Moose Lake United Methodist Church

Tina Forcier is our new Pastor starting July 20, 2025 at 11 am.

Treasurer Ruth Pfaller hands over a check for $1000 to the Moose Lake Area Food shelf. This gift will be matched by other generous donors to the Food shelf. Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

“I love, too, the deliverance this helplessness brings. In another psalm that emphasizes helplessness, Psalm 25, David wrestles with shame, that vicious hold that others can put upon us. Notice always the difference between guilt, which is largely an internal matter between us and our own souls, and shame, which is inflicted from the outside by the judgments and expectations of others. In Psalm 25 David turns to God in helplessness, and in the process is delivered from shame. Helplessness before God makes us wonderfully less vulnerable to the judgment of others. Having contemplated our limitations before the Eternal, we are marvelously independent of the transient, no matter how vigorously the transient flaunts itself.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Read Psalm 25. Enter into prayer in such a way that you, “turn to God in helplessness, and in the process [are] delivered from shame”.

“Just as we never learn except as we admit ignorance, there are places in prayer that we cannot experience except from the posture of helplessness. At such times of consummate need we learn things not only about the person extending friendship, but also about our own person. We probably know very little about ourselves until we see what we are like when backed into a corner or at the end of our rope. The psalmists emerged from their experiences of helplessness as better persons. David prayed in Psalm 25, “[God] leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (Psalm 25:9). One must be humble to be led, because following is a tacit admission the other person knows something we don’t. That’s probably why some of us would rather wander in confusion around a city than ask for directions. So, too, if we are to be taught, we have to “humble [our] way.” Any of us who have tried to teach have learned how difficult it is to instruct those who already – by their own declaration – know everything.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Consider all the things you need that only God can provide. Take on a posture of helplessness before God that allows you to say, “thank you”, to the One who provides for all those needs.

“Repentance is crucial not only for our relationship with another; it is an equally crucial quality in a person’s relationship with his or her own soul. Dean W. R. Inge, a theologian who was also a pungent observer of the human scene, once said, “Prayer gives a [person] the opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets. I do not mean his maker, but himself.” Repentance is key to the knowing of ourselves. We’ll never get very deep into self-knowing without feeling the need to repent, to be sorry – before God, before those closest to us, perhaps even to the human race as a whole.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: As you pray a prayer of repentance before God, who comes to mind? As we are “sorry before God”, are there others who we become aware of that we need to be sorry before, “those closest to us, perhaps even to the human race as a whole”? If it happens that God leads you to a particular person to whom you need to be sorry before, make it a point today to repent before that person as well.

“I am sometimes uncomfortable when I hear the psalmist speaking so assuredly of his own merit. Some would reply that I was probably raised on a good deal of self-condemnation. Perhaps, though I doubt that it was excessive. Then, too, it may be that the psalmists were, in the particular instances of self-appraisal, being necessarily defensive. There are times when we ought to speak a good word for ourselves. Indeed, sometimes we attack ourselves with a virulence that would cause us to rise up in wrath if the same words were spoken by another. So let’s say a cautiously good word for the psalmists in their readiness to speak well of themselves. I say “cautiously good” because you and I belong to a culture that is so intent on nurturing delicate egos that we’re generally more in need of recognizing our sins than of boasting of our virtues. No matter; we ought above all to be honest with God, and in those instances where we have gained ground in the pursuit of righteousness or where this time we have done good where at other times we’ve done bad, let us be honest in accepting the goodness, and be thankful.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: As you enter into prayer today consider where you have, “gained ground in the pursuit of righteousness”. If you can’t see it for yourself ask God to show it to you. After you see it, give God thanks for that ground that has been gained through the power of the Holy Spirit active in you.

“Now and again the psalmists pray for judgment on their enemies, but sometimes they catch themselves in the process and examine their own souls, lest their cry for divine vengeance get completely out of hand. In Psalm 139, the writer has just asked God to send judgment on his enemies; but without pausing for a breath he continues, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). The writer thinks he is right, and thinks it deeply enough that he is ready to pray judgment on someone else. And yet, he pauses to confess that he just could be wrong, that there might be some “wicked way” in him, so he urges God to search out his heart. He invites the convicting guilt that will compel him to repent.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: If there is one thing that we need more of in our world it is examination of our own souls, and most of all when we think we are right. What are you most certain about today? Is there anyone or any group of people who you are, “ready to pray judgment on”? Consider them, then pray that God will search out your heart and if needed invite the convicting guilt of God to compel you to repent.

