Grace for All

Isaiah 43:1-4a (The Message)But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you!When I was a child, I loved the Christmas season. To me it was not just special on Christmas day, but it really was about the season. You see, my father’s job frequently required him to be gone on Christmas day; I think he missed seven years in a row. So in our family we had Christmas on Christmas day and on either the day he returned or perhaps the day before he departed. Either way, our parents made sure that we knew how much they loved us during this season.They also made sure we knew Christmas was not just about presents, but more importantly the gift of the Christ child coming into the world. As a child I knew my parents loved me and I heard God loved me too. It was not until later in life, that I began to really experience and understand how much God really loves me. That is why I like today’s scripture so much. I can envision God on His throne looking straight into my eyes and saying, “You are mine. No matter what you do, no matter what you are struggling with, no matter what your hang-ups are, I am with you. I am your God, your Savior, and I paid a huge price for you. That is how much you mean to me! That is how much I love you.” Now as a parent, I understand better than ever. No matter what happens with my children, I will always love them.During this Christmas season, I pray the present you receive is to feel the presence and overwhelming love of God.Will you pray with me: Father God, thank you for your love more than I certainly deserve and more than I can fully comprehend. I pray that those who do not fully know you would open their hearts to feel your presence and be able to experience the depth of your love for them. Amen.Today’s devotion was written and recorded by Owen Ragland. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. One of the most powerful and meaningful things anyone has ever done for me was sit with me in silence through my deepest grief. Sometimes there are no words powerful enough to speak comfort to the hurting. Sometimes presence is the greatest gift. Being with those in pain is not easy. Our natural inclination is to move away from suffering, not towards it. But that is not God’s way. Throughout scripture, we find that where there is sorrow or anguish, God draws near. Where there is grief, there is grace. God does not abandon God’s people. That is a promise. God’s intention to dwell with us is such an inherent part of God’s character, the prophet Isaiah reminds us, that we can call Christ Jesus by the name Immanuel, God with us. The name Immanuel speaks comfort to me in this holy season, but it also challenges me. It reminds me that I am not alone, but also that no one should feel alone. As I ask God to keep perfecting me in love, as I seek to be more Christ-like, I am called to move closer to those who are suffering. I am called to enter into new spaces where people are in distress. I am challenged to be present with the ones who are most in need, just as God is. God with us is a promise, but it is not a secret. It is meant to be shared, and there is no greater way to share God’s promise than to perform it, to embody it. Let us pray: Immanuel, God with us, during this busy season, may we not be so hurried that we forget to give the gift of our presence to those who need it most. Give us the courage to enter into the painful places, knowing that we will find you there. In Christ Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.Recently, I again reflected on the fact that in the Gospels, Jesus’ life is bracketed by the word “Peace.” When the angels announced the good news of his birth to the shepherds, their song contained the hope of Peace for the world. In the Gospel of John, Jesus, in one of the last conversations he had with his disciples, promises them the gift of peace. Peace is a gift that we still need. Tonight, many of us will gather for worship. The high point of this evening is when the lights are turned off, and we pass the light of Christ from candle to candle. For many years, as pastor, I had the privilege to not only start the light moving out through the congregation but to be able to watch people's faces illumined by candlelight as they sang. I was always touched to literally see Peace settle on people in that moment. I saw a family where the main breadwinner had just lost their job. For just a moment, they weren’t worried about tomorrow. They were celebrating being together as a family, surrounded by church friends who loved and cared about them. I would look specifically for people whose loved ones had died recently, and this was their first Christmas alone. In almost every situation, there was that brief moment you could see that they shed the blanket of grief that weighed on their hearts and were filled with loving memories of the past. Those memories brought them joy and peace. For some it was the first time I had seem them smile since the loss of their beloved. The gift of Peace, sung about by the angels and promised by Jesus, is real and available if we but open our hearts. Peace, we all need it. The message of this night and the day to come is that into a world of darkness, light is dawning. In a world of hurt, love breaks forth. In a world of loss, new life is ours. Jesus asks us to let this message fill us and gives light and peace. And if we do this, our troubled hearts will find rest, and our fears will subside, just as Jesus promised. Let us Pray: O Lord, giver of Peace, on this Holy night, fill us with your presence. Help us to quiet our minds so that we may hear the angels sing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace,” knowing their message was not just to shepherds but to us as well, AMEN. This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Cliff McCartney. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Our theme for the Grace for All Advent devotions is Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. This verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans just about says it all. He concludes by reminding us that we have this hope, as well as joy and peace, because of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Have you ever known a person who showed the strength and power of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances? I have had the privilege of knowing several, but my 98-year-old mother-in-law is to me the ultimate role model. She has lived through so much in those 98 years. She shared with me how much she missed her father while he served in the Pacific in World War II, as well as her fear that he would not return. She prayed without ceasing for his safety and return. As a young woman, she desperately wanted to go to college and become a teacher, but she was unable to continue after one year due to family circumstances. So she set about working with children at every opportunity while raising her own two children. She led Sunday school classes and Bible school classes, having a profound effect on hundreds of children, and she prayed for every one of them. Later, she was chosen to be trained in the first class of Title I teacher assistants in Knoxville City Schools. She faithfully worked with the children in the poorest of schools in the city and shared hope with them as well as math lessons.Then came the losses over a period of years: first her grandmother, who greatly influenced her in many ways, especially her faith, then her parents, her in-laws, her only brother, her husband over 60 years, and finally the most cruel loss of all – her beloved son. While these losses caused her pain and sadness, her faith never wavered. She still found joy and laughter with those who remained, especially her granddaughters, grandsons, and great-grandson. She knows without a doubt that she will see the loved ones who have gone ahead again someday.Many people would become despondent, even bitter, about the experiences she had. But she had the power of the Holy Spirit to guide her in holding onto hope, joy, and peace, and, most of all, love. Her physical strength is failing now, but her spirit is not. As long as she has breath, she will depend on God to guide her, even into the next life. I thank God for her love and example of faith in my life and the lives of all who have known her.Let us pray:Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which allows us to experience hope, joy and peace in all circumstances. We thank you for your love and the strength and assurance it provides. We thank you for friends and loved ones who show us how to live out our faith and inspire us to be better followers of Christ in this world. Finally, we thank you for the gift of your Son, who came to this world at Christmas to shine a light in the darkness and give us the gift of salvation. Amen.This devotion was written and read by Pat Scruggs. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Romans 15:13 May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only a few days until Christmas, and many of us are working on last-minute preparations. Our plans for celebrating involve gifts, feasting, laughter, and joy. We will attend Christmas Eve worship services and joyous family gatherings. Christmas music will fill our ears and touch our hearts. Our church choirs will blend their voices and remind us of the Angels singing on the first Christmas and the listening shepherds tending their flocks. All manner of happy festivity will fill our time, and we will feel happy and blessed. But the news will continue to fill our eyes and ears with the worries of the world – wars and rumors of wars, political fighting, the loss of financial help or income for so many, joblessness, and homelessness suffered by millions of our neighbors. We can tune all that out and carry on, or we can help. We can remember that we are the hands and feet of Jesus and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” We can’t feed the whole world, but we can donate more to the blessing box, serve on Thursday nights at Welcome Table right here at our church, and donate more to local food banks. We can open our eyes and hearts to the needs all around us and make those in need more important than usual. We can sacrifice a few extravagances to give more to the needy, the sick, the lonely, the homeless. We can let the sad news we see and hear pull upon our heartstrings and remind us of today’s scripture as we give generously of our time and money. And overflowing with hope for the needy, hope for the homeless, hope for those in great need, hope for peace of mind, we will be filled with that promised joy at Christmas and beyond. Prayer:Let’s pray together using the words from today’s scripture – “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And as we overflow with hope, joy, and peace, help us Lord, to let ourselves overflow with generosity of time, hearts, and pockets, today and every day. Thank you, Jesus. Amen! This devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Romans 5:8But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you ever noticed that when plants produce, they simultaneously produce a gift that is the food of others and the birth of the next generation of their species? Like these seeds, there is an infinite abundance in God’s love and God’s gifts to us that is incomprehensible. God has given us forgiveness and love before we even knew that we needed it. It is there for us, to catch us, when we fall. It is there for us to fill the emptiness when we thought we could do it alone. It is there for us when our wounds won’t heal on their own. During this season of Advent, let us reflect that God took the Word and made it flesh so that we could see and experience God’s love. As we wait quietly this season in anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus, let us consider the love God shares that is ever-present. If we are to be children of God, then we should nourish our souls on the love that helps us, feeds us, heals us, and forgives us. Love is such a big topic, and yet it is so small. In every moment of every day, God’s love is present. In every object and every act, God’s love for us is waiting. God’s love was waiting for us before the birth of Jesus. It was present and welcoming us in Jesus. It was in the shadow of the cross waiting for us. It waits for us to follow the path made straight and to follow the example that we have been given in Jesus. It is ever-present and in everything, every person, and every action. It always has been and always will be. God loves us whether we are sinning, confessing, or loving others. So, be loved. And be loving. Like the seeds that give life through nourishing others and give birth to new plants, we can both be loved into new life and give love to nourish others at the same time. Let us all be amazed and awed at just how powerful this is! Let us pray.God in heaven, on earth, and in our hearts, may we be the seeds that grow to nourish others. May we be both born again in your spirit and love while also giving life, love, and nourishment to others so that they may live in your spirit and love, Amen.This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week. If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love. Now, listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.There is a scene in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” that I really love. Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day after having spent the night with those three spirits, and he flings open his window to let in a ray of brilliant sunlight. Before that he traveled through an awful lot of darkness – the guilt of his past, the isolation of his present, and the fear of his future. He realizes that it is Christmas morning, and he’s been given another chance. The darkness hasn’t consumed him; there is still time, and there is still hope.In Isaiah’s writing, about 700 years before Jesus, he spoke to the people of Israel during a period of their greatest threat from the Assyrian Empire. The people were filled with fear, hopelessness, and questioning whether God had left them. They were walking in darkness - not just the absence of natural light, but the absence of hope, clarity, and peace, because they felt so lost and alone.In the middle of all that, Isaiah made a promise: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” He didn’t say “they will see,” he said “they have seen.” He speaks of this coming light with such confidence that it seems to have already occurred. But Isaiah knew that that is the nature of God’s promises. They are so confident, so dependable, we can speak of them as if they’ve already taken place.Seven hundred years later, in the same general area that Isaiah prophesied about, a baby is born in Bethlehem. Matthew’s Gospel references this exact verse in describing Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The light Isaiah spoke of wasn’t simply a desire for better conditions or for political freedom. The light was a person - Jesus.John Wesley understood this is how God works - He calls it “prevenient grace”, which means the light that precedes us, preparing our hearts, working in our lives long before we’re aware of it. Long before we realize our need for light, God is shining light into our darkness. The Advent message is that while we were still walking in darkness, God brought the light.Each Sunday in Advent, we light candles in our sanctuaries, and we watch the darkness slowly give way to light. This is a wonderful representation of what God did in human history and what He continues to do in each of our lives. We don’t produce the light, nor do we earn it. The light comes to us. It shines on us.Are you walking through darkness this Advent season? Maybe it is the grief of losing someone dear, worry about the future, loneliness, or just the fatigue of living in a world that can feel cold and unforgiving at times. Isaiah’s promise is for you. The light has come. Not at some point in the future, not eventually… the light has already shone.Christmas isn’t about us finding a way to leave the darkness behind. It’s about God coming into our darkness and bringing light with Him. Emmanuel, God is with us, including in the darkest of places.Prayer:Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world who came into our darkness. Shine in our hearts today and help us trust that no darkness is too deep for your light to reach. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Our scripture for today is John 3:16, reading from the New International Version. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The King James version might be more familiar to some. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. This was probably the very first Bible verse I learned to memorize, which was in vacation Bible school. Did I understand what it said or meant? Probably not, but I could recite it to the pleasure of my mother and teacher. We do not have a son, only daughters. Regardless, I cannot imagine offering one as a sacrifice as Abraham was asked to do. Furthermore, from what we know, he was not hesitant in taking Isaac up the mountain to be sacrificed. i would imagine that Sarah Isaac’s mother had something to say about the situation. However, in Old Testament times, women had less say-so about such matters. During Jesus' earthly life, he seemed to be on a mission to carry out God’s will. Towards the end of his life, it almost seemed like a self-sacrifice or giving of himself for the atonement or substitution of his life for our sins. The verse says that whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life. As a child, this was very difficult to comprehend. What does everlasting or eternal life look like? As adults, we know that eventually our earthly bodies will wear out, we will die and be buried or cremated, and ashes will be spread or deposited in the ground or an urn. However, for believers, our souls will reside in heaven. We don’t know what that existence looks like. I have read of several individuals who have had near-death experiences and said that it was a wonderful experience. Please pray with me. Dear God, help us to understand what it means to believe in you. Help us to be a witness to others that they might also become believers in you and have the faith and hope for eternal life. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Emmit Rawls. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 15:20 While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. It started with four simple words: “Momma, I need help.” Two weeks before that call, my husband Mark and I had driven to St. Louis to see our God-given grandchild and meet up with Robert, our son. He is forty-five, and he was planning a big move to Texas. As any parent would, we asked if he needed help. And as any grown man would, he said, “No, I can do this by myself.” We smiled and drove back to Tennessee, proud of his independence but with a mother’s quiet knowing in the back of my heart. Then the phone rang. “I rented a U-Haul,” he said, “but I can’t tow the car. Could you drive it to Texas?” And just like that, our plans changed. That’s what love does — it shows up when the call comes, no matter the distance. So I packed a bag, climbed into a little rental car, and began an 18-hour, 1200-mile journey. First stop, St. Peter's, to exchange the sporty little rental car for Robert’s well-worn SUV.  Then off to Texas. The road was long and sometimes frustrating — missed exits, heavy traffic, forgotten gas caps, lost credit cards, and a flight home that seemed like it might never leave the ground. But woven through every mile was God’s presence: in the small mercies, the safe arrivals, the unexpected help, and the quiet moments of grace. And when I finally arrived at that Texas apartment complex, tired and sore but deeply grateful, I was reminded of the father in Jesus’ parable — the one who ran to meet his son while he was still a long way off. That father didn’t ask questions. He simply loved. That’s what this journey taught me. Love isn’t measured by convenience or distance. It’s measured by willingness — the willingness to show up when someone calls, to go the extra mile, and to trust God with every step along the way. I was reminded of the scriptures: Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 121:8 - “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Our prayer today: Father, Thank you for the gift of love — the kind that shows up, reaches out, and never gives up. Help me to love as You do, with patience and grace, even when the road is long, or the journey is hard. Teach me to listen for the cries of those who need me and to respond with courage and compassion. And Lord, remind me that no act of love is ever wasted when it’s done in Your name. Amen. This devotion was written by Marcia Prill and read by Sally Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 139:1-6 Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.  God is with us. What an awesome truth! When we are facing hard decisions, God is with us. When we are waiting with dread for a diagnosis, God is with us. When a friend has let us down, God is with us. When it seems like the world is falling down around us, God is with us. When we experience small victories, God is with us. When a child is born, God is with us. When we see a glorious sunset, God is with us. When we gather for worship, God is with us. But also… When we are ungracious to a server, God is with us. When we are consumed with envy, God is with us. When we speak ill of a neighbor, God is with us. When we fail to keep a promise, God is with us. It’s comforting to know of God’s presence when we are in despair or trouble and need God; or when we celebrate the great moments. But let’s not forget that God is also with us when we are at our worst. The times when we would just as soon that God look the other way or turn a deaf ear. If we stop and acknowledge God’s presence with us ALL the time, what a difference it could make in how we respond in EVERY situation. Good or bad. God is with us. Let us never forget. Prayer: Father God, we thank you that we can count on your presence with us in good times and bad. Let the knowledge of your presence be the guide for all of our thoughts, our words, and our actions in every circumstance. Amen. This devotional was written by Charlie Barton and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

John 14:27 (CEB) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. John places these words in the hours before Jesus’ arrest, which shapes them more than we often realize. This isn’t a quiet devotional moment. It’s a farewell. Jesus speaks peace into a room thick with confusion, sorrow, and fear. He knows what the disciples do not—that they are minutes away from chaos. The peace he offers is not the kind the world promises, built on the absence of trouble or the illusion of control. It’s the kind you carry even as the storm breaks around you. I need to place this in context. Caregivers know this tension well. I have cared for our severely disabled daughter for 22 years, but I am not alone in this. In the United States, with a population of 400 million people, there are around 50 million unpaid caregivers, usually caring for a family member. Just about everyone will wind up caring for someone at some point. In that setting, you know you can do everything right and still watch the night unravel. Stability today offers no guarantee for tomorrow. When Jesus says, “My peace,” he isn’t offering distraction or escape. He is offering himself. His peace wasn’t shaken by betrayal, arrest, or the cross. It doesn’t require good news or predictable days. It settles deeper than circumstances, meeting us in the place where fear tends to bloom. This is where his words matter for caregivers and all of us facing challenging times. Peace, as Christ defines it, isn’t the promise that everything will work out the way you long for. It’s the presence of One who never leaves you to face any of it alone. His peace steadies you when medical updates shift, when exhaustion reaches its limit, when you find yourself bracing for what might come next. Our circumstances may not calm down, but his peace can calm us within them. Prayer Father, I need the peace your Son promised, the kind that holds when life does not. Teach me to rest in Christ’s presence even when trouble surrounds me. Let his steadiness become my own, and help me face each day without fear. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Donn King. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

