The Spirit | July 2026
The SPIRIT Newsletter for July 2026
Letter from the Pastor
We are halfway through our summer sermon series, The People Called, and I wanted to use this letter to catch you up and tell you where we are headed. If you have missed a Sunday or two, do not worry. There is still plenty of room to jump in.
The first four weeks were about the heart of who we are as Methodists. We started with the simplest and most important thing: in this church, you are never asked to choose between your head and your heart. You get both. From there, we looked at how we read the Bible and why we trust it enough to ask honest questions of it rather than be afraid to ask them. Then we spent two weeks on grace, which is really the center of everything. We looked at the surprising news that God made the first move, reaching for us long before we ever thought to reach for him. And we looked at what grace does once it has us, which is not to leave us alone but to slowly make us into more loving people. That is the whole goal. Not a flawless life, but a life that looks more and more like love.
The second half is where it gets practical, and it may be my favorite stretch of the whole series.
We come to the table next, to talk about the two things in worship you can actually see and touch, baptism and communion, and why ordinary water and bread carry so much. After that, we look at the habits that keep faith alive. Wesley gave his people three simple rules for living, and they are still some of the best pieces of spiritual advice I know. Then we get to what faith looks like when it leaves the building, because a faith that never shows up in how we treat people is not really faith at all. And we close with the thing that holds all of it together. We were never meant to do this alone.
Come for the second half of The People Called in July and bring someone with you. These are the things that make us who we are, and they are worth knowing.
Grace and peace, Pastor Dylan
Theology Minute
The Problem that Runs Deeper
Article VII | United Methodist Articles of Religion
Article VII of our United Methodist Articles of Religion takes on an important and often misunderstood doctrine in Christian theology: original sin.
The article is careful about what original sin is not. It is not simply the bad habit of following Adam’s example, as though sin were merely a matter of poor role models and worse decisions. That view, associated with a fifth-century theologian named Pelagius, was condemned by the early church precisely because it underestimates the problem. If sin is only imitation, then willpower and better choices are the cure.
The article says the problem runs deeper. Original sin is a corruption of human nature itself, inherited by every person. Left to ourselves, we are not neutral ground. We are inclined toward sin.
This explains why we need a Savior rather than a self-improvement plan. The doctrine of original sin is the reason grace must come from outside us. We cannot fix what is wrong with us by trying harder.
The bad news is in our nature. The good news is that grace goes deeper still.
Ministry Updates
What’s Happening at St. Paul
Vacation Bible School – Emerald Crossing
From July 27-30, our children will journey through Emerald Crossing, an Irish adventure centered on Psalm 23. For nearly three thousand years, this Psalm has comforted God’s people in every season of life. This summer we have the opportunity to place its comfort, peace, and hope into the hands of the next generation. Our prayer is that every child leaves knowing three things: peace is a person, his name is Jesus, and he is our Good Shepherd. Whether your gifts are teaching, crafting, organizing, decorating, welcoming, preparing snacks, leading games, or praying, there is a place for you. You do not need to be a Bible expert — you simply need a willing heart. Contact Abigail Shaw at learningtree@stpaulmuskogee.com to serve.
Youth Force Mission Trip – A Success
Our youth returned from the Youth Force mission trip in Tulsa, where they served alongside other teams to rehab a house. It was a week of hard work, growth, and genuine ministry. Thank you to everyone who supported our students with prayers, sponsorships, and encouragement.
Men’s Ministry Dinner
St. Paul Men gathers on the first Tuesday of each month to share a meal, listen to one another’s stories, and walk through life together. Our July dinner is Tuesday, July 7 at 6:30 PM at Bricktown Brewery. Whether you have been following Jesus for decades or are just beginning to ask questions, there is a place for you at this table. To join our text group, text MEN to 918-233-6210.
Adopt an Apportionment
In the Atrium you will find an Adopt an Apportionment display where you can select a ministry to support in part or in full, in addition to your regular pledge. United Methodist apportionments are a fair-share system where local congregations pool a portion of their funds to support connectional ministries around the world. Pick out an envelope to give your support.
Upcoming Events
July Events at St. Paul
Independence Day – Church Offices Closed July 3
Church offices will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day. We wish you and your family a happy and safe Fourth of July.
VBS Volunteer Meeting – Sunday, July 12, Noon
All VBS volunteers are invited to a meeting at noon on Sunday, July 12 in the Parlor. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Come find your place to serve at Emerald Crossing.
Communion Sunday – July 5
We will share communion together during worship on Sunday, July 5 at both the 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM services.
