August 21st, 2026 | Rev. Angie Long

Over the month of August, we have journeyed alongside Jeremiah exploring the many ways God continues to shape us. Jeremiah ministered during one of the darkest seasons in Israel’s history. Even as he delivered warnings of judgment, his message continually pointed God’s people toward hope, restoration, and a renewed covenant relationship with God. My prayer is that throughout this series, we have heard God’s call to us, and have been reminded that God is still shaping, guiding, and restoring us, even in the most challenging seasons of life.

This Sunday, Pastor Rachel will conclude our series by sharing the Good News that we are invited into covenant with God. A covenant is built on the mutual promise of a relationship, where both parties are accountable to one another. Covenant is rooted in commitment and relationship. It binds God to us and us to God. As we have seen throughout Jeremiah, God’s people had already broken that covenant. And yet, God does something remarkable: God creates a new one. I am eager to hear what that promise meant for God’s people then and what it means for us today. I hope you are, too, and that you will make plans to join us this Sunday.

Speaking of covenant, I was reminded this week of the unique covenant we share as United Methodists. I had the opportunity to gather with other United Methodist clergy through the Pulpit Project, a grant-funded workshop focused on sermon series planning. The experience provided a wonderful space for collaboration, creativity, listening, and sharing. Together, we explored ideas and created resources that clergy can use in worship planning, strengthening one another through our shared ministry.

While I learned many things during our time together, one insight has continued to stay with me. I realized how often I neglect to make space for simple play and wonder in my life. It led me to reflect on how important it is to spend time with God in a childlike way: curious, open, trusting, and willing to be surprised.

Even as adults, we are invited to step into the unknown places of our lives, trusting God beyond our plans and expectations. Sometimes the most meaningful experiences are not the ones we carefully organize or produce, but the ones we simply receive.

So this week, friends, I want to offer you an invitation. Listen for God gently whispering, “My child, you do not have to have all the answers. You are free to create, to explore, to experience joy, and to share your life with others without measuring its productivity.” Give yourself permission to seek out moments of childlike wonder and delight in the ordinary rhythms of each day. You may just discover that God is waiting to meet you there.

Blessings,

Pastor Angie