Church of the Cross United Methodist: Recent Episodes
Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
Do you believe in miracles? The disciples thought that it was over, but miracles DO happen! This story has YOUR name written all over it!
A look at continuing the celebration of Jesus’ birth, and how we can carry that joy and salvation with us through the new year.
Much like those in the bible who were blessed with messages from God, we are given spiritual laws of our own every day. Waiting for Jesus to come again is a task we are all given, but do we obey our given laws willingly, or do we brush them aside?
The story of the virgin Mary is one of the most well known stories of the Bible. Many of us long to be “Mary;” someone blessed by God to do the impossible. But have we ever stopped to ask if Mary wanted to be Mary?
What exactly is our biggest calling as Christians? How do we sufficiently embody the spirit of Christ? Pastor Carla explores how we can be our best selves this Thanksgiving season.
A look into what it means to use our gifts in stewardship for the Lord, and what a blessing it is to do so.
A recognition of all the saints that have gone before us this past year, and some introspection to help us remember why this day is so important.
As Christians we are called to give generously to the church, each other, and our enemies. But how can we go above and beyond so we can truly embody the idea of Christ?
Going out of our comfort zone can be uncomfortable, but wonderful things can happen when we go out of our way to serve others.
Everybody wants to want to study the Bible. But there’s a difference between good intentions and action!
Do you “go to church on Sundays” or do you “go to worship God” on Sundays? Pastor Scott helps us to see the difference.
Church is not a social club, but is constantly seeking to fulfill its missional objective to “go and make disciples.” People are searching for answers today. Offer them Jesus!
With so much stress in our world today, how do we deal with our anxiety? Listen as Pastor Scott helps us find a way to experience Ultimate Joy.
Join us this week as Jane Wise shares stories of her mission work in Africa and expands on what it means to find joy in serving.
While continuing to look at how to appreciate our everyday lives through “Finding Joy,” today we take a look at how to find joy in the ways we serve others.
Not everything in life is easy to parse; sometimes we’re hit with situations and circumstances that tear us down. What can we do to find joy even in dark times?
The Bible is an important tool to help us understand what it is that God wants. But are we simply reading and listening, or are we putting those words into action, too?
When we walk out into the world, it can feel like we’re entering an overwhelming emotional battlefield. How do we protect ourselves from the onslaught as we work to continue spreading the love of Christ?
The world says to us, “You aren’t good enough.” The world will speak words that will bring us down. But an imitator of Christ will build others up. Being imitators of Christ is a continual process.
Apostle Paul explains the importance of each one of us, and the gifts we have to bring, for building up the body of Christ—the church.
The Apostle Paul begins to share the mystery of Jesus that has been revealed to him— that the salvation found in Jesus is for the Jews and Gentiles alike.
Sometimes we get lost. Sometimes when we are on the wrong track, we have to turn around. Fortunately, God allows U-turns!
We must put Christ first in our lives, for God has put Christ above all things. And through Christ we have been given hope and power.
Who is Jesus? …He is everything! He is just what we need at any point in time! Is He the main source in your life today?
God has plans to prosper us and give us hope. Can we surrender our church to God? Can we surrender our lives to God?
Sometimes roadblocks or obstacles are nothing more than God steering us in another direction. How can we even fathom what God has in store for us unless we stop and revaluate the direction in which we are headed?
Scripture: Mark 10:13-16
Speaker: Rev. Sherry Gale
Church of the Cross would like to formally say “Thank You” to the World of Love staff for your above and beyond service during this past year.
Unfortunately, due to technical problems, there is no video recording of this service.
Lavish hospitality and extravagant generosity is found throughout the scriptures. It is who we are as a Christian people. May WE be the leaven in this community that causes it to rise to greater reality in the future!
Paul, the dreamer, raised a ruckus in the early church and beyond. Who are the modern-day dreamers? What are OUR dreams and visions for Church of the Cross?
What is the difference between justice and vengeance? How do we live our lives in a way that is truly seeking justice for everybody, not just vengeance for ourselves?
