A New Year’s Recipe: Collards and Grace

What are the most powerful words on earth? They may not be what you expect—but once you understand them, they can completely transform your life. These words carry the power to shift your emotions, renew your faith, and change your circumstances for the better in every way. It’s no surprise that these words are found in the Bible. Their story begins in the Gospel of John, chapter 11—the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus knew them well. He loved them deeply, and they loved Him. When Lazarus fell ill and died, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to tell Him what had happened. The message reached Him, but Jesus did not arrive right away. Whether He chose to delay or allowed the delay to happen, one truth remains: God’s timing is always perfect. It’s never too late with God. Whatever your situation may be, remember—it’s never too late for Him to move. “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’” (John 11:38–40) There’s a powerful lesson here: If you believe, you will see. That’s the essence of faith—believing before you see, trusting God’s Word before His promises are visible in your life. If you must see it first to believe it, that isn’t faith. But if you choose to believe, you will see. Then came the moment when Jesus spoke the most powerful words ever spoken on earth: “Then Jesus lifted His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You…’” (John 11:41) Notice how He prayed. He didn’t say, “Father, give Me power.” He didn’t say, “Father, raise him from the dead.” He didn’t plead, “Father, help Me,” or ask, “Father, can You?” No—He simply said, “Father, thank You.” These are the most powerful words on earth. The miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead began with a simple prayer of gratitude. The power of the miraculous begins with the power of thankfulness. Thank you, for YOU! -Pastor Ray Warren

As apprentices of Jesus, we’re called to live with purpose and intentionality, making the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven our highest priority. This kind of living creates space for generosity to take root in our hearts. Throughout Scripture, we’re urged to give generously of our time, talent, and treasure—especially to those who can never repay us (Acts 20:35, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 13:16). So, what does it look like to grow in Christlike generosity? Obedience in this area isn’t reserved for those with extra time, wealth, or exceptional gifts. No matter how small our offering may seem, every life is a gift worth giving to God and others. No gift is too small. No giver is too broken. And no life is too unworthy to receive. One way to cultivate a generous heart is through the practice of solitude. Jesus said, “Abide in me, as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4). One practical way we can respond to this invitation is by regularly stepping away into quiet time with Him. We tend to become like those we spend time with. Solitude is how we draw near to Jesus and, in doing so, begin to reflect His heart. In His presence, we learn to hear His voice and align our lives with His way. Over time, the consistent rhythm of meeting Jesus in the quiet place bears the fruit of compassion, empathy, and gratitude. And when these qualities overflow in us, generosity becomes a natural response. Our eyes open to the needs around us, and our hearts are moved to act. So, what would it look like for you to regularly retreat with Jesus? How might time alone with Him begin to shape your heart in the area of generosity? Today, pause and consider the impact your acts of generosity could have in your corner of the world. -Pastor Ray

Is your identity defined by your clothes, your hobbies, where you’re from, or what others say about you? These are the questions that quietly echo deeper ones: Do I matter? Am I valuable? Is there more to life than just getting through the day? When we don’t have clear answers, it’s easy to cling to whatever gives us a sense of self. But here’s the good news: God sees beyond all the noise and speaks directly to your worth. From the very beginning, God made it clear. “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…” “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them…” — Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT) You are not a mistake or an accident. You’re not just biology or instinct. You are created in the image of God—the Creator of heaven and earth. That means you reflect something of Him. And that gives you unshakable value. You are His masterpiece. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) Even when you doubt your worth, God doesn’t. After creating everything else, He called it good . But after creating humans, He said it was very good (Genesis 1:31). In our next message series we will be thinking about - Being - Being and becoming Christ's presence in the world. So, who are you? You are made in the image of God. You are deeply valuable. You are His masterpiece. Even if you don’t feel like it today—rest in that truth. -Pastor Ray

