There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6. These amazing words of hope from Paul are words we so desperately seek today—a source of unity coming to our communities, our churches, and our world today. People can always do more together than they ever can apart. A horse-pulling contest illustrates the effect of synergism especially well. The people put weights on a flat-bed wagon, and a single horse pulled it a measured distance. They added 1,000 pounds at a time, until the horse could no longer pull it. The winner pulled 9,000 lbs., and the runner-up pulled 8,000 lbs. Out of curiosity, someone suggested putting those two horses together. When they hitched both horses to the wagon, they pulled 31,000 lbs.—together the horses pulled more than three times the weight the best of them could pull alone. And so it is with humans. When we work together, when we are unified in mission we can accomplish much more than we can separately.
But how, in a world of so many differences and divisions, do we build such a unity. Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as Rev. Fred Mast concludes a sermon series on “Becoming the Church God Wants Us to Be” in a sermon entitled “United in Hope”. Come and experience for yourself how the hope that is Jesus Christ can transform and unite us—and realize the amazing difference this can make in transforming our communities and our world. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 am featuring joyful music, special times of prayer and passionate life changing messages designed to move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ and others. Immediately following worship you are invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time you will find anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee.
The community is welcome and invited to our Family Movie Night (TONIGHT!) Friday, May 12th. Mexican food is on the menu and delicious Ice Cream Treats for dessert. Dinner will be served beginning at 6:00PM followed by a tremendous featured movie “Homerun”—The story of a talented baseball player struggling with addiction who finds new hope when he gets honest about his checkered past, and takes on coaching duties for a Little League team.There will be lots of movie treats and beverages so come hungry. This is a FREE event open to the entire community, so invite your friends and join in the fun.
Tickets are now available for the Summer Youth Theater production “Stolen Fire” a Cate Mullen play. Directed by Brienne Reider and produced by Camilla Ross of The Emerson Theatre Collaborative this production is sponsored and hosted by Sedona UMC. Two performance dates 7/28 @ 7PM and 7/29 @ 2PM—Information and tickets available by calling (860)705-9711 or through the church office (928)282-1780.
We offer a number of book and bible studies: Wednesday join our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and Like us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you!—Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. Come and grow with us!
