This week, many of us gathered with friends and family members to celebrate Independence Day. Based on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts, many of these celebrations included food, fireworks, running the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, and time at the pool or lake. It seemed there was a lot of happiness in all of the pictures.
Happiness is a wonderful feeling that we can all enjoy, but what does it mean to be happy in a spiritual sense? This Sunday, we begin a new series we are calling Blessed where we will look at the beatitudes and discover what Jesus had to say about happiness in the Kingdom of God in the beatitudes. The beatitudes were some of Jesus’ first public statements according to Matthew’s gospel: “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them,” (Matthew 5:1-2). In the beatitudes of Jesus (vv.3-12), we discover that happiness is not a fleeting or temporary feeling, but something that comes from a growing relationship with God. I hope you will plan to join us and invite someone to be with us as we begin this series.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday morning at 8:45 and 11:00!
Happy to be your pastor,
Matt
P.S. My family and I will be away on vacation from July 8-14. If you need assistance while I am away, please contact the church office.
Royston First United Methodist Church 