Traces of Grace
Thoughts from Pastor Scott
God of All Power, and Truth, and Grace
God of all power, and truth, and grace,
which shall from age to age endure,
whose word, when heaven and earth shall pass,
remains and stands for ever sure.
That I your mercy may proclaim,
that all the world your truth may see,
hallow your great and glorious name,
and perfect holiness in me.
Purge me from every evil blot;
my idols all be cast aside:
cleanse me from every sinful thought,
from all the filth of self and pride.
Give me a new, a perfect heart,
from doubt and fear and sorrow free;
the mind which was in Christ impart,
and let my spirit cleave to thee.
O that I now, from sin released,
thy word may to the utmost prove,
enter into the promised rest,
the Canaan of your perfect love!
“God of All Power, and Truth, and Grace” was first published under the title “The Promise of Sanctification” in a pamphlet at the end of John Wesley’s sermon “Christian Perfection,” which I read in preparation for last week’s sermon, “Perfect in love.” The verses above are what was printed in the Methodist Hymnal, but the full text (all 28 verses!) of the poem can be found here.
I love how we hear some of the same themes and concepts we spoke about last Sunday, but summarized in lyrical form:
- The starting point of believing God’s word to us is true and can be trusted.
- That our holiness is all the work of God’s grace in our lives forming us into the image of Christ for the sake of the world.
- That God is able to cleanse our hearts and shift the orientation of our hearts away from sin, self, and idols and to Him.
- The new heart which comes when we are born again and become new creations and is capable of receiving the mind of Christ.
- How we can rest, when we are freed from the power of sin, in God’s perfect love shed abroad in our hearts.
I encourage you to take time to read through the whole of the poem, maybe a few times, so you can begin to see the logical progression from beginning to end that Charles believed made possible this kind of holy life.
Grace & Peace,
-Pastor Scott
Offering Envelopes
Our offering envelope order still has not been received. We learned this week that our supplier was dealing with a supply-chain issue that set back their work. They are working to catch up and hope to have our envelopes delivered before the end of January.
In the meantime, you can continue to give in-person by using one of the general offering envelopes in the seat-back pockets of the pews in the sanctuary; just write your name on the envelope and it will be credited to your giving record. Online giving continues to be an option and is unaffected by our missing envelopes.
2022 Giving Summary: FUMC Operations
Here is a summary of what was budgeted, spent, and given to the FUMC Operations (Local Ministries) account in 2022. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ron Smith (Finance Chair) or Pastor Scott.
Want to become a member of First Methodist?
Are you interested in becoming a member of our congregation? We are in the process of organizing new members and confirmation (for youth) classes. If you are interested or want to hear more about either of these opportunities, please fill out the linked form. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Scott if you have any questions. Thank you!
Wee Soccer begins February 4th!
Our "indoor" Wee Soccer Program takes place each Saturday in February (4th, 11th, 18th and 25th). K-3, $10.00 per child which includes a shirt for girls or boys. If interested, please call the church office to register (856) 858-1186 from 9am-1pm, Monday through Thurs. Or you may register in person on January 21st, 12pm-2pm. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Pat Gunning.
Don't forget about the Podcast
Don't forget that you are able to tune in to our podcast, Beyond the Sermon, featuring Pastors Jeremy and Scott. Two episodes are posted each week; the sermon on Monday and the conversation about the sermon on Wednesday. This week Scott and Jeremy talk about how to save your kids, walking with God, and being married to Jesus.
Available where you listen to podcasts; click below to open the podcast on your preferred platform:
"Moses" - Sight and Sound"
The remaining cost of $100 is due for the Moses show at Sight and Sound on Tuesday, May 10, 2023, in Lancaster, PA. Please make checks out to Pat Gunning. Thank you.
Women's Winter Walks in the Woods
Women’s Winter Walks in the Woods - Second Saturday Series
Gather for fellowship and exercise while enjoying God’s glorious nature!
February 11 – Long Bridge Park – 895 Deacon Rd., Hainesport, NJ
March 11 – Amico Island - 81 Norman Ave., Delran, NJ 08075
hiking is weather permitting - we will hike in drizzle/mist and cold
Please contact Nicole Meyers for more information:
609-519-1283 or woodstreamdream@gmail.com
This event is for women ages 18 and up, it is time set aside for women’s fellowship.
St. Paul's Food Pantry
The St. Paul's Food Pantry assists individuals in Collingswood and surrounding communities who face food insecurity, as well as those who occasionally need help when faced with illness or loss of income. The food items needed are:
- Coffee - Regular
- Cookies/Snacks
- Vegetable Oil
- Dish and Laundry Detergent
- Small 2-3 pound bags of sugar
- Body soap and Shampoo
- Chips
- Household Cleaners (like "Lysol")
- Mayonnaise and Ketchup
Any questions, you can contact Connie Cline @ 609-230-3084.
Donations for the Collingswood food pantry should be put in the usual collection bins. Thank you for your generosity!
Upcoming Events
Our Traditional Sunday Morning Worship Service begins at 9am in our sanctuary. This service incorporates the great hymns of our faith, creeds, responsive readings, prayers, Scripture readings, and a sermon, among other things.
