The Spirit | August 2026
The SPIRIT Newsletter for August 2026
Letter from the Pastor
Who do you say Jesus is? That is the question we are looking at this August at St. Paul. We will be journeying through Matthew 14-16, looking at several stories in which Jesus shows us who he is. Over the course of the five Sundays in August, we will encounter Jesus as Bread of the Wilderness, Lord of the Storm, Friend of Outsiders, Son of the Living God, and Man of Sorrows. The goal? To be able to profess with St. Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. If you have been wrestling with this question, or know someone who has, then in the words of Philip, come and see.
On August 2 we will celebrate VBS Sunday with children from VBS singing some of the songs they learned during the children’s moment in the 11:00 service. Also on August 4 will be our second meeting of St. Paul Men. We will be meeting at Uncle Paco’s Mexican Restaurant at 6:30 PM. If you are interested in joining us, text the word MEN to 918-233-6210.
On August 9 we will be blessing school bags during the 11:00 service, so we want all students, teachers, and administrators to bring backpacks, bags, briefcases, or whatever else they use. On August 23 the Chancel Choir returns to worship after their summer break. Though we have been so blessed by specials throughout the summer, I cherish the blessing that the choir and their fearless leader, Ineta, are to St. Paul.
And I saved the best for last. This August, we already have plans to welcome four new members, and three of them will be baptized on August 9. Through God’s grace, we continue to reach people for Christ and develop deeply committed Christians.
As we look forward to the fall season, I want to ask all members to take a moment and reflect on your membership vows. In them we covenant to do all in our power to strengthen the church’s ministry and to faithfully participate in its ministries by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. It is a good time to be in prayer and discernment with God about whether each of us is fulfilling those vows to the best of our ability. One way to fulfill those vows is to invite someone to church each week. You could be the person who initiates someone else’s life-changing encounter with the risen Christ. What an incredible honor that would be. I hope to see you on Sunday.
Grace and peace, Rev. Dylan Ward
Theology Minute
Free Will is Not Free
Article VIII | United Methodist Articles of Religion
Article VIII of our United Methodist Articles of Religion makes a claim that surprises many people: left to ourselves, we cannot turn to God.
This is not a statement about human potential in general. People accomplish remarkable things. But the article is addressing something more specific. After the fall, human beings do not have the capacity to turn toward God, generate saving faith, or produce works that are genuinely pleasing to him. The will is not neutral. It is bent.
This is where Wesleyan theology makes a move that sets it apart from some other Protestant traditions. The answer is not that God simply overrides some people’s wills and not others. The answer is prevenient grace, the grace that goes before. God’s grace reaches every person first, awakening the will and making a genuine response possible.
So free will is real, but it is not original equipment. It is a gift of grace. We choose God because grace first made us capable of choosing.
This is why Methodists resist both fatalism and self-reliance. Neither pure determinism nor pulling yourself up spiritually by your own bootstraps tells the whole story. Grace comes first. Always.
Ministry Updates
What’s Happening at St. Paul
VBS Emerald Crossing – A Joyful Week
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make Vacation Bible School such a joyful week. From decorating classrooms and preparing crafts to leading stations, serving snacks, guiding groups, praying, and encouraging children, your time and generosity made a lasting impact. We are especially grateful for our adult and youth volunteers who poured so much love into sharing the message of Psalm 23 with our children. Thank you for helping create a place where kids could learn, laugh, worship, and experience the love of Jesus together.
Learning Tree Preschool – Back to School
Learning Tree Preschool is eagerly preparing for another wonderful school year. We are excited to welcome families for Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 8 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, with our first day of school on Wednesday, September 9. Enrollment is open for children ages 2 to 4, so if you know a family looking for a Christ-centered preschool, we would love for you to help spread the word.
Playground Renovation Phases I & II Fully Funded
We have received all the funds needed for the playground renovation funds match request. We praise the Lord for your generosity and support. The next steps are to take out the old playground and install the new equipment with the goal of finishing by the end of August.
Blessings of the School Bags – Sunday, August 9
We will celebrate our annual Blessing of the School Bags on Sunday, August 9 during the 11:00 service. Children, students, teachers, and school staff are invited to bring their backpacks, lunchboxes, briefcases, or school bags as we pray over the upcoming school year. School supply donations for local children in need may be dropped off at the church office before then.
Upcoming Events
August Events at St. Paul
Men’s Ministry Dinner – Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 PM
St. Paul Men gather this month at Uncle Paco’s Mexican Grill on Tuesday, August 4, at 6:30 PM. We are a group of men who once a month show up, share a meal, listen to one another’s stories, and walk through life together. To join our text group, text MEN to 918-233-6210.
Charlene Pruden’s 100th Birthday – Sunday, August 16
You are invited to a 100th birthday luncheon honoring Charlene Pruden at 12:45 PM on Sunday, August 16 at St. Paul. RSVP by phone or text to Beth Dunn at 918-577-0938. Your presence is your gift.
Chancel Choir Returns – August 23
After a summer break, the Chancel Choir returns to worship on Sunday, August 23. Rehearsals resume Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM. Singers of all experience levels are always welcome.
Muskogee Bridges Out of Poverty – Fall Classes Begin
Muskogee Bridges Out of Poverty fall classes begin at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 4 at St. Paul UMC. Learn more at muskogeebridgesoutofpoverty.org.
