Sermons on Joachim And Anne:

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

Golgotha

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Aug 18, 2003

The real wonder of Jesus is that he gave up the glory of God to become human.

GOLGOTHA TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11; John 19:16-22 Today’s location is not really a mountain, per se. It is a hill, across from Jerusalem’s Damascus gate, probably once a stone quarry. At some point someone noticed that the rocks in the side of the hill looked like a skull, and so it was named ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, John 19:16-22

Denomination: Methodist

Communion Of Saints

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Aug 18, 2003

What we mean when we talk about the Communion of Saints

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-4 This week we will begin looking at some of the questions you asked to hear sermons about. I received quite a few, so given the breaks we will take for special services and seasons, it will probably be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

The Mountain Of Temptation

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Aug 18, 2003

The temptations of Jesus show the pattern of our spiritual growth

THE MOUNTAIN OF TEMPTATION TEXT: Matthew 4:1-11 We have a lot of jokes about temptation... “I can resist anything but temptation,” is a common phrase in all circles...religious and non. I think we do that because we’re nervous. We know it’s not just funny, but true, and maybe by making light ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

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

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

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

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