A Holy Sabbath

To the Congregation of Grace United Methodist Church,

2026 Summer Calendar

Sabbath is a key idea in the Bible (Gen. 2, Lev. 23). Its even one of the ten commandments (Ex. 20:8), but how often do you truly, genuinely practice it? I hear time and time again about families that go on vacation and come back more exhausted than when they left! The parents can’t wait to get back to work because it means they’ll finally get a little bit of a break! That’s not sabbath; that’s working in a different location. Just because you go on vacation or go to church on Sunday doesn’t mean you are practicing sabbath. Sabbath is truly stopping. It is actively avoiding productive thinking (so daydream instead)! Its purposefully leave things incomplete and be quiet instead of speaking. If you can find space in your summer to do that then you are well on your way to fulfilling God’s deeper call on your life.

As always, if you’d like to give a gift in support of Grace United Methodist Church, you can use the enclosed envelopes and bring it to church. You can also go online at gumc.org/giving or mail a check to the address below. We also invite and encourage those of you who may be traveling or spending time elsewhere to “pre-pay” this summer. If you have the financial ability to do so, why not give your gift to the church before you leave, so that you can spend that time resting and relaxing knowing that the church has its financial needs taken care of this summer. Every bit helps in these summer months! On the back side of this letter are some of the events taking place this summer. Post it so you don’t miss a thing! God bless!

In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville