Day 17: May 21Scripture: I Peter 1:3-9 Every Wednesday at 9 a.m., those who work in the Virginia United Methodist Conference Center in Glen Allen, gather in the chapel for worship. One recent chapel service was led by Angie Williams, Conference Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Single Adult Ministries. Angie led us in focusing on a message of HOPE. Just as Angie challenged us to keep Hope alive in our lives and ministry, so also do these Scripture verses in I Peter: “God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” Just as the early church faced many challenges, and these words in I Peter gave encouragement, our United Methodist Church today faces challenges of declining membership, aging leadership, and the need to find new ways to reach out to a global world facing poverty and health issues. The theme of the 2008 General Conference has been “A Future with Hope.” The Council of Bishops invited the delegates to “pitch our tents in the land of hope” (Acts 2). Believing and trusting in the power of Jesus Christ gives us the Hope that we can unite to face the challenges before us. Together we can create a new culture in our church, a culture that will spread the good news of Jesus Christ to persons of all ages. I Peter describes the results of such an effort: “…you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Have hope and the result is joy! Not only will our own lives be changed but our beloved Church can also be changed. Prayer: Holy God, may we trust in you, knowing that by the power of Jesus Christ, the resurrected one, our lives and our Church will be filled with hope, joy and the possibility of All Things New. Beth Downs |