The mission of OFUMC is equipping Christian disciples
for ministries of worship, teaching, community building, and service.

Our mission statement leads us all to take seriously the call to be disciples of Christ and to carry the gospel message that God loves and cares for whomever comes seeking to be in a positive relationship with God. All are welcome, no matter what background or identity.

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Walk with me and be trustworthy. I will make a covenant between us and I will give you many, many descendants.” Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, “But me, my covenant is with you; you will be the ancestor of many nations. And because I have made you the ancestor of many nations, your name will no longer be Abram but Abraham. I will make you very fertile. I will produce nations from you, and kings will come from you. I will set up my covenant with you and your descendants after you in every generation as an enduring covenant. I will be your God and your descendants’ God after you.” (Genesis 17:1–7, CEB)

“God said to Abraham, ‘As for your wife Sarai, you will no longer call her Sarai. Her name will now be Sarah. I will bless her and even give you a son from her. I will bless her so that she will become nations, and kings of peoples will come from her.’” (Genesis 17:15–16, CEB)

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El Shaddai

Abraham and Sarah were way too old for childbearing.  Thinking of descendants would have been dismissed as crazy.  Regardless, from them, nations would be formed.

Desperately, repeatedly, hopefully seeking year after year,
looking but not finding, grappling with increasing questions and fear,
even beyond being blameless in worship, their calling to faithfully dare,
did they not still wonder, ponder, question, ask, challenge – who, what, why, when, and where?

Still, none-the-less,
they would confess,
through the most sensational, startling, yet smallest seeds,
God remembers, answering hopes, desires, and needs.
And they learned by responding with awe, anticipation,
that from one, comes a savior, a legacy… a nation.

Pastor Rich Wagner

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February 28, 2021       Second Sunday in Lent

Scripture Readings:
Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Gospel Lesson: Mark 8:31-38

https://safegatherings.com/about-us/who-we-are/

Olympia Fields United Methodist Church

20301 Western Avenue

Olympia Fields, IL 60461

708-481-5928

olyfldsumc@sbcglobal.net

ofumc.com