John 15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Let’s look at the verses that surround today’s introduction as Jesus speaks to his disciples. John 15, lines nine through ten state: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” Followed by verse twelve: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus speaks of his joy, meaning his great happiness, delight, or pleasure, that this euphoria would be shared with his disciples. In the collective three lines preceding and following, “love” is used seven times! Love! The message from Jesus is clear! Love! He commands in line twelve “to love”! Love, not hate! Not the hate that is spewed from any of today’s digital media. Love! Don’t give in to the primordial emotions of hate and fear! Don’t be played by the talking heads! Love! Jesus commands us to love! Think of it. Jesus is issuing his own commandment: “Love one another”! Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to which was the greatest commandment, and part of his answer in Matthew 22:39 was:“Love your neighbor as yourself.” The recurring message from Jesus is to love! Our neighbor is across the street, across the county, across the state, across the country, and across the world. It is imperative upon us to help. Help in any way that you can. This is Jesus speaking to us, not any talking head in the media or elected office. Jesus. Jesus, as God’s messenger, God’s son, is always very specific in what he is saying. He uses the word “command” since he was there from the beginning. He was there when Moses took the tablets down from Mt. Sinai, and he was famously there when he told the Pharisees in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am”! The message from Jesus is clear. Love. Live your life as though your afterlife depends on love, because it does! Let us pray: God above, love is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Give us the strength, power, and determination to love those around us, and around the world, as Jesus would have us do. Amen.This devotional was written and read by Sam Barto. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' As a child, I got to watch the Peanuts Christmas special on TV, and I loved it! Especially the part when Linus comes to the stage in the spotlight and recites this verse, among others. I remember thinking to myself, “ Why did the angels decide to tell the shepherds instead of the important people of those days? Wouldn’t the word get out faster if they gave this momentous news to the bigwigs?” It wasn’t till much later that I realized that God blessed these humble shepherds with this message to show His inclusivity, that He often chooses the humble to accomplish His purposes. “Fear Not.” The angel’s first command is meant to calm the shepherds’ fear in the face of this supernatural appearance. I can imagine how scared I would be to encounter a heavenly being! But also, it serves as a message of reassurance for those who might be afraid of the news. The next notable thing to me in this passage is that the angel says the joyful news will be for all the people, not just for the Jewish people. God continues His message of inclusivity. And it reminds me of how often Jesus himself said these words to his followers. Finally, the core of the message includes Savior (He rescues people from their sin), Christ ( or Messiah, the long-awaited King from the line of David), and Lord ( He has the ultimate authority and rules over all). These three titles that the angel gives to describe Jesus pretty much sum up this amazing pronouncement. What Joy those shepherds must have experienced to hear this news! It’s always great to hear the news about a new baby, but how astounding it would have been to be the first to hear the news about THIS special baby! Let us pray: Dear Lord, may we always feel the amazing joy when we hear the story of Your birth. And may we be always thankful that You came to us as our Savior. Amen. This devotional was written by Virginia Hardwick and read by Susan Daves. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NRSV) Our scripture today is Isaiah 40:31 from the New Revised Standard Version. “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I am not good at waiting. I’ve improved as I’ve gotten older, but I’m still pretty impatient. Waiting has always seemed passive to me, and I want to be doing something … anything … other than waiting. While studying this scripture, I learned that the Hebrew verb translated as “wait” in this passage is qavah (kah-vah). It’s related to qav (kahv), which means cord or rope. One source I consulted suggested imagining a rope being pulled tight and stretched out. Qavah is the feeling of anticipation at the release of tension. Qavah is sometimes translated as “hope.” We don’t wait for the best solution or for our circumstances to change. We are to wait for the Lord. The tension of our current circumstances can only be relieved by the Lord. Being bad at waiting, I can certainly relate to that tension. But I can also recognize that, even in that tension … or maybe especially in that tension … I am waiting on the Lord. Like the Israelites, I remember how the Lord has been with me in the past and how He can be trusted with my future. My hope is in the Lord while I wait and in every circumstance. During this Advent, let’s remember to wait on the Lord who came to us as a lowly infant. Please pray with me. Lord, help us to enjoy this season of hope and of waiting. May we remember your faithfulness and continue to wait for you to renew our strength. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus, who entered our world so many years ago. Amen. This devotional was written by Kathryn King and read by Sally Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Philippians 4:5-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV) During the Advent season of 2020, we were desperate to bring our family together. Our holiday tradition for years had been to gather in a cabin in the Smokies for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Our kids and grandkids came from Ohio and Iowa, making long drives for a few days of love and fellowship. But this was a different year, the year of Covid, when hundreds of thousands around the world had already died from this terrible virus. We held our breath, hoping everyone could travel. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, our daughter Sarah called in tears, saying her husband, Brent, had tested positive for COVID. He had cold symptoms the week before, and out of an abundance of caution, they decided he should take the test. Brent was isolating in the basement, but Sarah feared the whole family could come down with COVID in the next few days. The trip to the cabin for Christmas was off. Soon after, our son David called and told us that our grandson Jacob had been exposed to COVID and they were waiting for test results. The trip home for Christmas was in doubt. Tom and I were crushed. We had pinned so much hope on this reunion after a year of anxiety and doubt. But the Bible verse says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God.” Our prayers went up, and we determined we would go to the cabin alone and find a way to celebrate via Zoom with our kids. On Thursday, Dec. 24, daughter Sarah called back, ecstatic! She and the grandkids had all tested negative for Covid, and Brent’s quarantine would be over by Saturday. They were coming to Tennessee! Later that day, David called, and his voice was full of sadness. Jacob had tested positive for COVID-19. They could not travel home for Christmas. We were caught between joy and sorrow again. We felt guilty for even urging the kids to make the long trip in the midst of a pandemic. We had been motivated by longing, pure longing, so hungry for the love and stimulation of being together with three generations of family. On Christmas Day, a heavy snow fell and blanketed the world in peace. While waiting for Sarah and her family to arrive, we helped shovel the snow off the driveway to our cabins so that other families could gather as well. It was a happy task. That Christmas in 2020 is one we will never forget. We opened packages together with our Ohio family and celebrated with our Iowa family on Zoom. And somewhere in the middle, we found peace, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. And the strength to face the next day. Let us pray: Dear Lord, you always remind us not to be anxious, but we forget. You always promise us the peace which passes all understanding, but we forget. You brought us, Jesus, in a world filled with anxiety and danger, and we need to remember. Thank you for the peace you bring to our hearts in the Advent season. And all year long. Amen. This devotion was written by Laura Derr and read by Judy Wilson. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, We know this scripture because the priests quote it when asked by King Herod where the Christ Child was to be born. This occurs after the Wise Men come to Jerusalem seeking the new King. We hear it almost every year during the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany, but do you know its Old Testament context? When Micah first spoke it, the people who heard it were a defeated people, now living in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, its walls broken down, and their king removed. It was a dark time, and these words were words of hope. Micah wanted them to know that God had not forgotten them. A future ruler would come and save them. They would not be in exile forever. God was with them and better days were coming. What a message of hope for those people when all seemed lost. Our situation is not much different from Micah’s first listeners. In times of great stress, we look for a glimmer of hope beyond the present ordeal. We want to hear that God understands, is with us, and tomorrow holds the possibility of being a better day. This word of hope from God comes to us in so many ways during this Advent Season. We hear it in the message that a child named Jesus was born to fulfill this prophecy, and God is always with us. We see it in many small acts of kindness that seem to multiply at this time of year. And if you are listening to this podcast on the day it was first posted, know that tonight our church is a beacon of hope for some. For many years, the Christian Living Class and the Open Arms Class have hosted a dinner for inmates housed at our local detention center and their families. Those inmates who meet the requirements come to the church and get to have a meal with their loved ones. We provide gifts for them to give to their children. There are hugs and pictures and great joy. For those inmates and their families, it is a glimpse of what the future can look like. It is a time of joy and, yes, hope. Advent is a reminder that God cares about where we are in our life journey. We or someone we know might be experiencing the first holiday season without a loved one. Perhaps you can be a glimmer of hope for them by reaching out and letting them know they are not alone. Or in these times of economic hardship for many, you might be able to, out of your blessings, give to a program that provides food or shelter for others. Again, a word of hope. And if this is a season of struggles and darkness for you, know there is hope that tomorrow can be better because God is with us. Life can be difficult. It was at the time Micah shared these words. It was challenging for the people of Judah when Jesus was born. It can be for us or those we know today. Micah reminds us that God is faithful, loves us, and is at work to make our tomorrows brighter. Let us pray. Loving God, we give thanks for your never-ending love and presence in our lives. When we are in difficult and challenging times, help us to remember to look to you for light, guidance, and hope. You are always pointing us to a better tomorrow. And remind us as well to be, when we can, your message of hope to others when they need it most. AMEN. This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Ephesians 2:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups [Gentiles and Jews] into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Our theme for the Grace for All Advent devotions is Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. For me, the most elusive of these is peace. Human beings are human beings; even the most Christlike among us experience jealousy, envy, greed, anger, even rage, based on the actions of others and the events taking place around us. Life is not always fair, and we naturally allow unfairness or mistreatment to steal our peace, among family members, friends, neighbors, and most especially within us.I am at a place in life where peace is what I crave most. I have always disliked conflict. I am by nature a peacemaker, not a fighter. Still the many things over which I have no control upset me. How can I achieve peace within when there is so much wrong in our world?I think I know the answer, but it still is not easy to do.First, I have to acknowledge that God is in control, and I am not. That is super hard for a first born daughter! I ran the show for my younger sister and two younger brothers when assigned their care if our parents were away briefly or busy doing something they didn’t want interrupted. And I relished the role of being the boss! I knew best for all of us, at least in my mind. As an adult, that simply is not true. There are so many times, I have no idea of the best decision to make or path to take. When that happens I rely on the counsel of friends and family, and most of all, God’s direction sought through prayer and meditation. Often the path that opens to me seems contrary to what I want, but God is always there and always faithful.Second, I know that I have a responsibility to participate in society and speak up against injustice and cruelty, but I cannot change the thoughts and actions of others alone. I have to be patient and allow God to act, but I can continue to help others and “do good” in accordance with our church’s missions. I can also pray, always pray.Finally, I can continue to strive to strengthen my personal relationship with Jesus, studying, praying, meditating, both alone and in groups. A stronger faith enables me to keep things in perspective, let go of the things I should not spend time and energy on, and rely on God to direct my path.All of these actions require giving up control. I am not in charge, nor am I meant to be. I am meant to worship and serve God in the ways He wants. Perhaps when I achieve this level of selflessness, the ways of the world will no longer steal my peace. I pray it may be so.Let us pray: Dear God, You know the level of turmoil your children are experiencing in the world today. I know this is not how you intend for us to live. Please guide us as we seek peace in our homes, in our families, in our communities, and in our world. Only through You can we quiet the noise and ignore the distractions that separate us from You. May we find the peace of God in this Advent season and always. