Blog

Sermon: The Cost of Faith

We looked at Ezra 9:10–15 and Luke 14:25–35, two passages that give different perspectives on the same invitation: a wholehearted commitment to God.

In Ezra, we see God’s people called back to wholehearted devotion, recognizing that faithfulness means turning away from anything that pulls our hearts from Him. In Luke, Jesus reminds us that following Him isn’t a casual decision. He calls us to count the cost and place our commitment to Him above everything else and trust Him completely.

The message reminds us that discipleship isn’t simply believing in Jesus, it’s allowing our commitment to Him to become the guiding influence in every area of life. Following Christ often means surrendering our own plans, priorities, and attachments so that He becomes the center of everything we do.

Faith has a cost, but a life surrendered to Christ brings a joy the world cannot offer.

What is God asking you to trust Him with today?

If you weren’t able to join us, we invite you to watch the message. We pray it encourages you, challenges you, and reminds you that while following Jesus may require sacrifice, it always leads us closer to the One who is faithful.

Our 3^rd quarter Mission Pot will go to IM SAFE Child Advocacy Center.   The mission of the Ionia Montcalm Secure and Friendly Environment Child Advocacy Center is to protect children from abuse by providing prevention through education and to coordinate multi-disciplinary investigations, assessment, and treatment of child abuse in an environment that is child-sensitive, supportive, and safe. 

They serve children ages 2 to 17 years old who have been sexually abused, severely physically abused, human trafficked, and children who have been exploited over the internet.  The children they serve are also residents of either Ionia or Montcalm County.

Current Prayer Requests

Members and Congregants—Ann Ebenstein, Karen Whorley, Sally Flanders, Margaret Beattie, Jim Rowley, Jennifer Thompson, and Arlene Horrocks

Friends and Family—Janet Dickinson, Matt Jackson, Laura Clements, Jeffrey Ebenstein, Jeremy Town, and Chris Getts

Please join us for Worship at First UMC for a combined Service at 9:30am with Bishop David Bard

EVENTS

Sunday Greetings and Announcements – begins at 10:50am

Sunday Worship Service & Facebook Live – Sundays at 11am

Nursery – Every Sunday (unless otherwise noted)- After the children’s message (for children ages 1–5) – If you can help, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board or contact Nancy Raymond.

Mission Pot – located in the back of the church

Bible Study – Tuesdays at 1:30pm  (Exodus Study)

May 24, Sunday – Pentecost Sunday Worship at 11am combined Service at Easton –  Potluck after service

May 27, Wednesday – Vision Meeting at Easton at 4pm

May 27, Wednesday – Game Night 6pm

June 29 – 31 – Pastor at Annual Conference

May 29, Friday – Rummage Sale set up, 9 am – 1 pm

May 31, Sunday – Trinity Sunday Worship at 11am with September

June 1 – June 3- Rummage Sale set up, 9 am – 1pm

June 4 – 10 – Pastor at Wisconsin Annual Conference

June 4, Thursday – Easton at Zion Community Dinner 4-7

June 4, Thursday – Rummage Sale, 9 am – 4 pm

June 5, Friday – Rummage Sale, 9 am – 4 pm

June 6, Saturday – Rummage Sale, 9 am – 12 pm

June 7, Sunday – Worship at 11am with Donna Andres

June 8, Monday –Pack up Garage Sale items, 9 am to 12 pm (anytime you can make it) UMF at Noon

COA/Blue Skies Program – will be every Tuesday and Thursday

Graduation Sunday – Sunday, June 28.   Please call or email the church office with the graduate’s name(s) and school/college information so they may be included in our Graduation Sunday Celebration….,tbd

Our 2^nd quarter Mission Pot   is RAVE of Ionia.  RAVE’s goal is to eliminate the crimes of domestic and sexual violence through programs that support change. There is a tote on the pew in the Narthex for donating items to RAVE also.  A list of suggested donations is on the tote. Thank you for your support!!!  If you have any ideas or would like to serve on the Mission Committee, please contact  Nancy Raymond at 616-902-2702.

June 4, 5, and 6^th – Easton Rummage Sale – Please bring donations to the Rummage Sale Room downstairs, located just inside East door, or call the church at 616-527-6529 to leave a message, and we will arrange for pickup.   Please bring large items (sofas, chairs, dressers, etc.) the week of the sale. We DO NOT accept old TVs, computer monitors, or large appliances. Thanks for your help.

