Celebrating our Freedom in Christ

Reflecting on our 250th Anniversary of our Country

Christopher Everson • Sr. Pastor
June 25, 2026

2 Minute Read

This Sunday, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's founding. Because of that, I’ve been thinking about past “patriotic” celebrations that I’ve experienced in my 54 years. As Royse City commissioned RCISD students to paint the fire hydrants on Main Street, I remembered the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. I was just 5 years old, and we lived on Monroe Street in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mom, Dad, and our next-door neighbor bought red, white, and blue paint to paint the fire hydrant at the corner of our street.

I also remember my Freshman year of High School traveling with the Hutchinson High School Mighty Salthawk band to Philadelphia to participate in the Festival of States upon the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. These memories bring back thoughts of joy and help me, as a follower of Jesus, to reflect on our freedoms.

Our Scripture for Sunday is the scripture that is on our “Celebrate 250” shirts from Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

We have a lot to be thankful for; not only are we free to gather in a public venue to proclaim the love and grace of Jesus Christ, but we are free to live our lives in Christ each and every day we have breath

If you bought a 250 Celebration shirt, I hope you will join me in wearing it for worship and the potluck following worship in Wesley Hall. If you didn’t get a shirt, please wear Red, White, and Blue. We will have a patriotic photo backdrop at Glenda Arnold, and it will be a great time to celebrate our freedom in Christ.

See you on Sunday!

Be God’s,
Pastor Chris

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July 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read

Thank you Holden

Around January 2023, the Baugh family started attending our church in the sanctuary. Shortly after they joined, they jumped full force into our worship team for our 11 am service. Holden was a Freshman in High School, and he had a gifting for playing the drums. Timidly, he sat behind the drumset and became the weekly drummer for our praise team. A year later, after we started worshipping at Glenda Arnold, we needed a worship leader. Holden reached out to me and said he felt called to step into the role, and he has done so faithfully ever since.I am forever grateful for Holden’s saying yes and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in choosing our worship music. So many times, the song that follows the sermon fits perfectly, and I smile and thank God for those moments. I am forever grateful for Holden’s saying yes and for the Holy Spirit leading Holden in picking out our music for worship. So many times, the song that follows the sermon just fits perfectly, and I smile and thank God for those moments. It has been an honor to see Holden grow as a young man and as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Seeing him in his “cage” every Sunday. Laughing at a comedian using his hands to “play” Happy Birthday for him, and just his willingness to help out wherever he can will always bring a smile to my face as I remember his ministry with us. This Sunday, we are sad to see Holden step down from that position, but we are excited that he will be serving our country as a member of the United States Coast Guard. I hope you all will give Holden a hearty thank you and God bless him as he prepares for this next step in his journey as a (SR) Seaman Recruit and his 8-week basic training on his way to becoming a “Coastie.” I’ll share this on Sunday as we thank Holden for his service to our church, and the service he will join as he serves our country through the Coast Guard. From Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Holden, thank you for all the work you have done for Royse City Methodist Church, and may God bless you, and also hold your mom and dad, Patrick and Melissa, as you begin this next journey of your life. Semper Paratus, my friend. See you when you come back to visit! Be God’s Pastor Chris

Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor

July 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read

Celebrating What God Is Doing—and Looking Ahead

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2026. These past six months have been filled with both blessings and challenges, and I’m grateful for how God continues to work through our church. Every Sunday, the gospel is faithfully proclaimed as we live out our mission: to glorify God and make disciples by serving together to be renewed and rooted in Christ. This summer, we saw that mission come alive through Vacation Bible School, our youth ministry, and the ongoing impact of Our Daily Bread, which serves more than 500 neighbors each month, and The Good Place, which reaches over 1,400 people each month with hope and practical support. I'm also excited to share that we are making meaningful progress toward a future church home. As our board chair, Pam Davis, shared on Sunday, we are in serious discussions about a promising property, and we are prayerfully hopeful that we will have encouraging news to share soon. While there is much to celebrate, we also need to be honest about our current financial reality. Although we have remained within budget this year, monthly giving has not kept pace with expenses, and we are currently operating at a deficit. Tracy and I have prayerfully committed to give an additional $500 each month above our tithe for the remainder of the year. We share this simply to lead by example and to invite you to prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to increase your own giving. Even a small, recurring gift can make a significant difference as we continue our ministry and prepare for the future God has before us. "Whoever sows generously will also reap generously." — 2 Corinthians 9:6 Your generosity helps us continue sharing the gospel, serving our community, and preparing for the future God is leading us toward. Give Online: Make a one-time or recurring gift through our website. Give on Sunday: Place your gift in the offering during any worship service. Mail a Check: Royse City Methodist Church, P.O. Box 327, Royse City, TX 75189. Recurring online giving is especially helpful, providing steady support for the ministries and mission of our church. Thank you for your faithful partnership in ministry. Thank you for your prayers, generosity, and partnership in ministry. Together, God is using Royse City Methodist Church to make an eternal difference, and I believe our best days are still ahead. With gratitude, Pastor Chris

Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor

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June 25, 2026 • 2 Minute Read

Celebrating our Freedom in Christ

This Sunday, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's founding. Because of that, I’ve been thinking about past “patriotic” celebrations that I’ve experienced in my 54 years. As Royse City commissioned RCISD students to paint the fire hydrants on Main Street, I remembered the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. I was just 5 years old, and we lived on Monroe Street in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mom, Dad, and our next-door neighbor bought red, white, and blue paint to paint the fire hydrant at the corner of our street. I also remember my Freshman year of High School traveling with the Hutchinson High School Mighty Salthawk band to Philadelphia to participate in the Festival of States upon the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. These memories bring back thoughts of joy and help me, as a follower of Jesus, to reflect on our freedoms. Our Scripture for Sunday is the scripture that is on our “Celebrate 250” shirts from Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” We have a lot to be thankful for; not only are we free to gather in a public venue to proclaim the love and grace of Jesus Christ, but we are free to live our lives in Christ each and every day we have breath If you bought a 250 Celebration shirt, I hope you will join me in wearing it for worship and the potluck following worship in Wesley Hall. If you didn’t get a shirt, please wear Red, White, and Blue. We will have a patriotic photo backdrop at Glenda Arnold, and it will be a great time to celebrate our freedom in Christ. See you on Sunday! Be God’s, Pastor Chris

Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor

June 3, 2026 • 2 Minute Read

Group Spiritual Direction with Pastor Chris

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Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor

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