Blessings are Abounding

There are so many blessings happening at Columbus First Methodist. This past Sunday, we were blessed to welcome our new associate Pastor, Rev. Nathan Phillips, his wife, Caroline, and their four precious children. We were blessed to receive Jackie Griffin into membership. We were mightily blessed to hear words of testimony from our youth and adult leaders from the recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic. The blessings came throughout last week as we had our second staff retreat since I arrived. During that retreat we worshipped, fellowshipped, prayed, played, and planned. We sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. During our two days of retreat, we planned all the major events and sermon series between now and the end of 2026!

The blessings will continue throughout the month of August. This Sunday, we will celebrate the fourth generation of a family to be baptized in our 1902 commissioned baptismal font at the 11 AM Traditional service. We will also bless the children, youth, and teachers who begin (or have already begun) a new school year in both the 8:45 and 11 services. On August 17^th, we will enjoy our next Connecting Point lunch at 12:15 in Carolyn’s Room for those who would like more information on joining our growing church family. So far this year, we have received 63 new members, and we have received 157 new members since October of 2023. God continues to bless us abundantly! 

We are launching the new young singles life group (ages 22-35) on Tuesday nights at 6:30 beginning August 26^th. Contact emma@columbusfirst.org for more information. On August 20^th, we will launch the fall sessions of Brushes and Blessings art class on the first floor of the Fletcher Jones building. On August 27^th, we will launch the new men’s Bible Study (7-7:45 AM) and the pastor’s Bible Study (5:45-7:15 PM). Both of these Wednesday studies will happen in the Artz Fellowship Hall and will begin and end precisely on time. Our new associate pastor, Nathan Phillips, will join me in co-teaching in both of these studies. On August 28^th, we will launch our GriefShare and Divorce Care recovery ministries at 6:30 in the Fletcher-Jones building.

The blessings will continue throughout the fall. Youth’s Silent Disco Fusion Kickoff is August 17^th at 5:30. The Children’s Retreat coming up August 23-24, the young adults Kickball tournament August 25^th, and the Women’s Retreat coming up in September 14^th and we will have lots of new family and friends joining us for worship, discipleship, missions, and fellowship activities for people of every age and stage.

May you, too, be blessed and find new ways to be a blessing in the heart of our community and the world.