The Lighting of a Fire

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

William Butler is quoted as saying, “Education is not the tilting of a poll, but the lighting of a fire.”

Education can come in the classroom, but ll also comes from the experiences In our life and our education does not stop when we receive a degree or certificate, but education is a life-long process Each day is an opportunity for us to be set on fire by the learning that takes place. We learn from our reading, we learn from the people around us and we learn from the ways God is interacting in our lives Just recently, many of us were set on fire by the experience at the solar eclipse as God showed us the wonders of creation and the beauty of the universe around us.

Are you taking advantage of the learning opportunities around you?

Last Sunday, we had our annual Rally Sunday as we celebrated a new year of education here at Torrance First UMC. We consecrated our teachers, blessed our backpacks and learned about our Sunday school program. What a wonderful morning to be the family of God! Thank you to all who volunteer to teach and to be the fire starters In our church.

It you have a desire to learn more about God, our faith as Christians and the Bible, I invite you to join one at our adult classes, Sunday morning adult Bible class discusses the scripture reading from worship and invites conversation around the sermon topic of the morning. This class meets from 11:00am to 12:00pm In the Friendship Room and all are welcome to join.

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 I teach our year-round Bible study class that rotates topics throughout the year. On Tuesday, September 12, we will begin a book study on Brennan Manning’s, The Ragamuffin Gospel, that is a study on the depth and breadth of God’s grace in our life. The book is $10 and available through me or the church office.

I am always open for suggestions of studies that you would like to have or topics that you would like to discuss. Just let me know.

It you would like to know more about the United Methodist Church and want to consider becoming a member of our church, tom me on Sunday, September 17 for our membership class at 2:00pm in the Friendship Room. If you are considering membership, but cannot make this meeting, please let me know and we will make arrangements.

May you set out to be on fire for God and for the great life that He has blessed us with.

Blessings, Pastor Stacy