Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
This week, I've asked our very own Kids Ministry Director, Jessica Hoge, to write the devotional for today's Weekly Musing.
Jess has been at the helm in our Kids Building since the end of 2021, but her influence and impact has been felt at Meadows since way before then. She and her husband, Bryan, have been serving with MYG for years, they're regulars in our J12 ministry on Sundays, and they've been faithful members at Meadows for nearly a decade.
Jess serves every week, overseeing and leading all ages of Kids church: nursery, pre-K, Elementary, and pre-teens. She's an incredible leader and servant. And on top of all that, their 9-month old baby boy, Brody, is the official church mascot!
Enjoy her devotional!
This week, I've asked our very own Kids Ministry Director, Jessica Hoge, to write the devotional for today's Weekly Musing.
Jess has been at the helm in our Kids Building since the end of 2021, but her influence and impact has been felt at Meadows since way before then. She and her husband, Bryan, have been serving with MYG for years, they're regulars in our J12 ministry on Sundays, and they've been faithful members at Meadows for nearly a decade.
Jess serves every week, overseeing and leading all ages of Kids church: nursery, pre-K, Elementary, and pre-teens. She's an incredible leader and servant. And on top of all that, their 9-month old baby boy, Brody, is the official church mascot!
Enjoy her devotional!
_________________________________________________
Hey everyone! I am so flattered to be asked to provide a musing to you all this week. If I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet, you would probably at least recognize my little one, Brody, as he's a fan favorite on campus! My husband Bryan and I serve with Meadows well-loved youth pastors at MYG on Wednesdays and I am most likely holed up in the Kids Ministry building on Sundays if you're ever looking for me then! Basically, if you find any age group of kids, you'll find me.
Lately I have been reflecting on how full circle God has truly brought my life so far. When I was 13, I found Christ through the passing of my mother. She was truly fervent in the pursuit of knowing God in which she gave me the greatest gift of seeing her faith boldly lived out until her very last breath. A few years later at 16, my dad also passed away. I know, heavy stuff to lay on you out the gate of this musing, right?
I truly started seeing restoration take place throughout my next few teenage years while serving God at a church I grew up in. He provided relationships to guide and encourage me throughout those years of navigating normal teenage life; but also grieving the loss of my parents, family, and childhood. Even though that was such a tough season at so young, I decided to give it to Him and keep pressing on, trusting that He had a grand plan for my life.
Fast forward, I met my now husband when I was 19. Shortly after meeting Bryan, I found Meadows, which was his church at the time, and I began my time here with you all. He very slowly pulled me more out of my introverted shell, immersing me into his community here. Looking back, I am so thankful he did.
Bryan and I continued dating, got engaged, and after the world's longest engagement of 14 whole months, we got married in October, 2019. Shortly after that we began full time serving in MYG & J12 classes on Sundays. Fast forward some more, Bryan and I then found out we were expecting our baby boy and he arrived in June of 2021 and shortly after that I began leading our wonderful Kids Ministry team here on campus.
Reflecting today, the years from 13 to now have truly flown by even though some seasons of pain and grieving felt like they were never going to end. It is solely by the grace of God and placing my full faith in Him that He brought me out of those seasons and was soon to restore all that I felt like I lost growing up. If I had to pick one theme that seemed reoccurring growing up it would be loneliness. I felt often abandoned, left out, and as if I could no longer relate to anyone my age after having my parents pass so young. I had no sense of belonging or community, but coming to Meadows, God placed into my life some of my best friends, a loving community, and a sense of belonging.
Even further than that, He opened doors for us to do life alongside our MYG kids, then even more recently to lead our amazing Kids Ministry in encouraging our younger ones in building strong foundations in Christ. I am so thankful to have the ability and access to so many of our kids in our community that I do and to lock arms with them while they may feel like they are in those never-ending seasons of pain, grief, loneliness, or abandonment. If there is one thing I could tell my younger self and you all today, it would be to keep pressing in, even when it's hard to trust His plan. Those hard seasons can seem so long but give them to God and allow Him to do His work in you throughout that season. My life verse since 13 years old has been Romans 8:28. God truly uses all for good even if it takes years and milestones later to see that come to fruition. No matter what season of life you may find yourself right now, keep leaning in friends! His plan is always so much better than we can imagine.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
Lately I have been reflecting on how full circle God has truly brought my life so far. When I was 13, I found Christ through the passing of my mother. She was truly fervent in the pursuit of knowing God in which she gave me the greatest gift of seeing her faith boldly lived out until her very last breath. A few years later at 16, my dad also passed away. I know, heavy stuff to lay on you out the gate of this musing, right?
I truly started seeing restoration take place throughout my next few teenage years while serving God at a church I grew up in. He provided relationships to guide and encourage me throughout those years of navigating normal teenage life; but also grieving the loss of my parents, family, and childhood. Even though that was such a tough season at so young, I decided to give it to Him and keep pressing on, trusting that He had a grand plan for my life.
Fast forward, I met my now husband when I was 19. Shortly after meeting Bryan, I found Meadows, which was his church at the time, and I began my time here with you all. He very slowly pulled me more out of my introverted shell, immersing me into his community here. Looking back, I am so thankful he did.
Bryan and I continued dating, got engaged, and after the world's longest engagement of 14 whole months, we got married in October, 2019. Shortly after that we began full time serving in MYG & J12 classes on Sundays. Fast forward some more, Bryan and I then found out we were expecting our baby boy and he arrived in June of 2021 and shortly after that I began leading our wonderful Kids Ministry team here on campus.
