Choir practice the week of Sept. 21 will be on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
You still have time to volunteer to be part of the Oak Pointe Assisted Living ministry team this month, which happens the fourth Sunday of the month.
Next Sunday, Rev. Russ Abel and his wife Michelle will share information about the upcoming Journeys of Paul trip to Greece and Rome. Please join them, along with Pastor Christi, after church in the Café to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
THANK YOU
Thank you, John Snyder, for guest preaching on Sunday!
Pastor Christi is hosting a trip in 2026. For more information, click the link above, If you have any further questions, you can email christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org.
FIRST FRIDAYS
Crisp air, colorful leaves, and the warmth of community — there’s something special about fall in our town! First Fridays are the perfect time to slow down, meet people right where they are, and share the love of Jesus in simple, meaningful ways.
Join us next month as we “Fall in Love with Downtown.” Stop by the CCUMC booth to say hello, connect with neighbors, and be a part of showing Christ’s love in action.
Want to volunteer for October and help create a welcoming space in our community? Contact Tammy Taylor — we’d love to have you on the team!
NEW OPPORTUNITIES SUNDAY MORNINGS
Prime Time Players Book study “soul unfinished: Finding Happiness, Taking Risks, Trusting God as we Grow Older” beginning Sept 21 at 8:45 am, room 211.
Inductive Bible Study Group will begin 2 Thessalonians on Sept 14 and 1 Timothy on October 5, at 9 am in the Hearth Room, off the main lobby upstairs.
Flock Group Book study “When You’re a Christian, the Whole World is From Missouri: Living a Life of Faith in a ‘Show Me’ World.” Begins Sept. 21 at 8:30, room 201.
UPCOMING SERMON SCRIPTURES
September 21 -- Luke 16:1-13
Septemer 28 -- Luke 16:19-31
October 5 -- Luke 19:1-10
October 12 -- Matthew 25:14-30
October 19 -- Philippians 4:1-7, 10-14, 19
BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER
WHAT'S GOING ON
Monday, Sept 15 – 10:00 – Women’s Bible Study (Library)
6:00–8:00 pm – Bell Choir practice (216)
Tuesday, Sept 16, 9:00 am – Bible Study (211)
6:30 pm – Church Council (211)
Thursday, Sept 17, 1:30 pm – Phoebe Circle(Café)
6:30 pm – Choir Practice
Sunday, Sept 21, After Church – Information Meeting for Journeys of Paul Trip, Rev. Russ and Michelle Abel (Café)
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
8:30 am – Flock (201)
8:45 am – Prime Time Players (211)
9:00 am – Inductive Study Group (Hearth Room)
9:15 am –Youth, grades 6-12 (Prayer Chapel)
September 14, 2025 - Real Life, Real Faith: Real Direction (Guest speaker - John Snyder) Luke 15: 1-10
Have you ever lost your keys or put them someplace where they didn't belong? The urgency to find something relates to its value.
If a child is lost there is greater urgency in finding her/him because of their value.There is desperation in finding something so precious. The parables in today's scripture were about the lost sheep and the lost coin.
Jesus was giving hope to the hopeless as well as calling out the righteous in telling them parables. In each parable something was lost then found followed by great rejoicing. The value of the sheep and the coin were about personal value to the person who had lost each.
God has a relentless desire for us to be found. He knows where we are and greatly desires for us to know Him. Each person matters to God.
Your value is not less because it may be tarnished.
You are infinitely priceless to God.
You are His.
You can't get far enough from Jesus to be found.
Today may be the day to turn away from sin and accept Jesus as your Savior. Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
September 7, 2025 - Real Decisions Luke 14:25-33
The scripture reading has a little sting, much like the sting of mercurochrome on a wound as a kid. My grandma believed that if there wasn’t a sting, a little pain, it wasn’t working.
Verse 26, “Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters – yes, even one’s own life – cannot be my disciple.” Ouch!
Did Jesus really say “hate” my family?
As we dig a little deeper, we find another, older translation would be to “love less” or “regard less”. We should love things and relationships LESS than we love Jesus.
Diane Chen put it this way, “To become Jesus’ follower, one’s preference – loyalty, love, and priority- must reside with Jesus over all people and things one holds dear.”
What is it you are holding on to? What things, prejudices, news, beliefs, people, are more important to you than Jesus?
It may be painful to honestly say what is keeping us from being ALL in with Jesus. It will probably sting. That is ok. Like mercurochrome, the sting or the pain tells us it is working!
(Check out the video for the full message. You won’t be disappointed!)
