Canton United Methodist Church: Recent Episodes
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The Canton United Methodist Church is a fellowship that strives to make disciples of Jesus Christ and make a difference. Join us for worship on Sunday mornings in person and online via Facebook Live. Our podcast channel will feature messages from our pastor and a weekly discussion of things that have been cut for time.
Scripture: Acts 1:6-11
Series: Emerge Anew
On Ascension Sunday, Jesus gave the disciples a challenge to dare new heights and to embrace new adventures. We know that they did. Yet we acknowledge sometimes we are stuck in our ruts and think some of the things Jesus calls us to do are beyond our abilities. But what happens when we are brave and dare new heights like the disciples did? To what new heights are you being called?
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Pastor Clay and Eric met up for one final episode of the Cut for Time Podcast before Pastor Clay moves to Grand Forks to serve Zion UMC. Together they discuss how this Emerge sermon series has taken on a bigger meaning and how Sunday's sermon in particular spoke to our transitional moments.
Thank you for listening over the past four years! Both Pastor Clay and Eric have had so much fun recording together and having you join us for the conversations.
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Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20
Series: Emerge Anew
The metamorphosis that Simon underwent in his life is the perfect example of the difference that Jesus can make in someone's life. He was hesitant but faithful and claimed every new opportunity Jesus had for him. Even if others did not see his potential, even if he did not see his own potential, Jesus did. The same is true for you and for me. Who do you sense Jesus leading you to become?
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Scripture: John 11:17-25; 38-44
Series: Emerge Anew
Today Pastor Clay talked about longshots and not giving up hope. Our chrysalises do not look like much right now; they look like little brown pods that could easily be mistaken as dead. Yet they are teeming with life. Lazarus' story reminds us the power of not giving up hope for new life, even if things seem finished. What do you still hope is possible in your life of faith?
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Scripture: Luke 24:28-35
Series: Emerge Anew
Despite the darkness of their grief, two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus see the light of the resurrection when Jesus enters their conversations, reveals a bit of light, and then obliterates their darkness in the breaking of bread. As we go through life and experience our own darkness, Jesus also meets us and challenges us to shed light on others.
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss Sunday's message from our Emerge series. They talked about the timing of this message coinciding with Graduate Recognition Sunday and also some of the history of the Canton UMC and its ability to find God in what comes next.
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Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3
Series: Emerge Anew
Last week, we talked about embracing dark spaces to learn lessons God can only teach in the stillness and quiet of the dark. But we cannot simply remain in the dark because we are called to be light. As we live this delicate tension, may we put our faith in God to remain with us when we emerge forth.
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back after a long break to check in about Lent, some developments in the life of the Canton UMC, and to discuss our new message series. Eric also asks about the details of the resurrection stories, and we all learn that there is no way to plot out and logic our way through the differences among the gospels.
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Scripture: John 20:1-18
Series: Emerge Anew
When we find ourselves in the midst of dark and tight spaces, our natural inclination may be to get ourselves free as soon as possible. But perhaps there is something God wants us to learn or see while we are in the dark. As we emerge forth from the season of Lent into a new season of life, what might God be up to while we are in the dark?
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Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
As Lent gives way to Easter, so too do Jesus' final words give way to his first words of new life. On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus greets the Marys who had gone to the tomb with two invitations: to rejoice and to tell. As we live in the light of Jesus' resurrection, may we take these invitations upon ourselves.
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On Easter Sunday morning, one of our 8th graders named Grayson V. preached an excellent message about the difference that the resurrection makes for us. We hope you are as encouraged by his words as we were!
Scripture: Luke 23:44-48 & John 19:30
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
In the final message from this series, Pastor Clay helps us explore the last two statements Jesus makes from the cross. With a resolute trust in God, Jesus surrenders his life for us. As we go through the dark valleys of life, we can trust God as Jesus did and put our own spirits in God's hands.
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Scripture: John 19:28-29
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
As the horrors of the crucifixion wore on Jesus' physical body, he cried out that he was thirsty. It is easy to assume why he would be thirsty, but could that the thirst he was experiencing was more about his spirit longing for God's presence? As we feel our spirits feeling parched during this Lenten season, may we drink deep from the Living Water Jesus provides.
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Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
So far, we have seen Jesus care so much for so many people. But today, as we find him nearing the end of his life, he cannot ignore his own suffering for much longer. Something changes, and he cannot feel the sense of God's presence that was familiar to him. He feels cut off, alone, and forsaken. The truth is that we know how Jesus feels. When those times come in our own lives, we can cry out to him and trust that he knows what we are going through.
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While Eric is on a work trip, Pastor Clay met up with Rev. Stephanie Schneider to discuss last week's podcast, Sunday's message, and how the Church operates best when it is a family.
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Scripture: John 19:25-27
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
Jesus' concern could rightly be on the predicament he is in while on the cross. But when he sees his mother and beloved disciple at the foot of the cross, his concern turns to taking care of these two important people. He makes them into a family. By his grace, this work of "family-making" goes on for us today. How has the Church been like a family to you?
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Pastor Clay and Eric sat down together to discuss Sunday's message and our progress in this series so far. Last week started with Jesus asking God to forgive "them" because they did not know what they were doing, and this week shows us what that forgiveness looks like in action. A penitent thief on the cross cries to Jesus to be remembered, and Jesus answers, "Surely you will be with me." How does this help us understand the nature of salvation and God's "unfair" love?
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Scripture: Luke 23:39-43
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
It does seem like there are things we get too old to do, but this scripture does help us "never say never." The penitent thief on the cross probably thought it was too late to confess his sins and experience the forgiveness of Christ, yet Jesus extended grace and forgiveness to him. What do you think it is "too late" to do? This week, Pastor Clay helps us explore the second of Jesus' seven statements from the cross.
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about the beginning of the Lenten season and the first message in our series about Jesus' Seven Statements from the Cross. The first statement, "Father, forgive them" gave them much to discuss. What do you love about the season of Lent?
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Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22 & Luke 23:32-34
Series: Seven Statements from the Cross
During the season of Lent, we are exploring Jesus' final words, words that reveal Jesus' heart for all humanity. In his first statement from the cross, Jesus prays for forgiveness on behalf of the soldiers, the religious leaders, the crowds, and us. What do we learn from Jesus' forgiveness?
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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
Title: Life is Hard.
The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians about all the hardships he has endured but also glories in the fact that there is an "and yet" that he finds in Jesus. As we go through hard things, and as Ash Wednesday itself can be hard, let us remember the "and yet" that will sustain us through Lent and beyond.
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Scripture: Numbers 27:1-8, 11b
Rev. Nicole Anderson from Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center joined us for worship on Camp Sunday and introduced us to the summer 2025 Camp Curriculum "Another Way." Campers this summer are going to learn about the daughters of Zelophehad. After their father died, the women faced the reality that they were going to lose everything because inheritances went to sons or men in the family. But the people of Israel realized
the law needed to be changed, and it was. According to this scripture, if we bring a justice issue forward, another way is possible.
Learn more about camp!
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss the Loving Large series and how we celebrate love in our relationships. They both agree that Valentine's Day is a bit overrated but showing love in all relationships is important. Pastor Clay also shared an alternate opening to his sermon from Sunday making the point that we are not supposed to be a "one-hit-wonder" when it comes to showing God's love.
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Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40
Series: Loving Large
As we bring this series to a close, Pastor Clay draws our attention to Jesus' teaching on the impact that putting love into action can have. The difference between the sheep and the goats that Jesus discusses in Matthew 25 is the difference between who showed love and kindness and who did not. How is it that we desire to live?
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Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24
Series: Loving Large
We all like our stuff, and that's not a bad thing. But when our stuff - and our pursuit of more and better stuff - gets in the way of our call to love God and love neighbor, we run into issues regarding our faithfulness. Our pursuit for "more" can cost us more than its worth, but what is the alternative? It may be "less," but the real solution is generosity, using what we already have - time, talent, and treasure - to serve those around us. How can you give up "more" so that you can love God and others fully?
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Scripture: Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Series: Loving Large
It's not too often that we read from the Song of Solomon during worship, but it's message about love is too important for us to miss. The author of the Song of Solomon wants us to know that this type of love is possible, and the reason why we know it's possible is because God loves us like this. God's love lifts us up to see ourselves and our world in a different way.
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up to discuss last week's message about putting our love into action and also dove one more time into United Methodist history. How did we get here and how does it help us know where to go from here?
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Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12
Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist
As we reach the end of this message series, we circle back almost to the start. Jesus said that the two greatest commands were to love God and love others. We explored our love of God, and out of that love grows our love for others. Showing God's love is the best way to tell others about who God is.
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back after sick kids and weird work schedules to dig into our sermon series on the Five Marks of United Methodism. During their conversation, they cover prayer - which was the topic of last week's sermon - as well as the rationale behind this series. They also discuss some of the distinctives of the United Methodist church. What do you love about your church denomination?
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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist
When we hear the call to "pray without ceasing," we can end up confused or so sure that such a task is impossible that we simply lay it aside. But we can't afford to do that. Prayer matters simply too much. Drawing on the teaching of John Wesley, Pastor Clay helps us think about what it means to have our hearts lifted to God and why it matters for us today.
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Scripture: Philippians 4:12-20
Message Series: The 5 Marks of United Methodism
Hearing a message about giving thanks to God does not feel all that challenging... until you remember that the Apostle Paul challenged the Philippians to give thanks in every circumstance. Some times in life are harder than others, but what Paul learned and shared is that these times are manageable because Christ is with us just as Christ was with him.
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Welcome back to a more normal-ish episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! As we begin a new message series at the church, Pastor Clay walks through some of the reasoning and rationale for why this series is up first in 2025 and then lays a foundation in the history of John Wesley, the Methodist Movement, and the United Methodist Church. How does this foundation help us build our faith today?
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Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist
We continue our look at our identifying factors as we look at the joy of the Lord. God's people heard a reading of God's word and were moved to tears. Nehemiah and Ezra invited the people feast and celebrate God's goodness. When we gather for worship or spend time with God, do we experience this type of whole-hearted joy?
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Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40
Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist
As we embrace this new year as God's gift to us, it is important for us to have clarity about who we are as United Methodists. All the way back at the start of the Methodist movement, our founder John Wesley claimed that there are five distinguishing marks of a Methodist. The first one is that we love God. While that may seem very basic, it is important for us to build a strong foundation on this truth before we move to any further aspects of who we are. How can you grow in your capacity to love God this week?
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The panel is back one more time to think back on Christmas Eve and the importance of the Incarnation. God took on flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus. Why is this so important to our faith during Christmas and even beyond?
Guests on the Podcast:
Rev. Stephanie Schneider: Village Baptist & First Baptist, Glens Falls & Ft. Edward, NY
Rev. Peggy Hanson: Madison UMC, Madison SD
Rev. Teresa Whetsel: Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND
Beata Ferris: Discipleship Coordinator at Pierre First UMC, Pierre, SD
Eric Stearns: Lay Leader at Canton UMC, Canton, SD
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Pastor Clay and his friends are back for the 4th Week of Advent to discuss what some of the touchstones of the holidays are for them. This goes with our week on touch and feeling, so what are some of the touchstones and traditions that make it feel like Christmas?
Guests on the Podcast:
Rev. Stephanie Schneider: Village Baptist & First Baptist, Glens Falls & Ft. Edward, NY
Rev. Peggy Hanson: Madison UMC, Madison SD
Rev. Teresa Whetsel: Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND
Beata Ferris: Discipleship Coordinator at Pierre First UMC, Pierre, SD
Eric Stearns: Lay Leader at Canton UMC, Canton, SD
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Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Series: Experiencing Christmas
Christ is born! Let us celebrate. In the fullness of God's time, God let us all in on a surprise that was centuries in the making. With all of our senses, we now know what God was up to this entire time. The birth of Christ is good news that we get to share with everyone around us! Merry Christmas!
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Scripture: Luke 2:25-35
Series: Experiencing Christmas
Whether it is the itchy Christmas program costumes or a special decoration, our sense of touch is just as activated during the season as the rest of our senses. Jesus was touched during his life and touched many people, even people that the world would not touch. As we finish out the Advent season, may we think of the times that Jesus touched us and be inspired to reach out to touch others.
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The panel is back to discuss another one of our senses as it relates to Advent and Christmas. One of the most amazing parts of this season is the special meals and treats we get to enjoy along with the special people around us. We hope you enjoy all these stories. What treat lets you know that the season is truly here?
Guests on the Podcast:
Rev. Stephanie Schneider: Village Baptist & First Baptist, Glens Falls & Ft. Edward, NY
Rev. Peggy Hanson: Madison UMC, Madison SD
Rev. Teresa Whetsel: Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND
Beata Ferris: Discipleship Coordinator at Pierre First UMC, Pierre, SD
Eric Stearns: Lay Leader at Canton UMC, Canton, SD
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Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10
Series: Experiencing Christmas
Thus far in our journey through the senses, we have noted how the sights and the sounds of the season point us to Jesus. But this is also a season that features special meals and treats that convey deep memories for us. How can the things we eat and enjoy this season help us to "taste and see that God is good?"
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Welcome back to the Cut for Time Podcast at the Canton United Methodist Church. As we continue our sermon series focused on how our sensory experiences focus us on the birth of Christ, we turn to our sense of hearing.
This week, you'll hear from Pastor Clay and his panel about their favorite Christmas songs.
Guests on the Podcast: Rev. Stephanie Schneider: Village Baptist & First Baptist, Glens Falls & Ft. Edward, NY Rev. Peggy Hanson: Madison UMC, Madison SD Rev. Teresa Whetsel: Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND Beata Ferris: Discipleship Coordinator at Pierre First UMC, Pierre, SD Eric Stearns: Lay Leader at Canton UMC, Canton, SD
Check out a playlist based on today's episode!
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Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4, 9-10
Series: Experiencing Christmas
It is impossible to separate the sounds from the season. There are just songs we must sing in order for it to truly be Advent/Christmas. But Isaiah is not trying to create the perfect holiday movie moment with familiar songs. Isaiah challenges the people to sing new songs because through a servant God would raise up, God is doing something new. As we enjoy the sounds of the season, may we embrace what God is up to.
