Crossroads: Where Grace Meets Us on the Way

There are moments in life when the path changes.

Sometimes we choose the turn. Sometimes the turn chooses us. We find ourselves at a crossroads because of a decision, a loss, an opportunity, a relationship, a question—or simply because life has brought us somewhere we never expected to be.

Throughout Scripture, people encounter God in places just like these.

During our late-summer worship series, Crossroads: Where Grace Meets Us on the Way, we will walk alongside people whose lives intersect with Jesus at pivotal moments. Their stories are different, but something connects them: Jesus meets them where they are.

A group of friends refuses to give up on someone they love. A disciple hears an unexpected call. A woman reaches through a crowd believing that even the smallest encounter with Jesus might change everything. Someone discovers mercy where judgment seemed more likely. And in the midst of grief, another discovers that hope is standing closer than she imagined.

These are stories of faith, calling, courage, mercy, and hope.

But they are also stories of grace.

Again and again, the Gospels remind us that grace does not wait at the end of the trail for us to finally get everything right. Grace comes looking for us. Grace meets us along the way.

Along the Trail

August 9 — The Crossroads of Faith
Mark 2:1–12
Sometimes faith looks like trusting God for ourselves. Sometimes it looks like having people around us who are willing to carry us when we cannot make the journey alone.

August 16 — The Crossroads of Calling
John 1:43–51
Jesus meets ordinary people in ordinary places and invites them into something more. Calling begins not with having everything figured out, but with hearing the invitation: “Follow me.”

August 23 — The Crossroads of Courage
Mark 5:24–34
A woman who has spent years being defined by what is wrong with her reaches through the crowd toward Jesus. Jesus stops, sees her, and calls her “Daughter.” At the crossroads of courage, grace reminds us that our deepest identity is not determined by the labels others place upon us.

August 30 — The Crossroads of Mercy
Luke 7:36–50
When others see someone to judge, Jesus sees someone to love. Mercy challenges the boundaries we create between those we believe belong and those we believe do not—and asks what happens when grace gets the final word.

September 6 — The Crossroads of Hope
John 20:11–18
Mary comes to the tomb believing the story has ended. Instead, Jesus meets her in her grief and calls her by name. Hope does not pretend that loss isn't real. Hope discovers that even there, God is still at work.

Grace Meets Us on the Way

Maybe that is the good news we need when we reach our own crossroads.

We may not know exactly where the trail leads from here. We may not have every answer. We may not even be certain which direction comes next.

But grace never waited for people to find Jesus. Jesus always found them first.

And we do not travel the trail alone.

Join us for Crossroads: Where Grace Meets Us on the Way, August 9–September 6 at First United Methodist Church.

Wherever you are on the journey, there is a place for you here.

We are excited to invite you to our Sunday worship service at 10:00 AM! Our service offers a unique blend of classic and modern styles to create a welcoming and dynamic environment for all. Whether you prefer cowboy boots or wingtips, jeans or slacks, a tie or no tie, we welcome everyone to come as they are.

Our service features dynamic preaching and fantastic music, including the beautiful sounds of the organ, piano, choir, and handbells. You will leave feeling uplifted and inspired after experiencing the joy of worshiping with us.

Come join us and experience the joy of worship of a grace filled God in a welcoming and inclusive community.

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