Rock Port United Methodist Church

Folks from Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches celebrating the 4th of July on Sunday. All kinds of folks make up this country - all children of God. I hope you had a great 4th and I hope we all continue to value these folks and all those who make our country a place of liberty and justice for all.

Good morning! Happy Fourth of July to you all! Please feel free to share this message! Have a happy and safe fourth!

"I will baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:8 John the Baptist's words when Jesus came to the Jordan river to be baptized. We will remember that day, remember our own baptism, and remember that however clean water may wash us, it is the Holy Spirit that makes us truly clean.

Good morning! Thank you for joining us today! Please feel free to share this message!

Good Morning! Thank you for joining us today! Please feel free to share the message!

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 Emmanuel - God with us. That is what we wait for during Advent. God to come among us, bring us hope, show us the way, heal our world.... Join us this Advent season in anticipation of the birth of Christ. Join us in hope for God to be with us, for the healing of our world.

"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" This hymn was written by Nahum Tate and first published in 1700 in England where it was included in the Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church. Tate was born in Ireland but had moved to London to pursue a writing career. He was named poet laureate of England in 1692. The hymn was different from other hymns of the time, which were mostly the Psalms set to current music. This hymn tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ based... on Luke 2:8-14. Because of this departure from the tradition of the time, it was criticized by many. People did not like the changes to the hymns they were used to singing. But it came to be accepted over time and then became a beloved hymn along with so many others. The melody in our hymnal is different from the one originally used. It is based on an aria by G. F. Handel and came to be the popular version in the United States. Now it is part of an ongoing tradition of putting many scriptures to all kinds of wonderful music.