Mission Moment 11.26.25

Ashley Gill Harrington
Associate Pastor of Children and Church Communication
Georgetown Baptist Church, Georgetown, Kentucky

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” – Isaiah 11:1

Perhaps it is no surprise that in scripture we see God as a gardener, speaking and planting at creation, cultivating and tending the created world, pruning and grafting. In the Gospels, we hear Jesus refer to himself as the vine and God as the one who painstakingly cuts to make a way for a fruitful harvest. Only with care and connection do we flourish and produce fruit. 

Not until we find dirt under our fingernails do we understand the patience and discipline in gardening. With spades and trowels, we dare to co-create something new that is beautiful and bountiful just as God did in Genesis.

A Blessing for Co-Creation
Blessed are we who plant seeds in the soil as a tangible act of hope. 

We let go and trust that with time, water and care, we will eventually bear witness to the power and mystery that happens where we cannot see it. 

Blessed are we who impatiently await the first signs of sprouts to break through the surface. And when they do—what joy! 

Our hope was not in vain. 

Our faithfulness in watering and waiting has helped to bring new life. 

But we know our job is far from over. 

We must now cultivate and tend, prune and graft. 

Blessed are we whose prayers take the form of watering cans, compost and trellises.

Consistent prayers that keep the soil healthy, weeds and pests removed, diseases managed. A daily rhythm of nurturing that makes the difference between withering and thriving. 

Blessed are we who also find unwarranted success with fruit that appears despite our neglect, who find failure in hungry bunnies who nibble away at delicate stalks and who water, protect, nurture, fertilize and simply hope for the best. 

Blessed are we who hope that despite the unpredictable weather and the ecosystem of insects and the myriad of factors outside of our control, plants will grow and even flourish. Hope that can be harvested in flowers, fruit and vegetables. Hope that is manifested in a ripe tomato and blooming rose. Hope that is made real only when we dare to dig in the dirt.

Blessed are we who plant and toil when it feels like we labor in vain. May we plant the seeds of God’s New Day with the hope that it too will eventually break through.

Pray. . .Give. . .Go.

Giving the Jesus Way

United Christian Ministries is in need of cereal. 

 To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.  Thank you!

1st Explorers After-School Program Recap

1st Explorers had a busy week full of visitors and activities. 4H visited Monday with an interactive activity, Kaitlyn provided chapel for the children on Tuesday, and Sandi Allen shared all about Maine with RAs and GAs on Wednesday. On Thursday, Cheryl Beck visited with special guest Peter Koch, associate director of the Mountain Heritage Center at WCU. Peter brought some Cherokee playthings, shared some old photos of people at play years ago, read a couple of ghost stories, and led the children in making cornshuck dolls. Mrs. Cheryl brought her famous chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, and a great time was had by all. Friday we wrapped up the week with show practice with Mrs. Marina and lots of outside time. 

Mission Moment 11.19.25

Kirk
Field Personnel in Southeast Asia

As one who has been involved in two Bible translations for people groups where believers comprise less than one percent of the population, I have had the opportunity to see people reading and understanding the Word for the first time. It is fascinating to hear their reactions and listen to how they feel what they have read would apply in their cultural setting. By contrast, so many of us in the United States are used to having dozens of translations on our bookshelves or smartphones—perhaps this wealth of scripture causes us to forget the incredible significance of the Word. I struggle to remind myself to approach the Word with humility—and give it my full attention despite mountains of internal and external distractions. Below is a blessing to use before you read scripture. 

A Blessing for the Reading of the Word
As you open this book
May your mind be calmed
Your ears sharpened
Your heart quieted

May your reading inspire you
Challenge you
Break your heart
Heal you

May you be mindful of the wonder of scripture
Always there
Always waiting
A book longing to be read

May you remember those who have never known
The miracle of these words
In the language of their hearts
In a place of freedom

May you listen as God speaks
Silent in His presence
Still as a weaned child
The rushing world far away

And may you emerge from this time
A mustard seed sprouting
A light learning to shine
A blessing 

Pray...Give...Go.

Giving the Jesus Way

United Christian Ministries is in need of cereal. 

 To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.  Thank you!

1st Explorers After-School Program Recap

It was a short week at First Explorers with schools being closed Monday and Tuesday. Explorers had a great time with Missions on Wednesday, an active visit from Generation Kids on Thursday, and they made strong progress Friday on their Christmas play with Mrs. Marina! In between the activities, they enjoyed lots of outside time due to the decent weather. This coming week will be full of gratitude lessons and activities. 

Mission Moment 11.12.25

David Brooks
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia

"You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family."  – Matthew 5:9 (The Message)

The Bible is full of blessings. We cannot read very far in any book of the Bible without encountering a blessing from God or a blessing that one person shares with another. But some blessings stand out from all the others—blessings such as those that we find in the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5. These nine blessings from Jesus at the start of his most famous sermon set the tone for life with him. They are gifts from Jesus to us, reminding us that even when we hurt, when we are frustrated, when we mourn and when we are weary, we are blessed because we do not face life alone and our lives are held lovingly in the hands of God.

In my attempts to follow Jesus faithfully, I come back to these beloved blessings of Jesus time and again. I draw strength and my spirit is renewed when I carry just one of these blessings with me in my heart and mind throughout a given day or week. Reciting a blessing from Jesus brings me back to him and puts my day in the right perspective. 

Even as Jesus blesses me, I wonder how I can be a blessing by reflecting his meekness, his hunger and thirst for righteousness, his mercy, his peace. And the blessing that he gives to all who strive to make peace might be the most relevant and timely blessing for our world today that is rife with division and distrust: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9, NRSV). Or, in the always practical language of The Message: “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”

God blesses every effort that we make to resist the temptations of competing and fighting with one another. Cooperating and making peace in our relationships, even and especially with our opponents and enemies, is a true source of God blessing us all. And when we choose to make peace, when we attempt to understand someone else, when we show people how to cooperate, we live into our authentic identity as children of God—children who are beloved, blessed and befriended by Jesus.

May the peace and blessing of Christ be with you.

You’re Blessed

Matthew 5:3-12, The Message

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Pray...Give...Go.

1st Explorers After-School Program Recap

First Explorers kicked off a gratitude-filled month this week. They had visits from 4H, chapel with Kaitlyn, and learned about Maine during their missions lessons on Wednesday. The children were thankful for the beautiful weather and lots of time spent outside moving their bodies and getting sunshine. 

Giving the Jesus Way

United Christian Ministries is in need of cereal. 

 To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.  Thank you!

Midweek Meals

Our midweek meals conclude this evening, November 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the MFC. Costs are $12 for adults, $7 for K-12th grade, and college students as well as pre-K are guests of the church (no charge). 

Additionally, our church hosts local congregations for our shared Thanksgiving meal and celebration on Sunday, November 23. The deadline to sign up for the meal was this past Monday, November 10. You can, of course, join us for worship at 6:45 p.m. if you do not plan to dine.

Finally, a covered dish is planned for Wednesday, December 17, with our First Explorers ministry sharing the Christmas story. Join us in a time of fellowship as we support this ministry!