Monroe Free Methodist Church: Recent Episodes
Monroe Free Methodist Church
On this Transfiguration Sunday, Pastor Melanie shares honestly what’s been going on behind the scenes, describes her own “Moses in the cloud” kind of experience, and calls us all to prepare ourselves for spiritual revival in Lent.
On this 6th Sunday after Epiphany Pastor Kevin preaches on the call to master the “basics” of the Christian faith.
On this 5th Sunday in Epiphany, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the Isaiah 58 text: “Let’s bring to light what is festering in the darkness so that we might be healed and made whole, so that we might be called ‘repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in’.”
On this third Sunday in Epiphany Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the I Corinthians text urging unity in Christ.
On this 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches from the Gospel text on how John sets the example for how to live a truly Good News life.
On the first Sunday in Epiphany, the Lectionary text on the Baptism on the Lord guide the sermon by Pastor Melanie Eccles. When people see your life, what do they see? Do they see Jesus?
On this 2nd Sunday in Christmastide, on the eve of the Epiphany, Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches a stirring sermon on living out your faith, asking yourself what are you willing to bleed for?
On this final Sunday of the year (and the first Sunday in Christmastide), Local Ministerial Candidate, Clayton Blackwell preaches a message on the prevenient grace of God and the invitation to find that grace in community.
On the 4th Sunday of Advent, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the collaborative and communal nature of Christian spiritual formation. We can’t be Christians alone. She introduces the discipleship methods of John Wesley known as the Class Meeting. Learn more in Kevin Watson’s book, The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience.
On this 3rd Sunday in Advent Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches from what it looks like being saved so you can go and do Jesus’ work in the world.
On this second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Larry Winckles brings us a message on the Three Simple Questions everyone asks. Larry is a Monroe native. He and his wife, Katie, have been working as ministers in Budapest, Hungary. Visit their blog at www.winckles.typepad.com and email katie.winckles@fmc-europe.org if you would like to receive their weekly prayer updates.
On the first Sunday of Advent (Year A), Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches a sermon on how following Jesus is about waking up and staying awake, and just how to do that.
On this Sunday, Local Ministerial Candidate Mark Thornton preaches on the lectionary text concerning the mocking of Christ the King and how we can follow Jesus’ example. Luke 23:33-43
On this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Season, Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches a message on the Gospel – what it is and how we are (or aren’t) living it out.
Rev. Dr. Kevin Austin of the Set Free Movement preached on justice work flowing out of our praise (Psalm 1113).
On this All Saints Sunday, the 21st week after Pentecost, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches a message on seeing God and how to cling to hope and stubbornly wait for God in the dark times of life.
On this twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches about who can receive the Holy Spirit and the responsibility that comes when the Holy Spirit is poured out. https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//texts.php?id=285
Listen in on this month’s Ordinary Reflections, letter from Pastor Melanie Eccles, including her own spiritual discipline practice, reflections on our year of transformation, and an eager invitation to hear how God has been speaking to you and changing you this past year. How have you been hearing from God this year? What has Jesus been … Continue reading "On Unplugging and Giving in the Direction of Freedom"
On the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the doctrine of free will and how God is inviting us into his work in the world.
On this 17th Sunday in Pentecost, Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on lamentation and thanking people even when there’s no obligation. We owe it to God to do what is right…because it we all do what God is asking us to do, everyone wins. Read the Texts here
On this Sunday before Freedom Sunday, Pastor Melanie invited Pastor Tanya Rosado, Free Methodist Missionary to Greece, to preach with her heart for God’s justice.
This week Pastor Kevin preaches on the parable of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin (with a little prelude which included this gem of a comment: “Find those little moments of grace and collect them.”)
On this 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Kevin preaches on the text from Philemon and weaves in the allegory of Chronicles of Narnia.
On this 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Melanie preaches from Luke 14 (and calls back to last week’s sermon on Luke 13) of the lectionary selections on the command of Jesus to love God and love all people.
Join us in becoming like Jesus and bringing his healing into the world in this simple, but life-changing practice of asking meaningful questions. See 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations
On this 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches a message that invite us to grapple with whether we have a spiritual or religious practice that might be getting in the way of actually loving God and loving people. (Also, the one day when Pastor Kevin skipped church to do just that.)
