Who will you forgive for Lent? Introduction to forgiveness

Matthew 18:15-20

Forgiveness is serious business. Our relationships with one another have heavenly consequences.

Games People Play: Jenga

Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount with a warning about judging others. When you find yourself labeling or judging, you should ask whether this is a warning about your condition. He ends his sermon by stating that we must listen to him and put his words into action. Anything else is like building a house in sinking sand.

Games People Play: Monopoly

Games People Play: Battleship

Blessed are the meek...but does that mean doing nothing when someone is being hurt? Jesus has a better way in mind when he instructs us to turn the cheek and walk a second mile.

Games People Play: Twister

Matthew's gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Torah. The first "book" opens with blessings for the humble, meek, and poor in spirit. It's all about relationships with God, others, and ourselves. Right relationships is the foundation of a blessed life.

Games People Play: Sorry Not Sorry

When John baptizes at the Jordan River, he calls those who show up to repent, change their hearts (intentions). God wants more than sorry.

Games People Play: Introduction

As we begin the New Year in the Gospel of Matthew, we look at what makes this gospel unique (as well as the game Herod plays).

We acknowledge our weariness

The Gospel story begins with two people, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had reason to be weary.

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.

The Image of God

Colossians 1:15-20 Dr. Dominic Lele

In his letter to Colossian Christians, Paul describes Jesus as revealing the Image of God. This image helps us to understand more about God, and how people are created to be.

ThanksLiving: Growing in Grace and Knowledge

Colossians 1:1-14
Pastor Paula Dallas introduces us to the setting for the book of Colossians. In his letter to Colossae, Paul addresses the question of identity. They are God’s holy people, faithful in Christ and loving. Faith and love are nourished by the hope they found in the gospel. Yet there is pressure on this church, and on us, to keep hope. How can we be a people of hope and thanksgiving when it seems all is lost?

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 4 (I Believe in the Holy Spirit)

Acts 1:4-8 Serina Trueh

As part of the McKendree UMC Africa Sunday celebration, Serina Trueh shares why “I believe in the Holy Spirit” is such an important part of the Apostles’ Creed. It matters to her personally, and she describes how this has been part of her journey as a Christian. We too can find hope in praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit, the power of God.

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 2 (Born)

Luke 1: 26-38 Pastor Cyndi McDonald

The Apostles’ Creed comes out of baptism in the early church. Why is it so important to have a second part, Jesus, to be born as a human?