First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica

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During #Lent we share #devotionals written by the #santamonicaumc community. Here is one by Adam Guerrero @bradajo ⠀ ⠀ 📖 John 4:16-26 ***⠀ 💬 The woman at the well is a very familiar story. A story as old as… well this story! Jesus breaks many of the social and cultural boundaries of the time: the boundary between male and female, the boundary between “chosen people” and “rejected people.” The conversation taking place at the well demonstrates God’s abundant grace for all.⠀ In this scripture we are invited to cross boundaries. As followers of Jesus, what boundaries are we asked to move beyond in order to connect with the those who are outcast, alone, or abandoned? We are asked to reflect on our assumptions of “the other” and look beyond.⠀ I have noticed that prior to the youth service trips, we make assumptions and create boundaries before we even meet the people we will serve. Serving in this way is like Jesus’s encounter of the women at the well. We are confronted with our biases and our hearts are broken open as we get to know those whom we serve.⠀ During Lent may we ask ourselves what boundaries exist in our neighborhoods and communities that prevent us from building God’s kingdom. With God’s grace may we build our world so all may feel welcome at the well.⠀ Amen.⠀ ***⠀ #lentwithsantamonicaumc #devotionalsbyyou #santamonicaumc #artofthepossible ⠀ ⠀ To read all the #dailydevotionals go to link in bio. During #Lent we share #devotional written by the #santamonicaumc community. Here is one by Maddy Ing @madddolion⠀ ⠀ 📖 Mark 10:23-27 ***⠀ 💬 Until confronting this devotion, I kept encountering this passage and just shelving it away for future consideration. For context, just preceding this passage (Mark 10: 17-22) is the momentous occasion where Jesus says “[G]o, sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”⠀ Are we to take this literally? Rich people will never be brought into heaven. Only those who have rid themselves of ALL material possessions will enter the kingdom of God. For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich human to enter.⠀ I am more of the position that we should see this passage in the context of literary symbolism. The rich people in this moment are those who live in luxury. They have built their lives around earthly treasures and seek status through wealth, having more than their neighbors. And Jesus says that these are the ones who will struggle to get into heaven. These people who collect things to feel important. Who find their self-worth in bought treasures.⠀ And then, the real point of this passage is: Above all, God. He is of greater importance than any of the things you can acquire on earth. We have to worry about our spiritual path, our relationship with God, and our infinite striving towards righteousness above all else.⠀ And moreover, Jesus says that “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”⠀ We will fail. As humans, we cannot expect perfection. Each of us is flawed and broken. But in seeking improvement, righteousness… In seeking an honest and vulnerable relationship with God above all the earthly temptations, we can be saved. For it is truly only by the grace of God that we are accepted into the Kingdom.⠀ ***⠀ #lentwithsantamonicaumc #devotionalsbyyou #santamonicaumc #artofthepossible ⠀ ⠀ To read all the #dailydevotionals go to link in bio. Community Meal is a committed partnership between First UMC and Upward Bound House's Family Place -- our local transitional housing program for families with young children. The simple church community has worked diligently over the last few years to foster relationships with the staff and residents and to provide a monthly night of fun and food. ⠀ Through the ministry of feeding and the ministry of showing up, First UMC volunteers engage in activities that create lasting impact and joy. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful mission, please contact the church office or click the sign-up button. You can help by cooking or donating a meal, side, salad, or dessert or by volunteering to lead a craft or other fun activity for the kids. We can meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. the day of then walk to Family Place together, or just meet there. ⠀ ⠀ The next meal is April 25. For info on how to sign up click the link in bio then search Meal. 🍽️⠀ ⠀ #simplechurch #calmcenteredcompassionate #communitymeal @santamonicaumc @upwardboundhouse During #Lent we share #devotionals written by the #santamonicaumc community. Here is one by JoAnne Bailey. ⠀ ⠀ 📖 Galatians 5:1 ***⠀ 💬 I feel Freedom from Burden. I have taken the Yoke off. I feel Jesus in my heart and God at my back.⠀ I am in awe right now at the incredible Freedom God has given me to help my 92-year old mother while she is ill and possibly at the end of her life. It is hard to leave her, impossible to stop thinking about her. She needs an advocate for everything in hospitals and rehab facilities. God has so Blessed me with the flexibility of self-employment, to be by her side daily.⠀ I am free to drive, to make calls, to be by her side for her many needs. I am so incredibly grateful. God has never let me down, not ever! I can walk firmly in my faith, not questioning this need to be with her, as she weathers these elderly storms. With God, all things are Possible. She is strong and has risen many times. Who knows? But for now, her freedoms have dwindled. She has lost her ability to “move about the cabin.” Her spirit longs and she exclaims, “Let’s go!” She forgets that her body is not cooperating until I agree again to help her to her feet and she finds anew out how weak she is. She sleeps and dreams.⠀ Let us never forget how truly Free we all are to live our lives to the fullest, especially here in California, and in the United States. Many of us can drive, travel, speak out, “move about the cabins” of our lives, in our homes and in our churches, at work and in schools, on our streets and highways, by air and by sea. A nd, yes, we can be free even in our hearts and minds!⠀ It is truly a celebration how very free we are, at very least to choose faith.⠀ Paul told the Galatians they are free because of Christ’s death on the cross, to choose faith and retire the rituals of Mosaic law. He said that our lives are lived in the joyful freedom of knowing that in Christ, God has fulfilled his promises. He said that in this freedom from imprisonment, the law has led to a new community in which the divisions between race and class and gender are removed (3:28) Truly, this announcement of freedom, important then, echoes gloriously now! ⠀ Amen.⠀ ***

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First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica
1008 Eleventh Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
1-310-393-8258
info@santamonicaumc.org
Church Office Hours:
Tues - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Chapel Open for Prayers:
Tues - Fri: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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