January 24th, 2025
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
As many of you know, I plan my sermon series (along with the scriptures that I’ll be using) months in advance. In fact, I outlined this current series way back at the end of last summer!
Of course, a lot has happened just this past week alone. We saw the transition of power from one president to another. President Trump has already signed a flurry of executive orders that have some people scared and uncertain about the future. Some of you may feel that way, even as you read this.
While this week’s sermon isn’t intended to be about national politics, I always preach against the backdrop of what is happening in our lives, in our community, and in our world. This week’s message is no different. Much of what I’m going to talk about this weekend can inform how we process what’s happening right now in our country.
This weekend I will continue our series Cancel the Noise. Paying attention to what voices are influencing our lives and who we are listening to is especially relevant right now. I think it’s especially important that we cultivate new and healthier voices as we start a new year. I’ll talk about what this looks like in our personal lives and in our collective lives together, especially right now during this time of transition. If you’ve missed any parts of this series, you can find them all on our YouTube channel.
This weekend is going to be an important one. It will be a critical message for us to hear and a good time for us to be together in worship. I also know that there are other people in your life who might be looking for something right now. Looking for something new, looking for a sense of community, looking for a word of hope. So, I really encourage you to invite somebody else to join you. The beginning of a new year is a great time for people to begin a new habit of connecting with God and others.
I’m really proud to be your pastor, I love this church, and I know this is going to be a powerful Sunday to be in worship. I can’t wait to see you then. Enjoy your weekend.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. Winter Wellness Groups start February 3. These groups are a great way to process major life events with others going through similar things, and I hope you will check out the Wellness Calendar for more details and sign up!
Of course, a lot has happened just this past week alone. We saw the transition of power from one president to another. President Trump has already signed a flurry of executive orders that have some people scared and uncertain about the future. Some of you may feel that way, even as you read this.
While this week’s sermon isn’t intended to be about national politics, I always preach against the backdrop of what is happening in our lives, in our community, and in our world. This week’s message is no different. Much of what I’m going to talk about this weekend can inform how we process what’s happening right now in our country.
This weekend I will continue our series Cancel the Noise. Paying attention to what voices are influencing our lives and who we are listening to is especially relevant right now. I think it’s especially important that we cultivate new and healthier voices as we start a new year. I’ll talk about what this looks like in our personal lives and in our collective lives together, especially right now during this time of transition. If you’ve missed any parts of this series, you can find them all on our YouTube channel.
This weekend is going to be an important one. It will be a critical message for us to hear and a good time for us to be together in worship. I also know that there are other people in your life who might be looking for something right now. Looking for something new, looking for a sense of community, looking for a word of hope. So, I really encourage you to invite somebody else to join you. The beginning of a new year is a great time for people to begin a new habit of connecting with God and others.
I’m really proud to be your pastor, I love this church, and I know this is going to be a powerful Sunday to be in worship. I can’t wait to see you then. Enjoy your weekend.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. Winter Wellness Groups start February 3. These groups are a great way to process major life events with others going through similar things, and I hope you will check out the Wellness Calendar for more details and sign up!
Posted in M-Note
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Archive
2025
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
November
December
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 1Christmas Invitations // M-Note 12.7.24Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 2Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 3Christmas Eve is Almost Here // M-Note 12.21.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4
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1 Comment
Thanks for your words of hope, Matt. I'm one of the ones you described as "nervous and fearful" about our future. Those like me continue to need your guidance, direction and reassurance of what's really important; and that it's important to block out the noise. I'm not doing very well at the latter, and haven't been for a long time. So, I pray along with you for some semblance of sanity among our leaders - especially the most narcissistic of the bunch! Thank you for all that you do. Jim