MISSION OF THE MONTH
WELCOME
We are a lively fellowship with a deep love for Christ and an unwavering call to compassionate service in Jesus' name. We invite you to join us Sunday at 9:30AM via Facebook Live on our Facebook site.
We are an Open & Affirming church. All are welcome! Loving & Knowing God, Loving People, Serving the World.
Each month we select an organization to highlight and help...this month it's Dogwill! Located in Bath, their Mission is: “We collect and distribute food, toys, treats, and toileting needs in order to help food-insecure humans take care of ALL their household pets.” You can find them on Facebook for ways to help, or you can donate cash with a note in the memo line of any check sent to TRUMC!
WELCOME to Tuttle Road United Methodist Church
Pastor: Linda Brewster Church Office: 207-829-3766 Organist: Luann Lawler
Phone: 207-807-2210 Church Secretary: Carrie Jowett Choir Director: Sarah Soule
Email: lindabrewster2210@gmail.com Office email: secretary@tuttleroadumc.org Custodian: Wahneta Dahlgren
Lay Leaders: Marian Wilmot & Charlene Post
Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High
My friend Zane mentioned Psalm 91 to me last week. Broadly speaking, Ps 91 is a wisdom Psalm, one that informs our daily interactions with our God and creation, instructing us on how to live as God desires by making His truths part of our personal faith. Ps 91 is one of my favorite Psalms, but I hadn’t read it for a while. So Zane gave me the perfect opportunity to sit with it for a while and let it percolate.
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
My God in whom I trust.” v1-2
The words dwell in the shelter caused me to stop and ponder. The image it immediately brings to mind is the place we live, our physical home, the place we seek security and belonging. Yet for many, the homeless, the abused, the displaced, home may not evoke a happy image. Home is not a Hallmark movie for many. Yet, any place we are can be the needed shelter, the refuge, the fortress of protection for the moment. So there must be meaning beyond the obvious.
The verb dwell also means to linger or mull over, to meditate on. “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding”. Ps 49:3. My understanding unfolded to be whenever we stop and meditate on God’s word, we are living in the shelter and protection of God. That is a promise we can trust. There will always be troubles in our lives, yet when we sit with God we can find a welcoming, safe home, wrapped in a mantle of His grace. Moment by moment, day by day.
Interestingly the Psalmist begins by using four different names for God: Most High, Almighty, Lord, and God. Most High, above all creation in power and love, yet as close as the breath we take. Almighty, rendered in Hebrew as El Shaddai, El meaning God, Shaddai meaning almighty. I remembered the hymn we sing with the same title (hymn #123 in the UMC Hymnal). Lord, the name often given to Jesus—my Lord! Each name evokes a different emotion and were used by Hebrew Scripture writers to convey different qualities of their/our God. We can more fully know God by knowing His names.
This unpacks only verses 1 and 2! The rest of the Psalm details ways the Lord will protect and guide us when we are in danger. I read that this Psalm is often carried by those on battlefields. A reminder perhaps, that God is close; and a prayer carried close to the heart. God is good.
Gracious God, Thank you for your word that we can meditate upon and become more like you would have us be. We all need a safe place and sometimes, in these turbulent times, it can seem the only respite we have is when we spend time with you. Amen
Reflection: What image does the word home mean to you? Does home in God bring a measure of comfort? What other names of God can you think of? What emotion does each name evoke in you? What promises of protection can you find in Psalm 91?
-Cherie Sukeforth
My friend Zane mentioned Psalm 91 to me last week. Broadly speaking, Ps 91 is a wisdom Psalm, one that informs our daily interactions with our God and creation, instructing us on how to live as God desires by making His truths part of our personal faith. Ps 91 is one of my favorite Psalms, but I hadn’t read it for a while. So Zane gave me the perfect opportunity to sit with it for a while and let it percolate.
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
My God in whom I trust.” v1-2
The words dwell in the shelter caused me to stop and ponder. The image it immediately brings to mind is the place we live, our physical home, the place we seek security and belonging. Yet for many, the homeless, the abused, the displaced, home may not evoke a happy image. Home is not a Hallmark movie for many. Yet, any place we are can be the needed shelter, the refuge, the fortress of protection for the moment. So there must be meaning beyond the obvious.
The verb dwell also means to linger or mull over, to meditate on. “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding”. Ps 49:3. My understanding unfolded to be whenever we stop and meditate on God’s word, we are living in the shelter and protection of God. That is a promise we can trust. There will always be troubles in our lives, yet when we sit with God we can find a welcoming, safe home, wrapped in a mantle of His grace. Moment by moment, day by day.
Interestingly the Psalmist begins by using four different names for God: Most High, Almighty, Lord, and God. Most High, above all creation in power and love, yet as close as the breath we take. Almighty, rendered in Hebrew as El Shaddai, El meaning God, Shaddai meaning almighty. I remembered the hymn we sing with the same title (hymn #123 in the UMC Hymnal). Lord, the name often given to Jesus—my Lord! Each name evokes a different emotion and were used by Hebrew Scripture writers to convey different qualities of their/our God. We can more fully know God by knowing His names.
This unpacks only verses 1 and 2! The rest of the Psalm details ways the Lord will protect and guide us when we are in danger. I read that this Psalm is often carried by those on battlefields. A reminder perhaps, that God is close; and a prayer carried close to the heart. God is good.
Gracious God, Thank you for your word that we can meditate upon and become more like you would have us be. We all need a safe place and sometimes, in these turbulent times, it can seem the only respite we have is when we spend time with you. Amen
Reflection: What image does the word home mean to you? Does home in God bring a measure of comfort? What other names of God can you think of? What emotion does each name evoke in you? What promises of protection can you find in Psalm 91?
-Cherie Sukeforth
Weekly Events
Daily: The Lord's Prayer at Noon
Sundays: Worship at 9:30AM via our Facebook page
Saturday AA at 8:30AM & Tuesday AA at 7PM are virtual meetings until further notice.
Please visit us on Facebook every Sunday at 9:30AM as Pastor Linda leads us in a virtual, interactive worship service. (Find us on Facebook at Tuttle Road United Methodist Church.)