Have you ever heard the term “liminal space”? “Liminal space” refers to a place of transition—a space between what was and what is yet to come. This can be physical, emotional, or even spiritual. The word liminal comes from the Latin limen, meaning threshold. One website describes it beautifully: “Liminal space is the uncertain transition between where you've been and where you're going—physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. To be in a liminal space means to be on the precipice of something new but not quite there yet.” We’ve all experienced moments like this—when the familiar is behind us, and the future isn’t yet fully visible. It’s a place filled with both opportunity and anxiety, hope and hesitation. It’s the moment when we’ve accepted that change is coming, even though it hasn’t fully arrived. How do you feel about being in such a space? Does it excite you—or unsettle you? The unknown can be intimidating, but it can also hold incredible promise. Right now, I find myself in a liminal space. It feels, quite honestly, unsettling. We are in the midst of discerning our next Director of Music Ministries. I’m also processing the transition of my dear friend and ministry colleague, Pastor Stephan, as he moves on to serve another congregation. These are changes that stir emotions and raise questions about the future. And yet, I’m reminded of this truth: our Lord already knows what lies ahead. That knowledge brings peace. Because God is sovereign over our transitions, we can rest in the assurance that all will be well. I’m grateful for our dedicated Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), who are working diligently to fill the music ministry position and are prayerfully identifying next steps for our associate pastor role. They are in active conversation with our District Superintendent and Bishop, seeking the right person for this season of ministry. As we live through this liminal time together, I encourage you to be in prayer. Pray for those in leadership who are faithfully seeking God’s guidance. Pray also for Pastor Stephan and his family as they prepare for their next chapter in ministry. We may not yet know what’s coming, but we trust in the One who does. And in that trust, we find peace. -Pastor Ray

Growth is rarely easy—but it is always a part of God’s story. In Exodus, when God called Moses to lead the people into a new future, it didn’t happen all at once. There were questions, doubts, and hard decisions. But God’s promise remained steady: “I will be with you.” As we look toward the future God is calling us into, we find ourselves in a season of thoughtful, Spirit-led change. Like Moses, we are being invited to step into something new—not just as individuals, but as a church family committed to growing together. Over the past several months, our Finance Team, Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), Vision Team, and Trustees have been working diligently to realign our resources so that we can not only sustain our ministry but expand it into the future. These faithful leaders—volunteers from among you—are leading us in a course correction to reduce our budget by $300,000 over the next 12–24 months. That’s a big task, but we believe it is possible with faith, clarity, and shared commitment. One of the major steps is a reorganization of our staffing structure. Some of these changes are already underway: • Jackie Long , who has faithfully served as our Facilities Director for over 23 years, will be retiring on August 1. Thanks to a creative staffing proposal, Jackie will continue supporting the church part-time in this next chapter. • Hannah Reeves will assume increased leadership as our full-time Facilities Supervisor. • Zack Mace , our part-time maintenance worker, will begin reduced hours starting June 1. • At The Table , our weekly video series will come to an end beginning August 1. These adjustments, along with increased giving, represent about $160,000 in annual financial impact. SPRC is also reviewing another $150,000 in possible savings. To be candid, we pray more of that $150,000 will be offset in new and increased estimate of givings for the 2026 budget. In the area of worship, our Music Ministry is also entering a new chapter. We are actively searching for a new Director of Music Ministry/Organist, a role that will continue to lead and nurture our traditional worship while helping us grow into future possibilities. In the interim, we’re grateful to welcome Tim Baker, retired Director/Organist from University UMC in Chapel Hill, who will help lead us during the transition. All of these steps are being made with care, prayer, and a strong sense of mission. This is not about simply reducing costs—it’s about investing wisely in a future that is faithful, flexible, and full of possibility. I’m asking you to do a few things: • Pray for your church leaders as they continue this work on your behalf. • Trust that your committees are working diligently with love for the whole church. • Engage in the life of the church as you are able—your presence and support matter greatly. In this season of growing, each one of us has a part to play. Some will lead, some will support, some will step into new roles. Together, we will continue to be the church—rooted in Christ, moving forward in hope. -Pastor Ray

