Sermons on Mary Mcloud Bethune:

One Is Bigger Than Many Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Idea: THE ONLY WAY TO REACH GOD’S GOAL IS TO REACH IT TOGETHER

[INTRODUCTION] The Olympic contestants line up in the starting blocks for the hundred-meter dash. Anticipation has the crowd suspended on the edge of their seats. The starter raises his gun and fires. The athletes spring out of the starting blocks. As they do, it becomes obvious this is no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Jesus example of humility

Introduction What does it take to be a success? When Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator of Italy for over 20 years, was asked that question by a New York journalist, his reply was, “Above all, keep your heart a desert!” According to Mussolini, having a heart which cared for no one was the key ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In The Waiting Room

Contributed by Marie Harvin on Sep 14, 2006

This sermon tells us that while we are here on earth we are in God’s waiting room and we should make our time useful and joyful.

If you ever had an appointment with a doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc, you have notice when you arrive at their office, usually the first thing the receptionist say is, have a seat. We will be with you soon. The offering of a seat is an invitation to rest while you are waiting. While you are waiting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Methodist

The Superficial Thanksgiving

Contributed by Marie Harvin on Oct 9, 2006

This sermon is about examining ourselves when we celebrate Thanksgiving this year. For many this day will be a time of praise, for others a time for pretext, for some a spiritual time and for others a superficial time.

Introduction: Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States and Canada. It is a day set aside to give thanks for the blessings of the year. Thanksgiving Day is usually observed with religious services and with families celebrations. A large dinner featuring turkey, cranberries and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Methodist

Handing Over The Keys

Contributed by Mari Larson on Sep 7, 2014

The authority to forgive (The Office of the Keys) has been given to us, but we don't use it.

Church life on the prairies of the Midwest is often quite different from church life here (in Arizona). Small congregations of Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and German origins are slowly dying out, and since we no longer preach in the languages of our mother-lands (Thank God!), and because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Happily Ever After?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Oct 4, 2015

In a society where half of marriages end in divorce, what do Jesus' words mean for us? And what's heaven going to look like when most have been married multiple times?

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, "Ma'am, what are the grounds for your divorce?" She replied, "About four acres with a nice house in the middle." "No," he said, "I mean what is the foundation of this case?" "Concrete, brick and mortar," she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16, Mark 12:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Meal, The Message, And The Miracle

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 28, 2014

The Feeding of the 5,000 is a great miracle story, but it wasn't the only miracle that happened that day.

The Meal, the Message, and the Miracle Proper 13A – Matthew 14:13-21 -- August 3, 2014 Food! Be it blessed or tempting, it is filled with meaning that may not have anything to do with the food itself. Kringla, with its subtle hint of nutmeg, reminds me of grandma, who not only made these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Ring Tone

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jan 18, 2015

Like Samuel and Eli, we don't always initially recognize God's Ring Tone, but God is calling to us, and our job is to listen.

As most of you know, I had planned to be at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, completing an intense Mini-MBA course this past week. But last Sunday afternoon, I had a strong sense that I wasn’t supposed to go. As I told that to (my husband) Gary and then to Wanda (our congregational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Spirit-Filled

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 25, 2015

An invitation to be Spirit-filled rather than just Spirit-marked.

A barber in a small town was busy cutting hair one day when the local law enforcement officer walked in to get a haircut. And the barber was feeling a bit generous that day, so he said to the cop, "Since you do such a good job protecting us, and watching over us, today’s haircut is free." ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Healing For The Soul

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 25, 2015

Like Elijah, sometimes we feel utterly defeated (as I did by the shootings in Charleston and Chattanooga) but God remains with us through these times.

When I left on Sabbatical, I had Charleston on my mind. As I drove to North Carolina, it was on my mind. I tried to avoid newspapers and newscasts, but it was still on my mind. Through much of the Wild Goose Festival, we talked openly about violence and “isms.” I wasn’t home ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Holy Armor

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 27, 2015

This sermon (preached the Sunday after the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly) illustrates the Ephesians "Armor of God" imagery with the actions of the ELCA.

Several weeks ago, when I chose today’s Ephesians text to be my preaching text, I didn’t realize that the text corresponded with the weekend after our ChurchWide Assembly and how absolutely appropriate it would be today to talk about Holy Armor. Many of you have noticed that our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Impossible

Contributed by Mari Larson on Mar 27, 2016

Throughout history, many people have had doubts about many things. It is no wonder there were doubts about the resurrection.

Throughout history, some very smart people have said some not-so-smart things, and thanks to the internet, they will never be forgotten. For example, Thomas Watson, the Chairman of IBM said in 1943, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” When something new comes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Road To Easter Runs Through A Cemetery

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

Good Friday was a necessary part of the Easter journey. The sermon shares a Leonard Sweet story about bell-ringing. (Each person who came to worship received a bell as they entered.)

They thought it was over. Jesus was dead and buried. The religious folks sighed with satisfaction. His followers wept in grief. But they were wrong! They were all wrong! From this side of Easter, we can call Friday “Good” because we know that it was not over, all had not been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Resurrection Adrenaline

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

Easter was a time of Adrenaline for the disciples, but the two walking to Emmaus missed it... until Jesus became known to them.

When I told people about my family’s plans to spend a day at the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course last month, some nodded, others gave a look of questioning, and a few responded with one word, “WHY?!” Researchers tell us that younger generations are drawn more than ever to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran