Sermons
April 1 – First Sunday of Easter: The Festival of the Resurrection
We celebrate the New Life that is ours in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord
*Sunrise Service – 6:30 AM at Tydings Park & Citizens Care Service – 2:30 PM
“Writing the Rest of the Story”
Ephesians 2: 1-10
Mark 16: 1-8
The woman flee the empty tomb in fear and tell no one! That’s not much of an Easter Story! But that’s not the end of the story. We have been raised with Christ. What are OUR resurrection stories? We provide the next chapter.
*Worship at HdG UMC – 8:15, 9:45 & 11 AM with Holy Communion
“Mistaken Identity”
Mark 1: 16-20
John 20: 1-18
The apostles don’t recognize the resurrection that has occurred. Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus. These folk had walked, talked, eaten with and touched him, yet they do not know him! Jesus knows Mary, however, and calls her by name. We all belong to Christ’s circle and our identity is secure in him.
Easter Series: “The Gospel of Homecoming”: We tend to think of Christian faith in terms of believing leading to changed behavior and then belonging to the community of faith called the Church. Jesus, however, invites us to belong first and then behave and believe differently. Belonging is a powerful need and that comes before we even know what we believe or how to behave.
April 8 – Second Sunday of Easter
“The Cynic’s Creed”
Acts 4: 32-35
John 20: 19-31
Thomas has his doubts about the Resurrection but Jesus forms community, as in Acts, and lets our doubts work themselves out.
April 15 – Third Sunday of Easter; Native American Ministries Sunday
We remember those living here when Europeans arrived and lift up ministries with, and among, our Native American brothers and sisters
*8:15 & 9:45 AM Worship
“Eating our Fear!”
I John 3: 1-3
Luke 24: 36b-48
Jesus invites us to eat together in community. That act devours our fear and opens our hearts and minds to trust and believe.
*11 AM Worship
Spring Cantata: “Jesus! The Resurrection of the Messiah!”
Philippians 2: 5-11
The events of Good Friday were devastating but the triumph and joy of Easter remains with us.
April 22 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Blessing of Prayer Shawls
“Wrapped in God’s Love”
Psalm 23
I John 3: 16-18
John 10: 11-16
We are gathered together by Christ and wrapped in God’s love
***April 28 – 50th Anniversary of the Merger of the Methodists and the Evangelical United Brethren to create The United Methodist Church***
April 29 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
“Midwifing Faith”
Acts 8: 26-40
I John 4: 7-12
Philip shows us how to invite others to belong to the community of faith
May 6 – Sixth Sunday of Easter: Celebration of Holy Communion
Firefighters’ Sunday; Nurses’ Day
“When Jesus Interrupts”
Acts 10: 34-48
John 15: 9-14
Even after his ascension, Jesus keeps interrupting and messing with our settled notions of how faith works! For the Spirit blows where it wants. It includes folk we might not expect to be included and does things “out of order.”
May 13 – Ascension Sunday; Confirmation Sunday; Mother’s Day: Festival of the Christian Home; Police Sunday
Dedication of Baby Bottles
We remember the ascension of Christ and the challenge he gives us to be his witnesses in the world
“In the World”
Acts 1: 6-11
Ephesians 1: 15-20
John 17: 6-11
Christ calls us to be in, but not of, the world, to represent him well. That is our hope and prayer for our Confirmands, all new believers and ourselves.
May 20 – Pentecost: Festival of the Holy Spirit; UM Women’s Sunday
“Playing the Long Game”
Acts 2: 1-21
Romans 8: 22-27
John 15: 26-27; 16: 12-15
God gives the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Risen Christ, because human history is long and we are playing a long game! God still at work in us! John Wesley would say we are on the road of sanctification.
May 27 – Memorial Sunday; Peace with Justice Sunday; Trinity Sunday
We remember those who have died in our nation’s wars; we pray for peace with justice in all relationships and all lands, and we lift up ministries of reconciliation
Guest Preacher: Rev. John Nupp
June 3 – Celebration of Holy Communion
Guest Preacher – Rev. Jennifer Cibelli
June 10 – Heritage Sunday