Christ UMC Jackson Weblog

The study manual for this last week begins by saying: Joining a church often involves taking a vow to uphold the church in areas like prayers, presence, gifts and service.  Willing hands to serve and loving hearts to love–that’s what it means to be partakers of grace and partners in the Gospel.”

This was the last week.  You’ve finished the book.  We have been asked to respond.

What has been the most significant thing that has happened in your life during these six weeks?

There is so much more to walking with God than many of us realize.   Christians are called to living in ways that incorporate prayer, service, and discipleship.

Because I wanted to emphasize a clearer All Saints theme this week, I added the story of Abraham (Abram at the time of the reading from Genesis 12).  The story has such rich lessons for all of us.  We do enjoy some comfort in keeping things the way “they’ve always been.”  However, the challenges for the modern day are calling us to a new unknown land.  God is the one actually calling us and leading us on this journey.

In my own life I can think of people like my grandmother who took me to church as a child.  She and I used to sing through the hymnals she had obtained.  The pictures of the life of Jesus in her old family Bible (a gift to her from her father-in-law) impacted m y life of faith and my journey to the “promised land.”

Who in your own life influenced you?  What saint impacted your faith?  How are you no3w living as a saint int eh light?  and How can our church carry on this legacy?