Think back to a time when you were in elementary school, or maybe middle school and the kids in your class or your neighborhood were picking teams for the kickball, dodgeball or baseball game. Remember how it worked? The two best players, or the two most popular kids, were appointed as the captains and they picked the teams—each taking a turn choosing the players they wanted the most, until they got the very end and there was one person left—have you ever been that person? It is such a hurtful feeling being the least, the last, or the lost – the one not wanted, the one not included, the one with the least value—it brings such heartache.
In the beginning of the 4th Chapter in the Gospel of John, Jesus while traveling from Judah to Galilee—chose to travel through Samaria because as it was written, he cared deeply for the Samaritan people. Jews would frequently go out of their way to avoid Samaria and contact with the Samaritan’s, but this was not Jesus’ way. Jesus came to a Samarian well to care for an outcast woman who even the men in her life rejected—but not Jesus. Jesus broke with tradition to show care, concern, and love for the one labeled “unwanted”, “unworthy”, and “unlovable”.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast continues a Lenten sermon series in a message entitled “I Want You!” as we look at the stories of Jesus’ affinity for the least, the last, and the lost among us. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 am featuring uplifting 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 encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee and always friendship.
Sedona United Methodist Church still has a few spaces available for our Annual Community Parking Lot Sale to be held on Saturday, April 13th from 8:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Arts, Crafts, Foods, Antiques, Household Items, Books, and so much more. For more information or to reserve a space please call the church office at (928)282-1780.
On Saturday morning April 6th the men of the Verde Valley are invited to gather for a delicious SUMC Men’s Breakfast at 8:15 a.m. at The Golden Goose Restaurant in West Sedona featuring our guest speaker Tom Lamkin. Bring a canned food item for the Food Bank—All men are welcomed, encouraged and invited to attend and come and make a new friendship.
We offer several weekly book and bible studies: Wednesday Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and our Thursday 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. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
