St Marks Matero UMC

14/06/2026

🙏🏾 LET GOD GO FIRST

Life often urges us to move faster, figure everything out on our own, and rely on our own understanding. But today's message reminds us that as Children of Promise, our greatest strength is found in surrendering to God's leading.

The Israelites reached the Jordan River and faced what seemed like an impossible obstacle. Yet their victory did not come through their own abilities. It came when they allowed the Ark of the Covenant the symbol of God's presence to go before them.

Today, God is calling us to do the same.

✨ Slow down and stop rushing ahead of God.
✨ Align your heart with Him in humility and readiness.
✨ Consecrate yourself and prepare for what God is about to do.
✨ Trust Him more than you trust your own plans.
✨ Follow His direction, even when you cannot see the entire path.

No matter what "Jordan River" stands before you whether it is unemployment, uncertainty, injustice, sickness, fear, or unanswered questions remember this:

God has never abandoned His people, and He will not abandon you.

When God goes before us, obstacles become opportunities. What seems impossible becomes possible. The pathway may not be visible yet, but the One leading you already knows the way.

"Let us remember to slow down and not rush. Align our hearts to God filled with humility and readiness to do God's works. Let us trust in God as He will never abandon us."
— Rev. Bernard Y. Lumene

❤️ May we choose today to let God go first.

14/06/2026

🔴 Welcome to St Marks United Methodist Congregation, Matero – Lusaka.

Thank you for joining our Sunday Worship Service wherever you're watching from around the world.

Today's message:
"LET GOD GO FIRST"
📖 Joshua 3:1–11

Ministering: **Rev. Bernard Y. Lumene**

Just as God went before the Israelites through the Jordan River, He still goes before His people today—making a way where there seems to be no way.

As you worship with us:
✅ Share this broadcast with family and friends.
✅ Tell us where you're watching from in the comments.
✅ Leave your prayer requests—we would be honoured to pray with you.
✅ Like, follow, and invite others to experience God's presence.

No matter your background or season of life, you are welcome here.

May this service fill your heart with faith, hope, peace, and the assurance that when God goes first, every step becomes purposeful.

St Marks United Methodist Congregation, Lusaka
Love God • Serve People • Grow Togethe@followersrZambia Annual Conference UMCMC

13/06/2026

🌅 YOU'RE INVITED TO WORSHIP WITH US! 🙏🏾✨

There are moments in life when the road ahead seems uncertain. But God's Word reminds us that when He goes before us, every obstacle becomes an opportunity, and impossible paths become possible.

Join us this Sunday as we gather in worship under the inspiring theme:

"LET GOD GO FIRST"
📖 Joshua 3:1–11

🗓 Sunday, 14 June 2026
⛪ St Marks United Methodist Church, Matero, Lusaka
📱 Also streamed LIVE on our page

Ministering: **Rev. Bernard Y. Lumene**

Come with your family, friends, neighbours, and loved ones. Whether you need encouragement, direction, hope, or simply a place to belong, there is a seat for you in God's house.

✨ Come Expectant.
❤️ Leave Encouraged.
🕊 Walk in His Guidance.

Everyone is welcome! We can't wait to worship with you.

12/06/2026

📖 Friday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

Bible Reading: Luke 4:31-37

Today's message reminds us to recognize Jesus not only as Savior and Teacher, but also as Lord and Authority over every area of our lives. Through His authority, we find peace, protection, freedom, grace, and victory over adversity.

As we reflect on the encounter between Jesus and the demon-possessed man, we are encouraged to trust Him, stand firm against doubt, bring hidden struggles into the light, and walk confidently in His grace.

Be Inspired and Stay Blessed. AMEN.

Speaker: Rev Bernard

12/06/2026

Friday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

📖 Bible Reading: Luke 4: 31 - 37

🔹 RECOGNIZE JESUS' AUTHORITY 🔹

Many people think of Jesus as a great teacher and the Savior of the sinners but the problem is that these same people stop short of viewing Him as an Authority figure.

They don't think Jesus has the right to influence even the most minuscule area of their lives.

To recognize Jesus' authority is to acknowledge Him as the rightful Lord. He has the right to guide our lives.

To recognize his authority allows us to lean on Him for peace and protection, knowing that he is victorious over all adversities.

In our Passage Jesus is confronted by a demon-possessed man. He recognizes Jesus authority.

Jesus simply commands the demon to shut-up and come out of the man.

The demon is compelled to obey Jesus. He cannot say No. He must shut-up and he must leave the man.

LET US RETAIN THE FOLLOWING:-

• Many among us have believed but we find that doubts regularly creep back in and weigh us down. We wonder if Jesus is still good.
• To those of us who have such doubts, I humbly call us to stand firm, to set aside the doubts.
• And with the heart of a child simply Trust Him, Trust Him.
• When we do, the Lord assures us we will never be ashamed of having trusted him.
• Many of us may be facing hard battles with sin because we have kept some secrets.
• The guilt and shame are slowly crushing our souls.
• To us Jesus calls us to himself, both his powerful Authority and his gentle heart beckon us to walk with him.

Let us humble ourselves. Let us bring to light what is currently hidden in the darkness. In so doing, we will receive freedom and grace from Jesus.

Be Inspired and Stay Blessed. AMEN.

— Rev Bernard

11/06/2026

📖 Thursday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

Bible Reading: Luke 11:43–54

In this powerful reflection, Rev. Bernard explores the difference between popularity and morality through Jesus' warning to the Pharisees and experts in religious law. The message challenges believers to move beyond outward appearances and public recognition, embracing sincere devotion, humility, justice, and righteousness before God.

Key Takeaways:
• Public recognition does not make us devout.
• Popularity is not proof of godliness.
• God values sincere and unselfish devotion.
• Humility is essential in our walk with Christ.
• Seek God's approval rather than the praise of people.

Be inspired and stay blessed. AMEN!

11/06/2026

📖 Thursday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

Bible Reading: Luke 11: 43 - 54

POPULARITY & MORALITY

I have thoughtfully chosen these two words to relate to the context of our passage.

These are two different words in human behavior.

Those who are concerned more with popularity than the morality of their decisions need to think twice.

Our passage is full of warnings that Jesus aimed primarily at Pharisees and other experts in religious law.

But they could easily apply to any person today who, like these people, is more concerned with appearances than with justice and righteousness.

Jesus harshly criticized some of the Pharisees and the experts in the law because they loved praise and attention.

They went wrong by protecting their outward appearances while ignoring their attitudes and God's revealed desires.

LET US RETAIN THE FOLLOWING:-
• Public recognition of our godliness does not make us devout.
• We must guard against taking public admiration or honor from people around us as proof of our own religious piety.
• God seeks sincere and unselfish devotion to him; this requires humility.

Let us therefore seek God's praise and attention, not that of people.

Be Inspired and Stay Blessed. AMEN!

Rev. Bernard

10/06/2026

An inspiring story to read through by
A testament of growth resilience and determination to work for God.
Please find time to read through and may it encourage someone even as we continue to work and grow as a church and family.
Stay blessed.

When the Nairobi District superintendent started his United Methodist appointment two years ago, he had no churches or members. Now, there are nine congregations in four circuits, and membership has grown to more than 1,400.

10/06/2026

📖 Wednesday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

Today's message from 1 Corinthians 4:1-9 reminds us of Paul's wisdom in addressing division within the Church. The Corinthians became divided by choosing sides and judging one another's motives. Paul calls believers back to unity in Christ, reminding us that only God truly knows the heart of every person.

Key Takeaways:
✔ Stop judging the motives of others.
✔ Remain united in Christ rather than divided by personalities.
✔ Learn from the mistakes of the Corinthians.
✔ Leave the final judgment of faithfulness to God alone.
✔ Remember that God knows every heart and rewards each servant accordingly.

Be inspired by this powerful reflection and share it with someone who needs encouragement today.

Be Inspired and Stay Blessed. AMEN

Rev. Bernard

10/06/2026

📖 Wednesday's Reflection Through The Magnifying Glass of God's Word

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 4: 1-9

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF DIVISION IN THE CHURCH

No one knows better to handle the division in the Church than Paul.

The Corinthian Church that was once one church has now split into four. Paul pleads with them to stop arguing and to start getting along.

The Corinthian Church had split because the believers there thought they could judge people's motives.

Individuals had rallied around certain superstar preachers like Paul, Peter, Apollos and others and had formed groups within the church based on who followed whom.

The groups argued with each other over whose leader was the best. But all this conflict depended on their ability to judge the hearts and motives of others, which they could not do.

Paul urged them to stop judging one another, to rally around Christ and to let God decide who served him faithfully and who did not.

LET US RETAIN THE FOLLOWING:-

• We believers today should learn a lesson from the Corinthians.
• We should beware of judging others. This does not mean that we should avoid confronting those who sin.
• But we ought to stay away from judging who is a better servant for Christ.
• Remember, only God knows a person's heart, and God will give to everyone whatever praise is due.

Be Inspired and Stay Blessed. AMEN

Rev. Bernard