On August 15, 2019, Pastor Melanie sent out a letter to friends of Monroe FMC. She wrote about her personal spiritual practice of reflecting and resetting and invites you to do the same. Plus she extends an invitation to join her in exploring spiritual formation through the lens of the enneagram. Listen in!
On this Sunday, we receive a loving greeting and a sermon which invites us to let go of our anger (or whatever keeps us from loving the way Jesus loves.) “We can’t love those we’re feeling angry towards.” Pastor Glenn Lorenz, our guest preacher this morning serves in Costa Rica along with his wife Wendy … Continue reading "August 25, 2019: Love over Violence"
On this 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Clayton Blackwell (Local Ministerial Candidate) preaches a messages on the love and welcome God extends to us. Hosea 11:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43 • Colossians 3:1-11 • Luke 12:13-21
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on this 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time on the Luke version of the Lord’s prayer and the story that follows about a really insistent neighbor who knocks until he gets what he needs. What is God asking us to do with our prayers? Hosea 1:2-10 and Psalm 85, Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19) … Continue reading "July 28, 2019: Persistent Prayer"
This week’s discipline is a huge help during the summer blur. Join us in Practicing the Presence in all things.
On this 6th Sunday after Pentecost (the 6th week in Ordinary Time), Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches a messages that calls us to examine our lives, asking “What fruit am I producing? How am using my power? Am I exerting my authority or am I protecting others and bring Jesus’ healing into the world?”
The first 6 minutes of this episode includes the joyful reception of another individual into full membership. Be sure to listen in on Marina’s personal testimony and desire to be part of MFMC. Then Pastor Kevin preaches from these lectionary passages and honestly shares how God is asking him to change. How might God be … Continue reading "July 14, 2019: Actually Loving Our Neighbors"
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches during the final day of Bible Quizzing on the story of the Prodigal son from Luke 15. Our God is not a god of scarcity but of abundance! “There is only grace and love and the biggest party you can imagine with all of your favorite foods.”
Pastor Melanie Eccles speaks at Free Methodist Bible Quiz Finals concerning the chance to leave it all behind Luke 14:25-35.
In this July 2019 letter, Pastor Melanie reflects with gratitude on the partnership of those who are giving financially to support the work she and Pastor Kevin are doing in Monroe. And with great joy, she anticipates the season of generous stewardship as a congregation, making plans to give away 10% of the sale of … Continue reading "Ordinary Reflections: Giving Generously"
Join us in seeking to live like Jesus by being intentional about noticing others and seeing how they are imprinted with God’s image.
What would happen if we listened to what God is asking of us? Listen in to Mark Thornton’s sermon on this 4th Sunday in the season of Ordinary Time. 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Psalm 30 • Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16 • Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
On this third week in the season of Pentecost and on the fifth Sunday of the month, we excitedly welcomed in 4 new members and anointed 4 new Local Ministerial Candidates. Listen in to learn what all of that means, what commitments they’re making, and how we’re all part of their journeys. You’ll also hear … Continue reading "June 30, 2019: A Day of First Steps"
On this 2nd Sunday after Pentecost in the Season of Ordinary Time, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the Gospel passage depicting the healing of the Gerasene Demoniac. 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a and Psalm 42 and 43 • Galatians 3:23-29 • Luke 8:26-39
On Trinity Sunday we explore the Art of Noticing, paying attention to where God is at work and listening closely to how Jesus might invite us to bring his healing into the world. Reading more on the 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations by John Crilly and Mary Schaller
On this Trinity Sunday we hear motivating reports about the state of the Southern Michigan Conference of the Free Methodist Church. Delegate Mark Thornton was moved by a message from Bishop Kendall: “No one will give a serious listen to what you have to say unless they are stunned with love.” Clayton Blackwell, soon to … Continue reading "June 16, 2019: Stop Playing with the Wrapping Paper"
As we embark on a 33 week long season of Ordinary time we prepare to put feet to our faith and act out the compassion Jesus showed everyone he encountered. Let’s be brave and take this simple but necessary first step.
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on how the story of Pentecost continues to demonstrate how God wants to be with us. Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17, (25-27)
We invite you to try out the Spiritual Discipline of Prayer Walking this week. May we open our whole selves to the work of the Spirit around us.
