Sermons on Ann Douglas Vaughan:

While It Was Still Dark

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Oct 30, 2006

The greatest miracles are often done in the darkest times, when no one knows and no one is watching.

WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK TEXT: John 20:1-18 For those of us who practice Christian faith, the resurrection is the central, monumental event of history. Whether you’re the type of Christian that looks at it as historical reality or the type of Christian that sees it as a story of only spiritual ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

Couldn't You Send Someone Else?

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Sep 4, 2008

God has a plan for us, and like Moses, we resist it, but God is persistent and patient.

“Couldn’t You Send Someone Else?” Romans 12:9-12; Exodus 3 and 4, Various Verses The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, August 31, 2008 Introduction: Today, we will continue the story of Exodus. We’ll hear the story of the burning bush and God’s call to Moses. Since the story ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lord Of Second Chances

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Sep 9, 2008

Throughout the Bible, God offers person after person a second chance. He’s offering you a second chance. Use it faithfully.

As people came into the sanctuary they were asked to take a stone from pails of stones. Immediately following the sermon, they were invited to come forward to place the stone representing their sin at the foot of the cross. I also took 8-1/2 by 11 sheets with a name for each Biblical person, taped ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

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

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

Deep In Our Hearts

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jun 9, 2009

Only God is permanent: our covenant with God becomes real when it moves from our brains to our hearts.

Deep in our Hearts Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, March 29, 2009 Introduction: Beginning in 598 BCE (Before Common Era), King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah and exiled many of its leading citizens to Babylon. The fall of Judah was complete in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

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

So Little Time, So Much To Do

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

We have all received grace upon grace; therefore, we are called to share our talents just as Peter’s mother-in-law did.

So Little Time, So Much to Do Isaiah 40:27-31; Mark 1:29-39 Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, February 8, 2009 Introduction: We continue with the first chapter of Mark. As always, Mark tells the story well and fast. His favorite word is “immediately.” There is very little ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejoice In The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

There is room for everyone in the Spirit!

Rejoice in the Power of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:16-20 and Various Verses from the Epistles The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, February 15, 2009 Introduction: Our passage today is made up of phrases from Paul’s letters to the early churches. It is an inspiring array of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dancing With God

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

Dancing with God begins when we realize that God chooses the music and the dance, but most importantly, God leads.

Dancing with God Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, Ash Wednesday February 25, 2009 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, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Believe Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

It is important to have a creed...to determine what, in fact, you believe.

I BELIEVE TEXT: 2 Chronicles 20:20-21; Mark 9:17-27 Now that our lighthouse is built and there is a light to shine on our way, I want to shift our point of reference from the lighthouse to a nearby ship. (Steve and George skit.) It is time for us to chart the course of our ship across the year. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-27

Denomination: Methodist

Maker Of Heaven And Earth Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The first phrase of the Creed, "I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth."

MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH TEXT: Isaiah 43:9-13; Romans 1:18-23 Across this coming year, we are going to be talking a lot about charting our course. What that means is that, as a church, we are going somewhere and that somewhere is greater mission and ministry in our community and world. As we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus, The Son Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

Phrase two of the Creed, "And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord."

JESUS, THE SON TEXT: Matt. 3:13-17; 2 Sam. 7:11b - 16 For those of you just tuning in, we have begun a look at one of the ancient maps of the Christian faith, the Apostles’ Creed. I think it’s fair to say that every line of this creed has been questioned and debated from the very beginning. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Methodist

Conceived By The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The third phrase of the Creed: "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary"

CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TEXT: Luke 1:26-38; Luke 1:46-55 As we delve deeper into the ancient church document called the Apostles’ Creed, we come to a line representing an issue that has sparked debate across two thousand years. The line we talked about last week, “And in Jesus Christ, his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-55

Denomination: Methodist

Suffered, Dead, And Buried Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The fourth phrase of the Creed: "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried"

SUFFERED, DEAD, AND BURIED TEXT: Matthew 27:27-31; Isaiah 53:1-9 So far in our look at the Apostle’s Creed, we have hit a lot of controversial lines. We have waded into the debates about God as “Father,” about the divinity of Jesus, and the Virgin Birth. This week, however, the phrase we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-31

Denomination: Methodist