Newsletters - First United Methodist Church (Collingswood, NJ)

When we think about the Methodist tradition, it is natural for our thoughts to turn to John Wesley. He is widely considered the founder of the movement and its chief spokesman and theologian. However, Methodism never would have become what it did, if not for the work of John's brother, Charles.

Charles joined John to study at Oxford University and, together with some other friends, they founded a group called "The Holy Club" that sought to encourage one another in their growth in discipleship and holiness. Charles was an integral part of the spread of Methodism not because of his preaching, but because he had an incredible gift of setting rich theology to music as hymns. These hymns carried the Wesleyan message and theology to the people and Methodists have been a singing people ever since.

Over the next several weeks I want to highlight some of Charles Wesley's beautiful hymns; sometimes with commentary and sometimes letting them speak beautifully for themselves. This week's hymn, Depth of Mercy (#94 in our red hymnals, but only the 4 verses noted in bold):

Depth of mercy! Can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear,

Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,

Long provoked Him to His face,

Would not hearken to His calls,

Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I my master have denied,

I afresh have crucified,

And profaned His hallowed name,

Put Him to an open shame.

I have spilt His precious blood,

Trampled on the Son of God,

Filled with pangs unspeakable,

I, who yet am not in hell!

Lo! I still walk on the ground:

Lo! an advocate is found:

Hasten not to cut him down,

Let this barren soul alone.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!

He disarms the wrath of God;

Now my Father’s mercies move,

Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,

Me He now delights to spare,

Cries, How shall I give thee up?

Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Whence to me this waste of love?

Ask my advocate above!

See the cause in Jesus’ face,

Now before the throne of grace.

There for me the Savior stands,

Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.

God is love! I know, I feel;

Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Jesus, answer from above,

Is not all Thy nature love?

Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,

Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,

If Thou all compassion art,

Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,

Pardon and accept me now.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,

By a look my soul recall;

Now the stone to flesh convert,

Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,

Let me now my sins lament,

Now my foul revolt deplore,

Weep, believe, and sin no more.

I love this hymn because it speaks to a reality that I think we all experience at some point when we recognize just how unworthy we are of the love that God in Christ has lavished upon us. But the hymn doesn't leave us stuck in our sinfulness; it implores God to lead us to repentance and transformation, the hope of which is found only in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

Grace & Peace,

-Pastor Scott

P.S. We return to our regularly scheduled programming this week!

-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 navigate the loss of Jeremy's mom, Jennifer.
Linda Adam's - daughter-in-law's brother Ed passed away - prayers for the family
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
Dave Cahilly - health issues
Mary Emily Cameron - total hearing loss in 1 ear
Connie Cline's longtime friend has cancer/is steps from eternity and needs to get into a relationship with God.
The Cluelow's - Jenn's medical, Bri's family medical health not good.
Shauna Coffey - beginning another series of cancer treatments for cancer no longer in remission. Any prayers are appreciated.
College Students attending Passion Conference- that God would prepare their hearts for what He has in store for them in January at the conference in Atlanta.
Jim Craig - broken collarbone and Parkinson complications
Kristie Crozier's daughter Grace - safe travels as she moves to Colorado
Susan Dallegro - friend Jennifer sick on ventilator and her mother Maryann
The Edwards Family
Marilyn Ellis's friends Julie and Dorothy both have cancer
Harry Ellis - Blood Pressure
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 - ovarian cancer - recovery from surgery 9/1 and chemo treatments
Pat Gunning's niece Marsha - Leukemia
Jeremy F. Hagan - for the salvation of Uncle Charles [Hagan] and Brian Byus.
Carol Harding - home from the hospital
Tina Hemphill & family - in the passing of her birth mother
James Jungclaus (& family) in the passing of his wife Donna
Klimczak's daughter Kim - hit by a car at high speed - suffered many injuries
Dick McCloy - permanent remission from 6 months of chemo treatments
Mary Ann McCloy - shortness of breath and fatigue, recovery from heart procedure on Nov 4th
Nicole Meyers - her parents' medical concerns
Dawn Molloy's lifelong friend Ellen - has finally left the hospital/rehab. She is still recovering, and we are requesting your continued prayers. Thank you for your support as we travel this unfamiliar road. Each day is a new day. God is good!
Mondatsos' daughter Anna
Ella Patterson's brother - seizures
Jaime Frost, daughter of Harry & Linda Rameriz - serious health issues
Rameriz's - as they settle into their home in SC
Sherry Rappe's granddaughters' best friend Francesca - (brain bleed/blood clot) - Hoping to be released from rehab 12/17.
Kay Shannon's husband's cousin Lynne - in the hospital with cancer and pneumonia
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.
Bill Walters - Healing from the flu so he can travel back home.
Margaret Ward - son-in-law released from the hospital, recuperating at home - heart
Ruthmarie Weinberg - Medical tests
Michael Zee
Our Missionaries

Remember, you are loved!

In His Grace,

The FUMC Staff

Traces of Grace

Thoughts from Pastor Scott

Want to become a member of First Methodist?

Informational Meeting - Mission Team

Wee Soccer is Back in February!

Women's Winter Walks in the Woods

St. Paul's Food Pantry

Upcoming Events

Verse of the Month

Praises!

Prayers in the Parlor now in the Library

Prayer Requests