Sermons (Page 18)
Images of the Sanctuary
This final Sunday of Epiphany we attend to the wisdom contained in our own shared sanctuary. It holds symbol and sign; sacrament and spiritual history. We wonder, too, at how the sacred space expands to hold us – even as we cross distances and each inhabit our own, smaller, sanctuaries. Cassie Davies-Juhnke will deliver a sermon written by Elton Brown, long-time pastor of PPUMC, in 1986, while he was appointed here.
Antidote for an Anxious Heart: Joy
It is in turning to the Lord that we receive peace and can experience a subversive joy in times of trouble. Rejoicing in the Lord is an antidote for the anxious heart! This message by River Valley District Superindentent Rev. Cynthia Williams is for Advent and anytime throughout the year. It includes a scripture reading of Philippians 4:4-7. SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:4-7 New International Version (& Complete Jewish Translation) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!…
Your Servant is Listening
Tom is solo pastor at Path of Grace UMC in Maplewood, MN. To learn more: pathofgraceumc.org SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20, The Message (Notice the 3 voices: God, Samuel; Eli.) 1-3 The boy Samuel was in training in the temple serving God under Eli’s direction. [Eli was a renowned priest in Jerusalem.] This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly…
Moving Forward: By Another Road
We are in the liturgical season of Epiphany. It begins with the arrival of the Wise Ones, the ones who held precious the prophecy of ages and followed the signs to the Star of Bethlehem. The ones who were led across the desert on a previously unknown road to find the Prince of Peace. These same Wise Ones discovered, also, a threat snaking its way beneath the veneer of peaceful platitudes, one that caused them to – once again – travel by another, new road. The sumptuous gifts they leave behind will resource yet another desert journey to be taken. What might we hear in this ancient story that guides us on the next leg of our own journey? It is winter, and the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s keep the gift of Sabbath; rest a bit in community; sing and pray together; reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
Step by Step, Grace Upon Grace
Bishop David Bard, resident bishop of the Michigan Conference and the Minnesota Conference’s interim bishop in 2021, shares his commitment to working with Minnesota United Methodists toward a more vital and vibrant Methodism in Minnesota; to keeping before us our gospel imperatives of growing in love of God and neighbor, reaching new people, and healing a broken world; and to helping us live into the aspirational vision we adopted in 2019. He also reminds us that the journey will be…
Hope Made Real: MN UMC Conference
Where is your hope anchored? This worship service explores that question. Our five district superintendents each share a personal story of hope made real in their lives, and their messages are interspersed with incredible musical arrangements provided by United Methodist Churches throughout Minnesota. As we prepare to enter a new year during a global pandemic, this is an uplifting message of hope and possibility.
An Eternal Relay Race
Advent begins in the dark and anticipates a brighter day. Our waiting for dawn is far from passive – it is filled with planning, wondering, firming our roots and gathering our resources for growth, all while keeping an eye on the horizon. As we gather to worship and meditate this Communion Sunday, we will continue our Advent collection of symbols. Each of you is invited to bring to your worship window – along with simple elements for Communion – something that is an emblem of what is currently bringing light into your life, reminding you that Christmas is near. Above the manger hangs a star of light – shining through the dark. It is winter, and the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s keep the gift of Sabbath; rest a bit together, and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
In the Time of Herod the King
Advent begins. It is as simple as that. It begins at the beginning, long before the star or even the first birthing cry. It begins with a need, then a hope, then a vision; a messenger, an inkling, and then – then a long growing season – a journey toward light and life. As we gather to worship and meditate this Sunday, we will begin a collection that will grow in the coming weeks. Each of you is invited to bring to your worship window something that is a space waiting to be filled – be it object, sign or symbol. An empty manger. A promise of new life. A star in the dark. It is winter, and the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s keep gift of Sabbath; rest a bit together, and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
Marley Was Dead: A Beginning
Say the word “treasure” and think of pirates and deserted islands and “x marks the spot.” Say “heart” and think emoji or beloveds or Jesus. Say “gratitude” and think of…each of us fills in the blank. One of the by-products of our experience of the pandemic is the falling away of non-essentials, so that we may see what remains. Jesus tells us from across the centuries in language as clear as the front page news: what you treasure is what you love. What we love, we treasure. How does that lead us through this time into which we are living? In this weekly visit to the Base Camp of our church community we’ll rest a bit, and we’ll reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
A Reason to Hope
Rev. Cynthia Williams offers a sermon titled “A Reason to Hope.” God is with us in times of despair and in our valley places to breathe fresh breath, transform us, and give us dreams and new vision that we may experience life anew. Therefore, we stand ready always to give a reason for our hope. This sermon includes the scripture reading of Ezekial 37: 1-14 (The Message).