In Sermons:

The Messiah Was Sent

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 7, 2021

The Messiah was sent to save the world. Yes, even the people who reject Him.

The Messiah Was Sent Mark 12:1-11 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 1 And He began to speak to them in parables: "bA man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 2 "At the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Whom Shall We Fear? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 7, 2021

Advent and Communion call us to wait, to be strong, to let our hearts take courage as we wait for day when He wakes us from our deep and dreamless sleep so that we can be with Him in the New Jerusalem.

Imagine you’re at home … watching some TV before you go to bed … when the power suddenly goes off. It’s dark. No lights inside. No lights outside. Might make you a bit nervous, you think? Even afraid? Now imagine that you have a big dog lying at your feet. Hum … you feel a bit more at ease, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14, Matthew 13:45, Micah 5:2

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Prepared (Advent 2) December 5, 2021

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 4, 2021

There are people like those in Malachi’s audience in every generation. They don’t make preparation a priority. These were covenant people who were side-stepping their covenant.

GETTING PREPARED Text: Malachi 3:1 - 4 Malachi 3:1-4  See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.  (2)  But ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

By What Authority

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 3, 2021

What is the authority you use to proof that Jesus is the Messiah?

By what Authority Mark 11:27-33 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 27 They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Give The Grinch An Inch

Contributed by Julia Cramer on Dec 2, 2021

Don't let "Grinchitis" Pandemic hit your church congregation. Make Whoville - Hisville. The Grinch of sin cannot win - don't give the Grinch a room within

He came in the dark And slithered like a snake Stole all the presents Even the star he did take The candy canes were stolen From kids sleeping in bed He stink, stank, and stunk, Took all and fled on his sled But when he stopped to hear The cries of boo hoo The Spirit of Christmas Came through ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-13, Nehemiah 8:10, 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: United Methodist

"repentance"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 30, 2021

A sermon about the greatest Christmas gift God gives us.

“Repentance” Luke 3:1-6 On the last day of Preschool, before Christmas Break, a group of young parents stood waiting to claim their kids. As the children ran from their classrooms, they each carried in their hands a “surprise,” the brightly wrapped package which contained what they had been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Hope In The Lord Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 28, 2021

When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, we have the gift of Jesus … the very embodiment of God’s “hesed” … God’s steadfast love … and we have the cross to remind us of the greatest Christmas gift of all, amen?

Advent is a time of tension. There is the joy and anticipation of the season and the stress and strain of trying to prepare for it, amen? But the season itself represents an historical and theological tension as well and I am going to use songs from the Jewish song book and songs from our own ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 7:18-19, Romans 7:24, John 1:5, John 1:14-15, Matthew 16:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Closer Than A Friend Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 23, 2021

I believe that within every human heart is the desire for relationship. Our human relationships mirror our desire for our relationship with our divine Creator. “It is not good that man should be alone” and our greatest fear is being alone … truly alone.

In 2003, Mark Zuckerberg was just another second-year computer programming student at Harvard. Partly for fun and partly to see if he could do it, Zuckerberg hacked into Harvard's security network, where he copied the student ID images used by the dormitories. He then used the photos to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-21, Genesis 2:18, Luke 16:19-26, Philippians 1:23, Acts 15:36-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

"a Righteous Branch"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 23, 2021

A sermon of hope for the first Sunday of Advent.

“A Righteous Branch” Jeremiah 33:14-16 This is the first Sunday of Advent. And Advent isn’t just about the Church getting ready for Christmas. It is about much more than that. It goes much deeper, all the way to our human condition, our present place in this universe and where the Kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Denomination: United Methodist

A Hard Heart

Contributed by Julia Cramer on Nov 21, 2021

The story of deliverance from Pharaoh's point of view. The Egyptian perspective opens our eyes to a deeper meaning as to why Ramses II had a hard heart and God had a purpose for every plague.

(Brief Introduction is given by Moses dressed up): We’ve all heard the story of how God delivered His people through my hand, Moses. He used me and my brother Aaron to bring ten plagues upon Egypt. But what would the story sound like from Pharaoh’s point of view? This morning, Pharaoh is here to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Everyone Who Belongs: A Life That Matters, Reign Of Christ, Year B Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 21, 2021

Reign of Christ Sunday is a marker for the end of the liturgical year. It is a way of saying we wrap up a year’s worth of worship by claiming again whose we are in the Kingdom.

Reign of Christ Sunday is a marker for the end of the liturgical year. It is a way of saying we wrap up a year’s worth of worship by claiming again whose we are. This is the last Sunday of the Christian Calendar year and the most important. On this Sunday we reiterate our mission – to make ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: United Methodist

Kingdoms In Conflict (Christ The King Sunday 2021)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 19, 2021

Our text today, poses the question “How can God’s kingdom come on earth in the midst of conflict?” If Jesus is the King of all kings, and He is, then why does it appear that His never ending kingdom is in danger?

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT Text: John 18: 33- 37 John 18:33-37  Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"  (34)  Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: United Methodist

"finding God In The Ordinary"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 18, 2021

A sermon for Thanksgiving.

“Finding God in the Ordinary” Matthew 6:24-34 Once upon a time, there was a far- away land that was ruled by a vicious king. His iron fist reached into every corner of his subjects’ lives. Every corner, except one. Try as he might, he couldn’t destroy their belief in God. In his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Failure To Launch Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 14, 2021

Joshua didn’t go out on a wing and a prayer or a gut feeling or trust in his own instincts. He went with God’s promises and He had God with him.

How many of you suffer from “atychiphobia” [a-ticky-phobia]? [Raise my hand.] Aw, common on … really? I’m the only one? It might help you if I tell you what it means, amen? “Atychiphobia” [a-ticky-phobia] is the “fear of failure” and, trust me, it’s a very, very common phobia. I have it every ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9, Numbers 13:28-33, Numbers 14:8-9, Numbers 14:11-12, Numbers 14:28-33, Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Deuteronomy 34:6-8, Joshua 6:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Spiritual Healing – Preparing Oneself For Heaven

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Nov 13, 2021

Spiritual Healing is the preparation of one's soul to enter the gates of Heaven. Are you ready? The healing stories in Mark's Gospel are metaphors for our preparation.

Spiritual Healing – Preparing oneself for Heaven Mark 5:21-43 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz [Healing Story #1] 21 When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: United Methodist