the same Lord we remember each week when we gather at the table in unity and love.

Bible-Based

God has given us the gift of Scripture. As disciples, we are invited to read, wrestle with, interpret, and apply it to our lives. God’s word teaches, corrects, guides, and comforts us. It is the living word that continually points us to God’s love in Christ.

Being Bible-based means much more than knowing about the Bible—it means allowing God’s grand love story to shape us, guide our steps, and turn our hearts toward Jesus continually. For the church, it means rooting our worship, teaching, and mission in Scripture so that everything we do reflects God’s redeeming love for all people.

Ministry-Focused

Our faith is not just what we believe—it is something we live out in the world around us. To be ministry-focused is to put faith into action through loving service, generous hospitality, and countercultural compassion toward all.

For the church, being ministry-focused means equipping God's people not only to serve within the church’s walls but also in the community and beyond. Without ministry, our faith risks becoming words without action. But when we seek to love God and love our neighbors in tangible ways, we live out the very heart of the Good News Christ came to bring.

Living It Out

As individuals and as the Union Family, may we seek to be: Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Ministry-focused. May all that we are and all that we do point back to the One who holds all things together, Jesus, our Lord!

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too! It’s a joy to journey with you!

The Prayerful Pause - August 13

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” —Psalm 107:2 (NIV)

Our theme for the 2025-26 Church Year is Share your Story!

We are a storytelling people. From the earliest pages of Scripture, people have told and retold the stories of God's great faithfulness. For centuries, stories of faith were shared around campfires in the wilderness or sung in the courts of the temple. Jesus told stories to teach people about the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God. Countless people from various communities passed down stories about Jesus's life and ministry, about his death and resurrection, and the ministry of the early church. Stories remind us of who God is, what God has done, and how God is still at work today! Indeed, we are a storytelling people.

But not all stories are easy to tell. We may love to share the joyful moments like answered prayers, unexpected blessings, or the sweet surprises of God’s timing. Those stories flow easily and lift the hearts of those who hear them. But there is also healing in sharing our hard stories, like the times when we were walking through valleys, when the outcome was uncertain, and when God’s presence felt distant. Why? Because in those stories, the grace of God often shines brightly.

Psalm 107 calls “the redeemed of the Lord” to speak up and share their stories of faith. That means you and me! Each of us who has been rescued, restored, or renewed by God has a story worth sharing. Not a perfect story. Not a “finished” story. But a real one. Because someone around you needs to know that the God who carried you will carry them, too.

Here are a few reflection questions and a prayer for us to consider this week as we think about sharing our stories of faith.

• What’s one recent example of God’s goodness in your life?                                                

• Can you think of a hard season God brought you through that might encourage someone else?                                                      

• Who might need to hear part of your story this week?

Lord, thank you for the ways you have been at work in our lives, in both the joy and the struggle. Give us the courage to speak honestly about both, so that others may see your great faithfulness and know that they are not alone. Use our stories to draw others closer to you. In the name of Christ, we pray, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - August 6

It’s that time again—backpacks are packed, buses are rolling, and the first day of school is officially here for Oconee County! Other schools nearby are also kicking off a new year soon, and you can just feel the buzz of excitement in the air.

Here’s a little secret about me: I love shopping for school supplies. There’s just something about a fresh pack of crayons, a crisp notebook, or the satisfying snap of a new binder that fills me with joy. But every year, as I stroll through those aisles, I’m reminded that some of the most important supplies can’t be bought at a store. Things like courage, patience, flexibility, kindness, perseverance, protection, and grace—those come straight from God. And they’re just as essential (if not more so!) for the school year ahead.

So this year, let’s make it a point to lift up our students, teachers, and school staff in prayer. Let’s ask God to fill their classrooms—and their hearts—with peace, strength, and joy, every single day.

Speaking of supplies—WOW! Your generosity during the Christian Women’s Fellowship School Supply Drive truly astounded me. You showed up with full hearts and open hands, making sure local kids had what they needed to start the year strong. Thank you for being a church that gives so generously and loves so well.

This month, CWF is focusing on a different group of school heroes: bus drivers! These early morning and late afternoon champions get our kids to and from school safely each day. We’re collecting individually wrapped snacks all month long as a way to say, “We see you, and we’re thankful.” You can drop your snacks off in the Gathering Space anytime in August!

And don’t forget—our Sunday afternoon programs for kids and youth start this Sunday! Kids meet at 3:00 PM, and youth gather at 4:00 PM. Please join me in praying that this new season will equip our young people to carry Christ’s love with them—whether they’re in classrooms, on ball fields, at lunch tables, or wherever life takes them.

Union Church, thank you for being a community that prays boldly, gives generously, and welcomes all of God’s children with open arms. I’m so thankful to walk this journey with you

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - July 30

Can you believe it’s almost August? It feels like summer just got started, yet here we are; school bells are about to ring, and we are looking ahead to an exciting new season at Union! While summer may be winding down, the spirit of renewal and fresh beginnings is just getting started here at church.
 
I’m thrilled to announce that our theme for the 2025–2026 church year is “Share Your Story”! Psalm 107:2 reminds us, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." Indeed, each of us has a story worth telling—a story shaped by God's grace, our experiences, and the community around us. This year, we'll lean into the power of story to grow in faith, connect more deeply with one another, and witness to the world around us.
 
I hope you will join us on Sunday, August 3, for our annual Welcome Home Sunday as we celebrate 173 years of faithful ministry at Union. What an incredible legacy! This Sunday is a beautiful moment to come together as a church family, to reconnect, reflect, and rejoice. Whether you’ve been part of Union for decades or are brand-new, this is a Sunday for everyone.
 
I also encourage you to invite neighbors, coworkers, and friends to join us for Welcome Home Sunday, especially those searching for a place to belong. In a world that often feels disconnected, let’s be the place where people feel at home.
 
After worship, we’ll share in a potluck fellowship meal (bring a covered dish!), continuing the celebration around the table. Good food, good stories, and good company—what could be better?

We’ll also celebrate our annual Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 3! It's always a meaningful part of our worship as we surround all our students, along with teachers, school staff, and administrators, with prayer. We’ll share a special tag for each backpack and school bag as a simple, yet powerful, reminder that God and this church family go with them into the new school year. Be sure to invite anyone connected to education to join us for this time of special blessing on Sunday!
 
As we begin this new school year and new church year, my heart is full of hope and anticipation. I believe God has beautiful things in store for us as we continue to follow Jesus and share our stories with each other.
 
Let’s step into this new season with boldness, with joy, and with hearts ready to welcome all. I’m excited, and I hope you are too!

The Prayerful Pause - July 23

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” — Matthew 18:20

Life moves fast. Calendars fill. Notifications never quit. In the middle of all that noise, simply showing up with someone might feel small—but it is holy work. Your presence can become a living witness to God's love. Many folks who serve in pastoral care and counseling refer to this as the Ministry of Presence, which means choosing to be with someone in their time of need without rushing to fix, explain, or advise.

The Ministry of Presence isn’t about grand gestures or perfect words. It’s the quiet companionship of a friend in a hospital chair. It’s the attentive silence that says, “I see you. I’m with you.” It’s shared laughter at the table, shared tears in the valley, shared hope when words run out. It’s sharing stories that tickle the funny bone or bring smiles even when times are tough.

Jesus modeled the Ministry of Presence again and again. He entered homes, sat at tables, worshiped in synagogues, and walked dusty roads beside ordinary people. He listened to stories, touched wounds, celebrated weddings, and wept at gravesides. His with-ness brought healing, courage, and new life.

Now the Church carries that same calling. Together we are the body of Christ! We are his hands, his voice, his compassionate nearness. We are sent to show up for one another in joy and in struggle, to bear witness to the God who never abandons.

Who around you needs that kind of presence this week? A friend facing loss? A friend or church family member walking through illness? A neighbor who feels invisible? Your unhurried and non-anxious presence may become the clearest sermon a person can hear this week about Christ’s love.

Let’s make space in the coming days to be intentionally present with open hearts, listening ears, and the gentle assurance that God is already in the room. May our presence remind others (and ourselves) that God’s love does not leave.