“Most of us have heard someone say regretfully of a friendship, “I never heard him say he was sorry.” Even the most earnest friendship or the most ecstatic marriage needs these two words, because even though one may not have caused hurt intentionally, all of us in our humanness sometimes speak an unfortunate word or commit a thoughtless deed; and though no malice was intended, we still need to say, “I’m sorry” – not because we intended to bring hurt, but because the other person has suffered pain. In friendship, regret goes deep and demands expression.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: While engaging in your God-human friendship through prayer, practice saying, “I’m sorry”. If you need a little help use Psalm 32 as your guide.

“It isn’t far from the place of wonder to the place of witness. If we believe deeply in someone, we can hardly refrain from testifying to the beauty we find in him or her. Without a doubt, the favorite psalm is Psalm 23… and this is a psalm of witness. The writer, David, is reporting on the wonder of a remarkable friendship, and in doing so, he recommends his friend… At times the poet adores God and talks to God, whereas at other times he seems to be telling some audience or individual what he knows and loves about God.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Read Psalm 23. Consider what you “know and love about God”. Now pray over who it is that you need to share that with today.

“The writers of the psalms are fully satisfied that there is no one to be compared to the Lord God. They may have their times when they question and complain, but when the vote comes in, there is no negative. The God of Israel is great, and greatly to be praised. Charles Wesley concluded one of his loveliest hymns with the line, “Lost in wonder, love, and praise.” The psalmists would have said amen to that. Or more likely, they would have said to Wesley, “You got that idea from us.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Have you ever been, “Lost in wonder, love, and praise”? The best way to get lost is to forget your map and then set out on an adventure. Today forget your ‘prayer map’ and simply enjoy being in the presence of the Savior of the whole cosmos, Jesus Christ!

“our repentance should go beyond superficial thinking, so we consider why we have sinned, and what it is in us that inclines toward particular failings. With such realization we equip ourselves to walk more uprightly in the future, and to guard against carelessly falling into the same destructive patterns.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: This may be difficult but it is time to get specific with our sinfulness. Pick one sin. Got it? Now ask God WHY that sin has appeared in your life and listen for God’s answer so that you will be equipped to “walk more uprightly”.

“In this matter of petitioning God by specific names, I confess a simple faith, but one that is significant enough to me that I dare to recommend it to you. As I go about each day, numbers of persons come to mind. Some names appear logically – I see the person on the street, or hear form them by letter or e-mail. But some seem to come out of the proverbial blue. I take each such name as a gift from the Holy Spirit, and ask God’s blessing on the person. If I know something of the person’s circumstances, I speak to God from the particulars of my knowledge; otherwise, I simply recite the name prayerfully… I reason that perhaps it is the Spirit of God that has brought this person to mind, and that by my prayer I may help bring God’s will to pass in that person’s life.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Has a certain person come to mind today, “out of the proverbial blue”? If so, simply pray for that person now. If not, take time to listen to the Lord for a name and pray for the one to whom God has directed you.

“When the psalmist repents, he isn’t content to make a blanket request for forgiveness. Rahter, he uses three different words for sin and three specific words for the kind of action he wants taken to his sins (“Blot out my transgressions./Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,/and cleanse me from my sin”)(Psalm 51:1-2).” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Take time in prayer today to be SPECIFIC about your own transgressions/iniquity/sin. Specific enough that Jesus can take all of it and blot it out and wash and cleanse your soul.

“A lazy relationship will be taken over by generalities. A great relationship is marked by the specific. You’ve been told that the good is the enemy of the best and that the pretty is the enemy of the beautiful. Let me add that the general is the enemy of the specific. The general has its place, of course; but in the most important matters of life, remember the importance of the specific.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: As you enter into prayer consider writing down the specific thanksgivings and petitions that you want to present to Jesus… then present them.

