Start at the End: Living Life Backward

Summer's golden days are drawing to a close, and as we watch our children gather school supplies and families settle into new rhythms, there's something stirring in the air—that familiar sense of new beginnings. But what if this season, instead of rushing forward into our busy schedules, we paused to consider a different approach? What if the secret to living well isn't found in looking ahead, but in starting at the end?

This August, Monroe UMC invites you into a journey that might just change how you see everything. Our four-week sermon series, "Start at the End: Living Life Backward," draws from the profound wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Together, we'll explore how remembering life's end can actually teach us to live more fully, love more intentionally, and treasure what truly matters.

If Ecclesiastes feels unfamiliar, you're not alone. This ancient book of wisdom literature doesn't shy away from life's hardest questions—the ones we all carry but rarely voice. Why am I here? What's the point of all this striving? How do I find meaning in both joy and sorrow? Written thousands of years ago, these words speak with startling relevance to our modern hearts, offering comfort to the weary and wisdom to the searching.

As we prepare for another busy back-to-school season, with its endless to-do lists and packed calendars, Ecclesiastes offers us something precious: permission to slow down. It reminds us that we're beautifully, blessedly limited—and that each ordinary day is a gift from God's own hands.

Join us on Sundays, August 10 through 31 at 9:30 or 11:00 am in person or on live stream on Facebook or YouTube for this insightful series of messages.

·       August 10: The End That Teaches Us to Live: Death isn't the end—it's the teacher that helps us live well.

·       August 17: The Gift of Limits: You're not in control—and that's a gift.

·       August 24: Joy in the Ordinary: God meets us in life's simplest gifts.

·       August 31: Living Generously and Faithfully: Don't wait—live, give, and love with courage now.

Whether you've attended Monroe UMC for decades or you're just beginning to explore what faith might mean in your life, there's a place for you in this conversation. Come as you are—with your questions, your hopes, your weariness, and your wonder. Let's discover together how looking backward can actually help us move forward with greater purpose and deeper joy.

This August, let's start at the end and find our way to truly living.