Jesus loves you, Union Family, and I do too!

The Prayerful Pause - July 16

When our family was on vacation in North Carolina last month, we enjoyed visiting several of the lighthouses along the Outer Banks. David and Jyoti enjoyed climbing a few of them. We loved walking the grounds and soaking in the beauty, history, and symbolism.

In one lighthouse gift shop, a small banner caught my eye. It was titled “Lighthouse Wisdom,” and it offered nine simple truths for disciples of Jesus. In sharing these nine points of “Lighthouse Wisdom,” I’ve also included a brief reflection and some Scripture to accompany each one. May God use this “Lighthouse Wisdom” to speak to us this week.

Lighthouse Wisdom

1.    Stand Tall: Like a lighthouse, we stand tall in the truth of who God created us to be—God’s beloved children. We are fearfully and wonderfully made with unique gifts and purpose.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 

2.    Light the Way for Others: Just as a lighthouse reflects light to those around it, we too reflect light to those around us. Only the light we share is the very light of Christ. Whether through big moments or quiet acts of service, our lives can help others see God more clearly. 

“You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14–16

3.    Enjoy the View: The view from the top of the lighthouse offers both beauty and perspective. Let us pause to worship, breathe deeply, and notice God’s goodness in the world around us. 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1

4.    Take Life One Step at a Time: Climbing a lighthouse takes considerable time and patience. Life’s journey doesn’t have to be rushed. God gives grace for each step, each day, and each challenge.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6

5.    Stand Firm: Each day, may we anchor ourselves in Christ. Like a lighthouse built on rock, our hope in Jesus keeps us steady and secure no matter what comes our way.

 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

6.    Be a Beacon of Hope: Lighthouses serve as a beacon of hope to those seeking a way forward. We can be a beacon of hope for those who have lost their way. Hope doesn’t ignore hardship—it trusts that God is still working. Even in the darkness, our lives can point others toward the light of Christ.

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope…” Romans 15:13

7.    Stay Calm Through the Storm: Lighthouses shine even through storms. So can we, by trusting Jesus—our Prince of Peace—when life feels overwhelming.

 “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm." Mark 4:3

8.    Let Our Light Shine: Like a lighthouse, may we let our light shine. We are not the source of the light, but we reflect the Son. Let our joy, kindness, and faith point others to God’s grace. 

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” Ephesians 5:8

Closing Prayer
Lord, make us lighthouses in a dark world.
Help us to stand tall, shine brightly, and remain anchored in you.
May our lives point others to your grace,
and may we always reflect your light—even in the storm.
In Christ’s Name we Pray, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - July 9

There are days when the weight of the world feels unbearable. We turn on the news or scroll our feed to see devastating floods in Texas— utter destruction and lives lost. Then it’s wars—across continents and borders that leave innocent people grieving, starving, and displaced. Other times, we hear about another mass shooting, fueled by untreated mental illness and a society that feels increasingly fractured. We hear stories of lives lost or forever changed by gang violence, human trafficking, and abuse. We look at our own communities and see children who don’t have enough to eat and adults and young folks who can’t afford the medical care they need. We see how addiction tightens its grip on people of all ages and backgrounds.

Sometimes the world weighs us down and breaks our hearts. It’s enough to crush the spirit. But into that brokenness, God speaks a promise: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Indeed, God is not far off and watching from a distance. God does not turn away from our grief, our heartbreak, or our exhaustion. No, God draws near. God sits with the mother holding her child, who has died, for the last time. God walks beside the person experiencing homelessness with nothing but a bag of clothes and a pocketful of fear. God is with the one silently suffering from an illness, the one who feels invisible, the one who’s given up trying to ask for help. God sees. God knows. God is near.

Yet, God is not only near, he also saves those who are crushed in spirit. That saving doesn’t always mean that the grave problems and difficulties cease. Instead, sometimes God’s saving looks like breath in your lungs for one more day. Sometimes it’s a neighbor showing up unexpectedly with a meal or a kind word. Sometimes it's a church leaning into its divine calling, reaching out in love beyond its walls.