“The secret of exuberance is involvement. If we are to enjoy exuberance, we have to engage ourselves. The more nearly complete the engagement, the greater the level of fulfillment and of exuberance. And here’s the rub for most of us religious folk. We engage in too much of our religion at a safe distance. The saints are those persons – ordinary persons – who dare to involve themselves with God unreservedly. They perceive that God has gambled eternal love on them, so they in turn gamble wildly on God.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Pray that God will erase the “safe distance” between you. As you pray try to envision what a worship service would look like if your only concern was to involve yourself with God unreservedly… Sunday you have the chance to make that prayer a reality, hope to see you in worship!

Writing about the author of Psalm 96, “All of his vocabulary seems stunted and insufficient for the wonder he feels, so he yearns for a new way to declare the glory of God. He wants much more than new words, a fresh melody, or a different set of musical instruments; the poet wants a newness within his own person. You’ve known the frustration, I’m sure, in the experiences of human friendship and love, of saying to someone, “I just wish I could find the words to tell you what you mean to me” or “what our friendship means to me.” So it is that the psalmist wants “a new song.” And his exuberance is such that he calls on everyone else to join his choir”

Prayer prompt: Let’s join the psalmist’s choir today by praying Psalm 96.

“1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! 9 Worship the Lord in holy array tremble before him, all the earth! 10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.”

“So is there a “right” time for prayer? The psalmists would endorse morning, noon, night, any hour, every hour. Saints in the Christian tradition would reinforce the idea that any time is an appropriate time for prayer; and most of them would also emphasize the importance of prayer early in the day – a logic which, even if unattractive to some, is hard to deny… it’s very clear that time, place, and posture all matter. They matter differently at different times, for different reasons… But whatever the formalities of time, place, and posture, the psalmists would tell us, as would centuries of saints since their time, “Pray. Just pray!”

Prayer prompt: Today take a moment to pray in part of the day that you usually would not. See what the Holy Spirit brings to mind at this time of the day that you may not have been listening for at any other time.

“any place can become sacred space. The secret is not location, but the attitude of the heart. Because of our psychological makeup, we do well to establish some given spot, whether in our home, our church, or a walking path. It’s important also that we mark that place by regularity and frequency. A prayer spot, no matter how sacred of itself, will soon lose its power if it is visited only rarely.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas – “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Have you had this experience? Has some ‘sacred space’ ever felt less than sacred from time to time? Take a moment to ask God if the difference isn’t in the physical space but rather in the attitude of your heart. Ask God for a willing attitude to enter into and recognize your own sacred space.

“So is a church – to move the Old Testament writer into our world – the best place to pray? In truth, there is something special about a church as a place to pray. Quite simply, when a building or a place is dedicated to a particular purpose, it takes on unique qualities of that purpose… not only has the altar been dedicated to the purpose of prayer and holy adoration, it has taken on the hallowedness of the many prayers that have been offered there. I confess I am somewhat mystical about this; a place where many have prayed has an aura of its own.” Dr. Ellsworth Kalas – “Longing to Pray”

Prayer prompt: Have you ever had an experience of praying in a place that just ‘felt’ like a holy place? Remember back to that place and time. As you pray today recognize that the same God who met you there is available to you now right where you are and give God thanks for that.

"Thinking that our posture wins favor with God or that it ensures an answer to prayer reduces prayer to magic; however, if we refuse to place ourselves under some particular, reasonable physical discipline, our pride can separate us from God." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt (also from Dr. Kalas' text): "See for yourself how the mood changes as the posture changes. Sit and pray, and prayer takes on a conversational quality. Stand, and you feel you are making an appearance before the King. Lift your hands, and a special sense of adoration engulfs your prayer. Put your head down, and you feel awe, humility, perhaps even shame; lift your head, and there is a sense of glad openness."

Today try more than one of these postures in your prayer time that you usually don't use.

Presumptuous Friendship: part 2

"The more we experience of the goodness of God, the more we are in danger of the ingratitude that neglects the source of that goodness. In any friendship, human or divine, we need to pause at frequent intervals and ask ourselves if we have allowed favor to make us presumptuous. Without being morbid, we should pause to ask, "What would my life be like without this friendship?" And then, we should seek to celebrate the wonder of friendship with some act of beauty." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt: Make this an active prayer; an expression, "to celebrate the wonder of friendship with some act of beauty". What "act" should it be? That is up to you and your own unique expression of your friendship with Jesus!

