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Watch the full service online by clicking here.
Romans 8:26-39
What do we do when life leaves us without the words to pray?
In this week’s message, Rev. Mary Teague explores one of the most comforting passages in Scripture, reminding us that God’s Spirit never leaves us to face life’s struggles alone. Even in moments of weakness, grief, uncertainty, or exhaustion, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, praying for us when we cannot find the words ourselves.
Drawing from Romans 8, Mary reflects on the many ways the Spirit is at work in our lives: guiding us, strengthening us, praying with us, and assuring us that we belong to God. Because of the Spirit’s presence, we can face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that God’s love is constant and unshakable.
The sermon concludes with Paul’s powerful promise that nothing, neither hardship, fear, loss, nor any power in heaven or on earth, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As we seek to love boldly, we do so not through our own strength, but through the Spirit who lives within us.
Where is the Holy Spirit inviting you to trust God’s presence a little more today?
Romans 8:26-39 NIV
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tags: Romans
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Watch the full service online by clicking here.
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Can people really change? Can hearts that have been hardened, distracted, or overwhelmed become fertile ground for God’s work?
As the Love Boldly series came to a close, Rev. Mary Teague returned to Jesus’ Parable of the Sower with a hopeful reminder: none of us is just one kind of soil. Throughout our lives, we experience seasons when God’s Word struggles to take root, but we also experience seasons of remarkable growth. The condition of our hearts is not fixed, and our past does not determine our future.
Rather than dwelling on failures or missed opportunities, we are invited to recognize God’s grace at work in every season. God never stops planting seeds of hope, forgiveness, and new life. As we learn to receive that love for ourselves, we become people who can share it more freely with others.
Where might God be preparing your heart for new growth today?
Matthew 13:1-9 NIV
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”Matthew 13:18-23 NIV
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”Tags: Matthew
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Help Us Care for Our Community
As these hot summer days continue, we’re collecting bottled water, Gatorade, and individual Gatorade drink mix packets to support those in need in our community.
If you would like to help, simply bring your donations to the church. Ronnie will collect them and distribute them where they can make the greatest difference.
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Greetings, Saint Matthew family and friends,
What a blessing this week has been! The rain and the cooler temperatures have been a welcome gift. I found myself standing on my porch, enjoying the 82-degree breeze and thanking God for a moment to simply be still and appreciate His creation.
I am excited to begin our journey toward a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. We begin our first study tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Charlotte Holder will open our time together with prayer, and then we will talk about what we want to study as a group. One option is to begin with Matthew 5, 6, and 7 using a study by Rev. Steve Langford, but this is your time in God’s Word, and we want it to be meaningful for everyone.
This newsletter also includes details for the service celebrating the life of our beloved church member, Mac Selfen. Following the funeral at Wade Funeral Home next Tuesday, we will host the family at the church for a light meal. We are especially grateful that Mac’s granddaughter, Josie, is preparing desserts for the gathering. I’ve had her cookies before, and I can assure you they are wonderful.
As you read this newsletter, I hope you’ve spent some time in God’s Word this week, or at least begun thinking about how to make that time a regular part of your day. Holy habits don’t happen by accident. They grow from setting aside intentional time for prayer, meditation, and the study of Scripture. As we make room for God each day, God fills our lives with the peace, joy, and strength we need to care for ourselves and to love others well.
Finally, don’t forget that our Administrative Council will meet briefly after worship on Sunday to make decisions about a few projects for the coming year.
My heart is with each of you this week. You are never far from my thoughts or my prayers.
Grace and peace,
Mary