What is the “ultimate” in life? What is it that each of us are searching for that gives us the utmost sense of purpose, and would we know it if we found it?
There is good and not so good in all of us. We must look beyond that which divides us and earnestly seek that which is good, right and life-giving.
What role have we played in losing important relationships around us? What might we have done to save that relationship?
In the breaking of the bread, their eyes are opened and they recognize the Risen Savior. How often in our lives does God’s presence go unnoticed?
Jesus appears to be eager to share table fellowship with his friends. Are we as eager to share and give witness to the richness of Jesus in our lives?
Peace is not achieved through battles, bullying, oppressing others. Jesus came to show us how peace can be achieved. Have we listened?
Jesus stayed true to his mission throughout his life. We will not always stay true to our best selves, but let’s give it our best shot every day of our lives.
Jesus thirsted on the cross but was given sour wine. How often do we satisfy our supposed thirst foe things which do not satisfy?
We are often taught to stop complaining, quit whining. But Jesus himself on the cross cried out his feelings of abandonment.
In the midst of his own suffering, Jesus tended to the needs of his mother. No matter what our circumstance of distance, loss, or aloneness, family can be formed. Love and support—family—can be found in the church.
These last several months may have felt like we were walking in the land of the dying. As we are entering this season of Lent we, too, may feel like we are right there with Jesus and his comrades on the cross. Can we experience paradise even in the midst of chaos?
We begin our Lenten Season with this Ash Wednesday service and the beginning of our Lenten series, “The Goodness of Good Friday for Every Day.”
As we move from a period of disorder into a period of seeking reorder, may we open ourselves to new ways of practicing our faith, new ways of determining right from wrong. Are we willing to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to all that God has blessed?
Resurrection wasn’t just something Jesus could do—the followers of Jesus could bring new life too. When life is turned upside down and inside out, we have to dig deep, stay curious, and be creative.
Saul and Ananius were both devoted persons of faith and yet they followed very different paths. Saul and Ananius are with us today. Some of us have characteristics of Saul and some of us are like Ananius. Perhaps if we struggle with the truths we’ve always believed--become a little more curious--maybe we too can have a life-transforming encounter with the loving God.
When we reach outside our comfort zones and engage with people unlike ourselves, we can experience life-changing growth.
The Apostles realized there was a problem with their community. Are we focusing on solutions? Or are we focused on the problem? Challenges give rise to opportunities.
What have we learned in this year of isolation about ourselves and our gifts—about what is important in life? How can our gifts be used to lift others up?
Featuring a message from Bishop Palmer, with worship leadership and scripture telling by Pastor Sherry. Special music video featuring Odetta singing, “This Little Light of Mine.”
Waiting is not a passive activity. Pastor Carla outlines how to wait in such a way that we prepare our souls to see and receive God’s word for each of us.
All of our experiences of the past nine months are being knit together in our “wombs” as we prepare to celebrate birth this week. What will these final days of preparation include? Will our preparations and celebrations give birth to love?
In this Advent Season 2020 there are many restrictions keeping us apart. But there is nothing keeping us from experiencing the joy and peace of God’s presence.
They say, “You can’t go back home again.” Post-pandemic, to what will we return? Do we really want to go back? Or do we anticipate a future that is better than ever before?
We may be asking in 2020, “Where is God?” Sometimes the weight of it all can feel oppressive. We may feel like God has deserted us. But God is with us. God is always doing a new thing.
We’ve all known times of financial scarcity, health challenges. We’ve most likely known times of abundance as well. May we remember God through thick and thin.
The Sermon on the Mount is an amazing thread of words of instruction and wisdom from the master teacher, Jesus.
This election has highlighted the best and the worst in this amazing nation. The divisions that exist on the national stage also exist in our families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. So how do we move past Election 2020 toward the New Year 2021?
Our Christian faith revolves around the ideas of life, death, and resurrection. This cycle is present in nature, in our individual lives, and the lives of organizations. Do not despair but hold fast to this rule of life and find hope.