Presumptuous Friendship: part 1

"The more we experience of the goodness of God, the more we are in danger of the ingratitude that neglects the source of that goodness. In any friendship, human or divine, we need to pause at frequent intervals and ask ourselves if we have allowed favor to make us presumptuous. Without being morbid, we should pause to ask, "What would my life be like without this friendship?" And then, we should seek to celebrate the wonder of friendship with some act of beauty." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt: Honestly pray over the question, What would my life be like without this friendship with Jesus? Listen carefully for his answer and respond accordingly.

"The psalmists didn't lecture about time with God, they simply implemented it. Is there something to be said to God? Then say it - not once, but twice or three times. And don't say it the same way each time to do so would be to engage in the "vain repetitions" or "empty phrases" that Jesus warned against (Matthew 6:7 KJV, NRSV). Such praying becomes lazy; the brain is put in an idling mode, and the words roll out without thought or content. The psalmist would have none of that. He speaks his heart to God, and then searches for a way to say it again. Having rejoiced in a God who "makes me lie down in green pastures," he follows his metaphor a step further: "he leads me beside still waters" (Psalm 23:2)."

Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt: As you pray, write down a short phrase or sentence that you have uttered to God. Now rewrite that same phrase.... and rewrite it again one more time.

"those who pray best are those who schedule prayer into their day the way they schedule everything else that is important. I believe in Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing", and I seek in my uneven way to fulfill his counsel. But I have learned - as perhaps you have, too - that I'm more likely to pray on the run and in the midst of other pursuits when I have set aside an earlier time to devote myself entirely to prayer. Friendship takes time, and in no friendship is time more crucial than in the divine friendship, where the means of communication is prayer." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt: Life is often hectic and somewhat unexpected. This makes prayer difficult at times if we do not set and then guard our time to pray. Take out your phone/calendar and set an appointment to meet with Jesus in prayer for the next three days. Then pray that God will protect that time from the unexpected that would cause you to miss an opportunity to meet with Jesus.

"Now and then, as an average friendship grows, we confess that we had at first sold the other person short. We didn't know how much there was to the person; we might even have thought the person was shallow, until we got below the surface. Then we realized the shallowness was not in the other person, but in our own readiness to settle for a skin-deep relationship." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - 'Longing to Pray'

Prayer prompt: Consider the depth of your relationship with Jesus. Are you willing to go deeper? Pray over any barriers that might be stopping you from doing so.

"I take some strange comfort in Bonhoeffer's saying that we "are inclined to pray too hurriedly." Then it is not simply our speed-ridden, computer-driven, instant-satisfaction culture that can't find time to pray, or that seeks quick-fix spirituality; Bonhoeffer dealt with the same problem sixty or seventy years ago. And come to think of it, perhaps the saintliest souls of twenty-five or thirty centuries ago recognized the same human tendency" Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - "Longing to Pray"

One cure for hurried prayer we find in the Psalms is repetition. Praying the same words again and again until they aren't just said and thought; they are felt and lived.

Prayer prompt: Pray Psalm 136 until you know, "His love endures forever".

Psalm 44:1-8

1 We have heard it with our ears, O God;

our ancestors have told us

what you did in their days,

in days long ago.

2 With your hand you drove out the nations

and planted our ancestors;

you crushed the peoples

and made our ancestors flourish.

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,

nor did their arm bring them victory;

it was your right hand, your arm,

and the light of your face, for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God,

who decrees victories for Jacob.

5 Through you we push back our enemies;

through your name we trample our foes.

6 I put no trust in my bow,

my sword does not bring me victory;

7 but you give us victory over our enemies,

you put our adversaries to shame.

8 In God we make our boast all day long,

and we will praise your name forever.

Prayer prompt: Remember a time in the past that God delivered you. (if you can't think of one you can use the deliverance in verses 1-3). Now consider the people or things that you are currently trusting in. Pray that God will help you let go of them and turn your trust to God alone.

