Lakeside United Methodist Church: Recent Episodes
Lakeside UMC
Weekly sermons from Lakeside United Methodist Church in Sanford, Florida. Rev. Dan Wunderlich and guests deliver sermons that bring the Bible to life, inspire faith, and communicate the hope we have in Jesus.
All life is a gift from God, and the Bible calls it the breath of life. Using the act of breathing as a guiding metaphor, we learn how to bring that Source of Life into our lives.
LakesideUMC.net/connect
Sermon Title: That's Not Nothing Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21 It is easy to feel small in the face of the challenges we see in the world. At a certain scale, even everything we have can seem like nothing. But with Jesus, anything we have is not nothing.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: "So That's What It Was All About" Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40 Fred Rogers hoped that if he taught children to love themselves, it would help them better love their neighbors. The connections we make in this "neighborhood" are vital because they prepare us for the eternal neighborhood of heaven.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: "See What's Wonderful About Our Neighbor" Scripture: Luke 10:25-29 Fred Rogers believed that the way we thought about ourselves helped reveal the lens through which we saw others as well. If we could be authentic—learning to love, accept, and forgive ourselves—we would also be much better neighbors as well.
Ending Illustration from "CBS Sunday Morning." Copyright CBS/Paramount.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: "Being Quiet and Slow… Is My Gift" Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4 "Mister Rogers Neighborhood" is a show that feels entirely out of place in today's world. It is quiet and slow. The reality is that it was "out of place" in its own time as well. For Fred Rogers, this was not only intentional, but it was what he called "my gift."
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Blessed to be a Blessing Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3 As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we take a look at examples from Scripture about the role of nations and what it looks like to love your country in a meaningful way.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Salt of the Earth Scripture: Matthew 5:13 Guest Preacher: Rob Lewis In Matthew 5:13, Jesus calls His followers the "salt of the earth." Salt preserves, influences, and brings out the best in what it touches. This Sunday, we'll explore what it means to live as people who make a difference in a world that desperately needs the hope and truth of Christ.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: What Were You Expecting? Scripture: Matthew 11:2-19 John the Baptist finds himself sitting in prison, and his famous cousin (Jesus) seems to be doing nothing about it. In fact, he doesn't seem to be doing much of what John thought the Messiah would do. Which leads us to wrestle with the question: what are we expecting of Jesus?
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Help Wanted Scripture: Matthew 9:35-10:8 When Jesus looked around at the world and the people he met, one of his central responses was, "We're going to need some help!" It is easy to be nervous about sharing our faith or to get pessimistic about the state of the world, but Jesus invites us to just jump in.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Ask the Pastor Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16a Pastor Dan responds to questions from the congregation!
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: We Need Each Other Scripture: Luke 1:13-17, 39-45 It may be the start of summer, but the Christmas story has begun, as the newly pregnant Mary rushes off to the safety and welcome of her relative Elizabeth's home. When she finds a similarly miraculous pregnancy, the two women realize that their relationship is a blessing that will span generations.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Church is the People Scripture: Acts 2:1-6 When you talk about "the Church," what—or who—do you mean? When Jesus envisioned his Church, what do you think he saw?
LakesideUMC.net/connect
Sermon Title: Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are fruits that express themselves through our character. They also give us a window into how God wants us to love ourselves.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Patience, Kindness, and Goodness Scripture: Ephesians 2:3-7 The fruits of love, joy, and peace gave us a window into our connection with God. Patience, kindness, and goodness give us a chance to see how God is growing us in our relationship with each other.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Love, Joy, and Peace Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16 It is no mistake that love finds itself at the front of the line in the Fruit of the Spirit, as this is repeatedly the facet of God and sign of a faithful life that Paul elevates. Joy and peace are also ones that are deeply rooted in our connection to and focus on God.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Bearing Fruit Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25 We began the year exploring spiritual practices that help us better recognize the presence and activity of God in our lives. But how do we know if we're growing? How do we know if we're fulfilling our original calling to be fruitful.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Touching Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mark Abbott
Jesus has been raised from the dead! He appears unexpectedly to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Later he shows up behind locked doors, to the surprise and delight of the disciples. These appearances continue for 50 days, and then Jesus ascends to the Father just before Pentecost.
Is Jesus still around? Is the only access we have to him through prayer?
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Christ the Lord is Risen Today Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 By Friday evening, it looked like the forces of evil had won and God had lost. Sin and death had done their worst, and as a result, the Son of God was dead and buried. But on Sunday morning, it became clear that the power of life and love were stronger.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: What Wondrous Love Is This Scriptures: John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8 The answer to the question, "Why did Jesus have to die?" is incomplete if we only seek to understand the mechanics. The crucifixion is infused with the most important message of all time: God loves you.
