Sermons on Ann Douglas Vaughan:

There's Just No Escaping

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Jun 5, 2003

There is no escaping the presence and reality of God.

THERE’S JUST NO ESCAPING TEXT: Psalm 139:1-18 Some of you know that I felt my call to the ministry when I was 14 years old. I was giving the sermon--my first--for Youth Sunday in the North Scituate Baptist Church in Scituate, Rhode Island. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Bronze Serpent

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Jun 5, 2003

How the Bronze Serpent of Moses and the Cross are connected.

THE BRONZE SERPENT TEXT: Numbers 21:4-9 If somebody mentions snake stories in the Bible, the first one that pops into most people’s minds is Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, getting tricked into disobeying God by a clever snake. Those who might remember this little story from Numbers about ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:11-16

Denomination: Methodist

Water Into Wine

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Jun 5, 2003

The miracle at Cana is a sign of the mission of Jesus: transformation.

WATER INTO WINE TEXT: John 2:1-11 The story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, I think contains one of the most powerful messages in all of Scripture. But it seems that a lot of times, people get snagged on one of the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

When Memory Fails

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 15, 2009

When we can’t remember who we are, our baptism connects us to Jesus and each other, gives us our identity, and gives us a vision of eternity in difficult times.

When Memory Fails Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11 Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, January 11, 1009 Introduction: The baptism of Jesus is a text read and proclaimed every year. The account from Mark is simple and powerful. Mark 1:4-11 John the Baptizer appeared in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Want Me To Follow You Where?

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 19, 2009

Jesus wants us to follow Him to the places where we need to grow. It won’t be easy, but the reward is great.

You Want Me to Follow You Where? Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; John 1:43-51 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, January 18, 2009 Introduction: Our scripture lesson today is found in the end of the first chapter of the gospel of John. You may remember that John’s Gospel begins with ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Called To Worship; Equipped To Serve

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 29, 2009

The work of a believer begins with worship of God. Although we benefit from worship, worship is for God.

Called to Worship, Equipped to Serve Psalm 62:5-12; Mark 1:14-20 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, January 25, 2009 Introduction: Mark’s gospel begins abruptly. In the first thirteen verses, we learn that John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, and that John ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who's The Authority?

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 4, 2009

We live in a culture where vacuous celebrities are given amazing amount of authority. We need to look to the real authority, Jesus, who will lead us to right decisions.

Who’s the Authority? Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Mark 1:21-28 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, February 1, 2009 Introduction: Before I read the story, I’d like to explain a few things that will make the passage clearer. We’re still in the first chapter of Mark and we will stay ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Be Strong And Courageous

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Dec 3, 2007

Practicing our faith daily is the way to become strong and courageous.

Be Strong and Courageous Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 1:6-9 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, October 21, 2007 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Moses said to the Israelites, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:6-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Come And See

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 24, 2008

It’s risky, but sharing faith with friends and families is the most important and effective way to bring people to Christ.

Introduction: Last week we studied Matthew’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ formal ministry when he was baptized by John the Baptist. Today we turn to the account of John the Gospel writer. The story begins with John the Baptist witnessing to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” Two of John’s ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Things In A New Light

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 14, 2008

When we see in the Transfiguration that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, listening to Him takes on great power.

Introduction: Our scripture passage took place six days after Jesus asked the disciples who people thought He was, and Peter recognized that He was the Messiah. Still the disciples didn’t really understand. As Jesus began His journey to Jerusalem, He was transfigured in front of Peter, James and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Word We Hate The Most

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 19, 2008

The word we hate the most is "no" and yet practicing Lenten disciples of fasting, praying, and giving can enrich us when we say "no" to the world and "yes" to God.

Introduction: The passage we will read tonight is the traditional reading for Ash Wednesday. It focuses our attention on the three disciplines of Lent: Praying, Fasting, and Giving. You will hear each one described. Tonight we’re going to discuss how to practice those disciplines. Hear now the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Renewed In The Wilderness

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 19, 2008

The power of Lent is in the wilderness of letting go and disengaging with the world so that we can reconnect to God.

Introduction: The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness is a pivotal event in His life. It is recorded in Mark, Luke, and Matthew. This week we read Matthew’s account. It comes right after Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan and before His formal ministry begins. Hear now the word of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He's Waiting At The Well

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 27, 2008

Like the woman at the well, we are thirsty for salvation, and Jesus waits for us with living water at the well.

Introduction: Our reading today is so completely rich with meaning that I am going to go through it verse by verse. I hope in this way to open the text that it might address us where we are, for Christ always comes to us no matter where we are. Prayer: Lord God, we come thirsty. We live in a ...read more

Scripture: John 9:5-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Open Our Eyes

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 3, 2008

Jesus never walks by us, and when He stops our faith will grow if we retell the stories of His touch.

Introduction: Jesus has traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Booths, which was one of the three festivals when faithful Jews would travel to Jerusalem. The other two are Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost). During the Feast of Booths which is seven days between late October and late November, ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Enemies

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 4, 2009

Our greatest enemies are the traits within us that cause us to sin. We see those traits in others, can’t control others, and can find healing only in Christ.

Enemies Mark 1:9-13; Psalm 25:1-10 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, March 1, 2009 Introduction: Today’s scripture lesson is one of David’s psalms. In it he pleads for help from God against his enemies. Listen to how he describes the forces against him. Psalm 25:1-10 To ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed