Worship Services
Our Christ-centered worship transforms, renews, and equips us for
God's work in today's world. We celebrate diversity in our
worship and fellowship and welcome all to join us.
Sunday Worship Schedule
8:45 am Song & Word - A praiseful. Spirit-filled and
prayerful service in a multi-sensory worship experience.
9:45 am
- A Fellowship Time for conversation and refreshments in Fellowship
Hall.
10:00 am
- Sunday School Classes
11:00 am Traditional Worship
- A reflective, prayerful, contemplative worship service.
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Pastor's Page
This Week's Devotion
"Why I'm In It"
Why I'm In It...
...I'm in it because of my first real kiss. I would have been in
second grade. I said something dorky like, "I never knew it could be
like this". The idea of being that connected with another being...it
was amazing. For a second I believed in the power of Love. Of
course, we broke up about 20 minutes later.
...I'm in it because of the movie Grease. Yep! As a boy watching the
ending of that movie on the screen, I was enthralled. John Travolta
and Olivia Newton John worked past their differences and got
together. All the other characters paused in the midst of their
crazy lives to sing that phrase over and over again..."We'll always
be together....We'll always be together", with a constant "chang
chang, changitty chang shebop" underneath. And for a moment, I
believed it was possible! Of course, eventually the credits rolled
and the moment had passed. (And even later, they came out with
Grease 2 which wasn't nearly as good!)
...I'm in it because of the song "I'd like to teach the world to
sing". Remember that song? As a young kid I loved the imagery..."I'd
like to see the world for once, all standing hand in hand, and hear
them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land." I
thought that was the coolest song, and it almost made me believe it
was possible, a world like that. Of course, I later found out the
song was written to sell Coca Cola.
I could go on and on, with reasons why I'm in the church. Some of
them, like the ones above, would seem to have nothing to do with God
or Religion. But they do...at least for me. See, each of those
moments, fleeting though they were, were glimpses of the Kingdom of
God. The Power Of Love. Togetherness. Peace and Harmony. Throughout
my life I've sought out moments like that. Hungrily. Moments where
justice rolls down. Where the needy are cared for. Where people
celebrate love in their midst.
...I'm in it for the Acts 2 community. Remember them...shortly after
the Pentecost experience? "Awe came upon everyone, because many
wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed
were together and had all things in common; they would sell their
possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had
need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,
they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous
hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And
day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being
saved."
That was it! The very first church was such a reflection of the
Kingdom of God! For a moment, anyway. I've long since learned that
reflections of the Kingdom of God, here on earth, don't stay perfect
forever. They are imperfect reflections. And yet...in my life I can
think of no better thrill than to be part of a committed group of
people who are striving to be that reflection. I've had the
privilege of being part of several such groups. Have you?
Striving to be a reflection of the Kingdom of God is, to me, the
most noble task there is. That's why I'm in the church.
That's why I'm in it....
Why are (or aren't) you?
Have a great week,
Mitch |
University United
Methodist Church
1621 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66604
785.235.2331
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