Reflecting today, the years from 13 to now have truly flown by even though some seasons of pain and grieving felt like they were never going to end. It is solely by the grace of God and placing my full faith in Him that He brought me out of those seasons and was soon to restore all that I felt like I lost growing up. If I had to pick one theme that seemed reoccurring growing up it would be loneliness. I felt often abandoned, left out, and as if I could no longer relate to anyone my age after having my parents pass so young. I had no sense of belonging or community, but coming to Meadows, God placed into my life some of my best friends, a loving community, and a sense of belonging.
Even further than that, He opened doors for us to do life alongside our MYG kids, then even more recently to lead our amazing Kids Ministry in encouraging our younger ones in building strong foundations in Christ. I am so thankful to have the ability and access to so many of our kids in our community that I do and to lock arms with them while they may feel like they are in those never-ending seasons of pain, grief, loneliness, or abandonment. If there is one thing I could tell my younger self and you all today, it would be to keep pressing in, even when it's hard to trust His plan. Those hard seasons can seem so long but give them to God and allow Him to do His work in you throughout that season. My life verse since 13 years old has been Romans 8:28. God truly uses all for good even if it takes years and milestones later to see that come to fruition. No matter what season of life you may find yourself right now, keep leaning in friends! His plan is always so much better than we can imagine.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
_________________________________________________
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
STARTING TOMORROW, April 8-9: The Altar Men's Conference
There's still time to sign up for this AWESOME conference, here in town at the Thomas & Mack Center. Derek Carr, Mat Redman, David Platt, and more will be speaking and leading.
Click HERE for more info and to register. Tickets are $49 (scholarships are available!) Follow the links to buy ticket(s) AND to let us know you are coming. A team member will contact you via text/email to discuss and coordinate details.
Sunday, April 17: EASTER SUNDAY!
RESURRECTION Sunday is coming! To make sure we have plenty of space, we will have THREE (3!) services this year:
8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM
All three services will have full Kids Church and nursery, as well as our world-famous donuts. And oh yeah, we'll sing praises and preach the Gospel!
Sunday, April 24: Family Sunday + Baptisms/Dedications + TACOS!
Yeah, you read that right. The last Sunday of April, we'll have all ages together in the Sanctuary for a special family service: we'll worship, we'll celebrate baptisms, dedicate some babies, we'll take communion, and then we'll head outside to eat the best street tacos in town.
Want to get baptized? Click HERE.
Want to dedicate your baby? Click HERE.
Want to eat tacos? Show up!
STARTING TOMORROW, April 8-9: The Altar Men's Conference
There's still time to sign up for this AWESOME conference, here in town at the Thomas & Mack Center. Derek Carr, Mat Redman, David Platt, and more will be speaking and leading.
Click HERE for more info and to register. Tickets are $49 (scholarships are available!) Follow the links to buy ticket(s) AND to let us know you are coming. A team member will contact you via text/email to discuss and coordinate details.
Sunday, April 17: EASTER SUNDAY!
RESURRECTION Sunday is coming! To make sure we have plenty of space, we will have THREE (3!) services this year:
8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM
All three services will have full Kids Church and nursery, as well as our world-famous donuts. And oh yeah, we'll sing praises and preach the Gospel!
Sunday, April 24: Family Sunday + Baptisms/Dedications + TACOS!
Yeah, you read that right. The last Sunday of April, we'll have all ages together in the Sanctuary for a special family service: we'll worship, we'll celebrate baptisms, dedicate some babies, we'll take communion, and then we'll head outside to eat the best street tacos in town.
Want to get baptized? Click HERE.
Want to dedicate your baby? Click HERE.
Want to eat tacos? Show up!
_________________________________________________
This Sunday is PALM SUNDAY, followed by RESURRECTION SUNDAY. The week between the two has historically been called "Holy Week." It's the span of time 2000 years ago where a LOT happened:
- Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey
- Jesus clearing the Temple
- The Passover gathering and the Last Supper
- His betrayal by Judas
- His trial, crucifixion, death, and burial
We can use this time to center our hearts on what we're preparing to celebrate on Easter Sunday.
I'll be reading a short devotional every morning during Holy Week, on my YouVersion Bible App, called "Holy Week Through the Eyes Of..." by Jim Cymbala. It's a great complement to our Sunday sermon series "First Responders", which has been looking at the experience of the Resurrection from the perspective of those who were there first. Join me!
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/30663
- Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey
- Jesus clearing the Temple
- The Passover gathering and the Last Supper
- His betrayal by Judas
- His trial, crucifixion, death, and burial
We can use this time to center our hearts on what we're preparing to celebrate on Easter Sunday.
I'll be reading a short devotional every morning during Holy Week, on my YouVersion Bible App, called "Holy Week Through the Eyes Of..." by Jim Cymbala. It's a great complement to our Sunday sermon series "First Responders", which has been looking at the experience of the Resurrection from the perspective of those who were there first. Join me!
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/30663
_________________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll continue our series "FIRST RESPONDERS."
Last Sunday, we looked at the very first person to the tomb on Resurrection Sunday, Mary Magdalene, the "Apostle to the Apostles." Her faithfulness and pursuit of Christ culminated in the sweet moment when Christ appeared again. What an honor!
This week, we'll look closely at the one who got there next, who Mary ran to first, and who "outran Peter" on the way. This man was a close, dear friend of Christ, and he was so sure of how Christ felt, he gave himself the nickname, "The One Whom Christ Loved."
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - John.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
Last Sunday, we looked at the very first person to the tomb on Resurrection Sunday, Mary Magdalene, the "Apostle to the Apostles." Her faithfulness and pursuit of Christ culminated in the sweet moment when Christ appeared again. What an honor!
This week, we'll look closely at the one who got there next, who Mary ran to first, and who "outran Peter" on the way. This man was a close, dear friend of Christ, and he was so sure of how Christ felt, he gave himself the nickname, "The One Whom Christ Loved."
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - John.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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