Maybe you remember when you were little and growing from year to year. Your parent marked the door frame with each new year. Your appetite increased and you could eat a whole rotisserie chicken! Literally! One day you were reaching over the table top with your hands to find the candy bowl, and the next you were looking down into it (empty because your parents started hiding it better). And from time to time you would have an ache in your arms or legs or shoulders. “Growing pains,” you were told. It didn’t make sense, but then again how do you make a bone bigger except by stretching it out. Regardless, it hurt. Growing pains are a good thing though. They are physical reminders of progress and development. They are tangible signs that you are trying to fill more space in a growing environment. They hurt, but good things often do. You’ve read the letter by now about our financial challenges, and you’ve felt the changes to our church body. Now I’ll admit, it’s easy to see these as markers of death. We hear about how we live in a post-Christian world; how so may churches are losing members and property and more; and we see a world that doesn’t see the value in church life as it used to. It’s so easy to see these pains as inevitable and a sign of the end… But that’s human-you thinking. Human-you knows we all have an expiration—an end. Human-you sees pain and tries to avoid it. Human-you doesn’t like this pain. But friends, we just got done celebrating Easter. We celebrate the resurrection and life anew of Jesus Christ, and if you are paying attention, you know that resurrection is for you too. That death is not the end of you either. You are human, yes. But you are also divine! So church, would you start thinking like the divine being you are? Because divine-you knows pain in a new way, or rather an old, old way. Divine-you knows pain means you no longer fit in the space you’ve been occupying, that you are outgrowing the environment around you. Divine- you knows that you’re about to be asked to do something bigger and you’ll need to be bigger to do it. Divine-you knows that your Holy Parent in God loves you and is creating you new today with as much care as when you were first created. Divine-you knows that these too, are growing pains. Not meant to mark your end, but instead… your new beginning. Friends, I believe in the future our community will look at us and say with curiosity, “My how you’ve grown!” And we will respond by saying, “Thanks be to God!” -Pastor Stephan

Life often presents us with unexpected changes and transitions that leave us asking, “What’s next?” or “Why me?” We try to predict the future and prepare, but the future remains unclear, filled with uncertainties. For those of us who enjoy solving problems, and detailed plans, this sense of uncertainty can stir up feelings of unease, anxiety, fear, and even distress. To call the season of the unknown “uncomfortable” would be an understatement. It’s a season we can’t simply avoid or predict—it comes to us through our choices or circumstances beyond our control. I'm sure you've experienced seasons of change, just as I have—especially when making significant life choices and decisions. In those moments of change, relocation, moves or loss, it’s often easy to look back and focus on the people, things, and ideal circumstances of our past. But with a change in perspective, we may begin to see God’s hand in our journey. Abraham provides a powerful example of faith in the face of uncertainty. In Genesis, God called him to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown destination, revealing only that He would show him the way (Genesis 12:1). Despite not knowing where he was going or what lay ahead, Abraham trusted God's plan. He left behind the familiar—his family, his home—embracing an unknown future based entirely on God’s promise. Along the way, he faced numerous challenges and uncertainties, yet he continued to trust in God’s faithfulness and guidance. Like Abraham, I have often found myself deep in the midst of the unknown, the unfamiliar, the unplanned, yet somehow sensed God presence with me. My guess is, you have been in the same space. In the world and culture which we live today, in our own families, through loved ones we no longer have with us here, even here at Church, change is constant. I don’t like change. I want things back to where they were—or at least, the way I liked them. Yet it is these moments of change, I’ve realized some huge God-gifts. First is that God is my constant—in an ever-changing world. No matter what I’m going through, God is ever present. Too, I’ve learned that if my desire is to grow as an individual, a husband, a dad, a friend, a pastor, a disciple of Jesus the Christ, I must be in the constant rhythm of change. There is no possible way I can grow in any area of my life without my willingness to change. Have you ever thought of that? You see, our faith grows as we learn to trust that God will guide us and provide for us, just as it says in Philippians 4:19— no matter the upheavals of change in our lives and there’s no need to fear. Seasons change, but God remains unchanging (Psalms 102:27). Our role in this journey is to: Stay connected to God and seek God’s guidance through Scripture, and Godly friends. Be open to God’s voice, even when it isn’t what we want to hear. Avoid relying too much on others—no matter how close they are—for fulfillment or progress. At the same time, embrace support and care from those around you. Apply God’s guidance, even when it feels uncertain. Though the unknowns of change can breed fear, anxiety and doubt, we can know that God is guiding, nudging, shaping and growing us all along our seas of change. Seasons change. The unknown is scary. Yet growth without change isn’t possible. And God is with us, even when we are not so sure….. -Pastor Ray