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on this final Sunday of Eastertide from the Acts reading. Acts 16:16-34 • Psalm 97 • Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 • John 17:20-26
Today’s message comes from Free Methodist Missionaries to the Philippines – Matt and Christine Sauder. Pastor Matt preaches from I Samuel 3, sharing his own call to ministry and inviting us to sit in stillness and seek to listen for the voice of God calling to us. Follow them on Facebook and sign up for … Continue reading "May 26, 2019: Hearing the Voice of God"
We invite you to practice Centering prayer with us this week as we seek to open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit in this season of Eastertide.
Pastor Kevin preaches on this 5th Sunday of Eastertide on how following Jesus often looks un-kosher. Lectionary passages for Sunday: Acts 11:1-18 • Psalm 148 • Revelation 21:1-6 • John 13:31-35
Spend a quiet moment asking the Spirit to show you how you speak anything less than the truth, whether it’s exaggeration or denial or rationalizing or cheating. Be kind with yourself, but also be courageous in responding to the invitation of the Spirit of Truth to “guide you into all truth” this week (John 16:13).
On this Sunday (the 4th in Eastertide and Mother’s Day) Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on how the goodness and mercy and steadfast love which “follow us all the days of our life” (Psalm 23) are following us in the form of the Church until we can dwell fully in the House of the Lord forever. Lectionary … Continue reading "May 12, 2019: Chased by Goodness & Mercy"
Having focused our last week on observing the way we speak, let’s try the spiritual practice of Control of the Tongue. Let’s seek the power of the Holy Spirit to help transform our destructive use of speech into words that bring the healing + wholeness of Jesus.
In the season of Eastertide, we seek to open ourselves to power of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Try this spiritual practice: Control of the Tongue. Let’s make room for the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives by examining our speech habits. Observe yourself this week: Do I speak harshly? Am I … Continue reading "Spiritual Discipline Spotlight: Observing Our Speech Tongue"
On this Second Sunday in Eastertide, Pastor Kevin preaches on the Gospel passage and the forgiveness of sins and our work of bringing God’s healing to the world. Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31
On this Resurrection Sunday Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches about an embodied spirituality, how being a Christian is a spiritual decision, but it’s also physical. Christianity is about going and doing and following and healing and serving like Jesus. (The closing prayer is an excerpt of “I Praise for this Resurrection Madness” found in Ted Loder’s Guerrillas of … Continue reading "April 21, 2019: The Physical Resurrection of Jesus"
After the exuberance of the Palms, the day takes a sharp turn toward the Cross. As we enter into Holy Week, Pastor Kevin reads the entirety of the passion narrative from Luke 22:14-23:56.
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the 5th Sunday in Lent on living with purpose – intentionally inviting others to join us in the healing + wholeness work Jesus is doing in us. (Isaiah 43:16-21 • Psalm 126 • Philippians 3:4b-14 • John 12:1-8)
In this April 2019 letter, Pastor Melanie writes about the sudden death of her spiritual director. She also shares about her practice of confession and ponders what it would be like if we became intentional about inviting others to join us in this healing + wholeness work that Jesus is doing in us?
On this 4th Sunday of Lent, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the call to return to God with our whole hearts and how the story of the Prodigal Son demonstrates God’s extravagant embrace (and PARTY-THROWING) every time we return. Joshua 5:9-12 • Psalm 32 • 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the 3rd Sunday in Lent. Isaiah 55:1-9 • Psalm 63:1-8 • 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 • Luke 13:1-9
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on this second week of Lent (and St. Patrick’s day) on the story-arch of Scripture and how the Love of Jesus ties it all together. Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 • Psalm 27 • Philippians 3:17-4:1 • Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the first Sunday of Lent. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 • Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 • Romans 10:8b-13 • Luke 4:1-13
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on Transfiguration Sunday. These are the lectionary texts: Exodus 34:29-35 • Psalm 99 • 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 • Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Pastor Kevin Eccles leads us through a practice of Lectio Divina, a way of reading Scripture for Transformation rather than just Information. He reflects on his own encounters with the Spirit in the text of Luke 6:27-38. Other lectionary readings included: Genesis 45:3-11, 15 • Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 • 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50.
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the 6th Sunday after the Epiphany on these passages: Jeremiah 17:5-10 • Psalm 1 • 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 • Luke 6:17-26.
Pastor Kevin preaches on the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany, from these lectionary passages: Jeremiah 1:4-10 • Psalm 71:1-6 • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 • Luke 4:21-30
Pastor Melanie addresses the church Society Meeting with a reflection on the last year and resetting for the year(s) to come.