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Pat Scruggs. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 1:46-47 (NIV) And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Over two thousand years ago, the young virgin, Mary, was visited by the Angel Gabriel, who was sent specifically to her in Nazareth. She was greatly troubled – perhaps even terrified – at the sight of such an unexpected visitor! He greeted her with words that confused and troubled her. But he calmly spoke and said, “Do not be afraid.” Then he gave her the astonishing news that she would be pregnant and birth a Son, whom she would name Jesus! He said, “This child will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High! And His Kingdom will never end!” Astonished, she questioned the angel as to how such a thing could be possible, as she was a virgin. He explained how the Holy Spirit, the Power of the Most High would overshadow her, so the Holy One born of her would be the Son of God. The young Mary must have been overwhelmed by the surreal visitor and his unexpected words; but she believed the message and said to the Angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.” The Angel left her. A short time after this astonishing event, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who had been barren all her life. The Angel Gabriel had also told Mary that her once barren cousin would also conceive and bear a son. Thus, the visit. When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s door and knocked. When Elizabeth opened the door she felt the baby in her womb leap, as if in recognition! Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice – “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” At this greeting, Mary replied: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” As we think about this story of how the mother of Jesus and the mother of John the Baptist were used by God for great things, let us ponder our place in the world and seek God’s will in our own lives. Let us ask ourselves, “What does God require of me? What does God want to birth in my life? What miracles of faith does God wish me to accomplish? As a Christian, a Christ Follower, what is my assignment in God’s plan for the world? Am I listening to the messengers God sends to my door, to my ears, to my eyes? Am I hearing the call to do good, to provide for the needy, to help out the homeless, to be more generous in my giving – especially in this time of great need for those around me? Am I, like Mary, saying YES and proclaiming “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Will I do the great things God has asked me to do today?  During this Christmas Season, as we celebrate the birthday of Mary’s child – The Son of God – our Savior, Jesus Christ, let’s remember to be more aware of messages that suddenly come to us. We just may be entertaining angels unaware! Let’s pray together… Dear God, Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus! Thank you for giving us the opportunities to grow in his loving likeness and to hear the cry of the hungry, the lonely, the hopeless, and the helpless. Help us to give generously during this season and not be selfish in our spending. Help us to think of the hungry, the lonely, the needy and to celebrate Christmas with them, by opening our hearts and our pockets! Make us proud to say like Mary – My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen! This devotion was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast. On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast. We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you. We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Now, listen to this week's scriptures. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is the time of year when we start to enjoy the many holiday traditions we've grown up with. For me, one of those traditions is the movie "It's A Wonderful Life." I've lost count of how many times I have watched the movie, but I keep watching it. It is a Christmas tradition because it endures, and it endures because the story is excellent and its lessons are true. Do you remember that moment in the movie when George Bailey stands on a bridge in the snow and thinks that his life has no value? He wishes that he had never existed. And then Clarence, the angel, shows him what Bedford Falls would be like if he had never been alive -- how his existence, his choices, and his sacrifices affected Bedford Falls in ways he never realized. He was the catalyst that made Bedford Falls exactly what it needed to be at the moment it needed to be. "It's a Wonderful Life" tells a profound truth about timing and purpose. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the same subject in today's scripture. Paul states that God has perfect timing. He states that when the fullness of time came, not a moment too early, nor a moment too late, God sent his son. What did Paul mean when he used the phrase "fullness of time?" The Roman Empire built roads connecting the known world, allowing people to travel in ways they never could before. Greek had become the universal language, and therefore, information and ideas traveled across the world at speeds previously unknown. The Jewish people had been awaiting their messiah for centuries and longed for redemption. And into this perfectly ripe moment, God sent Jesus—not as a conquering king, but as a newborn infant to an unmarried teenager living in an occupied land. God did not send a theological treatise or a military leader. He sent his Son, born of a woman, totally human, and he experienced every aspect of being human. Born under the law that we cannot perfectly follow. And Why? So that he can redeem us—to purchase us back, to set us free. Paul doesn't stop there. This is where Advent love becomes extremely personal. Not only are we redeemed, but we are adopted. We receive the rights of a child. In the Roman world, adopted children received the same rights as biological children -- they were full heirs, full members of the family. God did not simply deliver us from a bad situation; he brought us into his family. When we respond to God's love, we are not only forgiven - we’re also changed. We become the children of God, siblings of Christ, and heirs of the Kingdom.  In Advent, we are preparing our hearts for Christmas through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. And that love - that adopting, redeeming, perfect-timing love - that is the essence of Christmas. God looked upon humanity, lost and broken, and said, "I will send my Son. I will enter into their world. I will make them my children." As you decorate your house with lights and present your gifts this season, remember: the greatest gift was not placed under a tree. It was placed in a manger. And that gift was not just about forgiveness - it was about family. God loved us enough that he did not just desire to save us; he desired to adopt us. You are a child of God. You are an heir. You are a member of the family. That is the love of Advent. Prayer: Father, thank you for your perfect timing and your perfect love. Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us and adopt us into your family. Help us live as your beloved children this Advent season. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Matthew 2:10 (ESV) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. One of the most beautiful, modern portrayals I have seen of the nativity, and one I feel depicts this verse in an equally beautiful way, comes in the form of the 2023 movie-musical “Journey to Bethlehem.” After Mary is seen going into labor and preparing to give birth, the movie cuts between her and Joseph in the stable and the three wisemen making their way to the manger and stopping in a field with an adult male shepherd and his young daughter, who are seen keeping watch over their flock. Then, a bright star is seen shining in the sky, and the young shepherd girl begins to sing a verse of “Silent Night”, ending with the line “Jesus, Lord at thy birth”, with her father seen harmonizing with her on the second repeating of this line. Before both the shepherds and the wisemen, the angel Gabriel then appears in the sky, announcing Jesus’ birth, before the music swells to a crescendo and a chorus appears behind him singing a verse of “O Holy Night”. The shepherds and wisemen drop to their knees, some with hands folded in prayer, upon seeing this spectacle. The movie then shows reaction shots of other citizens of Bethlehem reacting to a blinding light encasing them, some initially appearing shocked, but then realizing what this means: that Jesus Christ has been born this night.  During this season of Advent, the beauty of this portrayal of the Nativity resonates with me a bit deeper and is a vision that would not leave my mind while thinking of a topic for this devotion. While we may not know for certain the precise details of the night of the Nativity as none of us were firsthand witnesses, I would encourage you to give this scene in “Journey to Bethlehem” a watch, as it is a beautiful and moving portrayal of this verse and leads you to feel as if you are feeling the same emotions the wisemen and shepherds are feeling in the moment, because even several watches later, I can say that I felt that way. Let us pray: Dear God, during this season of Advent, help the brightness of the light the shepherds saw not be lost upon us as we rejoice in the birth of your Son. May we experience the secondhand joy the shepherds and wisemen experienced as we worship him and celebrate his arrival in the manger that fateful night. In your name, amen. This devotion was written and recorded by Grace Jonas. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you ever noticed that when plants produce, they simultaneously produce a gift that is the food of others and the birth of the next generation of their species? Like these seeds, there is an infinite abundance in God’s love and God’s gifts to us that is incomprehensible. God has given us forgiveness and love before we even knew that we needed it. It is there for us, to catch us, when we fall. It is there for us to fill the emptiness when we thought we could do it alone. It is there for us when our wounds won’t heal on their own. During this season of Advent, let us reflect that God took the Word and made it flesh so that we could see and experience God’s love. As we wait quietly this season in anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus, let us consider the love God shares that is ever-present. If we are to be children of God, then we should nourish our souls on the love that helps us, feeds us, heals us, and forgives us. Love is such a big topic, and yet it is so small. In every moment of every day, God’s love is present. In every object and every act, God’s love for us is waiting. God’s love was waiting for us before the birth of Jesus. It was present and welcoming us in Jesus. It was in the shadow of the cross waiting for us. It waits for us to follow the path made straight and to follow the example that we have been given in Jesus. It is ever-present and in everything, every person, and every action. It always has been and always will be. God loves us whether we are sinning, confessing, or loving others.  