From Pastor Stuart Bodin
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. A new season of ministry is at hand. I am very excited and I am really looking forward to seeing where God will be taking all of us. As the new pastor at Miami Lakes UMC my family and I have already been welcomed with open and loving arms. I can't express to you how much that means to all of us. My children have only known the church where we have come from so it is a brand new season for them as well.
Let me share with you a little about my family; my wife Gloria and I have been married for 13 years and we have four children. Starting with the oldest Erica is 12, Derek 10 (almost 11), Kade 7, and Dane 6. They are an easy bunch to spot because three out of four have bright red hair and all of them are constantly on the move. We love the outdoors and enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, and almost all of us love to go fishing. We also have a lot of fun playing soccer as a family and we welcome anyone young or old who is brave enough to join us when we play. Our time at church is also a source of joy for our family and I am sure we will experience many opportunities to celebrate that joy with all of you.
I thank God and the United Methodist Church for placing my family and me where there is an abundance of God's love, wonderful people to serve with, and opportunity to build His Kingdom.
Pastor Bodin may be reached directly by phone 786-877-8085 or by email sbodin@miamilakesumc.net.
Under the Son
by Pastor Stuart Bodin
The wind blows gentle on the rain soaked ground
Where the seeds have been planted on fertile mounds
Under the Son the shoots spring forth with joy
As they raise up their hearts from the warmth of the soil
All the long days through the toil and strain
They find themselves standing as tall waving grain
Under the Son they have found strength for their life
With their roots firmly planted to resist all the strife
Storms raging and passing as each tempest blows
The grain still is standing and continues to grow
Under the Son they found the strength to withstand
Dark nights and the cold with the love from His hands
The seasons are changing, the long shadows grow
The cold winds are coming with the onset of snow
Under the Son the time is ripe for the harvest
So the seeds might be saved before days become darkest
When the ground becomes hardened by the relentless cold
We must rest and start fasting against the icy grip that it holds
Under the Son finally the long shadows start fading
As the glorious rays of God are cascading
Once again the gentle wind blows upon fertile ground
As the seeds must be planted, all scattered around
Under the Son his grace does abound
When the seasons are changing and His presence is found