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Rev. Missy Turbeville *From the July 2025 FUMC of Bartow Newsletter
So you may have heard a little something about this “VBS thing” that has been going on recently.
In case you were curious about what the children learned. Here is a peek:
The Kingdom of God Is Like...
Monday theme: The Kingdom of God is for everyone
Story: Sermon on the Mount, You are Salt and Light– Matthew 5: 1-2; 13-16 Jesus is telling those who will listen that they all are welcome in the Kingdom of God. We have all been created to let our lights shine and be salty. Jesus came to remind us of that and invite us all to live the lives in relationship with God and others we were made for.
Tuesday theme: The Kingdom of God is surprising
Story: Parable of the Mustard Seed (and Yeast)– Matthew 13: 31-32 The Kingdom of God can surprise us with unexpected growth, generosity, or hospitality- like a little bitty seed that grows into a plant big enough to hold birds. (a little yeast makes all the dough rise– God’s love in our lives might seem little, but it makes a HUGE difference)
Wednesday theme: The Kingdom of God requires an open heart
Story: Parable of the Sower Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23 The good soil is what we want our hearts to be like… open to the good news of Jesus. When we are open to what God is doing, our lives become a place where the Kingdom of God can grow.
Thursday theme: The Kingdom of God is participatory
Story: Feeding of the 5000– Mark 6: 30-44 Jesus doesn’t simply feed the people, he keeps the disciples engaged in what is happening and invites (tells? -”YOU feed them”) them to participate. We can participate in what God is doing also in our care and love of others. ...AND the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-27. Jesus shares a story of a man who acts as a neighbor toward someone who should be an enemy. The Samaritan participates in God’s love, not the world’s hate. We can do the same!
Friday theme: The Kingdom of God is worth working for
Story: Parable of the Treasure Hidden in the Field (and Pearl of Great Price) -Matthew 13: 44-46 Really this is about saying no to ourselves and yes to Jesus. When we really love God as Jesus reminds us that we are commanded to, we will also seek to love others and ourselves… that love lived out is the Kingdom of God and is a treasure worth any price- including denying ourselves, letting go of bad habits, asking for forgiveness, and shedding the past. Then we can live more fully into the Kingdom of God everyday forever!
My prayer is that this all sounds very familiar to us. It is a simple following of Jesus’ teachings and example: be welcoming, care for those around you, be open to what God is doing, care for those you do and DON’T know, and be willing to get uncomfortable if necessary to do it! This is what we teach, live, study, preach, and pray about. This is who we are. This is what we live out in our life together witnessing to Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit in Bartow and Beyond.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Missy
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Worship on Sundays at 10:30AM both at the sanctuary and streamed online on our Facebook page.
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