So, be loved. And be loving. Like the seeds that give life through nourishing others and give birth to new plants, we can both be loved into new life and give love to nourish others at the same time. Let us all be amazed and awed at just how powerful this is! Let us pray. God in heaven, on earth, and in our hearts, may we be the seeds that grow to nourish others. May we be both born again in your spirit and love while also giving life, love, and nourishment to others so that they may live in your spirit and love, Amen. This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Matthew 2:10 When they (the Wise Men) saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. One of my favorite Christian leaders always starts his devotions by reminding his listeners to pay attention to what one word jumps out for them when reading scripture. I must have read this passage hundreds of times, and yet, this day, the word “saw” jumped out. When they saw the star! They must have been searching for a while. Earlier in this chapter, we learn that they had asked King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. So they had already seen the star, but it seems they were actively seeking it and where it would lead them. When they saw the star, they could hardly contain themselves. They were filled with joy. This story, revisited, reminds me that joy is always there, though we must be paying attention. I am sure that you have experienced joy. It is actually all around us every day if we are not distracted by the little things. Let’s think of some examples of joyous moments: perhaps milestones in our lives such as graduations, birthday celebrations, reaching a goal; for a child Christmas morning or birthdays might bring joy, weddings and family gatherings can bring us joy, The question for me in light of the word “saw” is “were we looking, anticipating these events or were we just expecting a dose of happiness?  Recently, I have witnessed real joy, sheer joy, pure love, and delight. Someone very close to me has become a grandmother for the very first time. She chooses happiness and a positive attitude the majority of the time, though life has not always been easy. She amazes me as she seeks joy in the everyday. Recently, I saw a video of this new grandmother with her grandson. The pure joy of their interaction touched me beyond measure. She was looking straight into the eyes of her grandson and leaning in to laugh, giggle, and give him a kiss. Much like a game of peek a boo, she was playing with him. He was giggling. Such a real treasure to hear that deep, infectious laugh from both of them. They saw each other, they saw love, and I, as the observer, also saw that joy! I wasn’t expecting it, but I was blessed to see that beautiful connection and the joy those two found in their hearts. Sheer joy! They could hardly contain themselves. The reality is, I was gifted to witness this moment and was reminded that I “saw” this joy because I was searching for joy for this new grandmother. Filled with joy, I know I am blessed and find myself seeking joy-filled moments in the ordinary much more often. Let us seek joy in the ordinary and never overlook the “wonders of His love.” Let’s pray together. Loving God, you surround us with joy every day. Help us to search and see joy in our daily lives. In this season, help us to focus on the wonders of your love and sing out “Joy to the world!” Lord, we know you are the real source of all our joy, and we ask that you guide us as we share and radiate joy to others. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Lisa Blackwood.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 1:46–47 (CEB) “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.” This is the beginning of Mary’s response to something told to her by her cousin Elizabeth. What makes Mary’s response here so remarkable is what comes just before it. When Zechariah heard Gabriel’s message, he asked, “How can I be sure of this?” A reasonable question on the surface, but one rooted in doubt. Mary didn’t ask for proof. She asked how God would do it, not whether God could. And then something else happened. Before Mary could say a word to Elizabeth, Elizabeth already knew. She greeted Mary not with suspicion or side glances, but with joy: “Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” That’s a stunning reversal of what Mary might have expected. In a situation that could have cost her everything—her reputation, her safety, even her life—God provided confirmation not through angelic fireworks, but through the quiet conviction of another believer. I think of the times I’ve been misunderstood, those moments when I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong but people assumed otherwise. My instinct has been to defend myself, argue my case, and prove the truth. Mary didn’t do that. She didn’t scramble to manage optics or fight for her reputation. She centered herself in the God who already knew the truth. Her song flows out of that trust. She rejoices not because her situation is safe or simple—it isn’t—but because she believes the One who made the promise will keep it. Maybe you’re in a season where someone has misread your motives or judged you unfairly. Mary reminds us that our security isn’t in convincing people. It’s in the God who sees clearly, speaks through unexpected voices, and confirms His work in ways we couldn’t orchestrate if we tried. Let’s pray. Father, when doubt rises in others, or in ourselves, anchor us in Your faithfulness. Teach us to trust Your promises even when circumstances feel uncertain. Give us Mary’s steadiness, her willingness to believe You first, and her freedom from needing to control how others see her. In Jesus’ name, Amen. This devotional was written and read by Donn King. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Ephesians 4:1-6 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. A few years back our denomination split. It was a difficult time for all of us, extremely contentious and sometimes painful as we saw good friends and sometimes even family go in different directions over differences in how we view the lessons of scripture. So, for those who remain in fellowship together, are we all of one accord on everything? Not at all! We cover the spectrum when it comes to theology, social issues, politics, age, status, musical preferences, methods of worship, and virtually any other measure you can think of. We are far from a homogeneous collection of believers. So, what keeps this assemblage of misfits together? As Paul said in our scripture for the day, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” When we worship together, all differences fade away. When we approach the communion table, we come as one body. When we study and discuss together, we have one common purpose; that is to grow in faith together. When we welcome kids from the Junior High on Tuesday mornings, it is with a common desire to provide them with an opportunity for fellowship and devotion to start their day. And when we serve together, there are no theological or social boundaries that divide us. We put differences aside to serve meals on Thursday nights, to minister recovery on Wednesday nights, to fill the blessing box, to stuff flood buckets, to pack 10,000 meals to go overseas, to minister to those with dementia, to go and do and serve and serve and serve. Together. All these things bring us together as one body in love without regard to differences. We have chosen to be and worship and serve as one. What a blessing that is! Prayer: Father God, thank you that we can be together the body of Christ. We celebrate all that brings us together and holds us together. We know that we can be stronger together and witness to our community that your love and our love for each other and for our neighbors will keep us together as one. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Charlie Barton. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103 reads like a litany of blessings, or like a shower of blessings. Listen to the benefits of God the psalmist recites: God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with love and compassion, satisfies, and renews. God works righteousness and justice for the oppressed. God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. In fact, God’s love is so great, it is as high as the heavens are above the earth. God’s love is great enough to remove our sins such that the distance between us and our transgressions is as far as the east is from the west. God’s compassion is not abstract. It is tangible, like the compassion of a father for his children.  The psalmist lists many blessings from God, but begins with a directive to his soul to bless God. Hebrew blessings are short prayers spoken to God to offer thanks for daily events, and the Talmudic rabbis believe it is forbidden to enjoy such things without offering a blessing. In fact, the Talmud states, “If you enjoy something in this world without saying a blessing, it is as if you stole it.”  I am convicted by the thought that I might steal God’s blessings when I forget to, in response, bless God. How might this day be transformed if I practice such a blessing? Bless the Lord, O my soul, for the beautiful sunrise. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for a kind word from a stranger. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for brightly colored leaves, scattered on the ground. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for the gifts of God’s mercy and lovingkindness. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Let us pray: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. God, as I go through this day, tune my heart to sing your praise for the many gifts you shower over me, in Jesus’ name, amen. Today’s devotional was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For 10 years, my commute to work was 28 miles from my house in Walland to my job in the Seymour area. Most mornings, I'd catch the sunrise spreading across the sky—brilliant oranges and pinks painting the Tennessee hills. Sometimes I'd notice them, even pull over to photograph one when it was particularly spectacular. But looking back, I realize that even when I noticed them, I rarely paused to thank God for them. I'd think, "That's beautiful," and keep driving, already making mental to-do lists and rehearsing my day. I saw some of those sunrises, but I rarely came into God's presence with gratitude for what he was showing me each morning. This verse is part of a larger call to worship in Psalm 95. The psalmist is inviting God's people to gather together, but notice how he tells them to come—not with a list of demands or complaints about how things should be different, but with thanksgiving. The word "come" here suggests movement, intention. We don't stumble into God's presence by accident with gratitude. It's something we choose to do, a posture we actively adopt before we even open our mouths. Thanksgiving isn't about pretending everything is perfect. This same psalm later warns about hardening our hearts and includes some serious reminders about Israel's past failures. The psalmist knows life is complicated. But he's saying that our entry point into God's presence—the way we approach him—should be marked by gratitude. There's something powerful about starting with thanksgiving. It reframes everything that follows. When we lead with what we're grateful for, our requests sound different. Our frustrations find their proper size. Our perspective shifts from what's missing to what's already been given. I think about how different my prayers would sound if I really followed this pattern. Too often, I barrel into God's presence like I'm filing a complaint with customer service. "Here's what's wrong, here's what needs fixing, here's what I need you to do about it." But what if I came the way the psalm suggests? What if I started by acknowledging the good things already present—the breath in my lungs, the people who love me, the second chances I didn't deserve, the ordinary mercies that showed up today without fanfare? The second part of the verse adds music and song to the mix. There's something about expressing gratitude that wants to go beyond just words. It wants to rise up, to celebrate, to make a joyful noise. Thanksgiving naturally moves toward praise. Maybe you're thinking, "But I don't have much to be thankful for right now." I get it. Some seasons are harder than others. But even in the difficult times, there's something to bring before God with gratitude—even if it's just the fact that he's still there, still listening, still holding space for your honest prayers.  