"In the final measure, God is the only Friend with whom we can be utterly and completely honest. Our God is strong enough to hear our complaints, including especially those complaints that may reflect on God's own character. God is never shocked by what we say. God never says, "I wish you hand't told me that." There is no limit to God's ability to deal with our candor." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - 'Longing to Pray'

Prayer prompt: Are there any words you have been holding back from saying out loud? Words of disappointment, confusion, despair, or frustration. Words about your current situation or planned for future. Pray them out loud to our strong God.

"I think God is the kind of good Friend who enlists other people to pray for us. I think that's what may be happening on those occasions when someone comes to the mind unbidden; this may be God's nudge to pray for that person. But God reveals no secrets in doing so. God simply enlists us to come alongside a person in need, raising them up by our prayers." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas - 'Longing to Pray'

Prayer prompt: With a clear mind and no agenda, approach God in prayer and simply ask for the name of a person who God would like you to pray for.... then pray for them.

"We are privileged to see the spiritual giants who wrote the psalms, not in portraits of their spiritual finery, but in the rags of their candid struggles. No wonder, then, that in our own times of despair and struggle, we turn to the book of Psalms. We know we will find some spiritual kin there." - Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, 'Longing to Pray'

Prayer Prompt: What struggle is closest to you today? Present it too God in prayer and don't worry you can use whatever language you like, God has heard it all before.

Psalm 35

"Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;

    fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and armor;

    arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin

    against those who pursue me.

Say to me,

    “I am your salvation.”

4 May those who seek my life

    be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

    be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind,

    with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery,

    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause

    and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—

    may the net they hid entangle them,

    may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

    and delight in his salvation.

10 My whole being will exclaim,

    “Who is like you, Lord?

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,

    the poor and needy from those who rob them."

"Since friendship unfolds in the context of daily life, it can hardly be expected to fit into neatly engineered rules. Friendship has more to do with desire than with design. It is a grand thing, but it flourishes in common places, and often in unlikely ones, like the flower that blooms through a crack in the asphalt." - Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, 'Longing to Pray'

Our friendship with Jesus is formed not from rigorous attention to detail but from a growing desire to be near him.

Mark 1:16-20  "16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him."

Prayer prompt: Draw near to Jesus with a prayer to grow in your desire to meet with, and follow Jesus no matter what may be getting in the way.

During the season of Lent we will be focusing on fostering a life of prayer with the help of Dr. Elsworth Kalas' book, 'Longing to Pray'. Each day we will post a short quote from the book and a prayer prompt to engage us in prayer. Let the journey begin!

"Thinking that our posture wins favor with God or that it ensures an answer to prayer reduces prayer to magic; however, if we refuse to place ourselves under some particular, reasonable physical discipline, our pride can separate us from God." Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, "Longing to Pray"

Prayer prompt (also from Dr. Kalas' text): "See for yourself how the mood changes as the posture changes. Sit and pray, and prayer takes on a conversational quality. Stand, and you feel you are making an appearance before the King. Lift your hands, and a special sense of adoration engulfs your prayer. Put your head down, and you feel awe, humility, perhaps even shame; lift your head, and there is a sense of glad openness."

Today try more than one of these postures in your prayer time that you usually don't use.

In the Season of Giving & Blessings, the Moose Lake Methodist Church United Women in Faith, and members of Moose Lake United Methodist Church once again answered a call from Lakes & Pines Community Action Council to help out a well deserving family. Lakes & Pines selects a family in need, and a “Giving Tree” is set up in the Church with ornaments listing items from the children’s Christmas Wish List. Members are able to pick an ornament(s) off the tree & purchase items for a child. Additional gifts are provided for the entire family as well. We are honored & humbled to help others in this way!

Come meet our new pastor, Jeremy Woodley.  He preaches Sunday mornings at 9:00 am.

The adult Sunday School class meets at 8 a.m. Sunday mornings from September to May.  The class is studying the book, "Matthew. The Gospel of Promised Blessings” by Matthew Skinner.

"Moose Lake United Methodist Church" is the name of our Facebook page.  The Sunday morning service is live-streamed and recorded on the Facebook page.  You can find the recordings on the Facebook page as videos.