In Sermons:

Sermon "Is There No Balm?”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 22, 2025

In a nation wounded by lies, greed, and division, we gather today to remember that Christ is still the healing balm our broken land desperately needs.

Sermon “Is There No Balm?” 📖 Jeremiah 8:18–9:1 📅 September 21, 2025 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost [Opening] Jeremiah cries out: “My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. … For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The God Of "Good Ole Slavery”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 7, 2025

Paul sends Onesimus back. Back to Philemon. Back to the house he ran from. Back to the chains he escaped.

Sermon: The God of “Good Ole Slavery” Scripture: Philemon 1:15–16 – “Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother…” Introduction: Wrestling with Paul and Our Present Beloved, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Watch You Seat

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 7, 2025

Big Idea Jesus says real greatness isn’t grabbing the best seat—it’s how we treat the people others overlook.

Be Careful of Being Big Time Watch You SEAT Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost — August 31, 2025 Text: Luke 14:1, 7–14; Hebrews 13:1–2 (NRSVue) Big Idea Jesus says real greatness isn’t grabbing the best seat—it’s how we treat the people others overlook. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14, Hebrews 13:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Cannot Be Shaken

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 24, 2025

America stands at a spiritual crossroads—choosing between shallow, empire-tied morality or an authentic faith rooted in justice, compassion, and God’s unshakable kingdom.

Cannot Be Shaken Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, Year C Hebrews 12:18–29 Introduction Good morning Church family: Week by week, we gather to sing, to pray, and to proclaim. Worship is not just what we do—it is who we are becoming. Beloved, we are living in a season of shaking. The so-called ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"The Law Should Be Enough?”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jul 12, 2025

I want to ask a question that the Spirit has been stirring in my soul: “The Law Should Be Enough… shouldn’t it?”

Sermon Title: “The Law Should Be Enough?” Scripture: Luke 10:25–28 Preacher: Rev. Amiri B. Hooker Introduction: Beloved, today’s message is a hard word wrapped in love, a sermon for a nation and a people standing at the crossroads of obedience and resistance, legality and morality, policy and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-28

Denomination: United Methodist

God! How Do We Keep Going?

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jul 6, 2025

“BREAKING: President’s ‘Big Beautiful Budget’ bill passes—millions to lose healthcare, protections gutted, rural hospitals closing.” And I wanted to cry out: God! Do you see what they’re doing?”

Sermon Title: “God! How Do We Keep Going?” Scripture: Luke 10:17–20 & Galatians 6:9–10 (NRSVue) Preached at a Bethesda UMC rural African American church in South Carolina By Rev. Amiri B. Hooker Date: July 6, 2025 Introduction: God! Beloved, I have to be honest with you. The other day I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:17-20

Denomination: United Methodist

They Get It From Their Father

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jun 14, 2025

Happy Father’s Day and Blessed Trinity Sunday, church! Today, we stand at a sacred intersection—celebrating both our earthly fathers and our heavenly One, as well as recognizing the mystery of God revealed as Father, Son, and Spirit.

They Get It from Their Father ““I am telling you these things to keep you from stumbling away from the path. The tribal leaders will force you out of their gathering houses. The time will come when they will put you to death, thinking they are doing what the Great Spirit wants, all because they ...read more

Scripture: John 16:2-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"Real Love… Talking About That Real Love”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on May 29, 2025

Jesus prays in John 17—not just for the disciples beside Him, but for us, those who would come to believe through their witness. That’s real love. Not temporary. Not performative. Real love is legacy love. Transformative love. Love that acts and lasts.

Sermon Title: “Real Love… Talking About That Real Love” Scripture: John 17:20–26 (The Message) Occasion: Cumberland UMC, 1st Sunday in June 2025 The Message 20-23 I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: United Methodist

2025 King Day Celebration Sermon: "we Can Complete The Mission No Matter What!"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 20, 2025

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we reflect on his vision for justice, freedom, and equality, we must ask ourselves: can we complete the mission

2025 King Day Celebration Sermon: "We Can Complete the Mission No Matter What!" Theme: Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365 Greetings, brothers and sisters in the spirit of justice, peace, and freedom, Greetings to My NAACP Branch ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: United Methodist

The Quest For Power Vs. The Call Of Christ

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 5, 2025

Epiphany is not just a moment of clarity; it’s a summons to transformation. Let’s walk through this text with open hearts, asking, What does the birth of Jesus teach us about power, greed, and the true call of leadership?

Sermon Title: The Quest for Power vs. The Call of Christ Text: Matthew 2:1-12 Church, it’s the first Sunday of a brand-new year, and God has a message for us: Pay attention. Paying attention to what’s right in front of us—what’s under our noses—can be a life-changing act. We just wrapped the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Joy In Troubled Times

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Dec 15, 2024

The Challenge of Joy in Troubled Times Church, this third Sunday of Advent—the pink candle Sunday—ushers us into joy. But how do we celebrate joy in a world so gripped by fear and trauma?

Sermon Joy in Troubled Times Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Message 14-15 So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise your voices, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! celebrate! God has reversed his judgments against you and sent your enemies off chasing their tails. From now on, God is Israel’s king, ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Sermon For World Aids Day: "God’s Promise For All Families”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Dec 1, 2024

Beloved, today we gather on World AIDS Day, a day that calls us to pause and reflect on a crisis that has shaped our world for decades.

Sermon for World AIDS Day: “God’s Promise for All Families” Text: Jeremiah 33:14-26 Introduction Beloved, today we gather on World AIDS Day, a day that calls us to pause and reflect on a crisis that has shaped our world for decades. It is a day to honor the lives lost, support those living with ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-26

Denomination: United Methodist

"The Family That Worships Together Stays Together” ( All Saints Sunday)

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 2, 2024

Today’s scripture from the Book of Ruth illustrates what it means to be family and how the love, loyalty, and faith shared within a family leaves a legacy for future generations.

All Saints Sunday Sermon: “The Family That Worships Together Stays Together” Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18 (NRSVue) Introduction: Today is All Saints Sunday. We gather to honor, remember, and celebrate the saints who walked before us, those who paved the path we walk today. Hebrews 12:1 tells us, “We ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"From Sorrow To Celebration: God’s Power

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 27, 2024

God is working behind the scenes to turn our sorrow into joy, and our mourning into celebration.

9:20 Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 9:21 enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, 9:22 as the days on ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:20-22

Denomination: United Methodist

Not "To Be Served” Walking With Jesus

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 20, 2024

Our scripture today from Mark 10:35-45 helps guide us as we consider the qualities of leadership rooted in service.

Sermon Title: "Not to Be Served" Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 Date: October 20, 2024 The Highest Places of Honor 35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.” 36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.” 37 “Arrange it,” they said, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: United Methodist