God, I am open to new growth in you. Amen . - Those are the words we charged you with at the beginning of the year. For 2025 we’re focused on growth! And we were clear when we said we were unclear what exactly that will look like. Maybe it will be growing in a deeper relationship/ knowledge of God. Maybe it will be growing in our capacity to love our neighbor. But we said we would celebrate the growth we notice along the way, and I want to tell you about some growth that we’re seeing. Over the last two months we have seen: + 16 new faces in worship on Sunday morning (A number of those visitors say they have been watching online and finally decided to visit in person) + A group of young adults are working to build a new Sunday School class for Sunday mornings + Aldersgate worship is growing in person and online + Stephen Ministry is launching soon and has over 20 people applying + We have 8 families who are joining our Pathways to Generosity by giving for the very first time + The Community Medical Closet is full and ready to support our neighbors in need. Those are just a few of the tangible ways we can see growth happening. And I’ll speak for myself and Ray and say we have been encouraged by the depth of questions and concerns over Christian matters for the world, and the investment in being a missional community in new ways has been a huge area of growth as well! Now before I send you off with a question like ‘where do you see growth?’ I want to acknowledge a few places where there might be a need for growth. Our Refugee Resettlement Team is no longer able to do the amazing work it’s been doing because of the changes to immigration from various levels of the government. Are we called to step up in a new way here? Our Afterschool still does not have a director, and Melissa is doing everything she can to keep it going (and she’s doing a great job, btw). Is there something new God is calling us to in this space of ministry? These are all vital and important questions, and I hope you will take them into this next season, along with your own eye for seeing the growth in front of you. Oh, that next season? It’s Lent! A time for us to sacrificially walk alongside Jesus in service to the world and love for God. If that isn’t a good time for growth I don’t know what is. -Stephan Margeson

As we begin a new year, how’s your faith doing? Have you ever thought that true faith is about surrendering everything. It’s about putting all your hope in God’s faithfulness to His promises. We often hear the phrase “just have faith,” but in our culture, it’s become a quick fix for situations where we don’t have clear answers. While faith certainly forms the foundation of our walk with Jesus, it’s not enough to merely claim we have it. Faith that isn’t backed by both inner transformation and outward action is empty. Saying “I have faith” is meaningless if our hearts and lives don’t align with that statement. True faith is an active, bold trust in God’s grace—a trust so deep we’d be willing to risk everything, even our lives. Scripture offers us a vivid example of initiating faith through the story of Peter. Peter, often mocked for his impulsive actions, was deeply devoted to Jesus. In Matthew 14:25–29, we see Peter given the chance to act on his faith by stepping out of the boat and walking toward Jesus, despite the raging storm. While others might criticize him, we must acknowledge the boldness of his decision. Stepping out in faith can sometimes make us look foolish—if Jesus doesn’t show up, we might appear completely misguided. But real faith involves taking risks that only make sense if God comes through. We all want to experience the miraculous, like walking on water, but none of us is eager to take the first step off the boat. It’s time to put our faith into action, even when it feels uncomfortable. Faith is a vision of the heart that recognizes God’s presence in both the darkness and the light. Of course, Peter wasn’t perfect. He famously denied Jesus three times, despite his earlier acts of faith—like walking on water with Him! Yet his story didn’t end in failure. After his denial, Peter went on to die as a martyr for his unwavering faith. This shows that faith isn’t a one-time burst of energy; it’s a journey, one that shifts and grows through life’s trials and triumphs. Faith can waver, but it’s important to hold on and continue acting on the faith God has given us. How is your faith influencing your actions? What changes in your life could better reflect the faith you profess? -Pastor Ray