The practice of thanksgiving changes us. It doesn't necessarily change our circumstances, but it does change how we experience them. It trains our eyes to look for God's presence rather than just cataloging his absence. So, before we launch into today's requests, today's worries, today's long list of what needs fixing, what if we started with thanksgiving? What if we came into God's presence by first naming what's already good, already beautiful, already sufficient? You might be surprised how that simple shift changes everything else that follows. Prayer: Father, teach us to come into your presence with hearts full of gratitude. Help us see the gifts we've been given before we focus on what we lack. May our thanksgiving rise to you like music and song. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.Psalm 91:11-12 For he will command his angels concerning you  to guard you in all your ways;they will lift you up in their hands,  so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.Throughout the summer and early Fall of 2024, my three brothers and I, along with Mom’s caretakers, determined that she needed 24-hour care. A live-in rotation schedule was planned that included the family and a caregiver. Mother had been managing her daily living routine with caregivers coming each day to assist with meals, medication, housekeeping, socialization, and driving her to appointments, etc. The family assumed those tasks during frequent extended visits. Mother was 105 years old, but with her cane, she was quite mobile. However, on Sunday, Jan 26, 2025, she experienced a fall. She was rushed to the hospital, and it was determined that she had a broken arm and had other injuries. A week passed, and Mom was transferred to a nursing home. Friends and family came to visit. The nursing staff kept Mom comfortable. One afternoon, as I walked into the room, Mom asked, “Who’s there?” I replied, “It’s Steve, Mom.” “Oh, Steve,” she said, “who is that young man with you?” I looked around, but no one was there. She said, “Behind you. You don’t see him, do you?” “No, Mom,” I said, “I don’t. Perhaps it is an angel.” Then she told me that she sees them all the time. I have to say, I was stunned. I have never had such an experience, and I drew no conclusions as to what took place. But I have thanked God for the peace, love, and comfort he gave my beloved Mother during her journey home. On February 7, 2025, Mother took the hand of Jesus and took her first step into the eternal and beautiful land of light. Prayer: Thank you, Father, for speaking to your people through your word and providing peace even as we grieve those whom we have lost. May we have wholesome discernment and in all our ways, may we gain wisdom and be aware of the presence of your holy spirit in our world. Amen. This devotion was written by Stephen F Hankal and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 95:2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!This devotional was written and read by Pat Scruggs. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession In Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and to those who are perishing. To one, the smell of death and to the other, the fragrance of life. We have several butterfly bushes near our house. As I was mowing, I noticed how the bushes attracted many butterflies of different colors. I wondered what was attracting the butterflies to the bushes. Then, as I mowed closer to the bushes, the fragrance of the blooms on the butterfly bushes was nearly breathtaking. That and perhaps the color of the blooms was what was attracting the butterflies.  This experience made me wonder about myself. Hopefully, we all carry an aroma that, if not pleasant, at least is not offensive. I believe the word fragrance in the scripture is a metaphor for our actions, words, and ways in which others see us.  Is it the words we speak or, at times, the words we do not speak when perhaps we should? Is it the action we take or perhaps the lack of action when action is called for? Might it be personal care for ourselves or care for others? Could it be the sympathy we offer or empathy when we have walked in others’ shoes? We may just want to blend in and not be noticed. However, I believe Jesus would want us to be focused on others, humble, and a servant leader. Some may, actually many may, get a good read on our “fragrance” by reading what we post or share on Facebook. As we are called to make disciples and win others to Christ, we need to make sure our “fragrance” is appealing to others by our actions, our words, and overall “effect.” Many times we are seen or heard, even though we may not be aware of it. Prayer: Dear God, help us to give off a “fragrance” that is appealing to others so that they may know we are Christians by our love, words, and actions. Help us to try to lead a life more like your son, Jesus Christ. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Emmit Rawls. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. This is a powerful verse that is a call for gratitude and praise for the everlasting and unchanging love bestowed upon us by the Lord. It’s a reminder to all of us to acknowledge and appreciate all the many blessings that He has given us because he loves us. There have been many times in my life when I felt unlovable. One of the earliest instances I can remember is when I was punished as a child for some form of misbehavior that I don’t even remember. I do remember my dad saying that they were only punishing me because they loved me. At that point I thought to myself “ Well, I could do without this kind of love! I don’t feel loved right now!” Later in adolescence, I felt unloved when it seemed all of my friends were “going steady” except me. And even later after I lost my husband, I felt that no one would ever love me again like he did. It took time and quite a bit of reflection to realize that I AM loveable and the Lord does love me, even with my imperfection. And because of His love, he has given us so much to be thankful for. I try not to take this for granted. When I see the sunrise on a beautiful fall day, I thank the Lord. When I gaze into my grandchildren’s faces, I thank the Lord. When I arrive safely at home from a trip, I thank the Lord. I experience so many blessings everyday that often go unnoticed but in reflection I can say ‘ Thank you Lord! I knew that was you! Thank you for loving me.” Our prayer today: Heavenly Father, You have shown us Your love in so many ways. Help us to avoid the distractions of the day and give You thanks for all the goodness You have bestowed upon us. Thank you for Your love! Amen. This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.  If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].  First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.  Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week. If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love. Now, take a moment to listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. It’s only 8:15 AM, and I have already failed to follow this command! I used angry words and had vindictive thoughts this morning, after listening to something on the news. I was in total disagreement with the sentiment of the newscast, and I felt hopeless to do anything about what was happening. So, I prayed and prayed and prayed. I asked God for MY solution to the perceived issues and begged Him to fix things the way I saw best. I must confess that my solution was NOT loving and was not the way Jesus would have handled the situation, I’m sure. Realizing this, I stopped in my tracks! I sat down and prayed immediately. I prayed for forgiveness and a change of my heart. I prayed for the people involved in the upsetting news and asked God to comfort and heal us all; to lead us in the way Jesus would handle life’s troubles. It felt good to pray this prayer, and my mind was calmed. God brought to mind the Great Commandment to LOVE God and to LOVE our neighbor as we LOVE ourselves. I thought of the words of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, who is credited with writing “Watch your Thoughts for they become Words, Watch your Words for they become Actions, Watch your Actions for they become Habits, Watch your Habits for they become your Character, Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.” Those news headlines that upset me this morning told of the what-ifs all over the world, and my worry gene kicked into high gear. Shel Silverstein warned of the what-ifs in his poem of the same name… Last night, while I lay thinking here, Some What-ifs crawled inside my ear And pranced and partied all night long And sang their same of What if song: What if I’m dumb in school? What if they’ve closed the swimming pool? What if I get beaten up? What if there’s poison in my cup? What if I start to cry? What if I get sick and die? What if I flunk that test? What if green hair grows on my chest? What if nobody likes me? What if a bolt of lightning strikes me? What if I don’t grow taller? What if my head starts getting smaller? What if the fish won’t bite? What if the wind tears up my kite?What if they start a war? What if my parents get divorced? What if the bus is late? What if my teeth don’t grow in straight? What if I tear my pants? What if I never learn to dance? Everything seems swell, and then The nighttime What-ifs strike again! Oh, how we, like Shel Silverstein, let our imaginations run wild sometimes! That’s the most important time to turn quickly to God! If we want to find peace of mind and contribute to the peace the world so desperately needs, we must focus on the central message of Jesus – LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS – ALL OF THEM! We must stand firmly with Jesus and make sure all our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the way Jesus told us to live. (And if you are like me, the thoughts might be the hardest to tame!) But with God’s help, we can! Let’s pray together now for his constant help… Dear God, please center me in your LOVE. Help me to keep my thoughts loving, so my words will reflect Your LOVE, and my actions will show Your LOVE, and my character will grow to reflect Your LOVE wherever I may go! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.  Usually, when I think about God’s blessings, I tend to reflect on all the ways God is pouring love and grace into my life. And while this is true, for God does surely bless us each and every day, Paul, in this letter to the Corinthians, wants us to look at blessings in a different way. Paul says that God is able to provide us with every blessing, not just a little but in abundance, “why?” so that we may share those blessings abundantly. Another way to say this verse is that we are blessed by God to be a blessing. This makes me ask some hard questions: “How well have I done today, this week, or this month, sharing God’s blessings with those around me?” “When did I, upon thanking God for blessings received, also ask how I was to share them?” When I am honest in answering both of those questions, I must admit that there is room for improvement. I have all the normal excuses, not enough time or resources, but then I remember that these gifts were given to me from God for this very purpose! And it really doesn’t take much time or material resources to bless others. I think of the stories I recently read. There was one about a boy mowing his elderly neighbor’s yard when he mows his own family’s yard, not for pay, but as a gift. Or, the woman who started going to a care facility when her mother was there, and noticing how many people had no visitors, taking some time to visit with them. She has continued going for a couple of hours each week, even after her mother had died, to be a friend. Recently, I helped at the church, and as the children lined up to get a snack, one young girl said to another, “You go first.” It was a small thing, but her friend’s face lit up with joy. In this month, when our thoughts are more focused on gratitude and giving thanks to God for all of our blessings, the Apostle Paul reminds us to do one more thing. To not only say thanks to God for the blessings but to ask God to give us opportunities to share those blessings with those around us. Let us pray. God who blesses us more than we can even imagine, we give you thanks. As your blessings rain down abundantly into our lives, help us to see who we can turn and be a blessing to those around us. Amen. This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Joey Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,   whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water   that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;   its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought   and never fails to bear fruit. Where do you place your trust? When things get tough, when the drought comes, to whom or what do you turn? Have you planted yourself beside the Source? Or are you waiting for water in the wastelands? Jeremiah was a prophet during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, in the last days of the 7th century BCE. These verses found in Jeremiah 17 fall in the first section of the book, which can be summarized as an accusation against and a warning for the Israelites. They had broken their covenant with God. They were worshipping idols and taking advantage of the poor, the most vulnerable among them, the orphans, widows, and immigrants. Jeremiah prophesies that their idolatry and social injustice will result in a judgment from God. The words we read today are hopeful. They speak about showers of blessings that come from trusting God. But it is impossible to fully understand these words without considering the verses just before them. Jeremiah’s emphasis on the blessings, the peace, comfort, and fruit that come from trusting God are in contrast to the curse, the hardness, and the bitterness that come from trusting people over God. Hear verses 5 and 6: Cursed is the one who trusts in man,   who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;  they will not see prosperity when it comes.  