July 18th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Dear Grace-filled Family,

I hope you've been as challenged as I have by our recent worship series on Jesus's Sermon on the Plain from Luke 6. It's been a powerful journey, reminding us that following Christ often calls us to the harder, more counter-cultural aspects of discipleship. We've wrestled with what it truly means to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, and to find joy in unexpected places. These aren't always easy truths, but they are foundational to living a Christ-centered life.

This week we start a new series that’s going to help us practically live out these challenging aspects of following Jesus. We'll be exploring the timeless wisdom of John Wesley’s Three General Rules of Methodism: Do No Harm, Do Good, and Attend to the Ordinances of God. This series will invite us to unpack each rule individually, considering what they mean for us, the people called United Methodist, in our daily lives. Beyond understanding their historical and theological context, we will be asking how these rules calls the 21^st century church to be a beacon of light and hope in our communities and world, especially amidst the difficult times we are living in. These rules offer a strong and relevant framework for building a robust and responsive faith life.

I'm excited to get into this series on Sunday morning as we take a deep dive into what it truly means to "Do No Harm." It's a crucial starting point for any disciple seeking to live faithfully in the world.

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie