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Christian faith means becoming a part of a salvation story; therefore our worship involves telling the story, and moves in the cycle of church seasons through the central story of Jesus. We are invited to find our place in the story. The video “It’s Our Time” was created by... Read More →

The function of sacrifice in Biblical worship as a means of atonement. Ultimately, Christ is the final atonement for our sins and the way by which we can receive complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Read More →

Through Christ, the final high priest, we are all made into “priests” in that we all have direct access to God, and we are all called to be leaders in particular ways, to be instruments of God’s grace in the world. Read More →

Fire symbolizes multiple aspects of God. It is mysterious.  It is dangerous – one approaches with respect and caution! At the same time, it provides warmth and light, guiding one’s way through the dark. It is powerful. Thus Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)... Read More →

Food has played a role in all religions, sometimes as a form of offering, and sometimes as a means of fellowship. The Scriptures call for an authentic “holy meal” in communion with Christ, and we are also drawn to include the Lord at our table throughout the week. Read More →

Human beings have always been drawn to create sanctuaries, which are strikingly different from the space around them, and people have often devoted their greatest effort to those spaces (e.g. Stonehenge, cathedrals, the tabernacle/temple). Sanctuaries remind us that we need ... Read More →

The Scripture calls us to “come into God’s presence” (Psalm 100:2).  But is not God always present?  Yes, but people are often preoccupied with other things. So the Scriptures urge us to “come awake” (Matthew, Romans, Ephesians) to God. Worship is a movement of awakening and... Read More →

We close the prayer ascribing glory to God. This is based on the ancient Jewish practice of closing prayer with a doxology. The life of faith ultimately lifts glory to God. Read More →

Rev. Douglas Denton examines where God fits in the overwhelming feelings of helplessness we can all experience. Read More →

We can and must look to God for deliverance from evil. Read More →

Temptation is a spiritual trial in which we are lured away from God. But God is with us in the midst of trial, to enable us to endure. To pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” is to look to God for strength hold firm in faith. Read More →

In this installment of the sermon series, Dr. Palmer discusses experiencing God’s forgiveness, and likewise forgiving others. Read More →

In this sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses trusting in God for what we need and looking to God as the source of what we most deeply need. Read More →

In this sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses seeking to bring one’s personal life, and one’s society, into harmony with the will of God. Read More →

The opening petition of the Lord’s Prayer directs us to focus upon God, recognizing God’s love, power, and goodness, and giving honor and glory to God. Read More →

Rev. Douglas Denton outlines some prominent themes in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Read More →

The picture of God is as our heavenly Parent, who cares for us and who is perfectly good.  The beginning of prayer is to focus not on our needs but on God. Read More →

Jesus, in teaching about prayer, draws his hearers from thinking about how they look to directing themselves truly to God. Genuine prayer involves doing what Mary did – sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to what he was saying. This also means avoiding what Martha was doing –... Read More →

Prayer as the practice of ongoing communion with God; prayer is not an emergency appeal to God but a receptive connection with God. Such prayer involves intentional focus; we need to “do things that draw us closer to God” (one of the Methodist General Rules). Read More →

We are all confronted by challenges that are bigger than us. What can we expect from God in those situations? Read More →

The question is this, “How are we to know if God is going to stand by us and keep the promises we have come to feel God has made to us?” Read More →

Faith in Christ involves not just feeling or sentiment but action – doing things that draw us closer to God, and engaging in ministries of outreach to others. We commit ourselves not simply to believe in God but to actively follow Christ. Read More →

In times of loss, we can find much in the Bible with which to identify, as many central Biblical stories are stories of severe loss, including a sense of the loss of God. Such loss comes to its climax on the cross. But in the depths God is at work, to open up a glorious future,... Read More →

There are many popular concepts of what heaven will be like, but what is the Biblical truth about heaven? Audi commercial referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrgq2CIag6M&t=4s Read More →

The crowd is always wrong, thronging to the leader who promises quick fixes, big earthly rewards, and glory. The crowd turned from Jesus because he proclaimed instead a challenging message. But we are called to hear that message, break from the crowd, and follow as Jesus’ disciples. Read More →

When we look up to Christ in faith we find healing that is eternal. Read More →

Christ gives us a peace, not as the world gives. Outward circumstances cannot kill the inner peace that comes from Christ. Read More →

Lamentations says “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.”  (Lam. 3:40-41) These words were written when the people of Judah were in desperate circumstances, which had resulted from their own sin.... Read More →

St. Paddy’s Day is often a frivolous “holiday” or just an ode to all things Irish. But the real life of St. Patrick is an inspiring example of trusting in Christ and following His call to serve those who are far beyond our own circle. Read More →

In this episode, you will hear the scriptures and messages from our Youth Sunday service. This annual service of worship is organized and presented by the teens in our church with oversight from our Christian Education Director, Rick Stout. The theme of this year’s service w... Read More →

Are we using the test in the book of Acts as the basis for church membership? How did the earliest Christians approach the idea of inclusiveness? Read More →

The New Testament confronts us with our inclination to judge others and moves us to see that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Read More →

The creation story says that we are all created in God’s image and that what God creates is good. It also indicates that “it is not good to be alone” and that we are created for one another. This can relate both to marriage and to the church community. Read More →

This episode is from our United Methodist Women Sunday. This annual event involves scores of women from our church in planning and presenting that Sunday’s service. In this sermon, Laurel Stiller speaks about the importance of boldness when called by God. Read More →

This episode examines the call to Philip to evangelize and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch, a sexually altered foreigner. Read More →

A discussion of the apparent condemnation of homosexual practice in Leviticus, and how the central issue in the Leviticus laws is actually resisting the idolatry of the surrounding culture. Read More →

The real sin of Sodom and Gomorrah according to the Scriptures – Ezekiel 16:49 “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” Read More →

This sermon introduces the United Methodist debate on homosexuality and the need to rightly understand the Scripture. It also focuses on the Biblical call for respectful dialogue and spiritual unity. Read More →

The wise men rightly perceive what – and who – is worthy of our utmost allegiance, not the tyrants of this world, but the One who embodies the grace of God. Read More →

Our youth pastor, Rick Stout, delivers a message putting the Covenant Renewal service in context. Read More →

From where does the true meaning of Christmas come? Whose responsibility is the preservation of that story? Read More →

God’s Kingdom is near when believers are “salt” and “light” for the world. Read More →

We must stay alert to God, ready for the Lord to be at work in and through our lives. Read More →

We must stay alert to God, ready for the Lord to be at work in and through our lives. Read More →

What does it mean to be pursued by God’s love? Read More →

God gives His grace in abundance. Read More →

God nourishes us with grace and help, even in the face of distress and trouble. Read More →

God, through Jesus Christ, has made it possible for us to see what others may not see…to see God at work where others might not see God. Read More →

We find comfort in the presence, care, and guidance of God; but this is not just so we can be comfortable, but so that we can be instruments of comfort for others. Read More →

When we know God is with us, no matter what the threat, we need not fear. Read More →