ThanksLiving: Next steps.

Paul opens his letter to Colossae by describing his prayers for them, prayers that they will grow to live lives worthy of the grace they have received. Giving thanks is part of this process. But now, as the letter ends, he asks them to pray for him. They have a role to play in God’s story.

Thanksliving: Saying No To Say Yes

November 12, 2023

The life God wants us to put on in Colossians 3:12-17 seems so perfect. How do we make room for God to bring about these changes within us?

ThanksLiving: Revealed with Christ in Glory (All Saints Sunday)

11/5 Colossians 3:1-11 Pastor Cyndi McDonald

On All Saints, we give thanks for how we have seen the light of Christ revealed in the lives of our loved ones. In Christ, we are transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of God. We are transformed, and the transformation can begin in this life.

ThanksLiving: Rooted and Built Up in Christ

Colossians 2:6-7 Pastor Cyndi McDonald

We continue to give thanks, because this practice and habit is part of how God is shaping us so that we are better able to live out God’s commands to love God and love our neighbors as ourself.

Christ in All Things

Colossians 1:15-24 Pastor Cyndi McDonald

Giving thanks is intertwined with God’s transformation of us into God’s people. Yet in a world in which there is so much pain, is it appropriate to give thanks?

Trusting God deeply is crucial to living an abundant life. However, having a wrong image of God can hinder this. For instance, if you perceive God as distant and uncaring, you may blame God when things go wrong or turn away under the assumption that God doesn’t care.

So, what is the proper understanding of God? The best image of God is revealed through Jesus. Paul suspected that the Colossae depended on the law rather than on Christ and striving for spiritual growth in harmful ways due to a dysfunctional image of God. And because this was something he wanted them to remember repeatedly, he taught them a song that speaks of Jesus as God’s image.

Part 6 (Resurrection of the body)

Pastor Cyndi preaches on 1 Corinthians 13: 35-42, 51-52. Through the ages Christians have trusted that God created this world, Jesus became incarnate and lived in this world. His resurrected body is the first fruit of creation. One day, the heavenly realm will become part of this world. We will be part of a new creation.

Part 5 (Holy Spirit, Holy Catholic Church, Communion of Saints)

In this extended children’s sermon for Children’s Sabbath, Pastor Cyndi offers some explanation for unusual words in the Creed. Why keep on saying catholic when we know it means universal? How is the Holy Spirit related to saints (holy people)?

Part 3 (Descended into hell)

1 Peter 3:18-22, Pastor Cyndi McDonald

He descended into hell. Why do many United Methodist churches omit this when saying the creed? And why did early Christians consider it an important part of the faith? The answer impacts how we live our faith today.

Part 1 (I believe)

In this introduction to the Apostles’ Creed, understanding its origins in baptism helps us understand why the creed matters to Christians today.