Sermons on Ann Douglas Vaughan:

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

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

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

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

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 22, 2001

In a culture that said women had no power, Abigail successfully leads a peace delegation and stops a war between the two most powerful men in the region. We, too, must use our power to make peace.

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker 1 Samuel 25:2-44 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence October 21, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant We displayed a transparency that said: USE YOUR POWER TO MAKE PEACE 1. Beware of anger. 2. Act with holy boldness. 3. Humble yourself. 4. Be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, 1 Samuel 25:2-44

Denomination: Methodist

Restorative Justice #2:the Massive Search Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Sep 19, 2001

The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon brings new awareness of our sins and God’s search.

The Massive Search Matthew 18:1-14 Rev. Anne Grant Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI 02907 Sunday, September 16, 2001 (following 9/11/01 attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon) For the rest of our lives, we will remember what we were doing on September 11th. Phil and I had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Restorative Justice #1: Zaccheus Pays Reparations Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 11, 2001

Jesus’ treatment of Zaccheus and the tax collector’s response is a model of God’s restorative justice.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE #1: Zaccheus Pays Reparations Luke 19:1-9 Restorative Justice Series #1 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI September 2, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant Introduction to scripture: Has anybody here climbed a tree recently? It’s not something adults do very often. Children ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Restorative Justice #3: Two Josephs Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 11, 2001

Two 17-year-old Josephs, one 3900 years ago and one this week show us how God intends to bring good from even the worst human behavior. We must never let ourselves get so low or so high that we forget who we belong to.

Two Josephs Genesis 37:2-50:21 Restorative Justice Series #3 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI September 30, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant The theme today is that God intends to bring good From the worst human behavior. As the deadline for deporting Liberians has once again been extended ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Restorative Justice #4: Samson's Revenge, Jesus' Redemption Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 11, 2001

Two men made for God’s purpose: one chooses his own pleasure and becomes a terrorist bent on revenge, fighting a holy war. He commits suicide bringing down a building, killing thousands. The other gives up his rights, chooses death, and redeems the world.

Samson’s Revenge and Jesus’ Redemption, Judges 13-16 Restorative Justice Series #4 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI October 7, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant We have been hearing some powerful stories about heroism Over the past few weeks. We read them in newspapers and magazines. We hear ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Methodist

The Offering

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Apr 14, 2003

Giving as a response to God’s love.

THE OFFERING TEXT: 1 John 4:7-12; Numbers 18:21-29 You’ve heard it said sometimes that a person “knows just enough to be dangerous.” That doesn’t necessarily mean a person is learning to be violent, it just means that when we know a little bit about something, we might do something we would ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12, Numbers 18:21-29

Denomination: Methodist

Epiphany

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Apr 14, 2003

Expect God to be made manifest in your life.

EPIPHANY TEXT: John 2:1-11; Luke 3:21-22 I know that most of you have not been kept up nights wondering about Epiphany. A large number of people have never heard of Epiphany, and although I had heard of it, it never really dawned on me that anyone might actually celebrate it until I visited ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Luke 3:21-22

Denomination: Methodist

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