Sermon Notes (Page 3)
In preparation for our weekly worship services and sermons, we like to publish a brief note with some introductory paragraphs, the scripture, and a few thought-provoking questions. Some small groups may wish to use this as a resource for study with friends. We hope this helps you in your spiritual growth!
Notes on “Are We There Yet?”
Introduction It’s the second week of Advent, and as you might recall, last week we kicked off our Road Trip: Journeying to Christmas series. We started by packing up, making sure we’re ready for the journey ahead, just like those anticipating the arrival of the Son of Man. This week, we’re on the road and maybe already starting to get a little antsy about the drive. Have you ever noticed that when you set out on a road trip, after…
Notes on “Packed & Ready?”
Introduction This week we begin a four-week journey of Advent called Road Trip. What is Advent? I’m glad you asked! Have you ever eagerly awaited something, counting down the days, preparing, and getting more excited as the time approaches? That’s the spirit of Advent! It’s the time leading up to Christmas where we eagerly wait and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s about anticipating the joy, hope, and love that Jesus brings into our world. During…
Notes on “After Giving Thanks”
We conclude our 3-week series on gratitude called Our Hymn of Grateful Praise exploring the essential nature of gratitude in our lives and in our faith. The text this week is familiar. The story of the feeding of the five thousand is in all four Gospels, though some of the details are different—including the number of people who share in the meal together! And in three of the Gospels, it is linked to the story of Jesus walking on water—also…
Notes on “In Everything”
We continue our 3-week series on gratitude called Our Hymn of Grateful Praise exploring the essential nature of gratitude in our lives and in our faith. The opening verse this week is, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Consider someone in your life who acts this way. Perhaps it’s someone who is always happy or always celebrating or always filled with joy. This doesn’t mean, even as we approach Thanksgiving, that there isn’t room for grief…
Notes on “Enter the Gates”
This week we begin a new 3-week series on gratitude called Our Hymn of Grateful Praise. Through these few weeks, we will explore the essential nature of gratitude in our lives and in our faith. This first Sunday, we begin with a psalm of thanks (at least according to the heading in my Bible). I think expressing gratitude is essential for us, and sometimes I wonder if we have lost that practice. I’m sure I’ve spoken before about how terrible…
“Our Money Story – Restore”
We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. The worship series “Our Money Story” invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series will encourage us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe. Three weeks ago, we Remembered many things! We remembered the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples on World Communion Sunday.…
“Our Money Story – Reimagine”
We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. The worship series “Our Money Story” invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series will encourage us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe. Two weeks ago, we Remembered many things! We remembered the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples on World Communion Sunday.…
“Our Money Story – Release”
We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. The worship series “Our Money Story” invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series will encourage us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe. This stewardship season we are asked to: Remember (October 1st) Release (October 8th) Reimagine (October 15th) Restore (October 22nd) Renew (October…
“Wrestling with Freedom”
This week we will read from the book of Exodus, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. These texts wrestle with many things, but we will focus on the concept of “freedom” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Exodus 12:1-4, 12-14 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month will be the first month; it will be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole…
“Wrestling with Pride”
Throughout August we have followed the Revised Common Lectionary. Every week our readings wrestle with a particular theme. This week we are still in the Book of Genesis, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. These texts wrestle with many things, but we will focus on the concept of “pride” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Genesis 45: 1-15 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared,…
“Wrestling with Legacy”
Over the next two months (Aug 6 – Sept 24) we will follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Although we will not observe an “official” worship series, all of our readings will wrestle with a particular theme. We will follow the Book of Genesis, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. This week we will wrestle with the concept of “legacy” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Genesis 32:23-31 23 (Jacob) took them and everything that…
Notes on “Unity, Not Uniform”
This week we continue our 6-week series called Unity in Diversity: The Beauty of The United Methodist Church. For four weeks we have explored the rich history and theology that we share as United Methodists. Whether you are new to this congregation or have been a part since the beginning, you know that we are diverse in our history, our background, our education and socio-economic status, our theology, our age, and so much more! Enriched by this diversity, we are…