They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Prefer to draw strength from the flesh, from earthly things, and you will be deceived, unable to see true prosperity when it comes—empty rather than full, thirsty rather than quenched, withered rather than fruitful. Trust God and you will live in spiritual abundance. Trust humanity and you will live in spiritual scarcity. Yes, when the drought comes, we can still expect showers of blessings—not from above but from our roots. Our thirst will not be satisfied by placing our trust in mere humans or in worldly things. Blessings come when we place our trust in God, when we are planted by water.  Let us pray: Holy and just God, forgive us. As a people, we have turned our backs on you. We have placed our trust in false idols. We have believed the lie that there is not enough, sacrificed the most vulnerable among us to systems of oppression and injustice, and counted on mere humans to save us. Turn our hearts toward you, that we would trust, that we would plant ourselves by the streams of your grace, and bear fruit in your holy name. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  Our scripture is from the Old Testament, the book of Numbers, chapter 6, verses 24-26.  Here these words read from the New International Version of the Bible. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. "These beautiful words were given by God to Moses as a blessing to the Israelites when they completed a special vow. It strikes me that God is recognizing the completion of their commitment with God’s own personal commitment to see them and bless them.  Over the years I have heard this blessing used as a benediction at the completion of many worship services. I have to admit; I like it when the service comes to the benediction. At this point my wife would suggest that it is not a charitable statement to all the great pastors we have had over the years. Perhaps I should explain. In preparation for marriage, I made a commitment to attend church. Over the years I have come to enjoy it more and as I mature, have a deeper appreciation for all the different components of the worship service. Every part of the worship service has a purpose, and God uses all the different pieces to reach people, whether through the music, the prayers, the statements of faith, the teaching, and the communion service.  But regardless of how the service is ordered, they all have one thing in common, an ending. It is not that I look forward to the ending of the service; I look forward to the benediction or the blessing that comes with the end of the service. One of our pastors states it well by saying, “Now as we depart better prepared for community, hear this blessing…” And then comes the good part. Blessings like the following, from Paul’s letters. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Or contemporary words like, “God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home. Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.” And, “Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends.”And lately, I have been blessed by the words from our vision statement that says,As members of the United Methodist Church, go forth to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in our local communities and through our worldwide connections. Prayer: Will you join me in prayer as we conclude today’s devotion.  The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen. Today’s devotion was written and read by Owen Ragland.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Do I view this as a commandment? Do I live this as a commandment? Do I teach this as a commandment? The Lord has made this day and every day so that I might be alive. And if I am going to live, what shall I do with the time I have on this earth? I could lament. There are many things in this world that are worthy of tears. There is pain and suffering in this world. I could ignore. I could go about my earthly life working, traveling, buying things, and enjoying the pleasures of the world. I could consider myself to be my own purpose. I could work hard to learn, to develop my talents, to earn money in order to gain fame and fortune. Or if I view this verse as a commandment, as a call to action, perhaps I begin to understand. I have received a gift. When I focus on what Jesus teaches me, then I learn where to see a path and rejoice in where it leads me.  Jesus says the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". He follows this with "love your neighbor as yourself" and that all other commandments are based on these two. I can begin each day praying that I see the needs of others and rejoice when I am able to help. I can look for what is good in God’s creation and be glad in it. I can celebrate, hug, and dance. I can laugh, love, and share. How else does one show gratitude for the gifts we receive? I can share my talents instead of hoarding them. I can be present for those who have a need. And once I have started doing this, others will have a space to rejoice and be glad as well. Each and every day that I am in this kingdom that God has made, I have the privilege of choosing how I perceive and react to what is in my life. Dear Lord in heaven above and in my heart, guide me in seeing the joy that I can bring to those who need help. Guide me to see where my gifts can be shared. And always help me to remember to be grateful for all that You have provided and rejoice in Your glory, Amen. This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. It’s probably not uncommon to think of music when you read the Psalms. After all, many of the Psalms were written as songs. When reading this Psalm, I think of the song “10,000 Reasons,” recorded by Matt Redman. This second verse of Psalm 103 reminds us to remember all of the Lord’s benefits. I would think that number is infinite, but 10,000 is a pretty good start. The second verse of “10,000 Reasons,” extols some of the benefits David, the Psalmist, wants us to remember. You're rich in love and You're slow to anger Your name is great and Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find It’s always a good practice to remember God’s goodness, or some of your own 10,000 reasons. In this month where we focus on thankfulness and gratitude, I’d like to share some of my blessings. I’m thankful for the Christian community at 1st United Methodist Church of Maryville and for the good they do in the community. I praise the success and community support of our dementia care program, Daybreak. I am grateful for Celebrate Recovery ministering to those with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I am thrilled about the adults who support Rise and Shine that reaches so many youths in our community. I honor those who serve those who are hungry at Welcome Table. I am blessed by the church staff who support church members with their spiritual growth. I love my Sunday School classmates, fellow choir members and bell ringers, who love and support each other like family. I am thankful for you who listen to Grace for All, and for Jim Stovall and Greta Smith, who had the idea for a member-driven podcast that is now completing its second year. What are some of your 10,000 reasons? I encourage you to take some time today to think about a few of them. Please pray with me. Dear Lord, we are human, and it is often easier for us to focus on what frustrates us. Let us not forget your benefits. May we focus today on blessing you and the benefits you provide to us every day. Amen. This devotional was written by Kathryn King, and read by Sally Stovall. You can listen to 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) here on Spotify.https://open.spotify.com/track/0fxpHpK3aw2nFWII6yveDD?si=e8fddb4a7d41402cGrace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 118:24 (NIV) The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice and be glad. The musical “Oklahoma” has one of my favorite opening numbers, entitled “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!” in which the main character, Curley, comes singing to Aunt Eller and is taking such delight and pleasure in what a beautiful morning and day it is. His infectious joy in this opening number spreads on when he compares all the sounds of the Earth to music, even saying that he feels the day is so beautiful that the sounds of nature are coming alive and sharing his joy, with even “the old weeping willow laughing at him.” While we may be so caught up in the happenings of our day to day lives, I feel that Curley’s infectious joy and appreciation for what a beautiful morning and beautiful day are surrounding him are attitudes that we can strive to hold and be thankful for. If there’s any one thing I would like to challenge you to do today, it’s this: take a moment to examine your surroundings and appreciate what a beautiful morning, or depending on what time this message should reach you, what a beautiful day you have found yourself in, and take joy and gladness in this day that the Lord has made while giving yourself a bit of respite from the happenings and responsibilities of your day to day life. Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for this day you have made. Help us remember to take a moment and appreciate the beauty of each day in the midst of our day-to-day lives. May this appreciation help us find small seeds of joy in our most troubling moments. Amen. This devotion was written and recorded by Grace Jonas. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

James 1:22 (TCENT)But be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.Let’s get up and walk the walk with Jesus! It’s so easy to talk the talk. The walk takes effort! I am fortunate to participate in a very collegial adult Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee! Here are some examples of how classmates walk that walk. Mike was motivated to participate in Celebrate Recovery by his wife Sandy. He tells me that he is willing to pitch in with any role that Jesus would ask him to fill, and that ranges from helping with the church sound system to being the go to person every Sunday that opens class with prayer. Shirley says that God gives us many given abilities. Hers is the motivation to serve at Welcome Table. Welcome Table offers a free hot evening meal every Thursday as a very successful community outreach to personify God’s love. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “Even when you did it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it unto me.” Bernice also participates in Celebrate Recovery and Welcome Table, along with other means of service at First United Methodist. Her motivation comes from a ladies conference weekend years ago where she felt the presence of Jesus in her midst, and He had a message for her: “Go teach My words!” which she has with consistency, enthusiasm, and determination. So let’s follow their examples and get out there and go do! James writes in Chapter 2:17, “Thus faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Find your way to reach out and help your brothers, sisters, and children. Jesus tells us that when you do so, you are doing it unto Him. There are so many ways to consistently personify that love! Find yours! Let us pray: God above, in this world of hurt and need, guide us to go and do your will. Is it simply purchasing and donating that extra can of food, or is it more? Open our hearts and minds to do your will! Amen. This devotion was written and recorded by Sam Barto. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV)  Blessed are those who trust in the LORD,  whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water,  sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes,  and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious,  and it does not cease to bear fruit. These words remind me that our strength and faith come from connection. When we realize that we are connected, or rooted, in the world that God gave us, we are sustained even in challenging times. I have recently heard a series of conversations on WUOT between reporter Pierce Gentry and East Tennessee survivors of Hurricane Helena, which struck in September of 2024. A year later, Gentry revisited people he had met in the storm’s aftermath. The people he interviewed lost everything in the floods that accompanied the storm. Michael Davis of Butler, TN, remembered, ”My trailer was sitting there, but it was full of water, so we lost our clothes and 54 years of pictures. Our baby pictures, our wedding pictures. All of it.”Allyson Felty recalled, “It was terror. It was terror. And mostly because of the unknown. I never would have expected anything to that magnitude.” Frank Brough, who lived in a historic house built by the Sevier family in 1846, said the water came up to the second story joists. The hardest decision Brough had to make was whether to attempt to save the house. But the community stepped in. When neighbors came in to help, Brough recalled, “they carried mud out…in five-gallon containers, and they probably moved a million pounds of mud.” Joy Lambert, who had left her home for higher ground, watched as nearby apartments were swept off their foundation by the raging waters and hit her mobile home. “I seen it go, and yet my eyes couldn’t fathom what I had seen.” Pierce Gentry asked all these survivors the same question at the end of the interviews: “What does healing mean to you?” The similarity of their answers is inspiring: Alyson Felty said, “You know, God is so good. And He has provided to us more than I could have ever imagined.” Michael Davis answered, “Thank God for all of God’s people. Without God’s people, I wouldn’t be here.” Joy Lambert answered, “Healing for me is just to trust the Lord and leave it to Him.”His voice choking up with tears, Frank Brough answered, “All of the time God is good. He is in control…My wife and I live in faith, believing all things work together for good for those that love the Lord.” The people of East Tennessee are resilient and are rooted in faith. Even though many roots were washed away in Hurricane Helene, the deep roots of faith and community have sustained them. They are like ‘a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.’ Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for keeping us rooted even in the most tragic times. Thank you for showing us the humanity in our communities that overcomes the worst that can happen and restores our hope. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. This devotional was written by Laura Derr and read by Judy Wilson. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Mark 10:17-22 17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. I read this passage recently, and it dawned on me that this rich man had possibly had an Abraham and Isaac moment. God asked Abraham to give up the thing he loved most, his son.  Isaac had been the long-promised child for Abraham and Sarah and was the linchpin for God’s covenant to make Abraham the father of many nations. But when Abraham obeyed despite all this, God gave Isaac back to his parents, and the covenant was ultimately fulfilled. In the case of the rich man, Mark tells us, “Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him” and asked him to give up the thing that was nearest and dearest to him, his wealth. He was obviously a devout man who had lived by the commandments from his youth. But Jesus knew that he had this one thing that he loved even more. What we don’t know but could possibly speculate is that if the man had agreed to give up his possessions, Jesus could very well have given them back to him (as God did with Isaac). Since he would have surrendered his riches as his own, Jesus could have used them through him in a totally different way, serving those on the margins that Jesus ministered to most often. But we will never know. While Abraham passed his test of surrendering the thing most precious to him, the rich man did not, and he went away grieving. As the son of a minister, there were some sermon illustrations that I heard anew in every church he served. One that I will never forget is the story of how they caught monkeys alive in the wild. As the story was told, they would take a dried gourd, cut a small hole in it, hang it from a tree, and then shake the dried seeds inside like a rattle. A monkey would come and reach inside to see what made the noise and grab the seeds. The monkey could not pull its clenched fist back through the hole, but its curiosity would not allow it to let go. The hunter could then just come fetch the monkey, trapped by its own stubbornness.Are there things we cling to that need to be surrendered? Our resources, our time, our priorities? What could God do with them if we simply let them go and gave them back to God to be used as God saw fit? We may not be asked to give up a child or sell all that we have, but how much more good could God do with our treasures than we could imagine on our own! If only we would let go of them. Prayer: Father God, help us to see those things that we cling to so tightly and give us the will to surrender them to you. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Charlie Barton. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.Happiness is like the breezes that blow through the branches and leaves of the trees in the nearby mountains, but joy is the deepest roots of the oaks and hickories. In the Appalachian mountains, the trails and paths are seldom smooth or flat, leading us up hills and over rocky patches, past waterfalls and around boulders. The presence and nearness of God is felt in every step, no matter how challenging the trail becomes. For all of us difficulties can arise more often than we would like. Our lives are a mix of ups and downs. Sometimes we may feel that joy has been completely swept away by loss, or by challenges with health or world events. We might wonder how long it will take for our hearts to be filled again with an abundance of joy and gratitude. But, like the presence of God, joy does surround us. The natural world blooms with it, people smile and hug with it, and music sings with it. God’s constant grace is fully present, and we are able to be uplifted in our most rocky times. We are reminded to deepen the practice of finding joy and hope in any situation, along with feeling thankful. The courage to lean into the bends in the trail comes with this deep strength and the knowing that God walks alongside us. We can expect mountaintop moments and miracles as a part of daily life. Praying constantly or without ceasing seems like another challenge. Life can be so filled with work, important tasks, and appointments that formulating a prayer in the midst of these things feels overwhelming. Distractions happen often. We can’t always spend time in nature or in stillness or quietness. But since prayers can be said or thought in a microsecond, like “Help!”, “Thanks”, or “Bless” during our busiest times, they can then be expanded later when time allows. Prayers can even be wordless. They can be said with our eyes open or closed, from our hearts and minds, anywhere and anytime, connecting us to God in that moment. With a mindset of deeply rooted joy, we can radiate it out as often as possible with friends, neighbors, strangers, and family, allowing this joy to keep expanding and growing. Happiness is also contagious. We do know that faith can move mountains, but it’s likely that joy can too. Prayer: Loving God, we offer you our full hearts of gratitude. Help our prayers to become more constant and our joy to radiate out to everyone we meet. Amen. This devotional was written by Jenny Green and read by Sally Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  I tend to be a worry wart at times. I think many moms are when it comes to your children. I remember when my husband lost his job in my last month of pregnancy and we were living in a town that wasn’t all that friendly. There we were; no jobs, no income, very few local friends and a baby on the way. After the first feelings of shock wore off, I started worrying how we would survive as a family. Sure, we had savings and a supportive family in other states but we had never had to reach out to anyone for help before. Thank goodness for our local church family who turned up at just the right time to remind us of this verse! Paul wrote this verse to address relationships in the early church and how to handle disagreements. Paul notes that his experiences have taught him to be content with whatever material blessings he has. This reliance on the power of Christ not only allows believers to be content, it produces peace in our relationships to other Christians. And his advice to us is to focus on our relationship with Jesus. With our focus on positive things, we can experience peace through the power of God. Jesus tells us Himself “ Do not worry” many times. Why is it so hard to hand our worries over to Him? Is it because we don’t like to admit that we are overwhelmed? Or is it because we want to have things fixed NOW! I’m not sure of the answer, but I can tell you, through practice of handing my worries over to Him, it has gotten easier to do. I have felt the Peace of the Lord flow over me when I hand it over to Him. And I never forget to thank Him for all the good blessings in my life. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, our world is full of chaos and uncertainty but You remain constant. Please calm our hearts because we know that You are with us. Thank you for all the good and positive things in our lives and help us to remember that “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. Amen This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick Kerr and read by Judy Wilson. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast. On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast. We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you. We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Now, let's hear this week's scriptures.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. A friend recently told me of her cancer diagnosis and the news that the cancer that had started in her lungs may have metastasized, spreading to other organs. Her treatment is beginning soon. As I write this sad news, I am heartbroken for her and her family. When she told me the news, I cried with her and prayed with her. Her heart is breaking, and she feels afraid, but thankfully not alone. She has her family, and she has Jesus. So, we prayed IN this situation. We prayed in the name of the Lord Jesus. We gave thanks to God the Father. We thanked God for bringing us together as friends. We thanked God for her dear husband and his loving care and support. We thanked God for her family and the joy of their love. We thanked God for her church, her friends, her doctors, and her great faith in Jesus. We thanked God for His LOVE, for His mercy, for His Gift of His Son, Jesus. We thanked God that he brought us together in friendship. We thanked God for the urge to snuggle up in His Everlasting Arms and to take time every day to find LOVE in each precious moment! We asked God for healing and blessings and thanked Him IN this hard time. We felt Him very near. We know he is with us, helping us in ways we can’t even imagine. We thanked  Him joyfully. I am joyful that my friend’s faith is strong. She is joyful in her family’s love. We all face hard things and need God’s comfort. God knows what suffering feels like.  Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble, but fear not, for I have overcome the  world.” Hard things come. But God is with us. Please pray with me now… Dear God, help us to look for you, to turn to you, to hold onto you, in all things, at all times and to be joyful as we remember your great LOVE. Help us to pray continually in bad times  and good, and to always give thanks IN all circumstances. Help us to remember your great  LOVE and to feel you, Lord, as close as our breath, wrapping us in your LOVE as we walk through this weary world, facing hard times. Help us to always turn to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN! Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.