Grace Upon Grace Journal

  Bible Study Recap: Matthew 12–13 – Expressions of Grace Last Wednesday at Jason Lee Memorial UMC, we had another beautiful time together in God’s Word. Our study focused on Matthew chapters 12 and 13 , two chapters that highlight both the growing opposition Jesus faced and the powerful ways He revealed God’s Kingdom. What stood out most was how grace shines through every story . In a world full of criticism, accusations, and misunderstandings, Jesus chose to respond with compassion, healing, and invitation. That is the heart of grace - God’s love meeting us in our weakness and transforming us from the inside out. We reflected on several powerful expressions of grace: Grace Restores. In Matthew 12:13, Jesus told the man with the withered hand to stretch it out -and what was broken was completely healed. This reminded us that grace doesn’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect conditions. Grace comes now, restoring us fully and making us whole. Grace Liberates. Later...

This past Saturday, Jason Lee Memorial UMC was filled with joy, laughter, and connection as some of our young adults and adults organized a special event: a brunch for the LGBTQIA+ community. Around 30 people gathered in our fellowship hall to share a meal, make new friends, and experience the gift of community in a safe and affirming space. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming - a true reflection of who we are as a church. Alongside the brunch, our Queer Closet also received and shared clothing donations, providing a practical way to support and care for one another. This exchange of generosity and kindness highlighted the spirit of community we seek to nurture at Jason Lee Memorial UMC. At Jason Lee Memorial UMC, we believe that everyone is a beloved child of God. We celebrate diversity, honor the sacred worth of all people, and welcome every person without exception. Saturday’s brunch was another beautiful reminder that when we come together in love, walls come down and friendshi...

Exploring Expressions of Grace in Matthew 10 & 11 One of the beautiful things about gathering for Bible study is how God’s Word continues to meet us exactly where we are. Last night was no exception. As we explored Matthew 10 and 11, we were reminded that grace is not an abstract concept—it’s something Jesus gives us in our sending, in our struggles, in our questions, and even in our deepest need for rest. These chapters gave us fresh eyes to see how God’s grace works in everyday life. Warm-Up We began by sharing moments when we felt “sent” by someone—whether to represent a friend, family member, or even God Himself. That simple question opened us to reflect on what it feels like to be trusted and empowered, and how often grace comes to us before we feel ready. Highlights from Matthew 10–11 Grace that Sends Jesus sent out the disciples with power and authority, even though they were still ordinary, flawed people. We noticed how grace equips before we prove ourselves. Grace...

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, exploring expressions of grace, our September 10 Bible study focused on chapters 8 and 9. We began with an icebreaker: five participants each picked a slip of paper with everyday life scenarios written on it. The rest of the group worked together to connect each scenario with a definition of grace. This opened the door to a great discussion about what grace looks like in real life. During the conversation, one participant asked: “Does the Bible really say we have to forgive people who commit atrocities? Where is that in Scripture?” Others in the group responded thoughtfully. While there isn’t a single verse that spells it out, Scripture consistently teaches us to be people of mercy because we ourselves are in need of mercy: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” From there, we reflected on how grace flows through Matthew 8 and 9. These chapters reveal Jesus’ compassion and power in many for...

  Where Are the Young People in Your Church? A Church Alive at Every Age That question often comes up, and it reaches me at a time when my heart is filled with gratitude and joy to be leading such a vibrant, active church here in Blackfoot, Idaho. Many people worry about the future of the church and say, “Young people are the future.” But I ask myself: when did God ever start depending on us, human beings, to secure the future of His work? If we truly believe this mission belongs to God, then it is God Himself who holds and guarantees tomorrow. Of course, as a pastor, I care deeply about welcoming young people into the church. But I don’t do that at the expense of the older adults in my congregation. In fact, I see in them a renewed youth - an energy, a willingness, and a vision to transform our community, our state, and even the world with the love and grace of Christ. In our church, “young” isn’t defined by age, but by spirit, by a warrior’s heart, a burning passion, and an a...

Bible Study Recap: Exploring the Gospel of Matthew 5–7 Yesterday’s Bible study focused on Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7, exploring Jesus’ teachings on blessings, true happiness, and spiritual maturity. We began with three warm-up questions to get everyone reflecting: Matthew 5 – Jesus talks about true happiness and blessing. Participants shared what a “blessed life” means to them personally. Matthew 6 – Jesus warns against doing things just to be seen by others. We discussed why it’s easy to care about people’s opinions and how to focus instead on what God sees. Matthew 7 – Jesus compares two builders, one wise and one foolish. We explored what it means in daily life to “build your house on the rock.” Afterward, participants played an online matching game on Wordwall Game about the Beatitudes, which helped reinforce the lessons in an interactive way. Each person then shared their favorite Beatitude and explained why it resonated with them. I highlighted Matthew 5:48 as ...