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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

The latest at Irvington United Methodist Church

Stay up to date with the happenings of Irvington United Methodist Church by visiting our blog. You'll find information such as announcements, sermon notes and thoughts from our pastor to encourage and challenge your walk with the Lord.

Lord, Draw Me to You

by: Denise Robinson

10/22/2021

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A prayer:

In this momentdraw me to yourself, Lord,and make me aware not so much of what I've givenas all I have receivedand so have yet to share.Send me forthin power and gladnessand with great courageto live out in the worldwhat I pray and profess,that, in sharing, I may do justice,make peace,grow in love,enjoy myself,other people,and your world now,and you forever,Amen.

(Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace)...
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Morning Prayer

by: Denise Robinson

10/21/2021

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A morning prayer:

Dear God, wherever I walk today, guide me and walk with me. Whatever I see today, let me see it through your eyes. Whatever I do, and in all things I do, let it be your will. If I should face any hardship or difficulty, remind me to place it first in your hands rather than trying to find the solution all by myself. May every emotion I feel, be experienced through your spirit moving in me. Everything I seek, let me find it in your love. God, I thank you for...
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I Hear That Train A-Coming....

by: Denise Robinson

10/20/2021

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As I sat down to type this morning's "ponderings," I heard a train in the distance. I must be a long one because it's been making noise for a while, and I don't live close to railroad tracks. And now, I have a certain Johnny Cash song running through my head (I bet you can guess which one). When I lived in Elkhart County, my house was in a subdivision less than a half mile from one of the busiest tracks in the country and I became accustomed to the sounds of the trains, es...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

10/19/2021

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In fifteen minutes, my Greek class starts. I find myself wondering, yet again, why I am doing this. But I don't have time for that question right now! Today begins an experiment with my dogs. For years, ever since I got them, I have crated them when I'm gone. I kept doing it because when I would get ready to leave they would run for their crates. But lately they've been getting more resistant. So, last night I took the crates out. Their bedding is still on the floor, but I...
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A Prayer

by: Denise Robinson

10/18/2021

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In our sermon yesterday, we began our examination of prayer: why we pray and some thoughts on how to pray. So, this morning, let's begin our day with a prayer (written by Ted Loder in Guerillas of Grace):

Guide me, Holy One,into an unclenched moment,a deep breath,a letting go of heavy expectations,of shriveling anxieties,of dead certainties,that, softened by the silence, surrounded by the light.and open to the mystery,I may be found by wholeness,upheld by the unfathomable,e...
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Ponderings from Richard Rohr

by: Denise Robinson

10/15/2021

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Richard Rohr is one of my favorite authors, which is not to say I agree with everything he writes. But he challenges me and makes me think about my assumptions about my faith. Here are a few Rohr quotes for your ponderings this morning: 

“The people who know God well are mystics, hermits, prayerful people, those who risk everything to find God always meet a lover, not a dictator.”“The real spiritual journey is work. You can make a naive assertion that you trust in Jesus, bu...
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Space . . . The Glory of God

by: Denise Robinson

10/14/2021

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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Ps. 19:1).

This verse kept running through my mind yesterday as I watched "Captain Kirk" (AKA William Shatner, age 90) blast into space. It was only a 10-minute flight, but he and the others in the capsule went past what is called the Karman line, just over 350,000 feet above earth. At one time in my life, I admit to being a Star Trek fan (original series, of course). I still have a few random ...
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Moving Past Discouragement

by: Denise Robinson

10/13/2021

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Ever feel discouraged? We all feel drained and alone at one time or another. It makes us feel spent; like we don't have the energy to take a step forward and are not sure we even want to try. In such times, we can turn to the Bible for guidance and for a "fill-up" of our spiritual tank:

Ps. 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.2 Cor. 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power...
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Words of Encouragement

by: Denise Robinson

10/12/2021

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In two of our Bible studies, we have been studying letters written by the Apostle Paul. He certainly was a prolific writer, and I have found myself wondering how many letters he wrote during his lifetime and how many have been lost. But, one thing about Paul and his letters - while he wrote for a purpose, his letters never failed to have encouraging words. Here are some examples:

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you. I remember you always in my prayers, asking...
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Ponderings

by: Denise Robinson

10/08/2021

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Why is this post called "ponderings?" Biblical meditation is an act of “pondering,” which is different from simply reading or studying the Bible. To ponder is “to weigh in the mind” or reflect upon something. In biblical pondering, we are encouraged to take a short Bible passage, prayer, quote, or thought and give It focused attention; to reflect upon the meaning of its words or phrases in a personal way. 

In "pondering", it is helpful to ask:What does this teach me about G...
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Anchors

by: Denise Robinson

10/07/2021

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And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." And Jesus, looking at hi...
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New Beginnings

by: Denise Robinson

10/06/2021

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A prayer to begin (or end) your day:

God of history and of my heart,help me to believe in beginnings and in my beginning again;no matter how often I've failed before.Help me to make beginnings:to begin gong out of my weary mind into fresh dreams,to begin forgiving that I may experience mercy,to begin questioning the unquestionable that I may know truth,to begin disciplining that I may create beauty,to begin sacrificing that I may accomplish justice,to begin risking that I m...
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The Love of God

by: Denise Robinson

10/04/2021

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Yesterday's worship service reminded us of three truths:

1. God created each one of us to be who we are and loves us as we are. This doesn't mean we are meant to remain stagnant and not live to become more like Christ, but it means that from our birth God looked at us, declared us good, and loved us - and that love will never stop.2. Even when we mess up, and no matter how badly we mess up or how often, God's grace and forgiveness are always there for us. We might wander aw...
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Time and Timelessness

by: Denise Robinson

10/01/2021

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This has been a catch-up week for me, and I have to admit I haven't been very good about posting. I think we all have days when we just seem to not have enough time . . . and yet we know we have the same amount of time every day. So, this morning I began my devotional time with this prayer on time and timelessness:

O God of timelessness and time, I thank you for my time and for those things that are yet possibleand precious in it:for my breathing . . . my life.Thank you for...
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A Day of Sanctuary

by: Denise Robinson

09/29/2021

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I have been reading Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton (a new author find). In her book, she discusses setting aside a day every now and then for a "sanctuary in time." This is a day of rest and restoration that is actually planned out in advance, not a decision made on the spur of the moment. So, what is her recommendation?

Pick out a day in advance when you can truly cease work and not be disturbed. Let your family and friends know that this day will be your sanctuary da...
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