"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms" ~1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)   

We begin a new exciting series called "Gifted by God, Called to Respond." Over the next month and a half, we'll explore the unique gifts, passions, resources, and opportunities God has given to each of us to add fulfillment, purpose, and value to our lives and His Kingdom. As part of this new series, Christ Methodist Church will also be offering a free spiritual gifts retreat at Union University on Saturday, August 22nd. This retreat will be a great opportunity for families and individuals alike to learn about the specific spiritual gifts that God has gifted and how they fit into God's plans for each of our good (Jeremiah 29:11). 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart" ~Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)  

We conclude our 3-part series "Citizens of Faith" with a deep look at how our our future citizenship in heaven influences the kind of citizens we are today. Join us as we dive into passages from the New Testament that remind believers not to grow nearsighted in only thinking about our temporary lives as residents of this passing world. Learn with us how God's eternal view of life shapes how we ultimately respond to our leaders, societal pressures, and our fellow citizens as we live in such a way as to remind others that this life is not all there is. 

Learn how God instructs us to steward our freedoms, live under the authority of governing officials, and use our individual influences to build the kind of society where not only a country may flourish, but God's purposes in the entire world.

John Elliott leads us in a special lesson on the power of prayer (a fitting reminder as we continue to pray for our nation!)

We conclude our "Men of Faith" series with a fun review of our study of King David and session on servant leadership. We'll learn about a time when David utilized the authority God had given him to do a very countercultural thing- serve others around him before himself. While the world perpetuates a "self-above others" mentality, Christ suggests that the greatest among us will be those who serve.

We continue our Men of Faith study of King David with the classic story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). As we take a deeper look into this familiar story, we'll realize that David models to us some great spiritual insights into how to tackle our fiercest giants with God's strength, provision, and hope.

Through the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), we learn how God calls us to seek repentance over past mistakes while embracing grace that allows us to seek holiness in increasing ways. The need for men of faith to pursue holiness in a generation where that is exceedingly rare has never been more important or consequential. 

Pastor Joshua Strader looks at the calling story of David from 1 Samuel 16. We explore how God's standards are different than the world's when it comes to "success" and priorities.

Sunday service from Christ Methodist Church. Message from Rick Morrison on Grace.

We conclude our Women of Faith study. As Ruth's story comes to an incredible finale, we see how all of the attributes of Ruth's character come together to play into God's intergenerational plan. As Ruth commits to her family, trusts God with her story's imperfections, provides for Naomi through her works of service, and exhibits bold trust to step into God's opportunities, she experiences closure, provision, and a blessing that adds Ruth to the story of Jesus himself in a profound way.