Musical pieces and reflections by Rev. Skip Strickland and Gaynor Nelson

What’s the difference between a church that welcomes people and one that’s truly welcoming? Acts 2 reminds us that genuine welcome isn’t about the size of the church or having the perfect formula, but about people experiencing God’s grace together. Discover how receiving that grace can open our eyes to the people around us and help us become a truly welcoming church.

Evangelism does not have to be complicated. It starts with telling others what God has done in our lives. Through the story of Jesus healing the Gerasene man and the story behind Amazing Grace, we discover that our own stories can help others see God’s grace and invite them to experience it too.

We apologize for the audio quality in this podcast episode.

Pastor Gretta Brinson preaching

In the final sermon of the “Forward” series, we explore what it means to move forward by giving of ourselves, our time, our resources, and our willingness to be part of something bigger than ourselves. On World Communion Sunday, we reflect on the grace we receive at Christ’s table and the ways God calls us to let that grace flow outward, blessing people far beyond our own congregation.

Happy Labor Day from Trinity United Methodist Church!

What happens when we invite people who don’t look, think, or worship like us? Jesus’ call to Matthew challenges us to make room for people who can change the life of the whole community. Rather than trying to recreate the church we remember, we can step forward into the new thing God is creating among us.

When we’re not sure what comes next, prayer can help us find a way forward. The disciples in Acts 1 show us what that can look like: being open, honest, persistent, ready to hear God’s response, and willing to act on it. We may not get the whole plan, but prayer can help us recognize the next step and find the courage to take it.