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Welcome to the Season of Advent at the Canton UMC! Advent is a season of the senses, and our sermon series is focused on how our sensory experiences focus us on the birth of Christ. This week you'll be introduced to several of Pastor Clay's friends and ministry colleagues who will all share an experience of Christmas sights that is impactful for them.
Guests on the Podcast: Rev. Stephanie Schneider: Village Baptist & First Baptist, Glens Falls & Ft. Edward, NY; Rev. Peggy Hanson: Madison UMC, Madison SD; Rev. Teresa Whetsel: Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND; Beata Ferris: Discipleship Coordinator at Pierre First UMC, Pierre, SD; Eric Stearns: Lay Leader at Canton UMC, Canton, SD.
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Scripture: Jeremiah 33:12-18
Series: Experiencing Christmas
Advent is a season of the senses where God is up to something different. As we explore Advent through how we experience it with our senses, we take a look at the way the sights of the season proclaim the truth of what Jesus' birth means.
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Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8
Today is Christ the King Sunday, a day for us to pause and remember all that Jesus' life and leadership means for us today. At the very start of Revelation, John re-introduces Jesus to his readers because the world that they were living in had much uncertainty. As we face uncertainty, Jesus becomes an anchor for us. How can we introduce and re-introduce Jesus to those around us so we can all experience his stability?
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back together for an episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! In this episode, they talk about all the time we have spent talking about prayer this year, yet this sermon was so different as we focused on concept and not content. Prayer was a priority for the early church and should remain a priority for us. How can you prioritize prayer today?
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Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 & Matthew 5:6-8
Series: Devoted
As we explore the final element to which the early church devoted itself, we are reminded of how important and powerful prayer is. While prayer may just seem like something we might do before meals or something we do when we have no other idea what to do, the early church saw it as essential. It was the first thing they did, not a last resort. How can we devote ourselves to prayer?
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At the end of his message on Sunday, Pastor Clay told a story about a Koinonia Group that started at Sioux Falls Seminary and has endured for ten years. This meant that he got to sit down with a dear friend of his from seminary, Rev. Stephanie Schneider, to talk about the group, their seminary experiences, and the elements that make for true koinonia.
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Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 & Hebrews 10:23-25
Series: Devoted
There is a challenge of preaching about the importance of community to people who show up to church (or listen to a sermon podcast), but as we explore the Acts 2 church, it is impossible to ignore just how often and in how many places they were together. And it is impossible to ignore all that they were able to accomplish together. How could banding together in the name of Jesus shape our faith and world?
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back to discuss our Devoted series and the practice of Communion. Both of them will share a time when "Jesus happened" to them during communion and explore the history, theology, and background of our practice of communion. When has communion been meaningful for you?
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Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 & 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Series: Devoted
The church in Acts devoted itself to four practices that we are exploring together. One of them was communion. Why is this simple practice of eating bread and drinking grape juice (or wine if you're from a different denomination) so important? In it we remember all that Jesus did and taught, and as Paul said to the Corinthians, it is a proclamation of Jesus' death. What could change in our faith if we devoted ourselves to communion?
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Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 & 2 Timothy 3:16
Series: Devoted
The early church devoted itself to four key practices: the apostles' teaching, communion, fellowship, and prayer. How could recapturing these four practices build our faith? This week, we focused on our devotion to the apostles' teaching. We do not have the apostles with us, but we do have their teaching through the Bible. How can we devote ourselves to scripture?
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Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
James and John ask Jesus a series of questions designed to make them the greatest of the disciples in God's kingdom. Jesus uses the opportunity as a time to teach about what really brings greatness in God's kingdom, and unfortunately for the disciples, greatness does not come from where they think it does. True greatness is not found in power or prestige but in being full-service and serving fully. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16
While Pastor Clay was at DakYouth, a conference youth event, Eric stepped into the pulpit to share message about the importance of scripture and the faithfulness of God. As we go through life, may we learn to love scripture and find in it the assurance of God's presence.
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Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-7 & 20-25
The Book of Deuteronomy is Moses' final speech to the Hebrew people before he passes on the leadership of Israel to Joshua and succumbs to death. In this last lecture, Moses recounts all that has happened, the entire faith journey that the Israelites have been on, all that God has done. And his imperative to the people is to pass it on. As we honored our 50-year members and celebrated confirmation, we were mindful of those who had passed the faith on to us and challenged to continue this work no matter where we found ourselves. How can you pass on the faith this week?
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back again for an episode of the Cut for Time Podcast focusing on the laws God had given the people around worship and what we experience nowadays. Is this what God intended? They also talked about Pastor Clay's message from Sunday and the provision of God. How have you experienced God's provision?
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Scripture: Numbers 11:1-11, 31-32
Series: Moses, The Reluctant Prophet
After all the drama of The Exodus and God giving Israel the law, the only thing left to do for Israel is to continue moving from Egypt back to the Promised Land. God is already providing them with manna bread, but the Israelites are getting a bit hangry. When they cry out for something more, God provides in dramatic fashion and epic proportion. How have you experienced God's provision?
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On Sunday, Pastor Clay talked about God giving Moses/Israel the law, beginning with the Ten Commandments. But rather than dig in through all ten of the commandments in one sermon, we focused on the concept of the law. Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about the details of the Ten Commandments. What commandment do you struggle to follow?
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Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17
Series: Moses, the Reluctant Prophet
When we left off the story last week, Moses was preparing to go to Pharoah to demand freedom for the Israelites. That eventually does come to pass, but the Israelites were not freed to create a free-for-all; they were set free to continue the covenantal faithfulness from which they came. In order to guide them, God gave the ten commandments. As we seek the same covenantal faithfulness, these ten commandments still guide our way.
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Scripture: Exodus 3:1-11
Series: Moses, the Reluctant Prophet
Moses' name has a deeply profound meaning in the story of his life and leadership, which is "Drawn Out." He was drawn out of the waters of the Nile River, which is the reason why he has given that name, but God kept drawing him out further and further. How might God continue this work through you?
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And we're back! Hold onto your hats for this one, friends, as Pastor Clay and Eric recap an entire summer of preaching and dig into Pastor Clay's sermon from Sunday, which started our series on Moses. His birth was wild, and clearly God is up to something. But the story is just beginning.
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Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10
Series: Moses, The Reluctant Prophet
This week we began another one of our deep-dive character studies of a biblical hero designed to help us see that these heroes of our faith have stories that can and should impact us. Today, the heroes were not necessarily Moses but those who helped him be born in a time when it was not safe for a Hebrew baby boy to be born. With these courageous women working in his life, it is clear that God is up to something through Moses.
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Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-15
Series: Reflecting the Source
Do you look like someone in your family? Is the resemblance strong? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians that because of Jesus they had become a part of the Lord's People and share a resemblance with one another and with all Christians. We are people who resemble the light of God inwardly and outwardly! Shine on.
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Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16
Series: Reflecting the Source
From God creating the light to Jesus shining the light, we are focusing further in on how we then reflect Jesus' light into the world. Our joy and responsibility as followers of Christ is to be the light for others so that they can discover God's love in their own lives. Who needs a little bit of light today?
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Scripture: John 8:12-15
Series: Reflecting the Source
It is comforting to know and even better to feel God's presence in the midst of dark times in life. But sometimes we need more than just being comforted; we need help finding the right next step. Thank God for Jesus who is the light of the world and shows us the way out of darkness and into God's marvelous light!
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Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5, 31
Series: Reflecting Our Source
Despite all that divides us in the world today, one thing we can probably all agree with is that we know what it is like to be in darkness. Life is hard and strange at times, which means it is good that we follow a God who said, "Let there be light" and who truly is light. May you find God's light in any darkness you experience.
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Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 19-23
Series: Cultivating Holiness
Pastor Clay admitted that he wanted to skip talking about self-control because self-control is not easy. While that is true, it is also too important to skip or downplay. Without self-control the rest of the fruit of the Spirit might not grow in our lives as we are distracted by other good things (at best) or so lost in bad things (at worst) that there is no room for the Fruits of the Spirit. How can you exhibit self-control and leave room for the Holy Spirit to grow the other fruit in and through you?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Matthew 11:25-30
Series: Cultivating Holiness
It is becoming a recurring theme in this message series, but gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit has a far larger definition than we first may think. We hear gentleness and think of meekness (or even weakness). If we are going to be gentle, surely we must become a doormat for the sake of the gospel, right? Actually the gentleness that is a fruit of the Spirit has more to do with our obedience to Christ and if we will resist what Jesus wants or be willing to be gently led by our savior. May you grow in your gentleness today.
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Deuteronomy 32:1-6
Series: Cultivating Holiness
When we think of our own faithfulness, it always has to be weighed against God's faithfulness. And even though we can and will grow in faithfulness, it will never match God's, and it shouldn't. But we should be faithful to God and follow through with our commitments to others. How can you grow in faithfulness today?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Luke 10:25-37
Series: Cultivating Holiness
As we continue our look at the Fruit of the Spirit, we are looking at goodness and the motivation behind doing good. Why do we do the good things we do?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Matthew 18:15-17
Series: Cultivating Holiness
What comes to mind when you think of kindness? Does a particular person come to mind? Kindness to our friends or even strangers is a valid part of how kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. But the kindness we are called to grow is even bigger. How does kindness work with people we don't care for?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Jonah 1:1-17
Series: Cultivating Holiness
While Pastor Clay focused on church camp, Eric Stearns stepped in to talk about patience at the end of a week that required much of it. What can we learn about God and ourselves while we are waiting?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & John 14:16-27
Series: Cultivating Holiness
There are all kinds of opinions out there about what "peace" looks like. Usually someone's definition of peace includes the product they're trying to sell you. But it is not so with peace that is a fruit of the Spirit, or the peace that Jesus provides for his disciples. What kind of peace are you looking for?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & Isaiah 55:10-13
Series: Cultivating Holiness
As we continue looking at the Fruit of the Spirit, we take a look at joy. The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed a joyous message to God's people when he said that God's intention was for them to return to Israel, and that they could trust Isaiah's words because God intends to fulfill every promise that is made. How does knowing God like this bring us joy?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 & John 13
Series: Cultivating Holiness
In the life of the Church, we have been through so many big, holy moments that Ordinary Time can feel like a real let down. Yet this is the perfect time to dig into our lives of faith and grow closer to God. When we do, our lives produce what the Apostle Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. May this summer be a time of cultivating holiness as we explore Christian love, the first fruit of the Spirit, and all the rest God wants to grow in and through us.
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Welcome back to the Cut for Time Podcast! This week Eric and Pastor Clay caught up to talk about Sunday's message for Pentecost Sunday and why there was a difference between the scriptures Pastor Clay picked earlier in the week and what we actually read together on Sunday. What is the connection between Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones and Peter's message on Pentecost?
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Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
On the day of Pentecost, the Church remembers the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and Peter's first sermon for the crowd that misunderstood what was happening. Pulling inspiration from Joel 2, he proclaims the saving love of Jesus, and 3,000 people respond to his preaching. The Church burst onto the scene on Pentecost, and the world has never been the same. How does the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to speak up?
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Scripture: Acts 1:1-11
Series: Resurrection
How does Jesus' ascension connect to his resurrection and connect to us? In the resurrection, Jesus defeated death, but his ascension in the sight of his disciples proved it was possible and further strengthened our hope in our own resurrection following our deaths. In the meantime, Jesus has given us a charge: to be witnesses. How do you witness to your faith where you are, in the world around you, and to the ends of the earth?
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Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! After a very busy Sunday and a very short sermon, Pastor Clay and Eric met up to add some more context to the message and the life of Saul who turned into Paul. This was a turning point in his life. We all come to those turning point moments. Pastor Clay will share one of his; as he does, consider your own turning points and give thanks to God!
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Scripture: Acts 9:1-9
Series: Resurrection
The Apostle Paul called himself at one point in scripture "one who was born at the wrong time" since he missed out on being with the Sanhedrin during the time of Jesus' ministry. But that did not stop the Risen Jesus from getting his attention on the road to Damascus. We are born way after Jesus and the Apostle Paul, but God still gets our attention through Jesus. How can we follow Jesus as faithfully as Paul did?
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Scripture: John 21:15-19
Series: Resurrection
After the resurrection, Simon Peter thought he might have to answer for all the mistakes he made leading to Jesus' death. Fortunately, Jesus is more concerned with how Simon Peter is going to move forward. As we also make mistakes, Jesus' concern remains the same. How do we move past our biggest mistakes to find Jesus' purpose for us?
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On Sunday, we celebrated Camp Sunday and welcomed Rev. Nicole Anderson from Lake Poinsett to join us. Now, in between cooking breakfast and cleaning the retreat center, Pastor Nicole sat down with Pastor Clay to tell us how she came to Poinsett, what camp means to her, and what she's looking forward to this summer. We hope you enjoy our conversation!
Learn more about Dakotas Conference Camping!
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Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
Rev. Nicole Anderson from Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center was with us in worship to celebrate Camp and Retreat Ministries Sunday! Using our "Linked by Love" curriculum, she proclaimed a message about Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, linking to all the prodigal people in the story. How have you experienced the prodigal love of God?
Connect the Dakotas Conference Camping!
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Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! Eric and Pastor Clay met up to discuss Sunday's message about Mary Magdalene. So little is actually known about her, so it gets hard to separate fact from legend. The guys will discuss Mary's identity and her role in our faith. How does Jesus overcoming Mary's darkness give us hope about the darkness in our lives?
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Scripture: Luke 8:1-3 & John 20:1-2, 11-28
Series: Resurrection
Mary Magdalene is a woman in scripture whose identity is a bit murky. There's quite a bit of legend of who she was before Jesus, and none of it is good. It is clear that her life was completely changed by Jesus. Would it change back after the death of Jesus? Could this be why she was so deeply impacted by the death of Christ? This week as we look at her life and true legacy, Pastor Clay helps us consider the change Christ has made in our own lives.
