AN EDITION OF THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER
Two Sections, Section A • 076510 • Vol. 157 • No. 22 • October 1, 2010
in this issue
2
Outreach to Kenya
Prayers to Gethsemane
3
New Member Class
6
M
any people think that the most significant moment on John Wesley’s spiritual journey came on May 24, 1738, when he was 37 years old. That day, he wrote in his journal:
A Call And An Answer
“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter to nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Life isn’t always easy... ...and everybody needs a little help sometimes. At St. Luke’s Church, we aren’t afraid to admit this. Our vision is to offer this support in the context of a community of faith, where excellent therapists and teachers, loving encouragement, and Christian values all work together to lift up both individuals and families. We believe that we can make a significant impact on a real need by offering this marvelous program to our whole city.
more on page 2
Interestingly, Wesley himself says Aldersgate wasn’t the pivotal moment of his spiritual journey. Instead, he claims that the real transformation for him was nine months later, in February of 1739. His friend George Whitfield had pestered him for some time to preach in the open air near the coal mines. Open air preaching was, according to Wesley, “a humiliating venture,” and “almost a sin.” But he went. And he preached. And many responded. It was this open air preaching that sent the Methodist Revival sweeping across England. The moment John Wesley was changed, according to his own testimony, was not when he had an emotional experience of the Holy Spirit, but rather when he decided to be obedient to that same Spirit. It takes a little action, sometimes, for God to break through to us. The inertia of our lives is so strong. Until we respond to the call, step out of our proverbial comfort zone and try something different, something that disturbs a bit the balance of our lives, we will continue to avoid the transformation God has in mind for us.
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 3471 Westheimer at Edloe P.O. Box 22013, Houston, Texas 77227 713-622-5710 www.stlukesmethodist.org
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