First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton, TN -

Announcements

• Class of 2022 - We are Proud of You!

  

• Join us Wednesday, May 18th

  

   

• Daily Devotion

  

  “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

  The words of Isaiah are a beautiful picture of the hope we have for a world of peace someday. Will there ever be a day when enemies learn to live together in peace? Imagine these critters getting along and following close to a little child with no one needing to call 911.

  A newborn baby was brought home from the hospital and lovingly placed in a bassinet. Then, his little sister ran up and looked in and said, "Please, tell me before you forget. "What is Heaven like?"

  Children give us such hope that tomorrow just might be a better day. In a world where adults do not often show the more excellent way of God’s love, we might do well to listen to the words of Jesus and become like little children. “For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

  Last Sunday we experienced the power of a child to return us to the joy of the Lord. We have prayed for little Axl because his life got off to a rough start with a long stay in the hospital. Sunday his family brought him for baptism. As I held their infant child, and lifted my hand to baptize him, something happened that I had not experienced in all the years of ministry. Axl lifted his little arm as though he was reaching to Heaven. When he was baptized, he then lifted both hands as though he was praising the Lord.

  At that very moment a little bit of Heaven came down and glory filled the place. Other hands went up, folks praised the Lord, and there was joy unspeakable and full of glory.

  I have been thinking this week: Across the world a tyrant is bringing great destruction and pain on another people just because he has the power to do so; yet a little baby has power that man will never know. A baby has the power to put a smile on the face of others, and to give us happiness, laughter, and hope (that is pretty powerful these days).

  God bless the parents and churches that are doing all that they can do to ensure that the children will never forget what Heaven is like. And thank you Lord for the children that will not let us forget.

  “How sweet to hold a newborn baby
  And feel the pride and joy he gives
  But greater still the calm assurance
  This child can face uncertain days because He (Jesus) lives”

  Grace and Peace, Rev Ray

• Sunday Morning Worship May 15, 2022

   

• "Ray Day" - Celebrating 47 Years in Ministry