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful, arrogant, or rude. Love does not insist on its own way…does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. In our lifetime we have seen the transformational power of love through the witness of people like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King and others. We too are called to live lives full of love for others.
For John Wesley, sin was a failure to love. Perfection in love is a process. The process is not always easy and not void of mistakes. Our faith journey is a process of developing our trust and faith in God and perfectness in love.
Christians too often proclaim a rather shallow philosophy—”Everything is okay, God is in control!” But there are times when things simply are NOT okay! But in our suffering we have hope and hope can bring transformation.
How do we find the strength to keep moving forward? How have those who have gone before us found the strength to go forward? How to people keep moving forward when they come up against evil?
Is it possible to love someone we don’t like? Join us to learn how to find the good in those we dislike and thereby follow the mandate of Jesus to love our enemies.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
On this Labor Day weekend may we each be inspired by the justice-seeking, the fullness-of-life-seeking, Syrophoenician woman. May we continue to speak up and seek fullness of life for all.
We know the task before us is great, and we are certain our resources are not sufficient. Jesus says, What resources DO you have? Go for it! When we go and find what resources we have and we proceed, God will provide.
Jesus did not work alone. No one of us can provide all that is needed to spread God’s Word. No one of us receives the Word the same way either. Some hear the Word more effectively from one person rather than another. Success depends on both transmitter and receiver. It takes a village.
The woman with the hemorrhage knew that she just needed to get close enough to Jesus to be healed. Have you ever known someone who is so calm and peaceful that to just get close enough will bring you healing? May we consistently choose good and that which brings life to others.
The Sabbath was put in place to keep us from killing ourselves working too hard. It is a time for focusing on God, for rest. “Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?”
Jesus calls us to bring near the reign of God. Those most marginalized are most in need of The Great Physician. We have been slow to embrace those on the fringes of society. But Jesus calls us to love and serve the least among us.
Jesus went to a deserted place to be alone and everyone was searching for him. He takes time to center himself, then gets up and does what he came to do. The pandemic may be a perfect time for Church of the Cross to regroup and rediscover what they are supposed to be doing to serve others.
It is a new day, finding our way forward in the midst of a global pandemic. Healing and wholeness can come through our friends, doctors, nurses. Sometimes healing and wholeness can come through a listening ear, without judgement. We cannot experience wholeness without our healing being extended to the most marginalized among us.
You are a child of God! Once we feel deeply the truth of that fact, our words and actions will be reflected in our relationships.
The heart of our celebration—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Blind Bartimaeus sits by the roadside crying out for his liberty and happiness. Jesus sees and hears a beloved child of God in pain and agony. In this Independence Day weekend 2020, we hear the cries of African Americans who seek freedom, wholeness, and happiness. This is the moment to listen and live like Jesus lived.
This Biblical story serves as an introductory story for our ministry life together. It involves a mom/mentor, a little mathematics, and a team of miracle workers. This is a pretty accurate description of Pastor Sherry’s life. And it is her hope that together we will be a miracle-working, life-transforming team.
Maranatha means “Our Lord Comes!” It was used in the early church to greet one another. When they arrived, they said, “Maranatha!” and when they left they said, “Maranatha!” Will we recognize Jesus when he comes? What if Jesus comes as a blind man? What if Jesus comes as a beggar? Will we reach out in love as God expects of us? As Pastor Gus departs, his word for us is, “Maranatha!”
Forget about the successes and the failures of the past, enabling us to move forward. Everything is not going to go smoothly just because we are Christians. Challenges will continue to be with us. Don’t forget that you have a God—a great big wonderful God! God is our refuge and strength.
This is Trinity Sunday when we celebrate the three persons of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this passage, Jesus claims the power that has been given to Him. Power to do good, to unite not to divide, to heal not to cause wounds, to bring people together, to cleanse their hearts, free from hate and ready to love.
