Upcoming Growth Opportunities
Life With God Study

Christopher Everson • Sr. Pastor
August 13, 2026

3 Minute Read

Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the growth opportunities available this fall. We will offer studies on Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as midweek events. My hope and prayer as your pastor is that everyone in our faith community finds a way to strengthen their Sunday morning experience by engaging in opportunities to serve and participate in a study, allowing them to be renewed and rooted in Christ.

Here's a quick list of active studies this fall: -

**Scripture Seekers** will be studying the Book of Romans. -
The **W.E.L.L. Women’s Group** will continue to meet under the guidance of Wanda Pille and Cindy Daniel.
**Parable Perspectives ** Pastor Dretha will lead a study on the parables of Jesus on Sunday nights. -
**The Forge** will return this fall for a men's study.
- Additionally, we will have Sunday morning and evening opportunities for our children and youth.

I am particularly excited to share that I will be leading a study called **"Life With God."** This study will run for 12 weeks, starting on September 17, in my office.

The Life with God Series is a real-life spiritual formation journey focusing on Scripture, audio teaching, conversations with God, and community experiences. The first year is called the Foundations Year, during which we will explore Genesis, emphasizing our relationships and dependence on God.

The Life with God study provides a space to share your experiences in prayer and with other Christians. We will move beyond surface-level conversations into the vibrant, authentic relationship with God that you’ve been longing for. This isn’t just another program that adds more to your plate. It’s a proven approach that helps you and your community wrestle with genuine questions, discover practical wisdom, and build deep Christian relationships that sustain you in real life. To encourage meaningful discussion, this group will be limited to six participants.

The workbook for this study costs $35.00, and you can sign up for the class using the link below. I have been searching for a study like "Life With God" for the past several years, and I know that if you are able to join me, you will be blessed by diving into the Genesis story and growing a deeper connection with Jesus and the body of Christ, rather than simply checking off a to-do list.

If you desire to deepen your relationship with God, please reach out to me, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Life With God Study.

Be God’s,
Pastor Chris

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August 13, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Upcoming Growth Opportunities
Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the growth opportunities available this fall. We will offer studies on Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as midweek events. My hope and prayer as your pastor is that everyone in our faith community finds a way to strengthen their Sunday morning experience by engaging in opportunities to serve and participate in a study, allowing them to be renewed and rooted in Christ. Here's a quick list of active studies this fall: - **Scripture Seekers** will be studying the Book of Romans. - The **W.E.L.L. Women’s Group** will continue to meet under the guidance of Wanda Pille and Cindy Daniel. **Parable Perspectives ** Pastor Dretha will lead a study on the parables of Jesus on Sunday nights. - **The Forge** will return this fall for a men's study. - Additionally, we will have Sunday morning and evening opportunities for our children and youth. I am particularly excited to share that I will be leading a study called **"Life With God."** This study will run for 12 weeks, starting on September 17, in my office. The Life with God Series is a real-life spiritual formation journey focusing on Scripture, audio teaching, conversations with God, and community experiences. The first year is called the Foundations Year, during which we will explore Genesis, emphasizing our relationships and dependence on God. The Life with God study provides a space to share your experiences in prayer and with other Christians. We will move beyond surface-level conversations into the vibrant, authentic relationship with God that you’ve been longing for. This isn’t just another program that adds more to your plate. It’s a proven approach that helps you and your community wrestle with genuine questions, discover practical wisdom, and build deep Christian relationships that sustain you in real life. To encourage meaningful discussion, this group will be limited to six participants. The workbook for this study costs $35.00, and you can sign up for the class using the link below. I have been searching for a study like "Life With God" for the past several years, and I know that if you are able to join me, you will be blessed by diving into the Genesis story and growing a deeper connection with Jesus and the body of Christ, rather than simply checking off a to-do list. If you desire to deepen your relationship with God, please reach out to me, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Life With God Study. Be God’s, Pastor Chris

Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor

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

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
Church family, As you may know, I’ve been on a journey over the past year in Spiritual Direction through a program based at my alma mater, Friends University, in Wichita, Kansas. It’s been an eye-opening experience for me to walk with 4 different people through individual Spiritual Direction over the past year. I have one more requirement to complete before the program ends in August. It is called group spiritual direction. It is an opportunity for a group to gather and listen together for God’s voice speaking into each person’s life. (Sounds scary, I know, but I promise it isn’t.) God desires to speak into our lives, guiding us toward greater love and healing. A group spiritual direction process invites people to prayerfully walk alongside someone, listening deeply, and reflecting back what they feel led to share. The emphasis is always on the sharer’s interaction with God, rather than their interaction with the listener. What i need from my church family :). I need 4 different groups of 3-5 people to help with this process. I’ll be offering Group Direction twice in the evenings on Tuesday, June 16 and June 30 at 7:00 pm. And on Monday, June 22 and July 6 at 10 am. Please sign up on our website, and I look forward to journeying with you in this new adventure!

Christopher Everson

Sr. Pastor