Ocala First Connection

Rwth preached yet another wonderful sermon this past Sunday reminding us to enjoy the wonderful provisions from God in our lives, and letting our joy overflow to bless others. Here are a few excerpts to start your week! +++ Our Scripture reading from 1 Timothy points a way for us.  In verses 17 and 18, Paul asks Timothy to tell people who are rich to not think more highly of themselves and not to get inordinately attached to their wealth.  He then directs their attention rightly: “Instead,” he says, “they need to hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.  Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.” Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that God delights in all that God has made.  God enjoys creation.  God’s enjoyment overflows into all that God makes and gives.  It’s God’s own enjoyment that richly provides everything for our enjoyment.  Paul directs us to put our hope in this God—the God who enjoy

We hope you will join us at 9:00 or 11:00 am for worship.   Invite a friend or neighbor to join you. We look forward to seeing you then! Below is a preview of our bulletin with the announcements and calendar of events.  You should be able to click on each image to make it full screen or save the image to view on a different program.

Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found; Brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound. Forgive we now each other’s faults as we our faults confess; And let us love each other well in Christian holiness. Let strife among us be unknown, let all contention cease; Be God’s the glory that we seek, be ours God’s holy peace. Let us recall that in our midst dwells God’s begotten Son; As members of his body joined, we are in Christ made one. —”Ubi Caritas,” trans. By Omer Westendorf (1916-1967).  © 1960, World Library Publications

We were blessed, challenged and inspired by Pastor Rwth's sermon this past Sunday.  I wanted to share the last few paragraphs that powerfully capture her message to us of hope, mercy, and the goodness of God's endless patience with us! Fifteen years ago, our nation suffered the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Since that terrible day, we and our world have suffered relentless warfare, countless terrorist attacks, mass shootings, widespread social upheaval, deep political divisiveness, inflamed religious conflict, and far-reaching global refugee and immigration crises.  I think of my twelve-year old son, and I grieve that the only world he knows is the one overshadowed by such terror and all that comes with it—the fear, the reactivity, the rage, the hatred.  And the impatience.  The lack of mercy. The temptation is to conclude that the suffering we experience—and the Culture of Impatience born from it—is all there is.  But I don’t want to give up—and I

Over 60,000 homes have been damaged by the disastrous flooding in Louisiana and Florida Conference church members can help the families in distress. You can go to the Louisiana Conference  website to view videos and other resources to help better understand the need. As United Methodists in the Florida Conference, we are stepping up to respond to this urgent need for relief.  All churches have been challenged to donate as many flood buckets as we can by Sept 13.  The Florida Conference hopes to send a least one tractor-trailer (aka semi, 18-wheeler, big rig, or lorry depending on where your people are from) with Flood buckets to Louisiana. Please bring flood buckets to the church no later than Monday, Sept 12.   You can also make a donation to help the Louisiana Conference’s relief efforts. Instructions for both are below: Flood Buckets Click here  for a list of what goes in the bucket and a video showing how to pack it. Get creative! When purchasing