Grace Upon Grace Journal

  A Reflection Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 By Rev. Marvel Souza Sermon preached on November 17, 2022 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) What can we say about time? This is a question that has accompanied humanity throughout history. Time is part of our existence. It shapes our stories, our decisions, our accomplishments, and even our struggles. Although all of us live within time, the way we experience and understand time changes throughout the different seasons of life. During childhood, time seems almost unlimited. Children live fully in the present moment without worrying about hours, minutes, schedules, or deadlines. Time is measured by simple moments: the time to play, the time to eat, and, sometimes with difficulty, the time to go to sleep. There is a beautiful freedom in childhood, as if there will always be enough time for everything. During adolescence, we begin to discover that time comes with responsib...

  Bible Study Recap – John 17–21: From Prayer to Resurrection This past Wednesday, we finished our study of the Gospel of John by exploring chapters 17–21 and discovering what it means to live as Easter people. We began with Jesus' beautiful prayer in John 17, where He prayed not only for His disciples but also for all who would believe in Him—including us. We talked about how Jesus' desire for unity challenges us to build a loving, supportive community where faith grows together. In John 18, we reflected on Jesus' arrest and Peter's denial. Even though Peter failed, Jesus never gave up on him. We were reminded that God's grace is greater than our mistakes and continues to work in our lives. John 19 brought us to the cross, where Jesus declared, "It is finished." We discussed how the cross was not a defeat but the completion of God's saving work. As United Methodists, we remember that we are saved by God's grace, and our good works are a grateful r...

Bible Study Recap – John 16 Last Wednesday, we began by reflecting on the four bases of the ministry of reconciliation: reconciliation with ourselves, with our neighbors, with all creation, and with God. Together, we discussed practical ways we can live out each of these areas in our daily lives. We then reviewed the message from John 15, focusing on Jesus' invitation to "abide in Me." This led us into John 16, where Jesus explains the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prepared His disciples for the challenges they would face if they chose to remain in Him. He never promised an easy path, but He did promise that the Holy Spirit would be with them, bringing a peace that remains even in the middle of hardship. We talked about how this same peace is available to us today through the presence of the Holy Spirit. We also discussed the importance of making decisions from a place of peace. When we lack God's peace, it may not be the right time to make an important decision. Som...

Abiding in the True Vine This week, we began our Bible study by sharing our favorite types of plants and why we enjoy them. That simple conversation helped us connect with the imagery Jesus uses in John 15, where He declares, "I am the true vine," and we are the branches. From there, we compared a real plant to the picture Jesus gives of our relationship with Him. We explored how, throughout Scripture, God often uses plants—and especially trees—to communicate spiritual truths. In the Old Testament, we looked at Psalm 1:1–3, where the righteous are described as a tree planted by streams of water that bears fruit in season; Jeremiah 17:7–8, where those who trust in the Lord are compared to a flourishing tree whose roots reach the water; and Isaiah 61:3, where God's people are called oaks of righteousness, planted for the display of His glory. In the New Testament, we saw how Jesus continues this imagery in John 15:1–8, calling Himself the true vine and inviting us to abide ...