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WelcomeWelcome to St. John’s United Methodist Church located on Proctor Road in Sarasota, Florida. We currently have two worship services, Contemporary at 9:00 a.m. and Traditional at 11:00 a.m. Both services are also live-streamed for those who choose to worship with us online.
A Word From Pastor Jaime
Three Simple Rules: A Reflection for Our Times Just a few days after New Year’s, the Lord brought to memory John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules. I had learned about them in seminary. In addition, four years ago I read a very insightful book by Bishop Reuben Job by the same title. I believe God was preparing me to reflect on these during this season of life and ministry. I alluded to the rules during our time of intercession on Sunday. The rules are: (1) do no harm, (2) do good and (3) stay in love with God. The events taking place in our nation’s capital since last Wednesday are unprecedented. While walking Felix (our family’s ferocious Chihuahua-Terrier) last week in the neighborhood, a lady I have never spoken with shared about having spent hours glued to her television set watching something that appeared to be transpiring in a different part of the world. The horror and fear on her face were not feigned. At times like these, the Church is called upon and expected to reflect theologically. Emotions and personal preferences can betray the best of intentions. Long-standing friendships have been ruined by differing opinions. Families find themselves polarized by arguments about everyday events. Therefore, I invite you to ponder these matters theologically. Wesley was appointed by God to proclaim a message of hope and peace to an England besieged by alcoholism, slavery, and moral decay. It was amid this less-than-ideal context that he endeavored to frame his life and ministry by these three simple rules. In striving to do no harm, while doing all the good we can and staying in love with God throughout the process, we accomplish multiple things. First, we attest to the fact that greater is He who lives within us than he who is in the world. Second, we embrace all people—those with whom we agree, and those with whom we have sharp disagreements—as of sacred worth, having all being created in the image of God. We are not threatened by the points of view of others; we prayerfully consider them. Finally, we acknowledge that, although this is in fact a broken and fragmented world, it is not our ultimate reality. While we strive for justice, respect, and compassion for all, we move forward encouraged by John’s vision as it appears in Revelation 21:3-4. The apostle wrote, 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” Join me on Saturday January 16 @ 9:00 a.m. Let us spend an hour prayer-walking our church property. If you are not able to walk, come and pray in the sanctuary. Let us trust to Lord for better days ahead. Let us be witnesses to the grace and love of God for all people. Let us be sources of encouragement to a community in need. Let us be light in a world of darkness. Jesus Christ remains Lord of all, and that is good news. Beloved brothers and sisters, we go on, Serving All. Following One, Pastor Jaime |
Pastor Jaime Faberllé
6611 Proctor Road Sarasota, FL 34241 Phone: 941-925-2661 Fax: 941-926-4436 For emergency and pastoral care needs, please call 941-210-9229. Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
Thank You
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