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Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about Sunday's message and the start of our new message series on the people who were deeply affected by the Resurrection. The first person was Thomas, who received what he needed to believe in the Risen Jesus. What do you need in order to be brought to deeper faith?
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Scripture: John 20:19-28
Series: Resurrection Stories
Thomas is famous for one thing: doubting. Thomas doubted one thing, and we have labeled anyone who ever doubted anything ever as "Doubting Thomas." Is that fair? All Thomas wanted was to experience Jesus in the same way as the disciples had. The good news is that Jesus shows up for Thomas and gives him what he needs to believe. How do you need Jesus to show up for you?
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After a whirlwind week with so many powerful worship opportunities, Pastor Clay and Eric sit down to talk about the week that was, the week that is coming, and just what exactly we are supposed to do with the strange ending of Mark's Gospel. Have you gone back to read any of the alternate endings of Mark's Gospel?
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Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, GNT
What is your favorite television show that is no longer on the air/releasing new episodes? How did you feel about the finale? Sometimes bad finales can tarnish our entire view of a show, even a show in which we have invested so much time. Mark's Gospel seems to end in a way that is unsatisfying, but actually the end invites us to embrace the unfinished nature of the Gospel and spurs us on to further action. How does Jesus' resurrection inspire us to live in His light?
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back together for this week's episode to talk more about the crowds that were present throughout Holy Week. How could they turn so fast on Jesus? How could they be that wishy-washy? The reality is that we are susceptible to this same fleeting interest. How can the events of Holy Week ground us in our identity in Christ?
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Scripture: Psalm 118 & Mark 11
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
On Palm Sunday, we commemorate a parade that happened a long time ago as Jesus entered Jerusalem. A large crowd gathered and cried out to God by crying out to Jesus, but did everyone understand what was going on? How does Jesus' triumphant entry make us more thankful for his ministry? As we learn more about Jesus, may it make us more thankful.
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Easter is coming, and we just can't wait. But yet the calendar tells us that we are not quite there yet. So, we have to wait. The good news is that God is with us in our waiting and has lessons to teach us in the meantime. Pastor Clay is here to help us think about the purpose of waiting and walk us through the events of Holy Week at the Canton UMC!
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Scripture: Psalm 130
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
How do you do with waiting? In a lot of ways, Lent is a lot about waiting as we are awaiting the joy of Easter, so much so that we are tempted to skip to the end rather than waiting it out. Is it possible that our Lenten waiting has something to teach us about our faith in God? Let's explore further in Pastor Clay's message on this 5th Sunday in Lent.
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Scripture: Psalm 23
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
Is it even a sermon series about the Psalms without talking about Psalm 23? David's words are beloved to so many people for so many reasons. It is easy for us to find familiarity in his words and comfort from God's reassurance. As we focus in on the table David describes near the end of the psalm, where do we find the good news?
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Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
What does it mean to be blessed? Is it something you can define or do you just know it when you see it? When we meet David in this psalm, he is running for his life, away from Jerusalem, separated from his own people. Yet he remains confident in God's blessings. What? If faced with the same conditions, how would you respond?
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The past few years have certainly been a weird time, right? As Pastor Clay and Eric talk about the importance of seeking God's face, they harken back to a time when we did odd things to seek each other's faces. They also discuss people in their lives that have been a beacon of God's presence. Check it all out in this week's episode of the Cut for Time Podcast!
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Scripture: Psalm 27:1-6, 13-14
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
Lent is a season with its own heaviness, with the reminder of our mortality and insistence on penitence. When you add that to the heaviness of normal life, it can add up to the point that we don't know where to turn. David, the great king of Israel, found himself in the same situation at several different points in his life, and each time he turned to God. What does it mean to you to seek God's face and shine divine light into the world?
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The season of Lent is upon us! We are spending this season in the Book of Psalms exploring the range of emotion and language we use to connect with God. Today on the podcast, Pastor Clay sat down with Pastor Amber Laffey from the Alexandria (SD) UMC who is also walking through the Book of Psalms during Lent. Together, they recap the start of the Lenten Season and Sunday's message about following in God's paths.
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Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10
Series: Pause - Lent with the Psalms
The Season of Lent is upon us. During the season of Lent we are focused on the Psalms' invitation to pause, rest, and reevaluate our path in life as we prepare for the power of the Resurrection. When we feel lost, David shows us that all we need to do is cry out to God, and God will give us the navigational assistance we need.
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Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17
Series: Pause: Lent with the Psalms
We begin the season of Lent with Psalm 51, David's great psalm in the aftermath of his affair with Bathsheba. He wants a fresh start and cries to the God who is able to grant him one. During this Lenten season, what does it mean for God to give you a clear heart?
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Scripture: Luke 11:1-4 & 1 Chronicles 29:11
Series: Teach Us to Pray
We have reached the end of the Lord's Prayer and the end of this message series. After all of this, is the Lord's Prayer worth more than the thirty or forty seconds it takes us to pray it during worship? How does this last phrase help us express a feeling of gratitude and praise we feel in the depth of our souls? Let's explore this together!
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Welcome back to the Cut for Time Podcast! Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about Sunday's message and share their mutual struggles about working in leadership positions and dealing with temptations while trying to be faithful Christians. How does it change your life to let God lead you?
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Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Series: "Teach Us to Pray"
Perhaps the most counter-intuitive line in the Lord's Prayer comes as Jesus gives us the words, "Lead us not into temptation." Is there a chance that God would lead us into temptation? Is God setting us up to fail? No. God is giving us the opportunity to know what life can be like (and how life can be better) when we let God lead us.
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Welcome to the Cut for Time Podcast! This Sunday's message was all about God providing for our physical and spiritual needs as we talked about "daily bread." There are ways that God provides that literally but also metaphorically. Pastor Clay and Eric discuss some of the ways they have noticed God's provision.
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Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 & John 6:32-35
Series: Teach Us To Pray
As we continue our series on the Lord's Prayer, we turn our attention to the way that God cares for our whole person: body, mind, soul, and spirit. It's been a part of how God has operated since the dawn of humanity and continues to this very day. In praying this phrase whole-heartedly, we proclaim our trust in God's provision!
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Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about Sunday's message about the Lord's Prayer and the very nature of prayer in general. If God knows what we need, why do we pray? And what does it mean for us to work for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven? Dig into these questions and more with Pastor Clay and Eric in this week's episode.
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Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13
Series: Teach Us to Pray
As we discussed briefly last week, all of the times we say "Thy" or "Your" in the Lord's Prayer stand against the idea of "my." That is especially impactful when it comes to our focus for today, "Thy kingdom come; thy will be done." We have a will and a kingdom, but what does it mean to pray for God's kingdom and God's will above our own? Let's explore that today!
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back together in the new year to talk about our new message series based on The Lord's Prayer. The model of prayer that Jesus gave us is a starting point to a much bigger conversation. How has the Lord's Prayer formed your prayer life?
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Scripture: Luke 11-19, GNT
Series: Teach Us to Pray
As we begin this new message series unlocking the power of the Lord's Prayer, we begin by laying the foundations of the importance of prayer and why Jesus gave the disciples a prayer to say in the first place. The first thing Jesus teaches the disciples to pray is to uphold the holiness of God's name and to place God's name above our own name.
How can you hallow God's name today?
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Pastor Clay is joined again by Pastor Stephanie Schneider for this week's Cut for Time Podcast! Together they'll wrap up the Advent sermon series they preached together and discuss what they're looking forward to in 2024. What are you looking forward to in the coming year?
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Scripture: Mark 1:4-11 & 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, it is interesting to consider why exactly Jesus submitted to the waters of baptism. John's baptism was for repentance from sin, but Jesus is the Sinless Savior. From what did he need to repent? Nothing. But Jesus' baptism did make him new. Let us consider how our baptisms do not make us better but rather make us new as we are new creations in Christ.
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Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7 & Luke 2:1-20
Series: Our Spirit Waits
On Christmas Eve, we see the light of Christ shining brilliantly into our world, but we still know the reality of darkness. We are still as Isaiah said "a people who walk in darkness." Yet we believe that, because of Jesus, our darkness cannot defeat the light and love of God made known in Jesus Christ. Where is there darkness in your life still awaiting the love-light of God?
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Scripture: Luke 1:46-56
Series: Our Spirit Waits
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we acknowledge that our waiting is almost over! Christ is nearly born. As Mary waits for the birth of Jesus, she reflects on the work God is doing through her and the work God will do through her child. She knows that the love of God is going to transform the world through this child. How has Jesus changed your life?
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Welcome to the Cut for Time Podcast! Pastor Clay and Eric met up to discuss the past two weeks of video messages and the challenges of preaching for nobody (except the people who watch later). They also dig into the challenges of J.O.Y. and who in our church exhibits those characters. Who do you know that lives with J.O.Y.?
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Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4 & John 1:6-8, 19-28
Series: Our Spirit Waits
On the third Sunday of Advent, we focus on joy. But sometimes our lives and circumstances do not match the sights and sounds of the season. How do we hold onto joy in those moments? Both the Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptizer give us examples to follow, examples of fierce joy.
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Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! Eric is back from his week off, and he and Pastor Clay break down what went into having a video/podcast version of the sermon during a very full worship service of great special music. In that sermon, Pastor Clay talked about the creation of a just peace - a peace that is present because justice has come to unjust situations. But the question remains: what is our role in creating this kind of just peace during Advent and beyond? We hope you enjoy this conversation.
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Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-9 & Mark 1:1-8 Series: Our Spirit Waits We had a great day in worship with nine different music specials and a baptism. Due to all we had going on, Pastor Clay chose to share his message via video later in the day. On the second Sunday in Advent focused around peace, we are going to dig into what kind of peace Jesus brings. It is not a shaky peace or a "holiday peace" but rather a lasting and just peace. What does that look like and what role do we play in bringing Jesus' just peace? Let's explore together. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Today we welcome Pastor Stephanie Schneider onto the podcast to talk about Pastor Clay and Pastor Stephanie's Advent Series called Our Spirit Waits. On Sunday, both Pastor Steph and Pastor Clay talked about shocking hope. On this episode of the podcast, they dig into what exactly makes hope so shocking and how hope is spurring both of them to take risks. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Cut for Time Podcast.
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Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9 & Mark 13:24-27, 32-37
Series: Our Spirit Waits
The season of Advent is upon us, and as one of our favorite songs proclaims, "Now the waiting has begun." But what are we waiting for? Are we waiting for a historical remembrance of things that have happened or are we waiting for something more? We have a shocking and risky hope that Advent is bigger than we initially think.
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Sunday was Christ the King Sunday, and the idea of kingship is one we need to return to from time to time. It is so easy to say Christ is the king; it is another thing to live like Jesus is the king. In their conversation this week, Pastor Clay and Eric discuss what it means for Jesus to be king and confess what things they try to make king above Jesus. Who really is the king of your life?
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Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23, GNT
On this last day of the church year, before the first Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. But when was the first Christ the King Sunday? What was going on in the world that made it necessary? Pastor Clay the Church Nerd is here to help us understand and draw some parallels from the time of the Apostle Paul, the time of Pope Pius XI, and our modern day. Let us be reminded that Jesus was the king in the beginning, will be the king in the end, and even now He is king.
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Welcome to the Cut for Time Podcast! Pastor Clay and Eric met up to talk about the Legacy message series we've been walking through the past few weeks: the woman anointing Jesus at Bethany and the Corinthians' faction problem. There's a legacy of faithfulness being built in our church and beyond, and we celebrate some of the ways we are a part of it. What do you notice God up to around you?
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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Series: Legacy
On this final week of our legacy series, we take a look at what the foundation of our legacy truly is and what can happen when we build the right kind of legacy. Corinth was a church that was building a legacy based on themselves, but Paul was calling them to aim higher. In our own lives, we can try to build a basis for a legacy on some human endeavor, but that only lasts as long as the endeavor does. The legacy Paul is calling all of us to build is a legacy that will last, a legacy that will bring forth the kingdom of God. Are we committed to that kind legacy?
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Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13
Series: Legacy
Today's scripture gives us two distinct examples of what a legacy can be. One is an extravagant expression of love and devotion to Jesus; the other is one of judgement and criticism. Sometimes, whether we want to admit it or not, it is more likely that our legacy could be the second one, but what would it look like to stop at nothing to show devotion to Jesus and go over the top to show our love for Him?
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back to talk about Sunday's very busy service, shorter-than-usual sermon, and everything that Pastor Clay cut. They discuss a bit more of Pastor Clay's writing process and the messy backstory of the Family of God. All throughout faith history, God has used messy people (which is good news for us, right?).
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Scripture: Ruth 4:9-22
Series: Legacy
Ruth's life is defined by her choice to stay with Naomi. That choice leads to the choice to marry Boaz, which leads to the birth of Obed, which eventually - generations later - leads to the birth of Jesus. Her faithfulness paved the way for the world to change. What choices are you making today that will leave a legacy of faithfulness for future generations?
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This week on the podcast Pastor Clay welcomed back Pastor Teresa Whetsel from the Miller United Methodist Church in Miller, SD, to talk about the start of the Legacy series and dive deep into the story of Moses' life and the legacy of leadership he left for all God's people. What kind of legacy are you interested in leaving? It's never too early (or late) to start.
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Scripture: Numbers 27:12-23
Series: Legacy
This week, Pastor Clay started a new message series about using our time, talent, and treasure to create a lasting legacy in our lives and in our church. One of the ways we do that is by investing in the next generation to ensure that the work we are doing propels us into a future with hope. When faced with the end of his life, Moses established his legacy by ensuring that God's people would not be without a leader. How can we leave a legacy by following Moses' example?
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Welcome back to the Cut for Time Podcast! After a couple week's break for Pastor Clay and Eric, they are back to recap the message series about Joseph that Pastor Clay preached and the message about Moses connecting with God that Eric preached. You'll get to hear how Pastor Clay connects with God and dig into the difference between preaching the Old and New Testaments.
