Sermons on Anne Bancroft:

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

Ups And Downs Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The fifth phrase of the Creed: "He descended into hell. On the third day he arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sittith at the right hand of God the Father Almighty"

UPS AND DOWNS TEXT: Luke 24:44-52; 1 Peter 3:18-22 We’re approaching the close of the first part of the Apostles’ Creed...the section that mostly deals with the nature of Jesus’ life and death. As I mentioned in the introductory sermon, there are several very old versions of the Creed, and they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-52

Denomination: Methodist

Who's The Judge Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The sixth phrase of the Creed: "From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead."

WHO’S THE JUDGE? TEXT: Luke 6:37-38; Romans 8:1-6 As we continue our travels through the Apostles’ Creed, we come to a rather squirmy line: “From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” Thinking about the judgment passages of Scripture is not an easy way to pass the morning, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The seventh phrase of the Creed: "I believe in the Holy Spirit"

THE HOLY SPIRIT TEXT: John 16:12-15; Acts 2:1-18 This week we move into the second part of the Creed. The first part was almost exclusively about the nature and life of Jesus, but in this second part we branch out to a listing of other Christian beliefs. The difficult piece is that the Creed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Holy Catholic Church Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The eighth phrase of the Creed: "The holy catholic church."

THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH TEXT: John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:1-6 Line by line we are making it through the Apostle’s Creed, and the line we are looking at this week is easily the most misunderstood line in the whole thing. “I believe in the holy catholic church. I remember when I first learned ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

The Communion Of Saints Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The ninth phrase of the Creed: "The communion of saints"

I BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-4 The parsonage lights were burning even later than usual this week as a couple of innocent questions sent me on a wild romp through my family geneaology. Courtesy of the Mormon website, which I believe is the most extensive, free ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

The Forgiveness Of Sins Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The tenth phrase of the Creed: "The forgiveness of sins"

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS TEXT: 1 John 1:5-10 We’re almost there. For months now we have been preparing for our journey into mission by examining the map left to us by the ancients…the Apostle’s Creed. We have gone through controversial lines, misunderstood lines, historical lines, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Resurrection Of The Body Series

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Sep 4, 2004

The last phrase of the Creed: "The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting"

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY John 20:1-9, 19-31; 1 Cor. 15:33-49 If you have been with us for the past few months, you know that this morning we arrive at the end of a long discussion of the Apostle’s Creed. Line by line we have examined the teachings of the Christian faith and here, on Easter ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33-49

Denomination: Methodist

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

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