DAYS OF THANKSGIVING “Enter his gates with Thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and bless his name.” “Psalm 100:4” There once was a king who had a son who he gave a yearly allowance to. He would pay him the entire sum on a certain day of the year. It then got to be that was the only day in the year when the father ever…Keep Reading

The Narrow Gates of Gold “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.” “Colossians 4:6” Someone has said, “Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.” I know that some of the kindest words that I have heard have come from church folks; and some of the meanest have also come from…Keep Reading

Mark 16 Link to YouTube Video – Shades of Grace International Anniversary Celebration From Pastor Will Shewey: What a truly spiritual time of Saturday morning worship on this weekend before Thanksgiving ! A great crowd with several first time guests and numerous returning friends. We celebrated the third anniversary of Shades of Grace International ministry in Nigeria. We also announced a second location of Shades international now doing ministry in…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware Jesus, as He Said “I Am” . . . and Our Becoming “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” “Matthew 7:1-3” Jesus said “I am”. That means He is everything He needs to be . . . but we are “Saved by His Grace . . . and becoming”. Read the Book of John where Jesus makes several statements about “I…Keep Reading

Matthew 18:21-22 Link to YouTube Video – Matthew 18:21-22 From Pastor Will Shewey: Possibly one of my favorite stories about Faces of homelessness . We first met him when a big yellow school bus stopped in front of Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation. It was about six or seven years ago. The young boy stepped off the bus and looked around. Then he came inside, promptly gave…Keep Reading

Psalm 107 1-7 and 33-37 Link to YouTube Video – Exodus 17, Psalms 90 and 91 From Pastor Will Shewey: After interacting daily with those with difficult situations, addictions and mental challenges, I look forward to Saturday morning worship. That is a spiritual high point of my week. Even then we are not without hard decisions at times. Through it all, God is faithful. Miracles occur at God’s Living Room….Keep Reading

2 Timothy 1:12 “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” “I Know Who I Believe In” It is a wonderful day when faith grows from “I hope” to “I know.” This is more important to us than we may think. When I live on an “I hope so,” I am frustrated with…Keep Reading

1 Peter 1:8 DEVOTION FOR TODAY “…you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Those words easily describe yesterday’s worship and fellowship at First United Methodist Church in Bluefield Virginia. They were celebrating their one hundred years of sharing the Gospel from that location. Pat and I were thrilled to be a part of it. I don’t know when I have been so happy. The pipe organ, that had…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware THANKFULNESS God’s Gifts and Our Inheritance As the moon’s at its fullest and starts to change, as we think about the coming seasons and holidays . . . Mindfulness of our Inheritance of God’s Gifts and His Endowments is above everything else . . . To be celebrated: The Gift of Love Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for…Keep Reading

Luke 16:19-31 Link to YouTube Video – Exodus 17, Psalms 90 and 91 From Pastor Will Shewey: October 28, 2023 Today we buried the cremains of 27 persons who died alone and unclaimed. The oldest was 95 years old and two were 85 and 86 respectively . A mother and son were buried today, joining her other son from last year’s service. One young man we remembered today was gay…Keep Reading

Exodus 17, Psalms 90 and 91 Link to YouTube Video – Exodus 17, Psalms 90 and 91 From Pastor Will Shewey: Introducing another face of homelessness: Today we had no less that eleven different calls/in person visits of people who have just received eviction notices. At least two of these contacts had three small children each. One case involves a couple in their early eighties who are being evicted. They…Keep Reading

Matthew 21:1-14 Link to YouTube Video – Accepting God’s Gifts – Come Unto Me I Will Give You Rest From Pastor Will Shewey: Introducing Another Face of Homelessness: He was brought to our storefront house of worship by his fiancé who pushed him in a wheelchair. He was in his forties, and was missing both legs above the knees and one arm just below the elbow. I have often wondered…Keep Reading