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Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23
While Pastor Clay took the weekend off, Eric Stearns stepped into the pulpit to help us think about what it means to take a time out and connect with God. Moses was frustrated, exhausted, and did not know what to do, so he took the time to go connect with God in the wilderness. Eric shares how he connects with God and invites us to follow Moses' lead when we are exhausted and frustrated.
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Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, GNT
Series: Joseph: A Life of Character and Grace
Joseph's life story is so full of pits and valleys and sometimes leaves us wondering what could possibly happen next. But we have finally reached the end of the story. The economic policy he proposed to the nation of Egypt is running smoothly, but the famine spread farther than anyone could have imagined, just far enough to affect Joseph's family. When the brothers showed up back in the story, how would Joseph react? With character and grace, of course. How does his response inspire our own?
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Scripture: Genesis 41:14-40
Series: Joseph: A Life of Character and Grace
After weeks of saying that Joseph's story isn't going to get any better, it finally does when Egypt's Pharoah has a dream he cannot understand. Who better to interpret the dream than Joseph? As life-changing as this is, this moment is Joseph's story is just that: a moment. There's so much left in his story. As we confirmed our freshmen during worship, they too experienced something life-changing, but it was only a moment in a much larger story of faithfulness. What have some milestones along your journey been?
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What do you think about the Bible? Is a nice, clean story about God's love? Is it a list of rules that we have to follow...or else? In light of our sermon series on Joseph, Eric recently re-read the entire Book of Genesis and learned that the Bible contains some deep, dirty stuff. Join Eric and Pastor Clay as they unpack that reality, especially in Joseph's story.
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Scripture: Genesis 40, GNT
Series: Joseph: A Life of Character and Grace
Chastised, beaten, left for dead, wrongly accused, falsely imprisoned, trapped. This has been Joseph's story so far, and if you are ready for the story to change, you're going to have to keep waiting. What is Joseph supposed to do in the meantime? God is still with him and is presenting Joseph with opportunities to use his skills and talents while he waits. As we live our own lives and find ourselves waiting, God's going to do the same thing. How will we respond?
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Scripture: Genesis 39
Series: Joseph: A Life of Character and Grace
Joseph's story is going from bad to worse, and it is not going to get any better, at least not today. Joseph is presented with the opportunity to spend some time with Potiphar's wife, the wife of his master. But rather than betray his master and his God, Joseph resists temptation and reveals the strength of his integrity. While that sounds great, it lands him in prison. Are we willing to exhibit that same integrity when we face temptation in our own lives? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Scripture: Genesis 37:18-35, GNT
Series: Joseph - A Life of Character and Grace
As we continue our series on the story of Joseph from the Old Testament, we look at how the brothers ultimately decided to respond to Joseph's favoritism and God-given dreams of greatness. It does not go well for Joseph, yet Joseph continues to hold onto hope in God. Life does not always go well or how we intend for it to go; how can we hold onto hope like Joseph does?
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Pastor Clay and Eric met up to discuss our new message series based on the life of Joseph. On Sunday, Pastor Clay mentioned that Joseph was Jacob's favorite son but did not dig into the reason why that favoritism existed. The answer feels a little bit gossipy but is important to understand the full story of Joseph's life. Check out this week's episode and get the whole story, warts and all.
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Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11
Series: Joseph - A Life of Character and Grace
We begin a new message series based on the life of the Old Testament hero Joseph who dreamed of greatness and lived into God's call on his life. Joseph may have thought that his dysfunctional family may have been a reason why God couldn't use him, but God was up to something. We may think of certain things in our own lives as disqualifying, but God has a way of using those things for divine purposes. What's God up to in your life?
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Pastor Clay and Eric met up to talk about the metaphor from Sunday's message relating our Christian faith to the training an athlete or musician does to improve their skills. Paul's practical advice helps us when our faith training is hard and maybe we feel a bit stuck. Paul's practical advice becomes a diagnostic for what we can improve in those times. What part of Paul's advice sticks out to you?
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Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
As Paul begins bringing his letter to Rome to a close, he breaks down what it means to live a Christian life in a way that could sound like a list of things to do, a list that is long and maybe even overwhelming. But Pastor Clay helps us dig into the heart of what Paul is saying and realize that Paul is helping us run a race we cannot lose as it is a race that leads us closer to God no matter how we do it. And what could be better than that?
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Eric and Pastor Clay wrapped up the Unafraid message series by talking more about the fear of the Lord. During the writing process, Pastor Clay was nervous that this message was unnecessary, but it wasn't. It is good for us to think about what it means to fear the Lord but also remember that God isn't scary.
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Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 & 2 Timothy 1:3-10
Series: Unafraid
Over the last few weeks, we have been exploring our fears and how God's work in our life can help us overcome those fears. But the question remains: what is worth fearing? What fears should we not "get over"? Solomon highlights one of those fears in the book of Proverbs: the fear of the Lord. Join us as Pastor Clay helps us understand what the fear of the Lord is and isn't and why we should never "get over" this fear.
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Notice that it's not an "if" but a "when." Failure is bound to happen. In life, at work, with family. Even if it is something we do all the time. How do we respond when that Pastor Clay and Eric met up to talk about some of those times and how we respond to being in a "funk" of failure. Who encourages you when failure happens?
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Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12 & Joshua 1:1-9
Series: Unafraid
As we continue looking at fears and God's willingness to be with us in the midst of them, we turn our attention to the fear of failure, that voice in the back of our minds that tell us that we will fail if we even try. It's a real fear with which we all struggle. It's a fear that can take over and make us miss out on God-given opportunities. God's people have been dealing with this fear from the start, and a fear that God has been addressing the whole time.
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Pastor Clay met up with Pastor Peggy Hanson from the Madison United Methodist Church to discuss both Sunday's message and the entire sermon series based on fear. Together they discussed why this sermon series is important for the moment in which we find ourselves and how their friendship has kept them from moments of feeling monophobia, the fear of being alone.
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Scripture: John 13
Series: Unafraid
Autophobia, or monophobia, is the fear of being alone. As we think about heading to new schools or new seasons of life, it may be natural to experience some level of autophobia. As Jesus' disciples were about to face life without Jesus, they may have been feeling the same way. Jesus spent so much time preparing them and helping them see that even without him, they were not alone. And neither are we!
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Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48 & 1 John 4:18-19
Series: Unafraid
We are not all the same; the world is complex and diverse. And sometimes we recognize the beauty in diversity, but other times we see people as a challenge and their views as a threat. How do we address this fear? Jesus knew because this fear is as old as humanity itself. Let's listen in as we learn about our differences and Jesus' desire for us to show love not just to those with whom we agree but also those with whom we disagree.
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Pastor Clay & Eric are back together after a few weeks off to discuss the start of a new message series based on fear. Things are changing, which can be a fearful reality, so how do we overcome fear?
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Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-10 & Psalm 56:3-4
Series: Unafraid
As summer gives way to fall and our schedules prepare to adjust to a new rhythm, it is not unheard of to be a bit anxious or fearful about all that is going to happen next. What does God's word have to say about times when we are fearful? Quite a lot, actually. Over the next few weeks, we are going to be talking about things we are afraid of and how God helps us overcome our fears so that we can live with hope and courage.
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Scripture: Matthew 10:26-33
Series: Summer Setlist
What is the strangest thing you have ever bragged about? (Or what's your weirdest flex?) Are you double jointed? Can you perform an amazing party trick? How about this one from Jesus: you are worth more than many sparrows. Imagine your next corporate mixer: "Name one fun fact about yourself." I am worth more than many sparrows! But according to Jesus it's true. Let's explore what that means and why it matters today.
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Scripture: John 8:1-11
Series: Summer Setlist
Song: "Long Cool Woman" by The Hollies
The Pharisees and teachers of the law thought that they have caught Jesus in a trap as they brought a sinful woman in front of him and demanded a judgment. But Jesus had a bigger idea in mind and bigger vision for the woman's life. This moment of unwarranted grace and underserved rescue is a story we need to hear again and again.
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Scripture: Luke 15:1-24
Series: Summer Setlist
Song: "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen
Jesus spent a great amount of time with the outcast, sick, hurting, and hopeless during his ministry on earth. This caused no shortage of frustration for the Pharisees and scribes. One day when they were grumbling, Jesus decided to respond with parables about lost things and people being found. His gospel speaks directly to your life and the life of Evan Hansen with this promise: you will be found.
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Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7
Series: Summer Setlist
While Pastor Clay is in North Dakota at church camp, Eric Stearns stepped into the pulpit to share an important hymn to his family, The Hymn of Promise. The hymn is all about God's promises, namely the promises made in Revelation 21, the promises we are waiting for God to fulfill. What do we do while we wait? We sing and hold on to hope. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about the new message series based on songs and specifically Pastor Clay's message about Luke 10 and "Build Your Kingdom Here" by Rend Collective. One of the things Pastor Clay eluded to was that the group in Seattle faced opposition to the kingdom-work they were doing, so tune in to hear more about that and what it means to knock the dust off our feet and keep doing the hard work of building the kingdom.
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Scripture: Luke 10:1-9 (GNT)
Series: Summer Setlist
Have you ever a heard a song so many times it lost all meaning? That almost happened to Pastor Clay and the song "Build Your Kingdom Here" from Rend Collective. Thankfully it didn't because of the songs connection to scripture. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two apostles to proclaim God's kingdom to areas that Jesus hadn't visited yet. That call, despite its difficulties, is a call we live out today.
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Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (GNT)
This week our United Women in Faith unit led worship featuring preaching from Pastor Jean Layton. Quick quiz: how many disciples are there? Did you say twelve? Not so fast, my friend. Pastor Jean helps us see that there are 13 disciples, a baker's dozen (She also gives us a little background on that phrase! Watch out for your hands). Who could that 13th disciple be? Listen in to find out.
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Sunday's message from Pastor Clay centered around the Trinity, so Eric and Pastor Clay dug into the hardships of talking about the Trinity and the vastness of God's nature. How can our finite minds grasp an Infinite God? The short answer is that we can't fully; we must embrace the Holy Mystery of God.
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Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Trinity Sunday
Following the resurrection, Jesus invited his disciples to a meeting on a hillside in Galilee. As they approached Jesus, the disciples were a mix of emotions: worship and doubt. Into this mix, Jesus gives the disciples the Great Commission. On Trinity Sunday, when we might be experiencing something similar, we are reminded that we don't have to have everything figured out in order to live out the same commission. Connect with the Canton UMC!
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell among the disciples and those gathered with them. What was going on? The Jewish believers and the disciples viewed it differently, so Simon Peter spoke up. This week, Eric and Pastor Clay explore the way the Spirit works, how we celebrate Pentecost, and dig into some of the nuts and bolts of preaching familiar stories.
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Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, GNT
As the crowds gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, the Hebrew believers thought they knew why they were there. It was a festival to celebrate the giving of the law and really to celebrate the founding of their nation. They drew their energy from their national identity, but was something more happening? The disciples of Jesus found a new power source: the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost and beyond, that same Holy Spirit empowers us.
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Scripture: John 17:1-11
As Jesus prepares the disciples for the end of their time together, he takes actions and speaks teachings, and then he does something incredible: he prays for the disciples. He makes it clear that he's praying for his disciples with him there and all who would come to be disciples. And he says a big, hairy, audacious prayer for them and us.
It's one thing to have your pastor and your friends pray for you, but what impact does it make to know that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, also prays for you?
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With Eric in the field planting soy beans, Pastor Clay had a few extra thoughts about Sunday's message and the ways in which we share the mission with one another. Though not the entire way, one of the ways the mission of Christ is shared is through ministry, so Pastor Clay walks us through the paths to ministry in the United Methodist Church. We hope you enjoy this week's episode!
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Scripture: Luke 24:30-35
Series: Lessons from the Road
Today, we are bringing our series on the Walk to Emmaus to a close by taking a look at how the two disciples respond to the revelation that they have been traveling with the Risen Jesus the entire time. Will they rest after a long day, or will they run to share the good news? What would you do?
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Scripture: Luke 24:28-31
Series: Lessons from the Road
Today, as we return to the story of Emmaus, the disciples reach their destination and finally figure out who they've been traveling with along the way. Jesus takes intentional steps to get their attention and reveal his identity to them and to us. How have you come to know Jesus? How do you expect to experience him today? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay and Eric met up to discuss all the fun we had on Camp Sunday and Pastor Clay's message about Simon's sudden name change in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus changes a part of Simon's identity and speaks destiny over his life. But Jesus is simply following in God's footsteps as names changed as a sign of covenantal promises. What impact does Jesus calling you by a different name make? You are a beloved child of God!
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Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18
Camp Sunday
We had a fun day in worship featuring all kinds of music from our Chi Alpha kids and other inspiration for summer church camp. Because of the way the timing worked out, Pastor Clay preached a version of his sermon during worship but wanted to share the full message here. What impact does your name have on you? How does your outlook change knowing that Jesus calls you by name and calls you a "beloved child of God"?
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In Luke 24:27 we are told that Jesus opens the scriptures to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus starting with Moses. What would Jesus have said to them? Pastor Clay and Eric met up to discuss this and other elements of the story Jesus shares with the disciples.
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Scripture: Luke 24:25-27
Series: Lessons from the Road
As we come back to the Emmaus story, what do we know? Where are the disciples filling in gaps in the story? The Unknown Traveler (Jesus) helps them see the difference between their stormy first draft and the truth of scripture as he shares the story. Who needs to hear a true story in the midst of their SFD?
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Eric and Pastor Clay had fun discussing the lighter moments of worship from Sunday, including Pastor Clay's story about driving to the 1812 Overture and Eric's hints and tricks for driving across North Dakota. They also dug into a card that was placed in every bulletin inviting us to pray that God would open up space for us to invite someone to share the road on which our faith journeys happen. How will God use you to invite someone to share the road?
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Scripture: Luke 24:13-24
Series: Lessons from the Road
Last week as we celebrated the Resurrection, Pastor Clay asked us, "What is it that you will do with a newly revived heart?" This week we started a message series designed to help us answer that question. One of the things that we see Jesus do along the road to Emmaus is to share the road with two disciples. Who does Jesus want us to invite to share the road with us?
