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

The Prayerful Pause - May 28

School is out, and summer is finally here! It's time to enjoy some warmer weather and fun with family and friends! The month of June also brings several exciting things for us at Union.

Please mark your calendars for our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 8, following morning worship. As we prepare for the new church year that begins in July, your participation in this meeting is vital. We will have several matters to vote on, including our leadership nomination report, the 2025-26 budget, and a proposed Bylaw Amendment.

The proposed Bylaw Amendment was drafted by our Administrative Officers this year and comes to you for consideration at the annual meeting after being approved by the Church Council. The purpose of this proposed amendment is to establish an Administrative Officers Committee. If adopted, the Administrative Officers Committee will continue moving us toward a more collaborative model of leadership by providing support for the current Church Council Chair and the Pastor. Another purpose of this committee is to prevent burnout among key leaders, which is so important in a congregation like Union.

You can read a copy of this proposed Bylaw Amendment by clicking the link below or picking up a copy in the Gathering Space. Please take some time to read it before the Congregational Meeting and consider it prayerfully. We look forward to sharing a covered-dish meal after our business is concluded that Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.

This month, we are also looking forward to Vacation Bible School! Our Road Trip VBS starts Monday, June 9, at 5:30 PM and runs through Thursday, June 12! Thank you to all who have volunteered and shared supplies with us for VBS already! Road Trip will be a ton of fun and provide fantastic opportunities for our children to grow in their faith. Please pray for the children and all the volunteers who will participate in VBS this year. Ask God to bless them and grow each one in his grace.

In June, I will be away on vacation from June 13 to 22. We will visit some family and then travel to the North Carolina Outer Banks and Colonial Williamsburg. While I am away, Rev. Emily Harbin from First Baptist Athens will preach on June 15, and Madison Sanders from Family Promise will share in worship on June 22. We will also have a hymn sing on June 22, which I know you will enjoy. Jonathan Byrd will teach Sunday School on those two Sundays. Should a pastoral need or emergency arise while I am away, you can contact any of our Elders for support. If you are unsure who to contact, Nickie in the church office can direct you to the right person.

Above all, this summer, it's my prayer that you will take time to be with Jesus and rest in God's continual care and unconditional love for you! Jesus loves you, Union family, and I do, too. I love being your pastor, and I am so thankful for our vibrant ministry together!

The Prayerful Pause - May 7

This coming Sunday is a special day in the life of Union Church as we celebrate both Graduate Recognition Sunday and Mother’s Day.

On Graduate Recognition Sunday, we will thank God for our youth and young adults who have reached an important milestone on their educational journey. We will celebrate their hard work, perseverance, and all the ways God has led them. We will also give thanks for all who have helped them along the way and surround our young folks with our love and prayers as they step into the future.

On Mother’s Day, we will give thanks for all who mother in the Family of God. We will give thanks for the mothers who raised us, the spiritual mothers who guided us, and all the women in our lives who nurtured us with prayer, patience, and presence. We will also hold space for those for whom this day brings grief or longing—those missing a mother, longing for a child, or navigating complicated relationships within their families.

This week, please join me in praying for our graduates and all who mother in the Family of God!

A Prayer for Our Graduates

Gracious and Loving God,
We thank you for each of our graduates. We thank you for their hard work, their unique gifts, and the journey that has brought them to this day. As they take the next steps, guide them with your wisdom and steady their hearts with your peace. Give them courage when the path is unclear, confidence in who you’ve created them to be, and a deep sense of your presence with them always. May they know that wherever life takes them, they are never alone. You go before them and walk beside them. In the name of Christ, we pray, Amen.

