Sunday School Spotlight: What Do These Rocks Have To Do With Jesus?

Posted by Union Chapel Communications Team on

When the trail seems unclear, and there are many possible paths to travel, a cairn can point a hiker in the right direction... Cairns, simple stacks of rocks dotted upon a landscape or trail, are an ancient form of communication that predates the written word. These piles of stone serve as a...

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Tags: jesus, sunday, kids, study, decisions, teaching, direction, school, cairn, wayfinding

The Sarcasm Font

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

I’ve noticed, lately, an uptick in the injection of sarcastic remarks into dialogue on serious matters in our country.  Actually, more than an uptick—more like a flood.  How unfortunate!   What is sarcasm?  My online dictionary (via a Google search) defines...

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Tags: christian, christianity, courtesy, discourse, indianapolis, indianápolis, indy, internet, issues, jesus, jesús, listening, sarcasm, social media, union chapel

Fresh Starts, New Beginnings

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

The mid-term elections are over; only a few votes remain to be counted, only a small number of races yet an issue.  If you’re like me at all, you have already let out a sigh of relief.  No more campaign ads, no more accusations, no more fear of talking with friends and neighbors...

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Tags: christianity, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, jesús, love, neighbor, new beginnings, union chapel, united methodist church

The Hard News

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

Just home from a hospital visit with a beloved parishioner.  Early this morning, I felt a nudge, a push—get up and go to the hospital soon.  Off I went. I sat in the quiet room for a half hour.  Quiet prayers.  Thinking about this good man’s life; imagining him...

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Tags: change, end of life, grief, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, indy, jesus, new life, new ways, union chapel, united methodist church

The Path We Are To Follow

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

Dear Friends:   Be imitators of Jesus.  What a bold challenge!  Be imitators of the One who is perfect.  Be imitators of the One whose mind is pure and purely compassionate.  Be imitators of the One whose courage exceeds our imagination of what it means to be...

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Tags: christian walk, footsteps, imitate, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, nora, perfection, union chapel, united methodist church

Love is an Action Verb: Pay It Forward!

Posted by Union Chapel Communications Team on

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God...

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Tags: be the change, christianity, ephesians, god, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, kindness cards, love your neighbor, matthew 22, pay it forward, positivity, union chapel, united methodist church, unionchapelindy, negative effects of technology, negative media, mental health and wellbeing

“Things are more like they are today than they’ve ever been. “ 

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

“Things are more like they are today than they’ve ever been. “  Yogi Berra at his best, stating the obvious but in a way that told an unseen truth.  Yes, Yogi could “say that twice today and mean it”.1 Things are more like they are today than they have...

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Tags: civil rights, corruption, healing, jesus, oppression, times of unrest

Suffering Guaranteed

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

We’ve been reading Scripture from First Peter, the letter attributed to the Apostle Peter but almost certainly written years after his death. The letter was written at a time of great persecution of those who chose to follow the examples and teachings of Jesus—in other words, not...

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Tags: christians, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, memorial day, suffering, union chapel, united methodist church

Our Labor Is Not In Vain

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

Dear Friends:   We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye....  Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15) of the resurrection.  Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord...

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Tags: easter, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, labor, union chapel united methodist church

Listen For It...

Posted by Andy Charnstrom on

Dear Friends:   The stories passed down from generation to generation had taught them that the soul leaves the body three days after death occurs.  I don't know why.  But Lazarus had been dead now for four days--long enough that his soul must have departed.  And here came...

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Tags: easter, indiana, indianapolis, indianápolis, jesus, lazarus, listen, union chapel, united methodist church, voice

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