“Moving Forward with Hope: Hope Through Gratitude” – September 25, 2022

Dear SDUMC Family,

I pray that you all had a good summer and now enjoy the new fall season upon us (maybe the temperatures will join the new season in a few days).

I hope you'll join us in our new worship series, Moving Forward With Hope. We'll also be looking at the first letter to the Thessalonians and the words of God's hope that the Apostle Paul shared with them. These were very challenging times for the Thessalonians, and Paul knew they needed every ounce of encouragement he could share. So even though the words came 2,000 years ago, they are also words of hope for us during challenging and uncertain times (whether globally or personally).

To look at this letter a bit more closely, Dr. Michael Lodahl (professor at Point Loma) will join me in a study of Thessalonians on Tuesdays throughout October (3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.); if you'd like to join the group, please email Michelle at michelle@encinitaschurch.com.

The Hebrew word for hope, Tikvah, means hope, and it also means a cord or rope. Tikvah is a rope we hang onto when the world seems out of control or when we don't know how to make it through a difficult season in life. Through the gift of prayer, God is always throwing us a hope-filled tikvah or rope to hold during all the seasons of our life.

We all need hope – you, my family, friends, and our world. So let's all reach out to someone this week and ask them to join us for a morning of hope through music, Scripture, prayers, and a hope-filled message.

I look forward to a wonderful morning of worship with you on Sunday! The Choir is back in full swing to grace all of us with their musical messages of hope, and we'll have a few other unique elements of worship this Sunday.

I pray you'll start the new week by being with us on Sunday at 8 a.m. for our shortened Communion service in the Chapel. We'll then move to a vibrant worship hour at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. If you're traveling or stuck at home, we'll Livestream the service at 9:30 a.m., which will be on our YouTube page later in the day.

Have a wonderful weekend, and know that prayers are sent your way as you receive this message!|

Grace, Peace, and Hope,
John