Join us Sundays for Adult Sunday School at 9:00 a.m.
and Worship Service at 10:25 a.m.
For information on our Children’s Church and Intertwine Youth Ministry Collective please contact the Church Office.
From the Roots: A Series on Family
In order to move forward, it is important to know where we came from. Returning to our roots can give insight on how we’ve been shaped, our values, and the ways we operate in the world. Throughout this sermon series we will return to the roots of our faith through the founding family of Abraham and Sarah. We will explore lessons learned, values imparted, shared language, and ultimately where God is in the mix of all of it. What will we learn to help us continue to grow, mature, and move forward? What will we pass on to our descendants?
*Congregation will be invited to bring in family pictures throughout the series.
Join William Street UMC throughout September 2023 as we will seek God’s face together!
If you cannot make it in person, please watch us on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamStreetUMC/
A NOTE FROM
Pastor Jennifer Applegate
September 8, 2023
The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
– Genesis 21: 1 – 7
Dear Friends,
This Sunday, we continue with our “From the Roots” worship series on families. Throughout the series we will recall part of the story of Abraham and Sarah, along with their descendants. Like every other family since the beginning of time, their family is not perfect. In fact, far from it. Their story is wrought with poor decisions, selfishness, harm, and trauma. And, I’ve asked myself (more than once!), why did I decide to preach on this family?! It is not easy. It causes me to reflect on the genuinely complicated nature of families.
Last week I ended the sermon by saying I was not going to attempt to put a positive spin on the story. To do so would be audacious and offensive. To do so would minimize our difficult family experiences. To do so would rob us from the opportunity to honestly reflect on our family. Head’s up, this is likely going to be a recurring theme, because this week’s scripture is no easier.
Our scripture this Sunday will highlight Sarah finally becoming pregnant (in her 90s, can you imagine?) and giving birth to Isaac. This sounds like a happy occurrence except that Sarah is concerned Ishmael will inherit along with Isaac. She casts Ishmael and Hagar into the wilderness. It is troubling, to say the least. I’m still wrestling with the scripture. Stay tuned to see what God brings to the forefront. I’m sure there is a hopeful word in there somewhere!
Remember to bring in your family picture and place on the table outside of the sanctuary. My extended family with 29 people is on the table. The picture was taken at the end of the night of my cousin’s wedding 16 years ago. Both of my kids were in the wedding, Taylor as a flower girl, and Austin as the ring bearer. Taylor’s hair is a mess, her wedding up-do now down. Someone must have told Austin to put his suit back on because he’s in his jacket and tie and does not look happy about it. Suffice it to say, the picture is less than perfect. And I love it! I also love looking at your families and can’t wait to see more as they are added.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, September 10, at 10:25 a.m. in person or online at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamStreetUMC/. I’ll see you on Sunday!
Pastor Jennifer
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