March 1, Sunday – 2^nd Sunday of Lent/Holy Communion/Worship 11, with Ariel Sherwood

March 3, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1 pm at First UMC

March 5, Thursday – Easton at Zion Community Dinner 4-7

March 8, Sunday – 3^rd Sunday in Lent, Worship 11am, with Donna Andres

March 9, Monday – UWF at noon bring a dish to pass

March 10, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1 at Easton

March 11, Wednesday – Ad Board Meeting at 6pm

March 15, Sunday – 4^th Sunday of Lent, Worship 11am, with September Carigon

March 17, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1 at First

March 22, Sunday – 5^th Sunday of Lent, Worship 11am,with Women of Easton

March 24, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study at 1 at Easton

March 29, Sunday – Pashion/Palm Sunday Worship 11am with Bishop Linda Lee

March 31, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study at 1 at First

April 2, Thursday – Maundy Thursday at 6pm at First

April 3, Friday – Good Friday Service at 6pm at Easton

• Sunday Greetings and Announcements – begins at 10:50am
• Sunday Worship Service & Facebook Live – Sundays at 11am
• Nursery – Every Sunday (unless otherwise noted)- After the children’s message (for children ages 1–5) – If you can help, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board or contact Nancy Raymond.
• Mission Pot – located in the back of the church
• Bible Study – Tuesdays at 1:30pm (study of Exodus)
• February 8, Sunday – Worship  11am
• February 9, Monday – United Women of Faith Meeting at noon (bring a dish to pass)
• February 11, Wednesday – Ad Board Meeting 6pm
• February 15, Sunday – Worship 11am
• February 18, Wednesday – Ash Wednesday 6pm at First
• February 22, Sunday – 1^st Sunday of Lent, Worship 11am
• February 24, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study begins 1:30pm at Easton
• March 1, Sunday – 2^nd Sunday of Lent/Holy Communion/Worship 11, Ariel Sherwood – Speaker
• March 3, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1:30 pm at First UMC
• March 5, Thursday – Easton at Zion Community Dinner 4-7
• March 8, Sunday – 3^rd Sunday in Lent, Worship 11am, Donna Andres -Speaker
• March 9, Monday – UWF at noon bring a dish to pass
• March 10, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1:30 at Easton
• March 11, Wednesday – Ad Board Meeting at 6pm
• March 15, Sunday – 4^th Sunday of Lent, Worship 11am, Group of women-speakers
• March 17, Tuesday – Lenten Bible Study 1:30 at First
• March 22, Sunday – 5^th Sunday of Lent, Worship 11am, September Carigon-Speaker

Service has been canceled today. Be safe!!!!

We are accepting applications from vendors for our craft sale on October 11.

Please call 616 690-3072 for more information.

Seeking 2025 Graduates

Easton UMC would like to recognize 2025 Graduates!!!  If you have someone in your family who is graduating from high school, trade school, community college, university, or with a specialized degree, we would like to celebrate THEM with you.  Please email the office at eastonoffice@gmail.com as soon as possible with the graduate’s name, the school they graduated from, and any future dreams/plans that they may have, so we can bless them at a Sunday Service (TBD). Thank You!

April 6, Sunday – Holy Communion/Worship 11am
April 8, Tuesday – Ad Board Meeting at 6pm (Date Change)
April 8, Tuesday – Bible Study at 1pm at EUMC
April 9, Wednesday – Lenten Study and snacks 6pm at Easton
April 13, Sunday – Worship 11am
April 16, Wednesday – Lenten Study and snacks 6pm at First
April 17, Thursday – Maundy Thursday joint Worship 7pm at First
April 18, Friday – Good Friday Service 4pm at EUMC
April 20, Sunday – Easter Sunday Worship 11am
April 23, Wednesday – Game Night 6pm at Easton
April 27, Sunday – Worship 11am
May 1, Thursday – National Day of Prayer
May 1, Thursday – Easton at Zion Community Dinner located at Ionia First, 4pm to 7pm
May 4, Sunday – Holy Communion and Healing Service at 11am
May 11, Sunday – Worship 11am
May 12, Monday – United Women in Faith meeting at noon (bring a dish to pass)
May 14, Wednesday – Ad Board meeting at 6pm
May 18, Sunday – Worship 11am
May 25, Sunday – Worship 11am

Easton UMC is holding a potluck to welcome Pastor Lamarr and his wife Linda to Easton UMC and First UMC. The potluck will be held after Easton Worship at noon. RSVP by September 30 with your name and number attending, using the sign-up sheet in the narthex, emailing eastonoffice@gmail.com, or calling 616-527-6529.

Chapel Dedication following potluck

Easton United Methodist Church of Ionia is accepting applications for our Fall Craft Show. For additional information, call (616)690-3072

Effective Sunday, July 7, 2024, Easton will begin Worship at 11am.