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Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
The disciples begin the morning defeated and bewildered after all that has happened in Jerusalem. But an unknown guest along the road helps them understand more, and when it's revealed that their travel companion is Jesus, their hearts are revived. With their newly-revived hearts they share the news of Jesus' resurrection. What will you do with a heart revived in the breaking of bread?
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Welcome back to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! This week, Pastor Clay and Eric dug into the sermon from Sunday about John 12:1-8, the anointing of Jesus in Bethany. An interesting thing about this story is that Judas is viewed as being strict and heartless for chastising Mary, but he is not wrong. Mary did waste a lot of expensive perfume. What's the lesson we learn from Mary's extravagance?
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Scripture: John 12:1-8
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
It's the last week of Lent, and our scripture comes from among some of the last things that Jesus did on this side of glory. Before all the pomp and pageantry of Palm Sunday and the events of Holy Week, Jesus spends a quiet, normal night in the home of some of his friends. Until Mary changes everything by anointing Jesus' feet. She shows her love and care for Jesus; how can we show that same love and care as we go through this week?
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Can you believe it's our 100th episode? Thanks to everyone who supports our show. Pastor Clay and Eric met up over Zoom to discuss the party at the Pharisee's house that wasn't going well. Luke 14 is a pivotal chapter in Jesus' ministry and Luke's emphasis on the outcasts. How do we respond when God calls us to bigger things, and what excuses get in our way?
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Scripture: Luke 14:15-24
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
We find Jesus in scripture today where we left him last week: as the guest at the table of an unnamed Pharisee. Sometime tries to restore some order after Jesus chastised the guests and the host, but Jesus would rather teach the group about the nature of God's kingdom. He tells a parable about a meal where all the "right" people are full of excuses and all the "wrong" people get fed. How do we respond to God's invitation to be a part of the Kingdom?
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Scripture: Luke 14:7-14
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
When you get invited somewhere fancy, where do you sit? Is there a place that looks more honorable than the others? Do you dive for that chair or sit back? Jesus noticed that the Pharisees dove for the place of honor and made the host sort it all out. When Jesus has the opportunity to be a host, there is no place of honor, there is just room for all. How can we host more like Jesus and make room for others?
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Eric Stearns and Pastor Clay met up over Zoom to discuss Sunday's message about a weird story from Luke's gospel. A dinner at the home of a Pharisee is interrupted by a woman and sets off a string of events that leaves everyone a little shaken. How do we deal with interruptions?
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Scripture: Luke 7:36-50
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
Have you ever felt like you were operating in an "interruption overload"? We have a plan for the day or an allotted time for task, but then our phone chimes, someone pops in to ask a quick question, or we get distracted. In Luke's gospel, Simon the Pharisee and Jesus show us two different ways to respond to interruptions. Which one works better?
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We're back after a little break recording in a new spot with some different gear. Join Pastor Clay and Eric Stearns as they meet for a conversation about our Lenten series "Meeting Jesus at the Table", the power of weekly communion, and how Jesus heals Matthew, the tax collectors, and the outcasts at the table.
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Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
Of all the things Jesus did to annoy and offend the Pharisees, one of their most frequent complaints is who Jesus ate with. At a party where Jesus could have eaten with anyone, Jesus chose to eat with tax collectors and outcasts. That's good news for us because Jesus would choose to eat with us, too.
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Scripture: Matthew 14:31-21
Series: Meeting Jesus at the Table
Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent and the beginning of a new message series here at the Canton UMC. Each week during Lent, we are focusing on one of the "meal stories" in the gospels, beginning with the one found in all four gospels, the feeding of the 5,000+. What would you do if you were in a remote location with limited resources and were expected to feed a large group of people? What would you eat? Where would you put it? Where would you sit? Thankfully, the disciples find all the answers they need in Jesus as they dine out in nature, alfresco, on a hillside in Galilee. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
"Walk by faith and not by sight" "Faith over fear" These are a couple of phrases that you may have heard over the years, and they are great when they're abstract, when there's a level of disconnect. When you have to live them out, it's harder. That's how faith is sometimes. Pastor Clay helps us think more about what we mean by faith in our Christian context.
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Welcome to the Cut for Time Podcast at the Canton United Methodist Church. Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's message about theodicy, the situation our church finds itself in, and how those two things connect. How have you noticed God working in troubling times?
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Scripture: Genesis 50:19-22
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
"Why do bad things happen to good people?" "How could God...?" "If God is all-good and all-loving, why did...?" When things in life happen that challenge us, these questions immediately come to mind. As people of faith, they are important questions for us to ask. How can we believe what we believe about God? The answer is wrapped up in theodicy. Pastor Clay demystifies that word and gives us an example of how theodicy works.
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Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast. This week, Eric Stearns and Pastor Clay discuss Sunday's message about soteriology, or the study of God's salvation. (Isn't it fun to learn new words?) During their conversation, Pastor Clay and Eric discuss the essence of the salvation message and marvel at the work that God does in our lives. We hope you enjoy this episode.
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Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 3:23-24, & Romans 5:6-9
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
Today, as we continue our Demystifying Christian Jargon series, Pastor Clay is heling us dig into the impact of Jesus' life on our lives as we demystify soteriology, which is the study of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through his death, we learn that new life is possible. Through his life and ministry, we learn how to live into that new life. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss Sunday's message about evangelism and dig into the excuses we give for not sharing our faith. Evangelism is hard, messy, and does come with some baggage. It is hard to risk sharing something as personal as our faith. Yet, God's call remains for you and me. Who can you share your faith with today?
Scripture: Luke 24:44-48 & Acts 1:6-9
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
When we are not sure of the exact definition of a word, it can come to mean everything and nothing at the same time. Today, we unpack two words: one that has a definite meaning and one we are not quite sure about: evangelism and evangelicalism. Evangelism is an action; evangelicalism is a movement. How can we be a a part of that movement? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! This week, Pastor Clay sat down with Pastor Peggy Hanson from the Madison UMC to discuss their shared work on the "Demystifying Christian Jargon" message series. They also share a few stories of experiencing and extending grace in life and ministry. When have you experienced grace?
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Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
Grace. We sing about it, we pray for it, but do we fully understand it? Grace is so important to understanding God and ourselves. God's grace is for you, even when it doesn't seem possible; that's what is so mystifying about grace. God's grace is for you. Will you accept it? Will you live it? Will you share it?
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Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast! Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to discuss the second half of Sunday's message that was cut for time and a few other sources of theological thought. The message on Sunday focused on scripture as a source, but books about scripture also help. What do you read or listen to in order to grow in your faith?
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Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-11
Series: Demystifying Christian Jargon
What do you do when you encounter a word you don't know? Do you ask for help or just skip it? In sermons, studies, or even in scripture itself we bump up against a word that leaves us baffled. Over the next couple of weeks we're going to explore some of those words and come to know God better. Today we started with the word theology.What is theology and how do we learn more?
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Sunday was Baptism of the Lord Sunday, which gave Pastor Clay and Eric a great chance to talk about who John the Baptist was, why Jesus was baptized, and how we as United Methodists practice baptism. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Cut for Time Podcast!
UMC Baptismal Resources: UMC Baptismal Beliefs
I Can't Remember My Baptism
Does the UMC recognize baptisms from other denominations?
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Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 (GNT)
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Today is a special day in the life of the Church universal as we celebrate the baptism of the Lord and remember our own baptisms. What does it mean that Jesus was baptized? What does it mean that you are baptized? Live in the strength of your baptism and invite others to see that the water is fine! Connect with the Canton UMC!
Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14
Series: Now In Flesh Appearing
At the 9:00 p.m. service, Pastor Clay brought the Now in Flesh Appearing series to an end by helping us think about something so fundamental to life: breath. It truly is Jesus' breath that we celebrate at Christmas. And the good news of Christmas is that because Jesus breathed so too do we. We are alive because of Jesus, and with every breath we live for Jesus.
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Scripture: Luke 1:39-56
Series: Now in Flesh Appearing
The fourth Sunday of Advent is dedicated to love, but the love we're talking about is bigger than emotions or sentimentality. Love in Jesus' name is a verb, an action. So, what will you do to show love this Christmas?
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Welcome back to another episode of the Cut For Time Podcast. This week, both Eric and Pastor Clay share stories of being welcomed, and they dig in to a few questions that Eric had about the message itself. How have you felt the joy of being welcomed?
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Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 (GNT)
Series: Now in Flesh Appearing
On Sunday, December 11, we had a fun day in worship with all kinds of special music. We are thankful for our great musicians! Pastor Clay shortened the message during worship but wanted to present the full version here on the podcast. How have you experienced the joy of being included, and how can you share the joy of Jesus with others?
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Welcome to another episode of the Cut for Time Podcast from the Canton UMC! Today, Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about the second Sunday of Advent and where we find peace in the midst of chaos. Jesus' birth story is not a peaceful story, but yet God's peace is made known through it. How have you experienced "peace that passes understanding"?
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Scriptures: Luke 1:26-35 & Matthew 1:18-25
Series: Now in Flesh Appearing
The beginning of the Christmas story is wild and chaotic. An angel appears to two young people and changes their lives for good and forever. How do they respond? Mary asks one question and accepts her role as a part of God's plan; Joseph wakes from a dream resolved to stay with Mary. How can this be? How can they practice such peace? How can we do the same when our lives are chaotic? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay and Eric Stearns sit down to discuss Sunday's message and John 1, the prologue to the gospel. Just what is John trying to say, and how does it give us a sense of hope during this Advent season?
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Scripture: John 1:1-5 & 14
Series: Now in Flesh Appearing (Advent 2022)
Today, Pastor Clay helps us think about having hope in the midst of uncertainty. Those original hearers of John's gospel would have been looking for it, and so are we. The good news is that we find our hope in Jesus and feel it down to the depths of who we are. How have you found hope in Christ? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Series: In Step with God
Today as we conclude the In Step with God series, Pastor Clay helps us consider what it means to step up in our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure by reminding us that stewardship is supposed to be a joyous, prayerful decision rather than something stressful or required of us. How can you joyfully step up?
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Pastor Clay is here with a Cut for Time episode about Sunday's message about stepping out in generosity and faithfulness. In the sermon on Sunday, Pastor Clay talked about this offering that Paul organized to bless the churches in Judea, and the Macedonian churches stepped out and responded. How will you step out in faithfulness in the upcoming year?
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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Series: In Step With God
Today, as we continue our message series focused on aligning our steps with God, we are looking at what it means to step out in faithfulness and generosity to the needs God helps us see. How is God nudging you today?
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back together to discuss the start of our new stewardship series that will lead us into Advent. Together they dig in to thinking bigger about stewardship in that it's not just about money. How is God calling you to be a steward?
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Scripture: Mark 12:41-44
Series: In Step With God
We started a new message series devoted to aligning our steps with God by looking at the example of a widow in the Temple who gave everything she had. That day, she is the one who taught the crowds a lesson as she stepped in to the challenge of generosity. She trusted her gifts to God in order to do some good. Where do you want to do good in the world?
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After a crazy week last week, Pastor Clay is back with an episode of the Cut for Time Podcast to talk about his message on 10/23 about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector and 10/30 about the Ten Lepers. When we cannot stand on our own merits, we stand with Christ, and for this we give thanks! What are you thankful for today?
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Scripture: Luke 17:11-19
Pastor Clay visited his first appointment to serve as a guest preacher at Brookings First UMC. In Luke's gospel, Jesus interacts with ten lepers, heals them, and receives a thank you from only one of them. Where do you find yourself in this story? Leper 1? Leper 3? A gratitude path that recognizes Jesus turns us into Leper #10.
Special thanks to Sam Becker, Drew Schnable, and Paul Schmidt for the audio from today's message.
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Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector sets up the opportunity to ask, "Would You Rather?" But is there a bigger question we need to consider? Join Pastor Clay as he helps us think deeper about this story from Luke's gospel. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Eric's message on Sunday based on 2 Timothy and the Elevator Pitch. Paul tells Timothy to be ready to proclaim the gospel in favorable and unfavorable times, but those words are for more than Timothy. These words are for us. Why do you follow Jesus? Why should someone in your life follow Jesus?
During the conversation, Pastor Clay mentioned comedian Michael Jr.'s video "Know Your Why" You can view that here. It is certainly worth watching.
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Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Today in worship, Eric Stearns helped us think about what it means to preach the gospel in season and out of season and asks us to consider what an "elevator pitch" conversation about the Gospel can look like. We hope you are encouraged and challenged by God's word.
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On this week's episode, Pastor Clay gives us some closing thoughts on the Simon Peter series and helps us see more of Simon Peter's impact on the early church. A few stories from the book of Acts stand out and give us a clear picture of what happens next for Simon Peter.
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Scripture: Acts 3:1-10
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed and Faithful Disciple
Today, as we bring our series on Simon Peter's life and ministry to a close, we are taking a look at his ministry beyond the gospels and a story of healing that paves the way for the rest of his life. As we do, let us ponder what God still wants to do through your life.
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We hope you enjoy this week's Cut for Time Conversation with Pastor Clay and Eric. They sat down to discuss some things from the scripture from John's gospel that help us fully understand what Jesus is up to on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and a helpful connection between Simon Peter's denials and restoration.
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Scripture: John 21:4-17
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple
After Simon Peter's worst moment comes his crowning achievement: the restoration after the denials. Three times Peter denies Jesus, and now three times Peter affirms his love for Jesus. After each affirmation, Jesus gives Simon a task: feed his sheep. In the midst of our worst moments, Jesus gives us the same task. How will we respond? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay and Eric sat down together to talk about Sunday's message about Simon Peter's three denials of knowing Jesus. His reactions all feel like the "Classic Simon Peter" that we have come to know and love. There are big and small ways that deny Jesus, but Jesus loves us and uses us anyway.
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Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35 & 69-75
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed and Faithful Disciple
As we continue our message series on the impact of Simon Peter, we are moving forward to one of Peter's infamous moments: the denials. Simon Peter confidently claimed that he would never deny Jesus... and then denies Jesus. But that is not the end of Simon Peter's story. Your most infamous moments (good or bad) are not the end of your story, either.
