Sermons on John
… and Know that I am God
What is the power of words in an institution? This Ascension Sunday we conclude our post-Easter sermon series exploring “The Power of Words.” Our denomination just finished its work at the General Conference in Charlotte, NC. This year’s theme was based on Psalm 46, entitled “…and know I am God.” Scripture: Psalm 46: 1-5, 9-10 & John 17: 7-11 (NRSV)
Listening
This week we continue our post-Christmas sermon series called “Why Be Christian?” Liturgically, this is also the beginning of Ordinary Time (named for ordinal numbers), though we can also remember that being Christian is not necessarily ordinary. It is good, then, that we choose to focus this week on listening. Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51 (CEB)
Almost There
Can you believe it? We’re entering the final stretch of our Advent Road Trip series. Over the past few weeks, we’ve packed our bags, asked “Are We There Yet?”, and navigated the roadblocks on our journey. We’re approaching our destination. This is about the time you keep your eyes peeled for your exit, signaling that you’ve nearly made it to the end. Those exit signs bring a sense of relief and excitement that rivals the initial excitement we feel at…
Recalculating
A few weeks ago we began our journey Packed and Ready to prepare for the arrival of Christ. And last week, we leaned into that all-too-familiar question, “Are We There Yet?” with John the Baptist as our guide, as he prepared the way for Christ. This week we find ourselves facing an unexpected turn. It seems every trip has them. Have you ever encountered a roadblock or a detour sign when traveling? They can be minor, or sometimes they can…
After Giving Thanks
As we conclude our brief series on gratitude, the text for this week is familiar. The story of the feeding of the five thousand is in all four Gospels, though some of the details are differentAnd in three of the Gospels, it is linked to the story of Jesus walking on water. Consider what it must have felt like to be in one of these settings… Scripture: John 6:5-23 (CEB)
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. 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 I am at remembering to write Thank-You cards! I’m…
Inspired: Gospel Stories
This week we continue our worship series “Inspired” based on the book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. As United Methodists and Christians, I think it’s a safe assumption that the Gospel stories hold particular significance for us. This is the Gospel, the Good News! In these stories are the proclamations that we are no longer slaves to sin and death, that we are not alone, that God has walked with…
We Believe: Life Everlasting
This week as we conclude our Worship series, we end by claiming what we believe when our life in this world comes to an end. Surely every person has moments in their lives when they wonder what happens next. Whether we are Christians who affirm the idea of resurrection and eternal life or if we are a non-theist who does not believe in such a thing, there are moments when these questions are particularly present for us. Scripture: John 11:1-45…
The Image of Community
As we journey into summer and the season after Pentecost, we follow the arrival of the Holy Spirit with a celebration of the mysterious Trinity. The idea of the Trinity has surely inspired volumes of works simply to explain its theological concept. It is difficult for us to understand how God can be both infinitely whole and also three completely separate persons (Creator, Christ, Spirit). Perhaps the phrase from John below says it well: “you can’t handle it now.” And…
Sparks of the Spirit
Pentecost Sunday is a long-standing tradition in Christian churches because it is the moment of the arrival of God’s Holy Spirit among the faithful followers. Classical Christian theology affirms God in trinity, and this moment brings completion to the triune presence. Scripture: John 14:8-17, 25-26; Acts 2:1-8, 12-21 (CEB)
Good Friday: Were You There?
Technical note: This service was held at Pacific Beach UMC and is reposted here for the convenience of LJUMC community members. Good Friday marks the day when hate and fear did their worst…the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. On this day of grief and sorrow, we will gather with one another, in God’s care, to remember Jesus’ death on a cross. LJUMC joins the good people at Pacific Beach UMC in their sanctuary in prayerful reflection online and in-person for Good…
Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday celebration is traditionally an honoring of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Told in all four of the Gospels, this tradition celebrates the institution of Holy Communion. In addition, the Gospel of John tells of a new commandment to love one another. The word “maundy” is from the same Latin root of the word commandment. We join together with the people of Pacific Beach UMC for an in-person and online service to confess and be pardoned, to…