A Prayer for Those Who Mother

Loving and Compassionate God,
We thank you for the women who have mothered us. We give thanks for those who raised us in the home, and those who nurtured us in faith, friendship, and care. Thank you for the strength, tenderness, and wisdom these godly women have shared so generously with us. We also ask you to be with those missing a mother, longing for a child, or navigating complicated relationships within their families. We lift up those who are weary from the work of mothering and those who feel unseen in their care. Bless all the women in our church family who mother others with fierce love and quiet strength. May they know their impact and sense your encouragement daily. In the name of Christ, we pray, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - April 30

As we turn the calendar to May each year, I remember the familiar adage: "April showers bring May flowers." Each time I remember that old saying, I am reminded that both sunshine and rain are needed for flowers and plants to grow. Following Jesus is a journey of daily growth with ups and downs. Yet, we can trust that God will faithfully tend all our lives' roots, shoots, and new growth. 
 
One thing I am looking forward to this month is our 'Roots of Discipleship' sermon series. Each Sunday, we will look at how God grows us in his grace as we seek to follow Jesus faithfully. Yes, as Christians, we put some effort into our faith formation and spiritual growth, but it's God, and God alone, who gives us growth and helps us develop deeper roots in Christ.
 
So, this month, I want to encourage us to prayerfully ask God some big questions.
 
· Lord, how do you want to grow me?
· Lord, how do you want to grow us as a church?
· Lord, how do you want to grow the impact of Union's life and ministry together?
 
These are questions that only God can answer. As we pray, may we listen for his voice and follow his lead as we seek to grow deeper roots as Christ’s disciples and as a church. As always, I would love to hear what God is sharing with you as you consider these questions prayerfully.
 
Here is a prayer to get you started.
 
Gracious God,
 
You are the One who plants, waters, prunes, and gives growth. I long to be deeply rooted in you, nourished by your word and Spirit.
 
When life pulls me in a thousand directions, root my heart in your truth. Send your living water to refresh my soul when I feel dry or uncertain. When storms come, and winds rage, hold me fast and keep my focus steadily on you.
 
Oh Lord, as I pray, I also offer these questions to you and await your faithful
direction. Lord, how do you want to grow me? Lord, how do you want to grow us as a church? Lord, how do you want to grow the impact of Union's life and ministry together?
 
Loving God, make me like a tree planted by streams of water, with good fruit for every season. Mold me into a faithful disciple who is grounded in your grace and growing ever more into the likeness of Christ.
 
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
 
Union Family, I love being your pastor and seeing how God continues to grow and guide us together!

The Prayerful Pause - April 23

When we think of Easter, it’s easy to picture one glorious Sunday—the flower cross, joyful music ringing through the sanctuary, and a delicious meal with family and friends after service. But here is some excellent news: Easter isn’t just a single day. It’s a season and also a way of life.

The Season of Easter lasts for seven weeks, beginning Easter Sunday and continuing to Pentecost. This extended celebration reminds us that resurrection isn't meant to be a one-day event tucked into our calendar. Resurrection and the hope it brings is also a way of life. We are called to live as Easter people, shaped daily by the hope, joy, and victory of Christ's resurrection.

What does it mean to live as Easter people? I'll offer three action steps we can take this week to live as Easter people.

Walk in Newness of Life                                                                                                           
Romans 6:4 tells us, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” The resurrection of Jesus wasn't just a moment in history. It opened the door for us to live differently today. Easter people walk in the newness of life, choosing love over fear, hope over despair, and grace over guilt. Yes, as Easter people, we are called to reflect the Good News of the empty tomb into everyday life. We are called to walk in newness of life, offering acts of love, deeds of kindness, and words of care and compassion to those who need it most.

Trust That Death Doesn’t Have the Final Word                                                                              
In a world filled with heartache and endings, Easter proclaims the astonishing truth: love wins, and death has been swallowed up in victory. The Season of Easter gives us time to soak in that truth, not just to believe it in our heads but to carry it in our hearts, especially when we face hardships, pain, and struggles. It’s like the old song says, “Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives." 