During the 9:00 hour, we also have Sunday school available for children, youth, and adults.
Sunday school classes are available for
Kids K-2nd
Kids 3rd-5th
Youth (6th-12th)
Young Adults
"Kids & Careers" (Adults)
"Together in Christ" (Adults)
"God's Special Children" (Those with special needs, begins at 9:15am)
Our Contemporary Sunday Morning Worship Service begins at 10:30am in our sanctuary. This service incorporates new and old songs, most often led on guitar, as well as Scripture readings, prayers, and other worship elements. Nursery is available during the 10:30 service for children birth-Kindergarten and all children are welcome in the worship service. There is also an adult Sunday school class that meets in the parlor during the 10:30 time slot. Our 10:30 service will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in-person. Anyone can access this livestream, but if you'd like to chat with others throughout the service, you must have a Faithlife account and become of member of our Faithlife Group. If you aren't already a member of our group, and would like to become one, please email the church office at office@fumccollingswood.org and we will reply with an invitation.
Here are all the links you'll need for the full Sunday Morning experience...
Join our Live Stream Service - https://www.faithlife.com/fumccollingswood/livestream
Access our Digital Bulletin - https://fumccollingswood.org/bulletins Online Giving - https://fumccollingswood.org/giving
All of our past morning worship services can be viewed on our website by visiting https://fumccollingswood.org.
You can also view the services on our YouTube Channel.
An adult Sunday school class is available at 10:30am for those who attend traditional worship at 9:00am
Our Young Adults group regularly meets upstairs between the youth rooms on Sunday mornings at 9am and on Monday nights at 7pm for study and fellowship. Please contact Pastor Jeremy if you would like to receive regular updates for our gatherings at jeremy@fumccollingswood.org
Verse of the Month
Praises!
We praise God and thank Him for all the prayers that have been answered throughout this challenging time and also:
- For all God is doing, even in the smallest of details!
- For our freedom to worship together in person.
- For members of our church family who have recovered from surgeries, treatments and illnesses.
Prayer Requests
-Mark 11:24
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Please continue to pray for...our homebound members; our church members who are in need of spiritual, emotional and financial care; any families and relationships that have been strained during this time, our Troops and our Missionaries. The list is long, but God is BIG!
Please pray for the following:
- Pastor Scott & Meg - for grace to trust God and lead our congregation faithfully and well. Full recovery from shoulder surgery for Pastor Scott.
- Pastor Jeremy & Rebecca - as they continue to figure out life in this new season.
- Steve Bottiglieri's father Vincent - heart
- The Berryhill's friend Melinda Johnson diagnosed with brain cancer.
- Kathy & Phil Boswell (Phil - recovery from surgery) health problems & medical concerns
- Connie Cline's longtime friend - new chemo treatments - needs to get into a relationship with God.
- The Cluelow's - Jenn's medical & Bri's family medical
- Shauna Coffey - beginning another series of cancer treatments for cancer no longer in remission.
- Susan Dallegro - friend Jennifer sick on ventilator and her mother Maryann
- Carol & Bill Doron - granddaughter Carrie would like to be a mom, Carol's friends Bill Sheppard - cancer of the lungs, and Carolyn's son Billy Dupper- melanoma and may have cancerous lymph nodes.
- Bill Doron's cousin Carl Miller moved into assisted living and nephew Ken Hutchinson - blood clot in leg.
- Bill Doron's cousin's husband Jim Craig who passed away - for his family.
- The Imm's Family, friends of Dotti Escuti
- Dick, Peggy and Janel Esher
- The family of Charlie Ferrara who passed away.
- Ken Franck's cousin Regina Gebka - Cancer is gone! Thanks so much for all of your prayers!
- Pat Gunning's niece Marsha - Leukemia
- Jeremy F. Hagan - for the salvation of Uncle Charles [Hagan] and Brian Byus.
- Klimczak's daughter Kim - hit by a car at high speed - suffered many injuries.
- Dick McCloy - permanent remission from months of chemo treatments. Need to sell their patio home.
- Mary Ann McCloy -Myasthenia Gravis immune disorder continues to deteriorate; shortness of breath becoming more of an issue.
- Nicole Meyer's parents' medical concerns
- Dawn Molloy's lifelong friend Ellen - back in the hospital -asking for continued prayers. Thank you!
- Mondatsos' daughter Anna
- Mary Mondatsos - recovering from knee surgery
- Sherry Rappe's granddaughters' best friend Francesca - continued healing
- Kay Shannon's husband's cousin Lynne - cancer and
pneumonia
- Carol Shropshire's brother Ken Miller
- Mark Skrobanek's mom, Carol - May God give her clarity for treatment after medical testing
- Joan Stecher's friends Denise Young and Danielle Catling
- Joan and Ken Steward's granddaughter Katelyn - continued healing
- Margie Underwood - upcoming knee surgery
- Bill Walters - Healing from the flu so he can travel back home.
- Margaret Ward - son-in-law Andy released from the hospital, recuperating at home - heart
- Ruthmarie Weinberg - Medical tests
- Our Missionaries
Remember, you are loved!
In His Grace,
The FUMC Staff