On the day of Pentecost Jesus bequeathed to the Disciples the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is the birthday of the church. Before this day, the disciples were a group of well-meaning guys who were very timid and uninspired, but after Pentecost these very same disciples became powerful, bold witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today is Ascension Sunday. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, the power of God was given to his disciples. They were to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Something extraordinary happens when we witness for Jesus Christ. We are given the power of the Holy Spirit.
Even the most devoted Christian is not exempt from suffering. But never believe that God has abandoned you. The God who loved you yesterday is the same God whose love is showered on you today. Suffering reminds us of our mortality and reminds us to focus on God. God answers our grief with his Grace. His grace is sufficient for each of us.
Roots are all important to the health of our trees and plants. Healthy roots are essential for our spiritual life as well. God is in all things! When our lives are rooted in God everything else holds together.
We live in a time when we need a shepherd. We need someone to guide us. Psalm 23 depicts a shepherd that is there not only to protect, but also to provide for us. Our confidence can be unshakable if it rests in the Shepherd.
Why didn’t Jesus’ companions on the Road to Emmaus recognize him? Are we like this? Are we so distracted by life that we don’t see the Risen Christ with us? Are our minds open to all the ways Christ can come to us?
Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, had a difficult time accepting what his comrades were telling him. Thomas didn’t think his friends were lying to him—their story was just too good to be true! He wanted proof. Thomas is a realist. Why do Christians doubt when doubt is the opposite of faith?
This is a day of celebration, a day of joy! People come together to worship the Risen Lord! But today in the midst of a pandemic, we celebrate in our homes but still united through our Risen Lord. Every Sunday can’t be Easter, every season can’t be Spring. But every year Easter and Spring make us aware of all the possibilities of new life. We celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the assurance of everlasting life that it brings.
Jesus needed to enter Jerusalem to fulfill His mission on earth. It’s high drama at its best, but we cannot avoid the horrible events that follow. Just as the people of Jerusalem were looking for a savior, so does our world today cry out for a Savior. Perhaps it’s time for us to wake up and hear the voice of Jesus, to hear the crying of the children, to hear the voice of those in hospital beds. It’s easy to shout “Hosanna"!” But what Jesus needs are disciples. Are you ready to accept the call?
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a, John 3:1-7
Speaker: Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
We do not ask to be born. We do not ask to be born again. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we ARE born again! We have no more control over it than our physical birth—it happens to us as a gift from God.
Scripture: Romans 5:12-17, Matthew :1-11
Speaker: Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
It is not a sin to be tempted—giving in to temptation is. We cannot deal with temptation by ourselves, but with the Word of God, we can. Get into the Word this Lenten Season and take a journey with God.
Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Speaker: Rev. Carla Stengel
Lent is the holiest of seasons in the Christian Life. A time of introspection—time to look deep into our souls, to realize our fragile state, our mortality and our deep need for God. When we are so filled with the business of life, there is no room left for God. But if we pour ourselves out, we have room to invite God in. Lent is a time to give up what we are for what we may become.
Scriptures: Exodus 24-12-18 & Matthew 17:1-9
Speaker: Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
Jesus’ transformation took place while he was praying. We cannot experience the mystery of God without first connecting to God in prayer. How many miracles happen just by praying? Events like this help connect the mystery of creation with all of eternity. We get a peek at what lies ahead of this everyday life.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 & Matthew 5:21-37
Speaker: Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
We face choices every day of our lives. Do we choose light or darkness—life or death? God loves us and cares for us. In the eyes of God we have great worth. Because of this, we can choose life. Choose to live a life of joy and gratitude!
Scripture: John 12:1-8
Speaker: Deaconess Marcia Florkey, Miami Valley District UMW President
Celebrating the many women in 150 years of history who sacrificed and served for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. We often think of “sacrifice” as martyrdom, but the essence of the meaning is to “let go” or “forego” or “surrender.” We need to surrender who we are and what we have and let Jesus do the work in and through us.
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12
Speaker: Rev. Gus Christo-Baker
Do you take the blessings you have for granted? What are you doing with the blessings you’ve been given? The saying goes, “You are blessed to be a blessing.” Look around for opportunities and choose to let God bless you.