Often, God's saving work comes to those who are crushed in spirit through ordinary people who care and seek to lift up those in need. And ultimately, even in hard things, may we remember that God saves through Christ, who bore the full weight of this world’s suffering on the cross, who knows what it is to be brokenhearted and crushed in spirit, and who rose again to offer hope that can never be destroyed.

If the state of the world grieves you or you feel crushed beneath the suffering you witness or experience, remember that your sorrow is not wasted. That heartbreak is a sign that your heart still beats in rhythm with the heart of God. It's a call to compassion, not despair. Let that heartbreak move you, not into numbness or withdrawal, but into prayer, action, advocacy, generosity, and love. Let it move you to cry out on behalf of others, to hold space for their pain, and to be part of God's saving nearness in the world. Amen

The Prayerful Pause - July 2

Gracious God,

As our nation celebrates freedom this week, we especially thank you for the freedom to worship you openly and gather in your name without fear or oppression. We thank you for all who have given their lives to make that freedom possible. 

As Christians, we also come before today, grateful for the gift of freedom that we have been given through Jesus Christ our Lord. He has made us truly free.

Lord Jesus, you have freed us from sin, shame, guilt, and fear.
You have broken the chains of condemnation.
You have set us free from the weight of perfectionism,
From the tyranny of others' expectations,
From the need to earn God’s love.
You have freed us from the grip of the past,
and you continually remind us that God’s grace and your love don’t have any limits.     

But you didn't just set us free from—
You set us free to.
Because of your Lord Jesus, we are free, indeed.

We are free to love and be loved.
We are free to forgive and be forgiven.
We are free to walk in peace, to live in joy,
We are free to serve with courage and speak with compassion.
We are free to rest in your presence,
We are free to follow where you lead.

And you have called us and given us the freedom to serve others with joy.

We are free to serve the poor and lift up the brokenhearted.
We are free to visit the sick and comfort the weary.
We are free to seek justice for the oppressed and dignity for the forgotten.
We are free to welcome the stranger and care for the outcast.
We are free to tell those who feel unworthy that they are fully known and fully loved by you.

May our freedom in Christ be kingdom-serving instead of self-serving.

May we delight in the freedom to love you and to serve you with heart, mind, body, soul, and strength.

In the name of the One who sets us free and makes all things new,
Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - June 11

This week, I want to share the letter that I read to the congregation on Pentecost Sunday. Thank you for being such a wonderful church. Keep letting the Spirit lead you well!

Dear Union Family,

Thank you. Thank you for being the Church—not just in this building, but in the community and in the world. You serve with your hands, hearts, voices, prayers, and presence, and you bless more people than you know.

Thank you for offering warm smiles and a genuine welcome, extending hospitality as if welcoming Christ himself. Thank you for teaching and mentoring, encouraging children, youth, and adults to grow in faith and love. You nurture lives from the nursery to the neighborhood where you live.

Thank you for offering your time, talents, and treasures to God here at Union Church with generosity and love. Thank you for planning, organizing, volunteering, and serving behind the scenes to keep this church moving forward with hope and grace.

Thank you for doing the everyday things that keep our ministry strong—setting up chairs, preparing communion, watering flowers, mowing the lawn, fixing what’s broken, decorating the building for special services, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and so much more. You show that every task matters when it’s done in love.

Thank you for leading us in worship—through music, scripture, prayer, and technology—and helping us lift our hearts to God each week. Thank you for showing up for people in need—visiting the sick, writing notes and texts, praying for others, delivering meals, and offering comfort to those who are grieving.

Thank you for serving beyond these walls—volunteering with ACTS, hosting families at Family Promise, supporting outreach events, and collecting supplies for local schools and other community ministries. Your faith overflows into action, and the community is stronger because of it. Thank you for saying, “Yes, I’ll help,” You build up the body of Christ and remind us that everyone has a place and a purpose.

We are one body with many members. Many gifts. One Spirit. And because of you, Union Christian Church is more than a building—it’s a family, a home, and a vibrant local expression of the Body of Christ.

As Paul once wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Today, I echo those words from the heart.

Jesus loves you, Union Family and I do too.

Grace, Peace, and love,
Pastor Heather