These bags will be given to children and families during our Back-to-School Splash Bash, helping students begin the new school year with the supplies they need and reminding our neighbors that Bethany cares.
Headlines That Won’t Stress You Out
Three Virginia teenagers recently gave their community a powerful reminder that heroism often appears in the most unexpected moments. During high school golf team tryouts, Andrew Tuggle, Gavin Cain, and Jackson Castro heard cries coming from a nearby lake and discovered that two adults and a young child were struggling after their kayaks capsized. Without hesitation, the three teenagers rushed toward the danger, entered the water, and helped bring the family safely back to shore. Then, in an almost unbelievable ending, they changed clothes, returned to their tryouts, and eventually earned spots on the school golf team.
Their story immediately brought to mind the words of James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” These young men didn’t stop to debate what should be done or assume someone else would step in. They saw a need and responded.
Their actions also echo Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The Samaritan interrupted his own journey to care for a stranger in need. Compassion became action. Mercy became service.
In a culture that often measures success by trophies, titles, and accomplishments, these teenagers demonstrated a different kind of success. Their character was revealed not by how they performed on the golf course, but by what they did beside the lake.
The brightest part of this story may be that these young men didn’t view themselves as heroes. They simply did what they believed was right.
Their example invites each of us to consider a simple but challenging question: If we heard the cries of someone in need, would we be willing to stop what we were doing and respond?
Sometimes the brightest light shines through ordinary people who simply choose to love their neighbors.
What if some of our anxiety comes from carrying responsibilities God never actually gave us?
In this sermon from Matthew 6:25–34, “The Problem with Performance and Perfectionism,” we look at Jesus’ invitation to move from performance to God’s provision, from perfectionism to faithfulness, and from control to trust. With a little help from The Andy Griffith Show and Aunt Bee’s infamous “kerosene cucumbers,” we’ll consider what it means to do what belongs to us today, and leave what belongs to God with God.
Remember this:
Peace doesn’t come from finally getting everything right. Peace comes from trusting the One who holds us when everything isn’t right.
This Sunday, our Mayberry series continues with an episode titled “Citizen’s Arrest.”
If we’re honest, most of us can identify someone else’s shortcomings much faster than we can recognize our own.
We notice the careless driver. The rude customer. The difficult coworker. The family member who always seems to know exactly how to push our buttons.
Finding faults in others comes naturally.
Jesus knew that.
That’s why His words in Matthew 7:1–5 remain both challenging and deeply relevant:
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but fail to notice the plank in your own?”
Jesus uses a surprisingly humorous image to expose a very serious problem. We often become experts at evaluating everyone else while avoiding the more difficult work of examining our own hearts.
But Jesus doesn’t stop with correction.
The prophet Micah points us toward a better way:
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?”
Humility changes the way we see people.
Mercy softens our judgments.
Grace reminds us that every person we encounter is someone deeply loved by God.
This Sunday’s message, “The Problem with Fault Finders,” invites us to put down the magnifying glass we’ve been using to examine everyone else and pick up the mirror God places before us.
Because grace grows when judgment shrinks.
We’ll begin worship with “God of Grace and God of Glory” (UMH 577), a powerful prayer for wisdom, courage, and faithful living in a challenging world.
We’ll conclude with “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (UMH 557), celebrating the unity we share as brothers and sisters in Christ and reminding us that grace strengthens the bonds of Christian community.
Spend a few moments this week reflecting on these questions:
Where am I most tempted to criticize others?
What might God be revealing about my own heart?
How can I show more mercy this week?
Bring those questions with you on Sunday.
Because following Jesus isn’t about becoming better at pointing out other people’s faults.
It’s about allowing God’s grace to transform us first.
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!
Please note: Our New Members Sunday date has changed from September 13 to September 20.
If you’ve been worshiping with us and wondering whether Bethany Methodist Church might be the place God is calling you to call home, we’d love to walk alongside you as you explore church membership.
If you’re interested in learning more, simply click the link below and complete our brief interest form. Completing the form is not a commitment to join—it’s simply the first step in a conversation.
We look forward to celebrating New Members Sunday on September 20th during the 10:30 a.m. worship service!
Click here to express your interest in church membership:
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