“Hosanna! Lord, save us! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD, we bless you.” These words from Psalm 118 were sung to Jesus over 2000 years ago and we shouted them again on this blessed Palm Sunday. Our lives, not just on Palm Sunday, should be characterized by worship. Are we people who can worship Jesus in the waiting, in our doubts, and even in our seasons of disappointment? I pray that we can fix our eyes on the King and worship Jesu

When I was in college, I had a short-lived career as a waitress. I learned quickly that the food service industry was not for me. “You didn’t want tomatoes? Okay, pick them off then,” said younger Lauren. Thank goodness for future sanctification and a deeper understanding of the importance of having a servant’s heart. To be a servant, one must humble themselves and look after the needs of others, as unto the Lord. Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, was a great example of

Fifteen years ago, we experienced a miracle in my family. Our oldest son was born with a cleft palate. The experts said it would require several surgeries. With great disappointment, my son had an unsuccessful reconstructive surgery at six month old. The doctor explained they were only able to realign some muscles but were not able to fix the hole in the roof of his mouth. We were so disappointed but we began to pray. What else could we do? Two weeks later, the surgery was he

Am I a Giver? This is the question we contemplated this week as we journeyed with Jesus in John 6 in the familiar story of the loaves and fishes. A little lunch was given that day and a big miracle came out of it. Thousands were fed. Would we be willing to give what we have to see others satisfied with Jesus? After all, Jesus is the Bread of Life. We should not keep this wonderful knowledge to ourselves. This week we meditated on question number 12 of the Global Methodist Chu

Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the journey to the cross and the empty grave. Lent is also a time to turn the mirror of faith on ourselves and ask, “Am I a disciple? Am I a witness?” I pray that you have been inspired to follow Jesus more closely and to share your testimony with others so they may know the Living Word. This week we meditated on question number 11 of the Global Methodist Church Catechism: “How did the Son become human?” Our answer at Austin Global Met

The Lenten season has begun. Lent is an opportunity to prepare our hearts as we journey to the cross and the empty grave. This Lenten season we will be reading through the Book of John and asking ourselves, “What would I give up and what would I take on for a closer walk with Jesus.” Be sure to follow along with your church family as we journey through the Book of John. Here’s the devotional link: https://www.austinglobalmethodist.org/_files/ugd/f1ee81_a4050dd4b4184e5bbf426a2

This Sunday, we had a special guest preacher, Rev. B.J. Rogers, from Partners in Hope. He encouraged our mission-minded congregation to live out the sacraments and take on the servant mindset of Jesus. Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Tom Deviney, helped lead the service and communion in Rev. Lauren’s absence. It was strange for Pastor Lauren to not be in service but we are blessed to have technology available to watch from home in travel and sickness. This week we also meditated on que

Can I get a witness? It was a wonderful time at Annual Awakening at Coker Methodist Church in San Antonio. Twenty people were ordained, a new partnership with the Global Methodist Church in Rwanda began, we heard a wonderful report from our brothers from Bulgaria, our Lay Leader was called to share his testimony of God’s faithfulness in his life and at Austin GMC, and Pastor Lauren did two prayer workshops. We were left with the challenge to go and be witnesses to the uttermo

This Sunday, we read perhaps the most important prophetic chapter of the Old Testament: Isaiah 53. In this chapter, we learn so much about who the Promised One would be. He would not be especially majestic but rather a man well acquainted with sorrows. He would be the Suffering Servant. He would be pierced, bruised, punished, and striped for us. Like a Lamb, he would lay down his life but after his suffering, see the light of life again. Who else fulfills this but Jesus? This

This Sunday, we continued our new sermon series, “Follow the Lamb”. We were in everyone’s favorite book of the Bible: LEVITICUS! Everyone loves that book, right? Well, we should because all of it points directly to Jesus, who is our Passover Lamb, Scapegoat, and Great High Priest. Let us be grateful that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and by his death, we now are covered with the blood of the Lamb. This week we also meditated on question number 6 of the Global Methodist

