Mentor UMC iConnect
The Psalms speak of encountering the beauty of God in creation, and experiencing His presence meeting us at our point of need. Join us as we look at Psalms and enjoy the warmth and life of summer!
Consider This...
Psalm 23 is the story of journey. The journey told from the perspective of a sheep following over a lifetime this one Good Shepherd and all the adventures following him. A lifetime oriented/centered towards and following him.
For added parallels to Jesus, see the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13), the Good Shepherd and his sheep (John 10), and sorting out the sheep from goats (Matthew 25: 31-46).
Psalms 23:1-6 NIV
The Shepherd
- The Shepherd provides what we need at the right time.
- The Shepherd’s journey is a call to action.
- The Shepherd’s journey takes you through the valley of death, not around it.
Following Jesus
A theologian named Scott Bader-Saye says this:
“Following Jesus will mean surrendering the power that masquerades as security in order to love the neighbor and welcome the stranger. It will mean avoiding the safe path in order to pursue the good. But in a culture of fear, we find such risks all the more difficult since our natural inclinations lead us to close in on ourselves when we face danger. How can we maintain the posture of the open hand toward a world that scares us?”
Proximity and orientation towards the Shepherd is key.
Next Steps:
-Memorize Psalm 23
-Ask these questions:
Jesus, which way are you headed?
How do I follow you on that path?
Try asking him - Let the Shepherd show you the way.
-Point someone to this good shepherd, Jesus.
If there’s someone in your life, who’s arrow is maybe pointing a bit off center, find ways to help point them to the Shepherd. Do it the way Jesus does it here in Psalm 23: by blessing, by nurturing, by loving them, by offering hospitality.
iConnect Guest Preacher
Please join us for a very special iConnect Sunday on July 29. Jim Anderson, potter and owner of Farmhouse Stoneware and former pastor of Colebrook United Methodist Church, will present the sermon entitled “A Visit to the Potter’s House”. During the message, he uses his potter’s wheel to share the message of God as the Great Potter. Jim will deliver the message in both the 9 AM and 11 AM iConnect services.
Worship Through Music
Music this week:
- Open Up the Heavens (Meredith Andrews)
- This Is Amazing Grace (Phil Wickham)
- Open Up Our Eyes (Elevation Worship)
- The House of God Forever (Jon Foreman)
- How Great Thou Art (Paul Baloche)