Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church
Link to YouTube Video – Luke 2 – 2nd Sunday of Avent: Peace
Pastor Will Shewey
Saturday morning worship was a time of deep reflection and enthusiastic celebration. There were several first time guests who attended today. Our virtual member Debbie from Pennsylvania attended and a virtual family of Miracles (yes, their last name is Miracle) came from Harlan County, Kentucky and worshipped with us. Officer Patton was our security officer today.
The congregation sang ‘Go Tell It On the Mountain’. Landon sang several Advent/ Christmas selections. David sang and played a beautiful song about ‘Peace,’ (pray for David who was admitted in the hospital a few hours after the service.) We hope for an update soon.
Our scripture reading was shared via video from a Charlie Brown Christmas. This was a fun way of learning the Bible. The sermon was one that evoked a peaceful atmosphere and quite a few laughs. Actually, we were ready to dance a couple times, or at least form a Conga line, but decided to refrain today. Who knows? We may have another burst of the Holy Spirit just any time. Many were truly moved with emotion and it was a service focused on peace.
Hope you will join us online Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. on Facebook live or YouTube. I think you’ll understand what I’m trying to say. Please share with your contact list.
Will’s Newspaper Article:
Ecclesiastes 10:1 — “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.”
Everyone knows about dead flies, but do you know what the apothecary is? In centuries gone by, the apothecary was someone whom we think of as a pharmacist, or maybe a chemist. Apparently, the contents of an unsealed bottle of medicine would sometimes emit an exhilarating fragrance comparable to breath-taking potpourri. Can you imagine the frustration of opening the jar to find dead flies floating on top of the precious ointment. Dead flies could easily cause a patient to forget the sweetness of the prescription as its contents were poured out.
These ancient words of wisdom are found in the scroll of the preacher in Ecclesiastes. This message reminded me recently that dead flies are simple things that can become an instant distraction.
Another verse of scripture describes little foxes that can destroy the vine. Jesus talked about a little too much leaven that can ruin the whole batch of bread. Likewise, just a single dead fly can ruin our day. These dead flies and little foxes can appear from out of nowhere. They can hide in our hearts and at the most inopportune time, pop up when our lips are unsealed. Their appearance can stain our otherwise good reputation and gentle spirit and leave a less than desirable impression on those we love. Scripture warns us to not allow our good to be evil spoken of.
During this Advent season may we guard our hearts and minds against the little things that can steal our hope, peace, joy and love. My prayer daily is that words of my mouth and meditation of my heart may be acceptable to our Lord and Savior who was born in a manger stall in Bethlehem and lived among people who hated and rejected his very presence. He lived on earth, died and rose again that our souls can be redeemed. He prays for every one of us by name and will come again to receive us into the glory of heaven. Lord, help others to overlook the dead flies, lumps of leaven and little foxes until they exist no more. I’ll work on ignoring theirs. AMEN.
Shades of Grace wants you to know there is place for you. You are invited to join us for live services at our storefront house of worship at 313 E Sullivan Street in Kingsport Tennessee , and online by means of Facebook or YouTube. We are a missional congregation of the United Methodist church. Due to the nature of ministry involving transient and un-housed citizens, there is no formal membership. We simply welcome all in Jesus’ name who seek to live in peace with one another and trust Christ as Savior and Lord.
We do offer the sacrament of holy baptism and Lord’s Supper to any person seeking to identify with the Christian faith in Wesleyan tradition and be added by the Holy Sprit to the universal church. So far in 2024, we have baptized 15 persons. Several of these have never attended a service or physically been to our building for various reasons. The sacraments can be brought to you if you’re in the TriCities area and are physically incapacitated. Prayers with anointing can be arranged upon request.
Shades of Grace offers memorial services at no cost to any family in grief. A certified counselor is available on site upon request, and a Parents of Addicted Loved One group/peer support meets each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. There is no financial cost to any thing we offer. If you’re unable to attend in person, all services are available online and are listed in our archives. There is also a way for you to contribute financially by a secure giving site listed on our Facebook page. We want you to claim a place with this congregation . All are welcome regardless of status, race, gender or any other ‘label’. God loves you.
We have friends who sleep in the streets, abandoned buildings and automobiles. Yes, these include children and women. Our facilities offer meals five days a week to anyone hungry from the broader community, hot showers, birth certificates, mail service, emergency clothing and groceries.
For many who die alone and unclaimed, we help provide cremation and a final resting place. All services are free and without any strings attached. Many churches, caring citizens and civic organizations make this all happen.
Our Mission Statement is “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world.” Many thanks to all who join hands and hearts in unity as together the work of the “Church” is carried out.
We are zero tolerant when safety issues arise. Our goal is to make every worshiper, guests, and volunteers experience an atmosphere of security at all times. We are serving a unique sector of the city’s residents. East Sullivan Street is a safer place and the United Methodist Church is a positive permanent presence there.
Yes, we pay for extra security service, as all other similar organizations are required to do. Officers are approved and hired to serve during off duty times at $150.00 per 3 hour blocks of service. We are doing our part of building healthy relationships and faithfully follow God’s call to reach the last, least, lost and lonely of our works.
NEWS AT SHADES OF GRACE:
Pastor Regina and/or Dr. Smiddy holds Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
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PAL – A group that is being formed for support parents of children with addiction.
Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.
One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.
On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.
As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all.
Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.
Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.
Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.
The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.
We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!
People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and unimaginable lifestyles. They come unhappy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, dissatisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.
When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘Church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ Name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”
God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the Name of Jesus Christ. We are the Church. We are the people of God. This is the Kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.
“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new Church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan Theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.
The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL. As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”
Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible to serve and witness for the Lord…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.
May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we “walk each other home”. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!
You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1
Everyone continue to pray for all who are feeling hopeless and helpless.
Link to YouTube Video – “Prince of Peace Song”
Luke 10:27 “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It’s amazing how so many wandering souls make their way to our doors every day. Lord, May we be faithful to your call.
Serving the Last, Lost, Least and Lonely:
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
FYI – Coming Events
Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.
Would you like to share cards of encouragement with local persons in Recovery? Please write a note inside and drop them off at Shades of Grace at 313 E Sullivan Street anytime this week. Thank you friends!
“Link to YouTube Video – Watch Pastor Michele Beck’s Words of Inspiration
You Can Also Watch the Video of Sunday’s Service on the Shades of Grace UMC Facebook Page
We Have Provided a Donate Button for an Opportunity to Give. You will also be able to add prayer requests
