A Note From Our Pastor

“Soul Care in 2023” They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. –Psalm 1:3 (NRSV)   In his book, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You, John Ortberg encourages the reader to tend to the most important part of themselves, which is the soul.  He writes: “Our soul is like an inner stream of water that gives strength, direction, and harmony to every other area of life.” Each time I reflect on Ortberg’s words, I feel convicted because I often neglect the very thing that gives life and meaning to who I am as a child of God. The world with its distractions, cares, and complexities will often cause us to lose focus on nurturing the Spirit of God on the inside of us.  If we are not careful, we will be conditioned to care more about material things and selfish ambitions than the condition of our soul.     The writer of Psalm 1 reminds us that those who are firmly planted and anchored in the Lord will have deep roots that will sustain them in all seasons of life. This year, I am striving for more than just new habits and disciplines. I am striving for one thing, above all, in my life—caring for my soul for my sake and the sake of others. Not that I have not attempted this in the past, but in 2023, I am committed to allowing this to be the focus of everything I do—my life, my family, and my ministry. I encourage each of you to continue to find those times and places in your life to slow down and connect with God. Simply put, care for your soul. Not only will God sustain you, but God will give you wisdom and direction for the journey.   Grateful to be your pastor, Dr. Dedric A. Cowser Senior Pastor

Worship Celebration

January 8, 2023

Join us for our Worship Celebration on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. via In-Person, or Facebook Live on the Center Grove United Methodist Church Facebook page.

You can also join our live-streaming celebration via the following media outlets:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfMEFeWdt294sXw_EOH7jA

Church Website: https://centergroveumc.org/

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/centergroveumc

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Mr. Matthew Baker

Mrs. Patty Langford

Community Spotlight

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Words of Encouragement