ADVENT Day 6 Elizabeth said, “Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” Luke 1:43 There were two cousins who were vital characters of the Advent story. Elizabeth was described as getting on in years and childless, and Mary was young and a virgin. God had wonderful plans for both that would also bring His greatest blessing upon all humankind. Elizabeth conceived in her…Keep Reading

Advent day 5 “Then Joseph took Mary to be his wife….and he called her son, Jesus.” Matthew 1:24 There is not a single word recorded that Joseph spoke. Most of what we read about him is that of a difficult life because of his taking Mary to be his wife. Sometimes we say, “If it’s not one thing it’s another!” I wonder if Joseph felt that way. He had to…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 4 “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 A man was giving me directions to his house. “We live on the main drag,” he told me. It was a very small community, and I didn’t know that there was a main drag. Then he said, “The road is full…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 3 “Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2:5 I have been called Mr. Scrooge a few times in my life. That’s not all bad. I like the way he ended up, and wouldn’t mind having a Christmas spirit like that. Charles Dickens was a master with words who first gave his story Advent and then…Keep Reading

ADVENT, DAY 2 “How can this be…?” Luke 1:34 The first recorded words of Mary were spoken to the angel Gabriel when he announced God’s plan for her life. She would give birth to the Christ, Jesus the Son of God. She was so young (a teenager in our language); how could she begin to understand all that God’s plan would mean to her and the world? Her first words…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Luke 21:25-36 Pastor Will Shewey Thanks for joining us this Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. for the replay of this Saturday morning’s worship service at Shades of Grace, a United Methodist Congregation. We celebrated HOPE which is the theme for Advent’s first weekend. Special Advent/Christmas music was shared by “In Accordance”, Four of the group are…Keep Reading

“…you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15 Advent begins tomorrow. I’m not sure we would want things to be like the first Advent. There were a lot of interruptions in people’s lives. Isn’t that what happens when Jesus comes into our world? Nothing is ever the same again. A wise pastor told me as my journey in…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Thank You Jesus – Testimonies of Thanksgiving Pastor Will Shewey Our “Thank You Jesus” service was inspiring on this Saturday morning as we celebrated a time of Thanksgiving together. We had a very good crowd and a healthy dose of the Holy Spirit. There was joy in the house of the Lord. Lots of uplifting music,…Keep Reading

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.” John 3:7 Everyone has a birthplace, but not everyone knows where it is. Some communities post a sign when their town is the birthplace of someone who is famous. The time and place of birth are an important fact of our life. We have often been asked for that information over the years; sometimes we had to…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Mark 13:1-8 Pastor Will Shewey Just a glimpse into today at God’s Living Room. Every day is different than one before. A young 22 year old man came to us needing to get home near Chattanooga. Long story, short. He ended up in Kingsport after being in a rehab. Has lived entire life in foster homes…Keep Reading

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 The wind has its own unseen path to travel. We cannot see where it is going, but it marks a trail of where it has been. The same is true when we follow the Holy…Keep Reading

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2 I had been at the new appointment for a short time when I was asked to be interviewed on the local TV station. The person who arranged it wanted the community to meet the new preacher in town. I was also asked if I would promote the church bazaar, which I was happy…Keep Reading