Welcome to another week! I hope you stayed safe during last Wednesday’s storm. What a rude reminder that it’s still winter. Spring officially begins this Thursday and Hank’s opens March 29. Yay!
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. As is true with Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, this originally Christian holiday has strayed far from its roots.
St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. He was born in Britain and raised by Christian parents. Raiders stole him as a 14-year-old and sold him into slavery in Ireland. He worked as a shepherd. While there he learned the common language and culture.
During this time Patrick grew closer to God in prayer. When he was 20 years old, God told him in prayer that a ship was waiting for him.
He ran away from his master and traveled 200 miles to the west coast of Ireland and saw the ship would carry him home. At first the sailors denied him passage. Patrick prayed frantically and, they changed their minds and let him aboard. Prayer can move mountains.
Patrick returned to his family and studied to become a priest. He returned to Ireland 26 years later and began preaching to the Druids and pagans there. He succeeded in converting many Irish people.
Do you know a modern day St. Patrick, someone who has led many people to Christ? Consider your Sunday school teachers, pastors and Vacation Bible School teachers. Maybe you had a special summer camp leader who inspired your faith.
These are the kinds of people who live lives of faith, who are clearly in the world but not of the world. They influence others in ways they themselves may not realize. These folks live lives of consecrated service to God.
Romans 12:2 reads, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)
St. Patrick learned God’s will for him through the discipline of prayer. Through prayer God can show you his perfect will.
Calvary United Methodist Church of Greenville is hosting a Lenten Luncheon Wednesday, March 19. The Pfaff sisters will provide entertainment and Calvary United Methodist Women will host the luncheon. The speaker is the Reverend Dean Hall of Hillside United Presbyterian Church.
Pastor Dave Bell will lead Lenten worship services at Fallowfield United Methodist at 7 p.m. on March 19 and 26 and April 2 and 9. You are welcome.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!