Is It The End of the World as We Know It? Or Something Else?

You are invited to worship at the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church this Sunday November 17.

The Gospel lesson for this Sunday has us considering the “end of the world” as Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.  His disciples press Jesus as to when this might happen and if there would be signs for them to know it was approaching.

Throughout history there have been people who claimed to know when the world was going to come to an end.  For these folk, they saw the signs all coming together to bring them to this conclusion. There were wars and earthquakes that seemed to underscore their message.  They matched these signs up with quotes from the Bible.  Hearing their message, some went to lengths to sell all their possessions and wait eagerly for the approaching hour.  The hour came and the hour went.  The world continued on.

We have seen this in our own time.  Just last year some people believed the world was going to end because of the Mayan Calendar and its completion.   Then the popular food item, Twinkies was discontinued.  Some believed that this had to point to the end of the world.    And do you remember back to 1999 when everyone talked about Y2K?  Some wondered if the world would end at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2000. 

Well, we passed December 21, 2012 when the Mayan Calendar ended.  Those sponge cakes with cream filling Twinkies are back in the stores. And Y2K came and went without any problems.  We and the world are all still here.

Maybe what Jesus was saying is not all about the end of the world.

It may actually be something more Jesus points us towards.  Maybe it is something more than thinking or waiting for the end of the world as we know it.  But what might that “something” be?

Come this Sunday and think about this with me.

There are worship services at 9am (a thirty minute worship with the celebration of Holy Communion) and at 10:30am (worship service with choir, children’s moment and Child Care provided).

I would be thrilled to see you. 

Be sure to introduce yourself to me. 

I will be the one wearing the white robe.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Imperial Beach United Methodist Church

455 Palm Avenue, IB

Sunday Worship:

9AM: 30 minute service with Holy Communion celebrated weekly

10:30AM: Holy Communion celebrated 1st Sunday of the month.

Sunday School:

For Elementary Children at 9:30AM

Our Hearts, Our Minds, Our Doors are always open.