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back to talk about Sunday's message on Jesus' important question: Who do you say that I am? Peter had a great answer - the definitive answer- but the question still looms. How would you answer? How has that answer changed during your lifetime as you've gotten to know Jesus better?
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Scripture: Matthew 16:23-33
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed and Faithful Disciple
Today as we continue looking at the life and ministry of Peter, we are looking at the moment Peter realized who Jesus was and how he reacted to what Jesus must do. It doesn't go well, but it's understandable given how much Simon Peter cared for Jesus. Who do we say Jesus is, and why does it matter?
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Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed and Faithful Disciple
Today, as we continue our message series on the life of Simon Peter, we are turning to one of his famous moments: walking on water. Storms on the Sea of Galilee were unavoidable, but Peter shows us we do not need to be afraid. Pastor Clay helps us see that storms in our life are the same way. Who is in our boat in the midst of the storms?
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Eric Stearns and Pastor Clay are back to talk about the start of our message series on Peter. Peter is a fisherman who is at the right place at God's right time and through him (and the other disciples) Jesus changes the world. What can we learn from his humble beginnings and find our own place in God's work in the world?
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Scripture: Luke 5:1-11
Series: Simon Peter: Flawed and Faithful Disciple
As we begin a new message series for the fall, Pastor Clay helps us see that Christ's call can come to us in the big and profound and to the small and mundane. Simon gets asked by Jesus to let his nets down and finds God's call to put his nets down for good. How do we respond when we hear Jesus call?
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back with another conversation about Sunday's message, the last in our "Back to the Basics" series, about service. How could the disciples so misunderstand Jesus, and where do we find our greatness? It is in good works - service. And so, what is the relationship between God's grace and our good works?
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Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 & Ephesians 2:10
Series: Back to the Basics
Today, we are diving into our last message of the Back to the Basics series by talking about service. When Jesus' disciples misunderstood what was going to bring greatness to their names, Jesus stopped them in their tracks by reminding them why He had come (to serve) and to what He had called the disciples to do (also serve). How then shall we serve?
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After quite some time, Eric and Pastor Clay sit down together in person to talk about Sunday's message about confession. Together, they explore more of Israel's history with God's command to confess sins and discuss what it means that we try to get out of the practice of confession.
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Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 & Nehemiah 9:1-3
Series: Back to the Basics
Thus far in our series, we have talked about prayer and scripture, both seem very obvious. But does confession feel like a basic part of our faith? It was a big part of the faith of Israel and the early church, but it may not feel like a "basic" to us. Why is that? Pastor Clay explores this and the biblical basis for confession in today's message.
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Pastor Clay and his dear friend Pastor Nicole Clade met up over Zoom to discuss Sunday's message about the importance of scripture. Pastor Nicole serves Hope UMC in Duluth, MN, and shares a powerful story about how important scripture has been in her life. What has the Bible meant to you?
Connect with Pastor Nicole at Hope UMC!
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Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Series: Back to the Basics
It seems so obvious that our series on the basics of our faith would include a week on scripture, doesn't it? But Pastor Clay helps us see why Timothy in the Bible and we in 2022 really do need the message. Sometimes the Bible gets overlooked, and sometimes we get really lost along the way. Where in your life could God's word not only be good to know but transforming? Let's listen in to this message on scripture.
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After some very fun summer adventures, Pastor Clay and Eric Stearns are back together to discuss Sunday's message on prayer. They dig into some deeper meaning about 1 Thessalonians, and Eric shares a way that prayer has shaped his marathon training. What does it mean to pray without ceasing, and how can new ways to pray be good for us?
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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Series: Back to the Basics
Pastor Clay is back with a new message series for this "back to school" season called "Back to the Basics". Each week, we will explore one element of our faith that is basic so we can hold on as life shifts. This week we explored the importance and power of prayer. Paul calls us to "pray without ceasing," but what exactly does that mean?
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Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17
While Pastor Clay is out in the Black Hills at a clergy retreat, Eric Stearns stepped into the pulpit to talk about our dislike for being told what to do and how the Apostle Paul pulls it off. He also helps us think about the things we need to wear in order to follow Jesus.
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Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Pastor Kevin Schneider from Bethany Church in Canton brought the message today as a part of Celebrate Canton weekend. Pastor Kevin challenged us all to think about what God, through Moses, meant when God commanded us to keep these words close to us and impress them on our children. Who impressed God's word on you? How can you share that word with others?
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Scripture: Genesis 3:1-11 Series: Let's Go to the Movies! Today, as we bring our movie series to a close, Pastor Clay is looking at how God makes us into main characters by speaking blessings over us as the very start of life itself. The issue is that sin is a reality and a liar. What happens when we throw off untruth and believe that we are who God made us to be? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay had a few thoughts about Sunday's message and an entirely different direction the message could have gone. While Eric is on vacation, Pastor Clay recorded by himself to discuss this "alternate ending" to the message.
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Scripture: Acts 9:1-10
Series: Let's Go to the Movies!
One of the things that make movies so great is locations. They can turn a good movie into a great movie by adding that visually stunning element. Movie locations could also inspire our travel plans! What do our favorite locations reveal about who God is and how God meets us? Let's explore locations as Pastor Clay brings us the message live on location at Lake Poinsett.
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up over Zoom to discuss Sunday's message and our collective disdain for being led. Neither Eric or Pastor Clay like it, and they are not being led. But when can it be a benefit? When God leads! How can giving into leadership be a benefit?
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Scripture: Psalm 23
Series: Let's Go to the Movies!
Today, as we continue our message series on movies, what makes them great, and where we find God in the midst of what we watch, we are taking a look at the Pixar short called Lou. How can Pixar teach us so much in only six minutes? Lou becomes a director for a bully named J.J. which helps us ask this: who is our director? Let's find out from Pastor Clay's message. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about the continuation of our "Let's Go to the Movies" series as we talked about Encanto. What is the difference between talents and gifts? What can Encanto teach us about how we use our spiritual gifts for good in the same way that the Family Madrigal used their gifts for good?
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Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11
Series: Let's Go to the Movies!
Today, as we continue our message series, we are going to look at the movie Encanto and see what it takes to be a part of a family. Is there more to it than we think? Pastor Clay talks about comparing himself to someone in college and how that made him feel like Mirabel in the movie. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Pastor Clay and Eric are back from church camp and ready to dig in to Sunday's message and the whole concept of stretcher-bearers. Pastor Clay shares a time when a group of friends were stretcher-bearers to him. And Eric and Pastor Clay discuss where to find the gospel in Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove"
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Scripture: Luke 5:17-26
Series: Let's Go to the Movies
Pastor Clay is back from camp and starting a new message series focused on finding the gospel in movies! To kick the series off, he is looking at Best Supporting Roles in Luke's gospel and the Emperor's New Groove. Who has played a supporting role in your life? Who do you see that needs a best supporting role in their lives?
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Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46
With Pastor Clay gone to church camp, the United Women in Faith led the worship service today, including a message from Pastor Jean Layton. Pastor Jean helped us think about what life in God's kingdom can look like. What difference has doing "unto the least of these" made in your life?
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Eric Stearns is back with Pastor Clay to talk about Sunday's Pentecost message. Why does the Holy Spirit matter so much that we have an entire day to celebrate its work? What is the greater context of Pentecost, and how is the Spirit still active in our lives as people of faith? Pastor Clay and Eric discuss all this and more in this week's episode.
Programming note: due to both Eric and Pastor Clay heading to United Methodist Church camps next week there will not be an episode next week. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Scripture: Acts 2
Series: Set Free
Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day for us to go back all the way to the beginning of the church and marvel at how we got to where we are. Unfortunately, how we got here was not always a straight line. Sometimes in our lives the Holy Spirit breaks through and changes everything. What we find sometimes is that God is not ruining everything but rather setting us free to live the lives God intended for us in the first place.
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Pastor Clay and special guest Jenna Stearns sat down to discuss the message from Sunday and the past few weeks of the Set Free series here at the Canton UMC. During their discussion they tap into spiritual practices that help us explore our freedom in Christ and how we share with others what God is up to in our lives.
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Scripture: Galatians 5 Series: Set Free Today, as we continue our Set Free series, we're looking at how the Galatians (and we) are set free to change the world around us. Sometimes that takes work in us first, but Jesus' call to witness and change the world is still there. When you look around the world, what do you want to see changed? How can we work toward transformation? Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay sat down on Tuesday, May 24, which is Aldersgate Day in the United Methodist Church, for a crash course in Methodist history. How did one group of students launch a movement that is now a global denomination? What does their legacy mean for us?
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Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 13-15
Series: Set Free!
Today, as we continue our Set Free series, we're looking at Paul's words to the Galatians. Jesus' resurrection has set us free to serve in His name. What would you do to serve God's world if you were set free?
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Paul says to the Galatians, "For freedom Christ has set you free!" Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about what being free in Christ means. Can we just do whatever we want? No. Jesus guides us into the way we should go, but it might look like someone else's path. We are set free not by our own merits but by Jesus Christ. Let's explore together.
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Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 13-14
Series: Set Free!
As we begin a new worship series, we are going to explore what it means to be set free to live by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus' resurrection should mean something to us everyday. And everyday we are set free by Jesus to live a life in his name. How does Jesus make you feel free?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss worship on Sunday, May 8, and the message. It was a fun, busy service that did not leave a lot of room for a full message, so Pastor Clay recorded a version of the message afterwards. For Cut for Time, Eric and Pastor Clay dug into some of the details from John 10 that may have been in a longer message.
Pastor Clay did make a factual error while they were talking. John 10 states that the events unfold during the Festival of Dedication (of the temple, a.k.a. Hanukkah), and so they talked about Antiochus Epiphanies. Pastor Clay accidentally refers to him as a regional governor when Antiochus was the king of the Seleucid Empire. We apologize for his error.
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Scripture: John 10:22-30
Today, as we continued our 124-year tradition of rocking babies, celebrated seniors, and awarded 3rd Grade Bibles, Pastor Clay helped us think about the transitions we all go through and how we hear God's voice in the midst of all of them. Jesus promised that nothing would snatch us from his hand. Where are you in life, and how are you walking with Jesus?
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Eric and Pastor Clay caught up with one another over Sunday's message about the Emmaus story. Who is Cleopas? What do we make of this story? And HOW do they not recognize Jesus along the way?
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Scripture: Luke 24:13-31
As the Easter Season unfolds, we return to that Resurrection Day. Early in the morning, the women go to the tomb; they tell the men who then go to the tomb. As the day comes to a close, two disciples discuss the events of the day. Jesus shows up and changes everything. How does Jesus make himself known to you?
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up after Camp Sunday to talk about camp, creation, and Christy Heflin's message from Sunday which set the tone for the 2022 Camping Season. What nature metaphor that Jesus uses helps you connect with your faith?
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Scripture: Matthew 18:18-20
Camp and Retreat Ministries Sunday
Each summer across the Dakotas Conference, our camps introduce campers of all ages to the love of Jesus Christ! Today, we celebrate their ministry and start getting excited for this summer. We welcome Lake Poinsett Site Director Christy Heflin as she brings updates and inspiration for all that's happening in camp ministry right now. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about Easter and hope. On Sunday, we asked if there was hope and found hope in Jesus. What do we do because we are hope-full people? How do we share this hope with others?
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Scripture: Matthew 28:1-9
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
As we end our time asking good questions about our faith and interact with the Resurrection Story, we wonder at this: is there hope? The women gave up hope, and sometimes we give up hope. But what does the resurrection have to say about hope? There is hope in Jesus Christ!
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about Sunday's message for Palm-To-Passion Sunday and the question of suffering. What is our foundational answer as people of faith when bad things happen to good people? They also preview all the events happening during Holy Week at CUMC.
CW: Pastor Clay tells a brief story about suicide and what came out of a young man's death.
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Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 & Matthew 27:27-31
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
We cannot do a series on questions without talking about suffering. Why does an all-good, all-loving, all-present God allow so much suffering to happen? What does it all mean? Jesus is not indifferent or unfamiliar with our suffering. Pastor Clay helps us understand what to do with all of this on Palm-to-Passion Sunday.
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's message and Jesus washing the disciples feet. Why did Jesus do it? What does it mean for us? We are called to find our fulfillment in service to the world.
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Scripture: John 13:1-5,12-17
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
As we continue our Lenten message series on Essential Questions, Pastor Clay helps us think about the meaning behind our existence. What do we want to accomplish with our time on earth? What will bring us a sense of fulfillment as we live our days?
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Pastor Clay met with Pastor Jeff Lathrop from Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, ND (https://www.gfwesley.org/) to talk about Sunday's message that focused on the question, "Where is God?" Pastor Clay and Pastor Jeff discussed sharing vulnerability, our collective memory, and being called for "such a time as this." We hope you enjoy their conversation.
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Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
Today as our Seven Questions series continues, Pastor Clay helps us look at the question, "Where is God?" We look at our world with all that seems to be going on and know that it is a fair question. But almost everyone has an answer. Let's look to God's word for our answer. Connect with the Canton UMC!
Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about the question of being accepted and the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8. They also talk about how to apply this scripture to our lives today. How do you hear and heed Jesus' call to go and sin no more?
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Scripture: John 8:1-11
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
We all long to be accepted somewhere and to know that we belong. Sometimes where that is hardest is in the presence of Jesus. But should it be? Let's turn to John 8 and hear a story of acceptance that is just as true in our day as when it first happened.
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Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about Sunday's message based on the greatest commandment and our highest priorities. Together they unpack what Jesus meant by calling us to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Enjoy the conversation!
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Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
The next question in our series during Lent is about our priorities. A teacher of the law asks Jesus this question, and Jesus boils down the entire Old Testament law to two statements: Love God and love neighbors. What matters most to you? How do you live out of your priorities?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's message based on Peter's Great Confession. Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter answered. Really, the question is for all of us. How do you react to the question?