Let God Use Us as He Makes All Things New                                                                      
Revelation 21:5 says, “See, I am making all things new.” Easter people allow God to use them as he restores and renews all things. Whether it's planting a garden to help feed hungry neighbors, forgiving a hurt, welcoming a stranger, helping out a friend in need, or praying for peace, the Risen Christ uses us to help mend what is broken. As we continue to live with resurrection joy, may we offer him our gifts, talents, and skills and join him in the work he is already doing, continually making all things new.

Prayer for the Easter Season
Risen Christ, 
Remind us that Easter is not just a day, not just a season, but a way of life. Help us to live as Easter people, filled with the joy of resurrection. Help us live as Easter people, renewed, restored, and full of your life-giving Spirit. Let every sunrise remind us that you are still making all things new. Use us, Lord, to share the Good News of Easter. May every act of humble service reflect your great love.
In Christ's Name, We Pray, Amen.

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

The Prayerful Pause - April 16

As we walk through Holy Week with Jesus, I want to share a prayer with you that I found particularly meaningful this week. I look forward to worshiping with you at our Maundy Thursday service and at our Easter services on Sunday! I love you, Union Family, may God fill you up with his love this week as we walk with Jesus toward the cross.  

A Prayer for Holy Week- Author Unknown

Loving God,

As we walk the solemn road of Holy Week, we come to you with full hearts—full of wonder, full of sorrow, full of gratitude.

You walked this road before us, Jesus. You did not turn away from suffering but entered fully into our pain to redeem it.

As we remember the palm branches and the cries of “Hosanna,” remind us that you wore a crown of thorns for us.

As we remember you kneeling to wash feet, teach us the humility of love in action.

As we gather at the table, break the bread, and share the cup, nourish us with grace and bind us together in hope.

In the shadow of Gethsemane, help us stay awake to your presence, even when the night feels long and the burden feels heavy.

On the road to Calvary, give us the courage to follow, even when the way is hard, and remind us that no cross is carried alone.

Lord, as we move through this Holy Week, may we not rush to Easter morning. Let us sit at the foot of the cross, honoring the depth of your sacrifice and the wideness of your love.

And when the stone is rolled away, and the dawn breaks with resurrection light, may we rise renewed—ready to live as people of the Risen Christ, servants of the One who conquered death with love.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - April 9

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future– Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)

There's something beautiful about a genuine laugh. I am not talking about a nervous chuckle or a forced giggle. I am talking about the deep, belly-shaking laugh that bubbles up from a heart at peace. It's the sound of trust. It’s the sound of freedom. It’s the kind of laugh that says, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds—but I know who holds me in the palm of his hand.”

Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman who laughs without fear of the future. The image of a person laughing without fear of the future can apply to all of God's children, not just women. Yet, if we are honest, this image may sometimes feel far from our reality. The future can seem uncertain and overwhelming. It can be filled with what-ifs, worries, and fears. We may find ourselves asking, “How can we even think of laughing when the unknown looms large?”

But here is the secret: we don’t laugh without fear of the future because we think the challenges ahead will be easy. We can laugh without fear of the future because we will never face it alone.

Jesus, our Savior, has gone before us. He stands already in our tomorrows, steady and unshaken. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Because of him, we are clothed in strength that is not our own and wrapped in dignity that cannot be stripped away by changing circumstances and shifting shadows. We can laugh even in deep valleys, not because we’ve figured it all out, but because he already has.

As we prepare for the shadows of Holy Week next week, may we remember that when fear whispers lies in our ears, let Jesus speak louder. His voice can drown out the noise of worry, anxiety, and fear. As we listen to Jesus, we will begin to laugh again. We will laugh again not because we're naive, but because we're rooted in an unshakable joy that isn't diminished by headlines, diagnoses, grief, or disappointments.

So today, let your soul breathe. Smile at the sunrise. Laugh with a friend. Find joy in small things. And when you look ahead, remember this: The One who holds your future also holds you and me.