This Sunday, we continued our new sermon series, “Follow the Lamb”. We read the Passover story from Exodus 12, knowing that the blood of lambs that once covered the doorposts of houses was pointing to the blood of Jesus that now covers us. The challenge this week was to celebrate Communion with a fresh appreciation for the Lamb of God slain for us and to tell of it’s meaning to the next generation. This week we also meditated on question number 5 of the Global Methodist Churc

This Sunday, we continued our new sermon series, “Follow the Lamb”. We read from Genesis 22 and learned about Jehovah Jireh’s provision on Mount Moriah. God himself promised to provide the Lamb one day and he did through Jesus Christ. This week we also meditated on question number 4 of the Global Methodist Church Catechism: “How is God Almighty?” Our answer at Austin Global Methodist Church is: “God is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love.” We believe in God

This Sunday, we welcomed Pastor David, his music team, and the members of Mission Zion Austin to our service. We were bursting at the seams with praise, children, and new friends. It was a great Sunday in the House of the Lord. This week, we started our new sermon series, “Follow the Lamb”. We read from Genesis 3 and were reminded of the fall of mankind and God’s goodness to clothe them with the first sacrifice. He also gave them the promise that one day the Serpent’s head wo

It was a wonderful week of ministry at Austin Global Methodist Church with Thursday Night Refuge Worship with the Concordia University students and another worshipful Sunday with our new worship leader, Sebastian Thomas and his wife Shanon. This Sunday, a difficult passage of Scripture was tackled from Matthew 2. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt, countless innocent lives were lost because of evil King Herod, God called his Son “out of Egypt”, and back to Israel proving t

This Sunday was an amazing worship service. We concluded the Christmas season with Epiphany, celebrated Holy Communion, and welcomed our new worship leader Sebastian Thomas and his wife Shanon. We could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and there was so much joy in the House of the Lord. This week I also introduced Question number 1 of the Global Methodist Church Catechism: “Do you believe in God?” Our answer at Austin Global Methodist Church is: “Yes. I believe in God, th

We are in that strange time in between Christmas and the new year. What day is it? Should I take my tree down or wait for Epiphany? What are my goals for the new year? What will 2025 hold? If you haven’t picked a goal for the new year, let me help. This Sunday I preached about the importance of becoming Wall Shakers (Acts 4:31)- people of prayer and a House of Prayer. Let’s make 2025 our most prayerful year yet! Let that be your goal for the new year. You have an opportunity

This Sunday we lit the love candle and learned how the Christmas story is a love story between Mary and Joseph, God and mankind, and Jesus and us. The challenge this week is to tell someone Jesus loves them. He came to be the Savior of the World and people need to know. Because Jesus came, we know what true love is!    This week we will have a special candlelight Christmas Eve service. Come at 5pm for food and fellowship and worship at 6pm. Let’s keep Jesus at the center of o

This Sunday we lit the pink joy candle and learned about the Levitical Shepherds tasked to share the joyful Good News of Jesus’ birth. In contrast to the silly, worldly joy of Buddy the Elf, we can have true joy because Jesus came. Just like the pink joy candle, different from the rest, joy should mark us as disciples of Jesus. We are tasked with letting the joy of Jesus change us and sharing that joy with others.   Now it’s time for a joyful update. The Lord has blessed us w

This Sunday we lit the peace candle and focused on the peace that Jesus alone brings us through his birth. We contemplated worldly hope as seen by characters like the chaotic McAlister family from “Home Alone” versus Scriptural hope we see in Mary, who knew the Prince of Peace had come. Despite the unique circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, Mary allowed the peace of God to rule in her heart. We have a lot to learn from Mary! Our choir performed “Come, Thou Long Expe

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Advent is here. This Sunday we lit the hope candle and focused on the hope that Jesus alone brings us through his birth. We contemplated worldly hope as seen by characters like Clark Griswold of Christmas Vacation and Scriptural hope as seen by people like Anna and Simeon, who knew the Hope of Nations had come. We also rejoiced at the report of 18 new church members and the building campaign re