A detour from our normal podcast content, here is Pastor Kevin’s prophetic words from the Jan 27 society meeting, addressing the church property and the mission and future of the church.
Pastor Kevin preaches on the second Sunday after the Epiphany on these passages: Isaiah 62:1-5 • Psalm 36:5-10 • 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 • John 2:1-11.
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the Sunday of the Lord’s Baptism from the following texts: Isaiah 43:1-7 • Psalm 29 • Acts 8:14-17 • Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. The book by Tish Harrison Warren she references is The Liturgy of the Ordinary.
One of our liturgies is a closing benediction, often singing together. We sang this over the summer and it’s back by popular demand. 🙂 This short recording of our congregation singing on January 6, 2019 is a great way to learn the words + melody so you can sing along. Special thanks to Pastor Melanie’s … Continue reading "A Song of Benediction: Let Us Go Now"
Pastor Kevin Eccles shares important news regarding the Board’s motion to sell the parsonage, to be voted on at the January 27 society meeting. Read Pastor Melanie’s letter here: https://bit.ly/2sgy92Y
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the day of our Lord’s Epiphany, finding the Magi’s example to pay attention and call attention to the way the light of Jesus shows up in and around us. Texts: Isaiah 60:1-6 • Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 • Ephesians 3:1-12 • Matthew 2:1-12
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the last Sunday of the year, urging us to stand for the oppressed, to examine our own privilege and power in order to bring the Gospel to our community. Texts: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20 • Ephesians 1:3-14 • John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the 4th Sunday in Advent, Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55
Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on the 2nd Sunday of Advent concerning the call of prophet’s Malachi and John the Baptist to prepare + repent. Malachi 3:1-4 • Luke 1:68-79 • Philippians 1:3-11 • Luke 3:1-6
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on the first Sunday of Advent (We apologize that the final few moments did not get recorded. Whomp. Whomp.) Lectionary texts: Jeremiah 33:14-16 • Psalm 25:1-10 • 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 • Luke 21:25-36
On Thursday, November 29th, Pastor Randi Shepherd joined us for an Advent Tea and invited us to create space for God in this season of waiting. At the end of the message there are 2 or 3 minutes of quiet with a closing prayer from Pastor Melanie. (Music from Advent: Music in Solitude)
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches on Christ the King Sunday and how Christ’s Kingship comes from being Truth. Lectionary passages for Proper 29 include: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and Psalm 93 • Revelation 1:4b-8 • John 18:33-37
Pastor Melanie Eccles delivers the homily at the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service held at the IHM Chapel. This evening was sponsored by Christians United. Scriptural texts for the evening included: 1 Chronicles 16:31-36, Psalm 118, Philippians 4:4-8, and Matthew 6:25-33.
Superintendent Bruce Rhodes preaches from 2 Timothy 2:1-7 on the Nature of Pastoral Work and then follows up with the ritual of the Installation Service for Rev. Melanie Eccles as Lead Pastor.
Following an opening remark on the baptism of her daughter Junia Elizabeth, Pastor Melanie Eccles preaches on our call to eagerly wait for grace-based Kingdom of God versus living in the fear-based kingdom of our world (Proper 27)
Pastor Kevin Eccles preaches about the greatest commandment and how to share the story of hope and love found in the Bible.
Pastor Kevin Preaches on the incarnation and “biggerness” of God and how words just don’t quite cut it. Did you know that you’re a priest?
Pastor Melanie speaks on the Lectionary readings from Proper 24B, with a sermon entitled “the call to priesthood and servanthood.”
Pastor Kevin Eccles speaks on the Lectionary readings from proper 22. Divorce, the opinions of Christ on the purpose for marriage, and a detour into speaking about Brett Kavanaugh all made an appearance.
We had a shorter sermon/homily/devotional/reflection this past Sunday from PM, and we did not record it. We celebrated the baptism of baby Hudson instead! In its place, we are uploading an announcement from PK about a new project he’s undertaking.
Pastor Kevin speaks about the love of God, the gospel, and making a difference one person at a time, Proper 20
Pastor Kevin preaches from James about holy speech and avoiding poisonous talk, Proper 19
Pastor Melanie preaches on putting our Faith into action, based on the text from Proper 18
Sadly, Pastor Kevin didn’t record his sermon this past Sunday on the Armor of God from Ephesians. Instead, hear this recorded recap of the sermon from the Eccles’ kitchen.