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

The Prayerful Pause - March 26

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

I am sure you have noticed that two of our sanctuary windows have been missing lately as they are undergoing restoration. This week, the window restoration company removed more windows from the long hallway as they continue working on this important project. The windows will be taken to their shop in Jackson, Georgia, where they will do this careful and loving work. I am thankful for the leadership of the Building Committee and their chairperson, Earl Elsner, for overseeing the details of this restoration project.

Careful restoration work has also been going on in our church cemetery this year. The specialized work has focused on the unattended graves, which have been worn down over time. It's an example of careful and loving work that honors previous generations buried in Union's cemetery who no longer have family members attending their gravesites. I am thankful for the leadership of the Cemetery Committee and their chairperson, Ken Clark, in coordinating all aspects of this restoration project.

Indeed, restoration takes time. It requires close attention to detail, skill, patience, and care. It’s a labor of love through which things that are worn down are brought back to life. Restoration is a powerful metaphor for what God does in us.

Each of us carries cracks and wear from life’s harsh winds—grief, failure, regret, exhaustion. And yet, in the hands of our gracious God, no brokenness is beyond repair. He is the Master Restorer. He doesn’t discard us. He reclaims us. He brings beauty out of damage, light out of what has faded, and strength out of what has weakened.

Like our sanctuary windows, we are being restored daily—not back to what we once were, but into something that reflects his glory more fully.

As you see the visible signs of restoration in our church building and the cemetery, may they remind you of God's invisible, yet powerful work in your life as he is restoring you. Piece by piece, he is renewing your spirit. And just like those windows will shine with renewed brilliance, so will your life reflect the light of Christ in fresh and beautiful ways.

Prayer:
Restoring God, thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for seeing beauty even in our brokenness and for working patiently to restore us. As we witness the renewal of our sanctuary windows and work in the church cemetery, may we also sense the renewal you are working within our hearts, minds, and souls.  Make us strong, firm, and steadfast in you and your love. Amen.

The Prayerful Pause - March 19

“In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” Natalie Sleeth

Tomorrow marks the first official day of spring. Spring is a time of transformation. After the long winter months, when everything seemed still and lifeless, the world begins to awaken. Buds appear on the trees, flowers push through the earth, and the days seem hopeful and bright.

Natalie Sleeth’s Hymn of Promise beautifully captures this transformation. You can read all the verses below, but for now, I will share a few reflections on this modern hymn. In Sleeth’s lyrics, I am always struck by how God is always at work—even when we cannot yet see the results. A bulb buried beneath the soil contains the promise of a flower. A seed holds the future of a tree. A cocoon conceals a butterfly waiting to be free. Spring shows us the beauty of patience and trust.

Union Family, just as the earth moves from dormancy to new life, so does our faith. There are seasons when we may feel stuck in the "cold and snow of winter," wondering if God is really at work in our lives. The promising results of God's work in our lives are often “unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”  We can trust that God is nurturing something new within us when we face seasons of silence, doubt, or struggle. Hope is already on the horizon, even if we cannot yet see it.

As we step into spring, let us open our hearts to God’s promise of renewal and resurrection. Even in the middle of Lent, we look to Jesus' resurrection from the dead and hold fast to the hope it gives us. We do this every Sunday, in fact. Did you know that the Sundays during Lent do not count in the overall 40 days of the Season?  Each Sunday is a little Easter. So just as the world around us is changing, God is still making all things new—including us. May we trust in the unseen work of the Spirit, knowing that resurrection is always on its way.
 

Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth
In the bulb, there is a flower
In the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise
Butterflies will soon be free
In the cold and snow of winter
There's a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see.
 
There's a song in every silence
Seeking word and melody
There's a dawn in every darkness
Bringing hope to you and me
From the past will come the future
What it holds a mystery
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see.
 
In our end is our beginning
In our time, infinity
In our doubt, there is believing
In our life, eternity
In our death, a resurrection
At the last, a victory
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see.