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Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
"Who is Jesus?" This is a good question, and answering this says so much about our faith. Have you ever asked this question? Pastor Clay helps us see why this question matters so much and gives his own answer to this good question.
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Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Series: Essential Questions for the Season of Lent
The season of Lent is upon us. This is penitent season where we are challenged to ponder our faithfulness to Jesus' words and mission. To help guide us through the season, we will be exploring several questions that will help us examine our faith and draw close to Christ. Ash Wednesday's question based on Joel 2 is "What does God want from us?"
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Pastor Clay preached on the Transfiguration on Sunday, and Eric has some questions and thoughts. Together, they dig into the questions and hopefully shed some light on how this story prepares us for the season of Lent. Listen in as Pastor Clay and Eric dig into this important story.
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Scripture: Luke 9:28-36
Series: Love Lessons from a Loveless Church
As we bring this series to an end, we shift our focus away from Corinth and their problems to Jesus and the solution: Jesus' love transforms us so that we can transform our world through his love. As you encounter this story, what can you envision being changed in your world?
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back to discuss Pastor Clay's message from Sunday and the holy mystery of the resurrection of the body. Since what we're talking about takes place after death, it is hard to know what's true, but what do we make of those stories that tell us what lies beyond this life?
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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Series: Love Lessons from a Loveless Church
As Paul is addressing issues in Corinth, he talked about the resurrection and challenged those who doubted the resurrection to really think about what unintended consequences that could have. What could not believing in the resurrection affect? Pastor Clay will help us understand just that.
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Eric and Pastor Clay talk about 1 Corinthians 13 and the more excellent way love Paul talks about. The conversation also veers into spiritual gifts and affirming our differences. Do you know your spiritual gifts? Are you interested in learning more?
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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13
Series: Love Lessons from a Loveless Church
As we continue learning lessons from Corinth, we see why this is an unlikely place to find a love lesson. Corinth did not have love for one another. This makes it hard to be a church and even harder to be a Christian. Because God loves us, we are called to love others with a more-excellent-way love.
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Eric is back on the Cut for Time Podcast! Pastor Clay is back in the pulpit! And it's Season Two! Thanks for an awesome first year! Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Paul's relationship with Corinth and how Corinth's conflicts speak to our modern expressions of church. What does an open communion table mean to you?
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Scripture: John 13:31-35 & 1 Corinthians 11:17-26
Series: Love Lessons from a Loveless Church
Pastor Clay is back for the start of a new message series. The world around us is trying to tell us that showing love means buying roses, diamonds, and a million other things. Is that it? What does scripture say? Tune in for a love lesson about communion and the love that is shared around the table.
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Pastor Clay and Pastor Peggy Hansen from Trinity UMC in Lead, SD, caught up with one another to talk about Pastor Steve's final message on the baggage of jealousy that needlessly weighs us down. How does jealousy play out through all of not only Joseph's story but all of our stories?
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Scripture: Genesis 37:1-13
Series: Getting Over It: Starting the New Year Without Baggage
As Pastor Steve brings this series to a close and helps us think about leaving more baggage aside, we are thinking of a word: jealousy. What is jealousy? Where does it come from? And, most importantly, how do we lay it aside? Find out with us in this message.
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Pastor Clay sat down with Pastor Teresa Whetsel who serves as the pastor of the Miller UMC to discuss Pastor Steve's message from Sunday called Hiking Partner. Pastors Clay and Teresa share some knowledge about Psalm 23 and some key takeaways about fear.
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Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6
Series: Getting Over It: Starting the New Year Without Baggage
As Pastor Steve continues this series, the baggage we get rid of is fear. God invites us to look around and notice that we are not alone on the journey of life. Through highs and lows, rough terrain and rolling plains, God is with us. Because this is true we have no fear!
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back after last week's break to talk about Pastor Steve's message from Sunday about the dangers of pride. Being overly proud of ourselves and our abilities can be our downfall, but can pride be a good thing? What are you proud of?
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Scripture: Proverbs 16:18
Series: Getting Over It: Starting the New Year Without Baggage
Are you still looking for a New Year's Resolution? Do you already need a new one? How about we all try D.O.G. this year: Depend on God! Pastor Steve will help us see what it looks like to D.O.G. in 2022.
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Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35 & Ephesians 4:31-32
Series: Getting Over It: Starting the New Year Without Baggage
As we begin this new year, Pastor Steve Ziebarth is with us to explore how we can start the new year off right. So often we carry the weight of guilt and shame with us into the new year, but do we have to? God's word seems to say that we don't; this baggage is not ours. What do you need to lay down?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Pastor Steve's message from Sunday based on Luke 14. Jesus presents a hard teaching that gives us a lot to think about when it comes to our lives of faith. One of the thing that Pastor Steve challenged us to think about is what we regret in our lives when it comes to following Jesus. The bigger question, though, is what have we learned from our regrets?
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Scripture: Luke 14:25-33
While Pastor Clay takes parental leave, Pastor Steve Ziebarth is leading us through the first few weeks of the new year. Today, Pastor Steve helped us think about what it means to take a fresh start on the second day of the new year. Where has your faith gotten stale or stagnant? Where do you need to start fresh?
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Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, NRSV
Series: The Inn
Do you ever feel like there's no room for you? Join the club. There wasn't room for a lot of people in the Christmas story. Until Jesus. He made room and calls us to do the same. Pastor Clay explains more in his sermon from the 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service.
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back together to discuss the virtual sermon from Sunday, December 19, where Pastor Clay helped us explore the motivation behind why we make room for Jesus. Jesus' love always shifts our focus onto other people. Who in your world needs a little bit of love?
Housekeeping note: there will be no Cut for Time video next week. See you in 2022!
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Scripture: Micah 5:2-5 & Luke 1:46-55
Series: The Inn
All through Advent, we have been doing this hard work of making room at The Inn, our House for the Holy. Why? Pastor Clay helps us see that it's all about Jesus. He's the reason we make room and He inspires us to look out and see what the view is like from our inns.
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's worship service and sermon. Together, they explore John the Baptist's ministry and how he does the work we're called to do: the work of preparing for Jesus.
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Scripture: Isaiah 12:2-6 and Luke 3:7-18
Series: The Inn
John the Baptist lived his life to point others to Jesus and the way of life that Jesus is about to model and call all to follow. But before that happens, we need to make room for repentance and to reorder our priorities. How much truly is enough?
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We reached 100 subs on YouTube! You can now find us at www.youtube.com/CantonUnitedMethodist Thanks so much for your help!
Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about Sunday's message and times we have felt welcome and unwelcome at tables. How do we make room for people in our church that are different from us but still are in need of God's grace made known through Jesus?
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Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
Series: The Inn
As we continue our journey through Advent, we are looking at our guests lists and tables. Is your table big enough for someone who might not always feel welcome? How do we make room in our inn for new people in the same way that God's vision of the world through Isaiah makes room for a greater hospitality than we can imagine?
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Eric and Pastor Clay discuss Sunday's message from The Inn Series about how we make room for a different view of ourselves in the light of Christ. What are those stories about you that are not true, and how do we lay them aside?
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Over on our Facebook, Pastor Clay is doing daily Advent devotions, so please join him.
Also, please consider subscribing on YouTube. All we want for Christmas is 100 Subs so we can get a promotable URL for our YouTube Channel. We are four away!
Scripture: Psalm 25:4-5 & Jeremiah 33:14-16
Series: The Inn
As we begin the Advent season and this new message series, Pastor Clay challenges us to eat crow: to see things a different way and admit that we see ourselves differently in the light of Christ. What untrue stories about your self do you need to lay aside in order to make room for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
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Music Credit: "Hope Waits For Us at Advent" from Amanda Udis-Kessler
Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about how they have grown in Christ in the past year through scripture, prayer, and podcast. How have you grown in Christ's likeness in the past year? Now is the time to ask as we enter the season of Advent.
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Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of our church calendar year. As we consider what Christ being king looks like, Pastor Clay helps us think about an important question: Are we more Christ-like than we were a year ago? Are we better off with Christ as King?
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Pastor Clay and Eric are back after an off week to talk about the message from Sunday about worry and our need not to worry. When Jesus gives us the word to not worry, it's not so that we will breeze through life but rather to invite us into bigger worries about the world around us. What are you worrying about?
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Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33
Series: Treasure
As we wrap up our series on Treasure, Pastor Clay helps us think about worry. Jesus says not to, but we do. Should we? Yes, but not about what you think. Worry first about the kingdom of God and watch everything else fall into place.
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Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6
Series: Treasure
As we consider the state of our giving, Jesus reminds us that we need to give without regard for our own glory. If not, we are just playing a role, like an actor on a stage. Pastor Clay, who has been an actor on the stage, will help us understand more about what Jesus was driving at.
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Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about Sunday's message around the idea of serving two masters. Jesus talks about God and mammon: wealth, possessions, those things that we trust. What does it mean to trust God above all else?
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Scripture: Matthew 6:24
Series: Treasure
Today, Pastor Clay continued the Treasure series in worship by looking at the rivalries in our lives. In sports, it's the teams we follow, but in life our rivalries have higher stakes. Jesus says we cannot serve to masters, listen in while we learn why that is true.
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Eric and Pastor Clay are back in the sanctuary on microphones! Thank you for sticking with us through our bad audio last week! This week on the podcast, the guys dig into Sunday's message on stewardship and what it means to shift our attitude toward giving and how we focus on what God wants.
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Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21
Series: Treasure
As we begin a new message series based on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Clay helps us explore what treasure means to us and where we are storing up our treasure. He even does math as a part of the message!
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Pastor Clay sat down with Eric to talk about Eric's message from Sunday and all that God has done in our world. It's God's creation, and it's God's church, and that is GOOD news. Where do you connect the most with God? Explore that as you listen to our Cut for Time conversation.
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Scripture: Psalm 104
While Pastor Clay took Sunday off, Eric Stearns stepped in the pulpit to talk about a conversation he had with his son Everett a few days ago about who God is and how we can know God better. What wonderful wisdom from a four-year-old's question.
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Eric and Pastor Clay catch up after Sunday and talk about the end of our message series on the call and ministry of the Apostle Paul. They dig into the death of Paul and have a bit of "morbid fun" with some of the traditions around Paul's death.
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Scripture: 2 Timothy 4
Series: The Call
As we bring this message series to an end, we are looking at how Paul spent some of his last days: writing to his friend Timothy. In 2 Timothy, Paul inspires his friend to remain faithful to God's call. Who in your life needs that reminder? Is it you? (That's okay!)
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's message and our call to love. They discuss 1 Corinthians as a whole and how do we show love in genuine ways to those outside of our fellowship. We hope you enjoy this week's conversation!
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Scripture: Acts 18:1-4,11 and 1 Corinthians 13
Series: The Call
A huge part of God's call on Paul, the church, and us is the call to love, in line with Jesus who told us to love God and our neighbor. Corinth struggled with this, and maybe we will find ourselves in the midst of the story today.
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Eric and Pastor Clay get together to talk about Sunday's message about God's call and the struggles we face. When we face those hard times, it would be just so much easier if formulaic faith or metrics really brought us closer to Jesus. But it doesn't always work like that. How do we measure our trust in Jesus when there's no metric for that?
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Scripture: Acts 16:16-28
Series: The Call
What do you do when things are not going well? How do you handle adverse circumstances? Today, Pastor Clay looks at what happens in Paul's ministry as he understands his call as a call to struggle. We all end up suffering setbacks and having things not go our way. The question is this: how do we praise Jesus in the midst of it?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about Sunday's message on God's call to go, the life of Paul, and the role that Barnabas played in Paul's life. We all have people in our lives that have been foundational for who we are. How do we return the favor to those around us?
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Scripture: Acts 9:22-31
Series: The Call
Paul knows that he's been called by the voice of Jesus, but where exactly is he going? He does not know; he feels stuck. God sends Barnabas to un-stuck him. How do we get unstuck? Who has been a Barnabas to us? To whom can we be a Barnabas?
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Pastor Clay and Eric met up to discuss Sunday's message and the start of a new message series wrapped up in God's call on the Apostle Paul and God's call on our lives. Pastor Clay talks about how affirming a call can be, and they dug in to talk about Paul, Ananias, and us. Enjoy the conversation!
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Scripture: Acts 9:1-19
Series: The Call
Did you know that you are called by God? It's true! If that seems unlikely to be true, let's remember together the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. Over the next five weeks, we're going to be exploring his life, ministry, and impact. Join Pastor Clay as we explore The Call together.
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Eric is back, and he sits down with Pastor Clay to talk about Sunday's message about touching God's goodness and to talk about the entire Come to Your Senses Series. How do we touch and know that God is good when life is weird?
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Scripture: Psalm 18:1-6, 31-32
Series: Come to Your Senses
Pastor Clay brought our message series on the five senses today by talking about our sense of touch: how do we touch and know God's goodness? In Psalm 18 David says that the answer is by looking at something common and accessible: a rock. That's what God is like! What are the things you have touched in order to feel God's goodness?
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We welcome Pastor Teresa Whetsel back to the podcast today to talk about Sunday's message about looking and seeing God's goodness. Where do you see God's goodness?
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Scripture: Psalm 97:1-12
Series: Come to Your Senses
Today, we continued our message series about the five senses by looking at vivid pictures that scripture paints to talk about God's goodness. Pastor Clay focused mostly on seeing God's goodness in nature, but where else do you see it?
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Eric and Pastor Clay discussed Sunday's message on the sense of smell. Pastor Clay had an idea for the sermon that got so cut for time it didn't even get written, which was all about what our lives smell like to God. Are you a scent pleasing or a stench? How do David's words help us live "the sweet life?"
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Scripture: Psalm 141:1-10
Series: Come to Your Senses
Our journey through the five senses continued today as we turned to the sense of smell. David in the wilderness prayed that his prayer would rise to God like an incense. Do we take our prayer lives and our lives in general this seriously? What does your prayer life smell like? Connect with the Canton UMC! Website Facebook YouTube
In our latest episode of Cut for Time, Pastor Clay and Eric sat down to talk about Sunday's message devoted to listening and hearing God's goodness. They discuss what helps them hear God's goodness and how important music is not only in their lives but in our lives of faith.
