by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Aug 10, 2018 | Blog / Voices
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross…” I have found myself singing this old hymn over and over since returning from Lithuania on Monday. I was in Lithuania with three of our leaders to visit United Methodist churches that Royal Oak First has been partnering...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Jul 20, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, You are a blessing. That is why the church exists—to be a blessing. The church exists to take the love of Christ it knows and has experienced for itself and then turn around and share it with the world. And you, the people of Royal Oak First, are indeed...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Jul 6, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, Christians talk often about how much they love Jesus. But what exactly does that mean? How does one love Jesus? Is loving Jesus an act of worship? Is it adhering to a set of beliefs? Is it an adherence to a set of doctrine? Is it through acts of personal...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Jun 29, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, It all started in 1838 when the Reverend J.M. Arnold was assigned to organize a Methodist church in a small village just north of Detroit called Royal Oak. The Royal Oak Methodists met in a one room schoolhouse on the corner of Main and Lincoln. It was...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Jun 15, 2018 | Blog / Voices
“Like the pine trees lining the winding road, I got a name” Jim Croce, I Got a Name “Whether we like it or not, we all come from someplace. And at some point in our lives, we have to make peace with that place.” Jeffrey Stepakoff, The Orchard “Hello,...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | May 18, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, So what is this Pentecost thing? The term Pentecost comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth” (50th). It refers to the festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover, also known as the “Feast of Weeks.” For the early church,...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | May 11, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, Of all the Sunday’s of the year, Mother’s Day might be the hardest to preach. It is hard because Mother’s Day brings up a lot of different emotions. For me, it is a day that I just miss my mom who has been gone for 20 years. For others, Mother’s Day can...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | May 4, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, On my bookshelf there is a small little book called Uncommon Prayer. That book has been in shelf for nearly 30 years. When we move that little book moves with us. It will probably be with me until the day I die. If you open the inside cover of the book,...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Apr 20, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, The 11:00 service this Sunday will be a milestone moment for 13 of our young people. For the past year, these young people have been meeting, sharing, learning, and praying together and today they will stand before us and we will confirm the faith that...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Apr 13, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, One thing that Royal Oak First is passionate about is feeding people. We take very seriously Jesus’ words, “I was hungry and you fed me.” In taking care of the hungry, we know we are taking care of Jesus. Our feeding ministry takes lots of forms at Royal...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Apr 6, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, What’s next? That is what the disciples were left asking themselves after that first Easter morning and it is what we are still asking some 2,000 years later. We have just finished our journey through Lent and onto Easter. 40 days of looking inward,...
Read More
by Pastor Jeff Nelson | Mar 30, 2018 | Blog / Voices
Dear Friends, Happy Easter and welcome to Royal Oak First United Methodist Church! We are glad you are here! Easter sits at the center of our faith and at the center of our lives. Here at Royal Oak First, Easter is not just a day or a season. For us, Easter is a way...
Read More
