This Week at Providence

Weekly Message

How Much for the Holy Spirit?

In Acts 8:9-24 we read of a sorcerer in Samaria named Simon. He performed what appeared to be magical feats and claimed to be someone great—people who saw what he did even referred to him as “the Great Power.” I like to believe that he was more like the Wizard of Oz—a little sleight of hand and a few tricks of the eye probably fooled most people he was trying to impress. Simon must have enjoyed all of the attention and maybe even thought to himself, “I am The Man!” But, when Philip came to Samaria and preached the Good News, people believed in
Jesus Christ and were baptized in His name. Even Simon the Sorcerer was baptized after he said he believed…but did he?

As was customary when there was a new group of believers, the Apostles sent representatives to Samaria to verify what was claimed.
When they met the Samaritans who had been baptized, Peter and John prayed for and laid hands on them that they would receive the
Holy Spirit. Upon seeing this, newly-baptized Simon offered money to the Apostles in exchange for the Holy Spirit! As you can
imagine, Peter and John immediately recognized that Simon’s heart was not right before God because he wanted the Holy Spirit only to
once again receive attention for himself. What can we learn from Simon the Sorcerer? I believe we can recognize, as Simon finally
did, that we must repent and ask God’s forgiveness to be truly one with Him. We cannot look for attention for what we do or who we
are as Christians, we can only ask forgiveness for our sins, be grateful for His grace and live lives honoring Him.

The young people being confirmed at 11:11 a.m. today have been studying and learning about John Wesley, and the United Methodist
Church for the past six weeks and I am excited to welcome them as members of Providence UMC. John Wesley teaches us that God's prevenient
(“comes before”) grace is with us from birth, preparing us for new life in Christ. It’s that little glimmer shining in the soul of these young people since they were babies, which burns brightly today as they confirm their baptisms. As our confirmands choose His “justifying grace” today, they come into a new life in Christ. From here, these young people who are freshly afire with the Holy Spirit move on in “sanctifying grace,” continuing to grow in Christian life, straining with the rest of us toward perfection in Him. Join me in gratitude today, this second Sunday in Lent, as we give thanks for these young people, the enthusiasm and energy they bring to the church, and their desire to grow in faith and in love in this church family.

Your brother in Christ,
Warren

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “Have you never read,
‘From the lips of children and infants you have
ordained praise’?” Matthew 21:16

Monthly Message

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

We’ve all heard that expression in relation to the month of March and this year, we’re especially hoping it’s true since The Marketplace is March 17-20! During this interactive event, visitors step back in time to a biblical village where you will hear animals, Roman soldiers & people in the village square, see artisans making pots, weaving & working with wood and participate in rock-climbing, archery & trying to bring down Goliath the Giant. These and many more activities are all free and fun for the whole family, so we hope you will plan on being here to share this amazing experience!

Jesus also came in like a Lion and out like a Lamb. The “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5) did not roar or prowl—but, as our King, He changed life then and life as we know it now. Through Jesus, religion changed from sacrificial law-following to grace-filled forgiveness. On Palm Sunday, March 28, we observe Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem as He fulfilled God’s plan for our salvation. As Isaiah the prophet said in 53:7, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Holy week continues into April with Maundy Thursday on the first and Easter Sunday on April 4th.

Sometimes we think no family can be as crazy as our own, but through the “Just like Us” drama during the Marketplace, we will see how God continues to work in and through our families today, just as He used dysfunctional biblical families like those of Abraham and David. As we look ahead to our emphasis on Family Ministry, which begins in June with a biblical parenting seminar followed by a new parenting Sunday school class, we hope you’ll agree that we can all learn how to be better children of God, better parents to our children, and positive influences for the children and teens around us.

If you have any questions about Providence or the United Methodist Church, please feel free to call me any time.

In His Service,
Warren