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Scripture: Psalm 81:1-10
Series: Come to Your Senses
Today in worship we continued our series on experiencing God through our five senses. We turn our attention to our sense of hearing and how we listen and hear for God's goodness. What have you heard that made an impact on your understanding of God? Song: "Angus Dei" performed by One Way Up. Licensing for this recording is provided by CCLI #1418798.
Eric and Pastor Clay discuss their favorite meals, the ways they've experienced God's goodness through communion, and all that Pastor Clay had to cut from his sermon on Sunday. How have you experienced God's goodness?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from FesliyanStudios
Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10
Series: Come to Your Senses
Today, Pastor Clay started a new message series focused on experiencing God through our five senses. Each week as we worship, we will experience one of our senses and understand how God is present in the midst of all of it. What tastes bring back memories for you?
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Pastor Clay and Eric have a bit of a different conversation this week since neither of them preached on Sunday. Rather, they discuss their impressions and ideas from Pastor Tom Gilman's message from our Celebrate Canton Community Worship Service. How have you experienced unconditional love in your life?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to talk about the third installment of the Gospel in Toy Story message series we've been working through. Together they discuss some of the scenes that bear the gospel but did not make it into the sermon and just dig into the difference that Jesus makes in all of our lives.
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Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:11-14 Series: You've Got a Friend in Me Pastor Clay is wrapping up our series on seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Toy Story by looking at Toy Story 3 and how many characters are going through some kind of transition in that movie. How is God with us in our endings and beginnings? Where have you seen God lately?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about Sunday's message, Toy Story 2, and how we share the good news of Jesus with other people. Check out the conversation and join us on Sunday for the conclusion of the message series.
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Scripture: John 15:12-15 & Revelation 3:12
Series: You've Got a Friend in Me
We're back with the second week of The Gospel in Toy Story series and a focus on Toy Story 2. Woody gets upgraded by The Fixer and forgets who he is and abandons his core values. How are we similar to him in our own lives?
To honor copyright restrictions, elements of the service have been edited out.
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Eric and Pastor Clay met up over Zoom while Pastor Clay was leading a camp to discuss Sunday's message. When our insecurities threaten to get the best of us, we can make the hard choice to love. It's hard, it's counter-cultural, but it is God's call on our lives.
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Scripture: 1 John 4:7, 18-21
Series: You've Got a Friend in Me: The Gospel in Toy Story
We start our Summer Fun message series with this message inspired by Toy Story. Woody deals with feeling replaced and unloved, and we know what that's like. How do we respond to those moments when our own insecurities and fears are on display?
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Eric and Pastor Clay reverse roles as we talk about Eric's message from Sunday about Jesus being rejected in his hometown. We both have experience living in or near our hometown as adults, and although we haven't been rejected there, we have experienced some challenges. We also discuss our sermon writing strategies.
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What happens when someone from their hometown preaches in their home church? In Jesus' case, the people of Nazareth reject him. In Canton, though, we love Eric. Eric Stearns stepped in to the pulpit to explore Mark 6:1-13 and what to do when we get discouraged in our faith and service to Jesus.
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Pastor Clay and Eric discuss Sunday's message on death and lament in the face of a baptism and deal with our problems with lamenting and letting our true selves be known. In hard times when life is weird, who do we turn to alongside God?
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Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 What do we do when things in life do not go as we've planned or anticipated? This is where David finds himself in scripture today. Life has changed very quickly, and he does not know what to do with his feelings. Thankfully, God hears. Connect with the Canton United Methodist Church! Website Facebook
Pastor Clay and Eric are both back from church camps and came together to discuss the past two weeks of sermons, Eric's sermon from 6/13 and Pastor Clay's sermon from 6/20. What do we learn from David's story and why did the Israelites just stand there when they saw Goliath?
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In this message, Pastor Clay helps us to see the story of David vs. Goliath through David's and then God's eyes. What changes when we see the story in a different way? What difference does it make when God's people use the things that God has given them in order to fulfill what God had called them to do? Let's explore that together.
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While Pastor Clay was gone at church camp, Eric Stearns stepped into the pulpit to talk about Tom Brady, King David, and six other quarterbacks you've never heard of. It's amazing who God chooses and uses.
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Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about Sunday's message from 1 Kings 8 and Israel's demand for a king. This story resonates so much because the pull to make something other than God king of our lives remains so strong. As you ponder the question, may God align your life and work so that you follow God faithfully.
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Scripture: 1 Samuel 8
Pastor Clay digs into 1 Samuel 8 and the biggest mistake Israel makes in their history. After 200 years of being led by God, now God isn't enough for them. Do we do anything that is similar? Who is leading us?
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Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to talk about prayer and explore some questions about what happens when we get discouraged in our prayer life. What does prayer look like to you? How does God challenge you to endure in prayer?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from Fesliyan Studios (used with permission)
Today, we are digging into the story of Hannah praying in the tabernacle and not giving up. Eli sees her, and misses the point entirely. Despite being told that she's making a "drunken spectacle" of herself, Hannah continues to pray. What lengths are you willing to go to in order to pursue God's message for your life?
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Intro/Outro Music: "He Leadeth Me" from Greg Howlett (used with permission)
Eric is back and sits down to talk with Pastor Clay about Pentecost, United Methodist Heritage Sunday & Aldersgate Street, and our own lives of faith. Pentecost may have been a little scary, but it was also incredibly powerful. When and where do you feel the Spirit of God in your midst?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from Fesliyan Studios (Used with permission)
Pastor Clay brought the Holy Ghost Stories series to a close by looking at the Holiest of the Holy Ghost Stories: The Day of Pentecost. It's the day where the Spirit indwelled the people of God and now continues to do so. How have you seen the power of the Spirit in your own life?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Holy Spirit" performed by One Way Up, the CUMC Praise Band. Usage is covered by CCLI Licenses #1418798 and #20727412.
Eric is out of town on a work trip, so Pastor Clay called on his friend Pastor Teresa Whetsel to talk about Sunday's message. Pastor Teresa serves the United Methodist Church in Miller, SD. Together they talk about how fascinating Peter is, how powerful the Holy Spirit is, and how cool of a day Pentecost is.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from Fesliyan Studios
Pastor Clay continues the Holy Ghost Series by looking at Matthew 14: the disciples are caught in a storm and think they see a ghost. But this encounter is with no mere ghost; it's an encounter with the Son of God Himself, Jesus. We won't see Jesus like they did, but we still do seeJesus. What do we do when that happens?
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Intro Music: "Raising Me Higher" from MixKit.co (Used with permission) Outro Music: "Take My Life" from Greg Howlett (Used with permission)
Eric and Pastor Clay are back to talk about Sunday's message, Elijah's story, and our cultural aversion to silence. In Elijah's life, God is made known in the silence. Do we give God the opportunity to be made known in the silence?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from Fesliyan Studios
Pastor Clay continues the Holy Ghost Stories series by looking at Elijah, whose life itself is a ghost story. He angers a queen, is forced to flee for his life, and then has to endure a wildfire, a whirlwind, and an earthquake. That's quite a story, but the most impressive part is where God's presence is found: in the silence. We overlook silence in our loud world, but what could God be trying to tell us in the silence?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Raising Me Higher" from MixKit.co (Used with permission)
Eric and Pastor Clay dig into 1 Samuel 3 and really Samuel's story. Plus, they pick up on the tendency that God has to use younger people. Why? They also dig into how God has called them to serve in the church from where they are. We hope you are inspired and encouraged by their conversation.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from FesliyanStudios.com
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-11
Series: Holy Ghost Stories
As a young boy, Samuel has a Holy Ghost Story in the tabernacle when he starts to hear voices. What could possibly be going on? Who could be speaking? And does that Same Voice still speak to you and me? Find out from Pastor Clay in this week's message.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Take My Life and Let It Be" from Greg Howlett (Used with permission)
Eric and Pastor Clay are back to talk about Jacob's story and marvel at what God is up to when unworthy people are called into God's service. Jacob's life is one of constant scandal, and yet he's the good guy. What message could that have for us as we live our lives?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from FesliyanStudios.com (Used with permission).
Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32
Series: Holy Ghost Stories
As a way of preparing for Pentecost, we're going to spend a couple weeks looking at parts of scripture where the Holy Spirit is alive and active. Jacob wrestles with God and comes to conclusions about life that could only be revealed by God's spirit resting on him. The Spirit leaves him forever changed; how does the Spirit change you?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Take My Life and Let It Be" from Greg Howlett (Used with permission)
Pastor Clay and Eric come together to nerd out about church camp. Both of them have had powerful experiences, and they are eager to share. Pastor Clay also gives his interpretation of the Book of Jonah in about three minutes, which is fun. Camp has shaped the lives of so many people, and there is just nothing like church camp.
Connect with a Camp! Go to www.dakcamps.org to find out more about Dakotas UMC Camping. Go to acacamps.org to find an ACA-accredited camp near you. And as Pastor Clay promised, you can call the church at (605) 764-2859 to talk more about church camps in your area!
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" from MixKit.co (Used with permission)
Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11
Pastor Clay talks about the importance of camp and retreat ministries and shares a message that is bigger than camp: God loves you and God loves Nineveh. When that's hard to hear, God is listening. When we are longing to be heard, we can trust God to hear us, receive us, and make sure that we feel heard (even if we don't agree).
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Intro/Outro Music: "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" from Greg Howlett (Used with permission)
Pastor Clay and Eric sit down to talk about Sunday's message about Thomas and his enduring legacy and impact on the church. They also talk about what Thomas' story means for us as disciples living now and the fresh wind of God's spirit that rushes through the Word as we engage with it. Also, looking ahead, Camp Sunday is on April 18th. We're so excited!
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Intro/Outro Music: "Dreaming Big" from MixKit.co (Used with permission)
On the first Sunday after Easter, we go back to the day of Resurrection to focus on the disciples and namely Thomas. Thomas was asked to believe the unbelievable, and he responds with doubt. But that's not all of who Thomas is. The same goes for us! Jesus meets us in our doubts and gives us not only what we need but what we think we need in order to believe.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Near the Cross" from Greg Howlett (Used with permission)
In the light of Easter and the Resurrection, Pastor Clay and Eric join together to discuss the power of Jesus' ministry for our day and what hope we gain from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. They also discuss how important it was to be together for Holy Week and Easter in-person rather than what it was like last year. We hope you are encouraged by the conversation this week.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" by David Fesliyan (fesliyanstudios.com). Used with permission.
Series: Holy Vessels
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
Pastor Clay brings us to the conclusion of our Holy Vessels series and helps us celebrate the Resurrection. We have been through a long year, and finally we get to shout Alleluia in the face of so many Hosannas. But the challenge we face is that people still feel like their damage is too great to be healed. What are we to do with the good news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Be Happy" from Mix Kit\
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. This is a hard, awkward day called Quiet Saturday as we sit and wait not knowing how to feel. What does it mean to wait as one who has hope that something is going to happen?
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Background music: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" from Greg Howlett
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. Good Friday is upon us. What could possibly be 'good' about the day that Jesus died? Pastor Clay explains today.
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Background music: "Near the Cross" from Greg Howlett
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. Today, we come to the first day of the week with its own name: Maundy Thursday. Pastor Clay discusses what that word means and how it helps us see what Jesus is up to in the upper room as he gathers with his disciples.
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Background music: "Jesus Paid it All" from Greg Howlett
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. Today, we explore what feels like the beginning of the end as Judas agrees to betray Jesus. How do we respond when we fall short of what Jesus wants from us?
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Background music: "Torn" and "Sentimental Dialogue" from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com (Used with permission)
Eric and Pastor Clay sit down to discuss the long, strange journey that is Holy Week. How did the crowds go from shouting Hosanna to crying Crucifyin just one week? What is being said in the meantime? How does this week shape our faith?
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Intro/Outro Music: "Moving Forward" by David Fesliyan (fesliyanstudios.com). Used with permission.
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. Today, Jesus returns to the temple not to destroy but to teach. Pastor Clay talks about why Jesus would go back there and what we can learn from his time in the temple.
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Background music: "What Wondrous Love is This" (Public Domain)
Each day this week, we'll be exploring what happened during Holy Week. Today, Pastor Clay talks about Jesus cleansing the temple. What do Jesus' actions have to do with how we live our lives? Connect with the Canton UMC!
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Background music: "Please Don't Cry" from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com "What Wondrous Love is This" Public Domain
Series: Holy Vessels
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! We hear it, we say it. But do we know what it means? Do we understand what we're saying? Do we live it out? Pastor Clay helps us explore the events of Palm Sunday, the meaning of Hosanna, and where true hope and healing can be found (Spoiler: The answer is Jesus.)
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Intro/Outro Music: "Be Happy" from Mix Kit Prayer Music: "Tenderness" from MixKit
Eric and Pastor Clay connect to talk about Sunday's message on Matthew 8 and focus on the fact that some of the brokenness we experience has nothing to do with Covid-19. How do we respond; how do we hold on to hope when everything says it's hopeless? We do it by putting ourselves in the position of the disciples and marveling at Jesus: "Who is this in my boat that even the winds and waves obey?" Jesus is with you.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Bridge N 98" from mixkit.co
Series: Holy Vessels
Scripture: Matthew 8:24-27
As we near the end of the season of Lent, we acknowledge that we cannot talk about every healing story of Jesus or everywhere we see the brokenness of the world. During the message, Pastor Clay focuses on the devastating storm, the disciples, and on Jesus. We look to the testimony of scripture to seek solutions and restoration in the story of Jesus calming the storm.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Be Happy" from https://mixkit.co/
Pastor Clay and Eric sit down to talk about the fact that the pandemic has gone on for an entire year now. They both share what has changed for them personally and professionally, and it's all couched in a conversation about Jesus healing Jairus' daughter and the woman with a hemorrhage. Creative and innovative solutions are required all around, and Jesus is all of our ultimate hopes.
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Intro/Outro Music: "Bridge N 98" from mixkit.co