“Soul Reset: Let Us Pray” – January 30, 2022

“God, thank you for the invitation to really live. Free us from the ways we have made a burden out of your abundant life. Help us reset, lay down our burdens, and step into your freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen” Junius B. Dotson

Dear SDUMC Family,

Over the last few weeks, we have been journeying through the sermon series Soul Reset. We are using a guidebook by Rev. Junius B. Dotson throughout this series (you may still pick up a copy of the book on Sunday morning or in the office). His book shares the many ways that he found healing after a physical, mental, and emotional crisis in his own life. He also discusses his hope for our faith communities.

I believe that until we create churches that allow for more authenticity and transparency—where it's okay not to be okay—and people can honestly tell their stories, burnout, stress, depression, anxiety…I want you to know my story, to know where I've been and where I'm at now so that we can begin a journey of healing together. I believe that healthy congregations create healthy people and healthy people create healthy congregations. I believe that the core of discipleship is wholeness. I believe in a God of holistic salvation, that God is concerned with saving every aspect of our being—our bodies, our souls, and our minds. (page 20)

As we move through this series in the early moments of this year, I hope that we can continue to grow into a congregation in which all people feel that they can be authentic and transparent.

This Sunday, we'll look at prayer, one of God’s powerful gifts of healing. Oswald Chambers shares, "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all." Whether you have a daily prayer that has guided you through life or you are looking for a way to connect with God, join us on Sunday as we open ourselves to God's healing power.

I hope you'll make it a priority to join us at 8:00 a.m. (in the Chapel for a shortened Communion Service), 9:30 a.m. (in the Sanctuary with some beautiful special music), or on Livestream at 9:30 a.m. (and throughout the day and week on our YouTube Channel).

Grace, Peace, and Advent Prayers,

John

P.S. Also, take a break from the world on Sunday afternoon and join the SDUMC Family at Moonlight beach. This we'll just be a casual time as we share lunch together and have some moments of friendship (maybe even a CA polar bear plunge).