Sermons on Mary Ann Bird:

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

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

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

Apart From The Law

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Oct 30, 2006

The law is important, but only in the context of grace.

APART FROM THE LAW TEXT: Is. 40:1-5; Rom. 3:19-24 In the New Testament portion of our Daily Walk readings, we are moving from the book of Acts, which told us about the formation of the early church, into the writings of Paul. The writings of Paul in the New Testament begin ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-24

Denomination: Methodist

Live It!

Contributed by Anne Robertson on Oct 30, 2006

It isn’t enough simply to believe. Our faith must be lived to be an effective witness.

LIVE IT! TEXT: Colossians 3:1-17 Back in 2001, I had a conversation with a man named Tim, the bookkeeper at the place where I had rented a cabin, who told me about his past with the church. He grew up Irish Catholic, and as a child was very involved in the church. He was an altar boy, and he told ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Apr 22, 2008

There’s plenty of room for us so let us follow Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Introduction: This passage is near the beginning of Jesus’ farewell address to the disciples. As scholar William Barclay writes: “In a very short time life for the disciples was going to fall in. Their world was going to collapse in chaos around them. At such a time there was only one thing to ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7, 3 John 14:8-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Last Lecture

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Apr 28, 2008

In the farewell discourse Jesus is giving His "Last Lecture" that brings together the most important messages He has for us.

Introduction: This is the third in a series of sermons on Jesus’ farewell discourses in the Gospel according to John. These words have special importance because in them Jesus is telling His disciples and us what is critical in faith. John 14:15-21 Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Called To Worship; Equipped To Serve

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 29, 2009

The work of a believer begins with worship of God. Although we benefit from worship, worship is for God.

Called to Worship, Equipped to Serve Psalm 62:5-12; Mark 1:14-20 The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, January 25, 2009 Introduction: Mark’s gospel begins abruptly. In the first thirteen verses, we learn that John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, and that John ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

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

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

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

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