Jam-packed Blessings

Hello Methodists of Park County and beyond,

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 NIV
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This is a jam-packed blessing! I have been thinking about what “hope” looks like in these tumultuous days. There is so much going on in our world, so many layers to be navigating. Not to mention the significant things in our personal lives. It can be overwhelming and discouraging. This short powerful verse says hope begins with trust. Trust in God. I think this trust is a verb, an action word. It requires effort and intentionality on our part. It is more than mental ascent or allegiance to God. It translates to action. Living by the teachings and example of Jesus, even when the world calls us in another direction. Somedays it is easier than others to trust God. But, deep down in my soul, I believe that God is trustworthy. That doesn’t mean everything will work out the way I want. It doesn’t mean there will be a happy ending to everything. It does mean through the valleys and mountain tops, God is loving us and giving us what we need to continue on. Hope. As we trust in God, we are filled with hope, joy, and peace. Those are the gifts God bestows upon us as we trust in God. May it be so!

UPCOMING (Check out our weekly email for each of the Meeting IDs and Passwords) 
Upper Room Zoom Retreat THIS Saturday, January 23rd at 10 am. One of the joys of our retreats is the scrumptious food we share. So, I invite you to prepare a nice treat for yourself along with a cup of tea or coffee and come to your screen to join in our wonderful fellowship. The Upper Room devotional will be our guide as we talk about fear. All are welcome!

Finding Peace in An Anxious World Su DeBree will lead this Mission U workshop. It will be on Zoom from 2-4 each Sunday in February. The four study sessions will use the book of Proverbs and “The Serenity Prayer” as a guide to help us find our way through anxiety, worry, and fear and move towards God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. You are encouraged to purchase and read the book Finding Peace in An Anxious World by Erin James-Brown. More information and registration can be found here https://www.mtnskyumc.org/eventdetail/14863184 There is no cost, and all are welcome to participate. Register to get the Zoom link information.

Ash Wednesday is Feb. 17th this year. We will gather at 7 pm on Zoom for a brief worship service to set the tone as we enter Lent. 
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WORSHIP

We gather for worship each week on Zoom  and also in-person at Holbrook UMC. Either venue provides a chance to gather together, lift one another up, and draw closer to God. Here is a link to my past sermons https://www.methodistsontheyellowstone.org/ along with other information about our churches. Feel free to share my messages with others who would find meaning in them.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you!

​~ Pastor Patti