Sermons on Garrison Keillor:

Got Jesus?

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on May 7, 2002

This sermon ends a series that has explored the ’corrupt generation’ we find ourselves living in. When realizing they had crucified the Messiah, faithful Jews at Pentecost asked, "What shall we do?" The response is, "Got Jesus?"

Bibliography: Culture Shifts, Lesson 10 Over the last several months, we have looked at the modern culture we find ourselves living in. I personally have found the exploration of the world we face most intriguing. There are some aspects of our society which have really hit home. Let me briefly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-40

Denomination: Methodist

Abraham: The Call

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 11, 2001

The call of Abraham is addressed in three elements contained in the following statement: ’God calls ordinary people.’

There’s a children’s Bible song called “Father Abraham.” The words speak of Abraham having many children, and also speaks of you and I being Abraham’s children. It reminds me of a couple back home. They adopted two children because they believed they couldn’t have any biologically, but then they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 12:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

A Trip To Rome

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jun 30, 2002

This sermon introduces a new sermon series exploring the Roman Road of Salvation and the purpose of Paul’s writing.

Last Wednesday, I took my last final exam of the semester. The public schools’ last day of classes is a week from tomorrow. Mother’s Day has gone, Memorial Day is just around the corner. The weather is warmer and the days grow increasingly longer. Summer is upon us. And that means vacations, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

Coming Up Short

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 1, 2002

This is the second of a series on the book of Romans. It focuses on our inability in any way to achieve grace, which of course is a gift freely given through Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday Mike and I provided the snack supper for the children and youth. I went to pick up the 10 pizzas I had ordered which Little Ceasars had given me a great deal on of $5 a pizza because I was buying them for a church function with $53 dollars in cash in my hand. The bill was $53.69. I, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-23

Denomination: Methodist

Focus Your Attention

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 1, 2002

This sermon is the third in a series on Romans. It addresses Paul’s comments concerning pursuing human nature or pursuing what is pleasing to the Spirit.

bibliography: Harry The Dirty Dog, Galations 5:19-, Romans 7:14-25, ADHD, John Wesley I want to tell you a story from my childhood. It’s not about me or my family. Its a story from a book I got as a child when my mother enrolled me in a book of the month club. Its amazing how those stories ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

We Shall Overcome

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 17, 2002

This sermon is the 4th in a series on Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul explores the Christian response in light of suffering.

Bibliography: Willie Wonka, When God Interrupts - Craig Barnes, All You Really Need To Know About Prayer...-Louise Perrotta, Martin Luther King, William Barclay The other night as we were channel surfing, we came across one of my favorite movies from my childhood, and the boys and I sat down to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Methodist

Know It By Heart

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 17, 2002

This is the 5th sermon in a series on Paul’s letter to Romans. Knowing Christ by heart is not rote memorization. Its a different way of knowing.

Bibliography: Two Roads Diverge in the Woods, The Blue Bird Travel back to your days in high school English class. Do you recall a poem by Robert Frost titled, The Road Not Taken? Listen to this poem: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Living Sacrifices

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 17, 2002

This is the 6th sermon in a series on Paul’s letter to the Romans. The problem with living sacrifices is they keep getting down off the altar.

“living sacrifices” Now that’s an interesting turn of phrase. It sounds like an oxymoron. Living and sacrifice don’t really seem like they go together, do they? When I think of the word ‘sacrifice’, certain images come to mind. I think of a play made in baseball, where one player is tagged out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Culture Shift: Casualties Of War

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Feb 5, 2002

The story of the rape of Dinah is one that makes us feel uncomfortable. What does such a story have to do with revealing God to us? This sermon explores living as faithful Christians in an ever increasingly violent world.

Bibliography: Culture Shifts, lesson 5 Our Bible story makes us feel uncomfortable. We are not really comfortable with it being in the Bible. Its a story that seems rather out of place and it doesn’t seem like it belongs. What is it doing in a book that talks about the relationship of faith ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Methodist

I Was Lost, But Now Am Found

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Feb 5, 2002

As we move closer to Easter, this sermon explores the place of repentance in the life of faithful Christians

Bibliography: Finding Christ, Finding Life, Repentance Do you know the story of John Newton? Newton was born in London July 24, 1725, the son of a commander of a merchant ship which sailed the Mediterranean. When John was eleven, he went to sea with his father and made six voyages with him before ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

"Keep Going!"

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Mar 11, 2002

Speaking to those who are ’sure’ in their faith (not mature, but sure), Paul directs our attention to the Israelites in the wilderness who thought the same thing. We are invited to examine our faith journey.

Bibliography: Finding Christ, Finding Life: covenant & community Tonight I am speaking to those who are sure in their faith. Notice I said those who are sure in their faith, not those who are mature in their faith. Although sometimes the two terms go together, tonight we make a distinction ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

The Devil Made Me Do It!

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Mar 11, 2002

Set against the motif of a melodrama, the temptation of Jesus is examined through our temptation to be self-centered, to compromise Christian ideals, and to avoid self-sacrifice and suffering

Bibliography: Finding Christ, Finding Life: Temptation When I was younger - much younger, I put all my energies into acting and the theater. I remember when I was 14 and my family moved from the metropolis of Pasadena, TX. to a small town in rural Arkansas. I was devastated that there were no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

A Different Kind Of Christmas

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Dec 7, 2001

In light of 9/11 and other events closer to home, this Christmas will be a different kind of Christmas for many, if not all. This sermon focuses in on the hope and promise in the birth of Jesus.

#120 11/26/01 Luke 1:26-38 Bibliography: I want you to pause and think with me for just a moment. Here in the last few weeks of 2001, lets look back over this past year, and reflect. We began with a down turn in our economy. In January, February, and March, households in Grace paid taxes on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

A Delicate Situation

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Dec 7, 2001

Faced with a decision such as the one Joseph faced, what would you decide to do? Could you believe Mary? Could you accept her situation? How about accepting God’s involvement in the event? What is your decision today?

This week at our house the Christmas decorations have been going up. It’s funny how even the hanging of the decorations have their traditions and rituals about them. Once every waterglobe is set out, once all the candles are lit, once every piece of evergreen garland is restretched from its long ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Methodist

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Dec 18, 2001

This catchy slogan has appearred on commercial Christmas material for ages. The implications of the statement bothers me. What does it mean? What is it’s implication for us?

The story goes an angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean that in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward him with his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom. "Done!" says the angel, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist