I had the opportunity to take my grandsons to the park when we were in California. And they asked a question that I found interesting – what park are we going to? I thought that a park was a park was a park, but no. There was a reason for their question.
You see, they love to play basketball. But most parks have basketball hoops that are too tall for them. They’re only 7 and 5 years old. But their favorite park, the one that they hoped we were going to, has a hoop that is just their size. So, they can make lots of baskets and even dunk on it!
But when we got to this other park, the one they knew nothing about, the basketball stand was tall, regulation size. So, there they were, shooting but falling short. Shooting but falling short. It was discouraging to say the least.
How many times have you found yourself shooting at something – a goal, a dream, something that you really wanted – only to come up short. Having your hopes dashed, leaving you feeling broken.
Do you struggle to find reasons to go on? Do you ever wonder if it’s worth it? Waves of loneliness and discouragement can come crashing over you, leaving you feeling like a broken limb just hanging on a tree.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied to a people whose hopes had been dashed. Discouragement had been their constant friend. Sometimes you’re able to hold on tightly, and at other times you just let go. But sometimes you find yourself hanging by a limb, doing your best to hold on. That’s when you’ve got to remember that you’re not alone…
“…a bruised reed he will not break…”
Isaiah 42:3
God doesn’t leave you hanging on for dear life! And He doesn’t take advantage of your weakness by snapping you in two. Instead, God helps us to deal with the discouragements of life.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we talk about Dealing with Discouragement. You can worship in-house at 10:00am, or you can also join us online. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Church Camp will be held from July 31-August 4. If you would like to volunteer to help in any capacity, please contact Amee Colvin at amee@umcgt.org.
Church Anniversary This year we will celebrate 55 years of ministry at the UMC of Green Trails! The celebration begins with Trivia Nite on Friday, Sept. 15. See Amanda Hughes to help with the event. Put a team together with family and friends and let’s have some friendly competition! The Church Picnic, Sunday Oct. 15, will be held at Faust Park. Please see Barry Streeter for more information. And we will culminate with our Anniversary Worship & Dinner on Nov. 5, which will also be All Saints Sunday. See Janine Felthouse to help with the dinner. Our fundraising goal is $55,000 in honor of 55 years of faithful service and generosity. I invite you to consider how you will participate in giving. Whether it’s $5, $500, or some multiple of 5, no gift is too small (or too large!), and it will all go toward the General Fund so that we can end the year strong!
State of the Church The next one will be this Saturday, July 29 from 10:00-11:00am. Hear how Green Trails is doing on our goals, the budget, and ministry in general.
Dondo Update Rev. Wayne Lavender will be with us on Sunday, August 13, to bring the message and to update Green Trails on the new model of ministry that will replace the Dondo Home. Then we, as a church, will talk about what we want to do going forward.
Need Prayer? Our Prayer Team has you covered! Prayer will be offered on the last Sunday of each month, starting August 27, from 9:00-9:45am, in the Prayer Room (across from the Sanctuary). In times like these, we need prayer more than ever, and the Prayer Team is here for you! “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14.
Stay in the Know! Don’t forget to pick up this month’s Memory Verse Card and other information at the Welcome Center or the Coffee Station. Just our way of helping you to stay in the know!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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