LakesideUMC.net
Guest Preacher: Rev. Caitlin White Swann
Sermon Title: The Coming Generation Scripture: Psalm 78:1-24; 32-39 (NRSVUE) Psalm 78 reminds us that faith has always been meant to be shared from one generation to the next. But the story we pass on isn't one of perfect people—it's the story of God's enduring grace and faithfulness, even when we fall short. In this message, we'll reflect on how the church can model integrity, honesty, and compassion so that young people encounter a faith worth inheriting. As each generation decides what story it will tell, we are invited to consider how our lives can help the coming generation set their hope in God.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Were You There Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Galatians 2:20 When the angel Gabriel told Joseph his soon-to-be step son Jesus would save people from their sins, he was talking about more than just the individual mistakes we make. Through the selfless example of Jesus, we are to be transformed.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Agnus Dei Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Luke 22:19-20 It is no coincidence that Jesus brought his conflict with the earthly authorities to a head at Passover. Jesus intentionally ties what he will do on the cross to the events of the Exodus in which God brought both freedom and covenant.
Passover video courtesy of BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/videos/what-is-passover/
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done Scripture: Hebrews 10:10-12 One of the most common understandings of why Jesus had to die is that Jesus needed to pay the penalty for our sin. Another atonement theory that focuses on solving the problem of our sin involves seeing Jesus' death as a sacrificial offering.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Lift High the Cross Scripture: John 1-5, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Christians agree that the death and resurrection of Jesus put us right with God, but there is not universal agreement on how. Before we dig deeply into the question of how, we begin by first asking what God is saying to us through the crucifixion.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Service Scripture: Psalm 112:4-9
What if our awakening to grace is visible first not to us, but to those who observe our lives? What if it isn't a sudden epiphany or a booming voice, but rather a slow realization that God has been with us the whole time?
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Sabbath Scripture: Genesis 1:27-2:3 Sabbath is so much more than just taking a break. In fact, the better we understand Sabbath, the better we understand our purpose, our relationship to our work, and the One who calls us to that work.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Fasting Scripture: Luke 9:23-25 What in your life has pull over you? Fasting is the practice of recognizing the things that compete for control and intentionally setting them aside so Jesus can have a greater place in our lives.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Scripture
Scripture: Philippians 3:5-11
Because we often call our engagement with the Scriptures "Bible study," we get the idea that it's a reference book to consult when we have questions, needs, or challenges. And while there is much to learn, the real power of reading the Scripture is in the way it awakens us to God's presence and grace.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Scripture
Scripture: Philippians 3:5-11
Guest Preacher: Pat Oxley
Because we often call our engagement with the Scriptures "Bible study," we get the idea that it's a reference book to consult when we have questions, needs, or challenges. And while there is much to learn, the real power of reading the Scripture is in the way it awakens us to God's presence and grace.
Sermon Title: Awakened Through Prayer
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer can sometimes feel like both the easiest spiritual discipline and the most challenging. If we desire to become more aware of God's presence in our lives, prayer is a solid way to start.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Alternative New Years Resolutions
Scripture: Luke 2:25-38
There are two interesting people who don't show up in our Nativity scenes and yet have pivotal encounters with the newborn Jesus. Simeon and Anna's stories point us to four hopes that we can carry into the new year.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Car Scissors and the Gift of Jesus
Scripture: John 1:1-14
The best gifts aren't always the most expensive or even the ones most appreciated at the time it was given. The best gifts are those that prove to be exactly what we needed.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Gift of Bearing With
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6
Peace is not a static state of nothing happening. It is a state of "something good happening," and peace is built and amplified when we bear with one another.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Gift of Making Space
Scripture: Luke 2:1–7
Preacher: Amanda Stallard
Everyone has come a long way. Everyone needs a place to rest. Making space for others is a blessing that brings joy.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Gift of Presence
Scripture: Romans 12:9-18
Love is about seeing other people for who they are and showing up in ways that will bless them. When we actively seek the best for others, that is love.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Gift of Naming
Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5
Giving something a name has the power to bring clarity. Having a clearer view of ourselves and our situation makes us more compassionate and better able to help others.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: Be Still Scripture: Psalm 46 There is so little we actually have control over. And while we are certainly called to an active faith that responds to the real world we live in, perhaps the first step in the action plan is to be still.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title: The Best Is Yet to Come
Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25
When the central events of our faith, and arguably of human history, happened 2,000 years ago, shouldn't things be better by now? How do we live a life of faith that keeps the spark of anticipation alive?
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title I Am With You
Scripture Haggai 2:1-9 Nostalgia can be a comforting feeling, but it can also plant seeds of bitterness. When the past seems so much better than the present, and the future seems to offer little hope, how do we go on in faith?
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title The Faith to Stand Watch
Scripture Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
As Habakkuk the prophet looks around at the world, all he sees is violence and injustice—even from God's own chosen people and leaders. His struggle leads him not to scold the nation but to question God, but the way he does it is actually an act of great faith.
LakesideUMC.net
Sermon Title - I Have Indeed Arrived
Scripture- Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Willingly giving away a portion of our finances, time, attention, and more will always be an act of sacrifice. But if we only see giving to God through the Church as a sacrifice, we have missed the bigger picture that God wants to paint for us.
Sermon Title - And While You're At It…Love Yourself Scripture - Mark 12: 28-31 Someone asked, "but what is the most important commandment?" Jesus responded in a way that informs and challenges our relationship with God, others, and ourselves. We'll explore his answer and its implications for the life of faith together.
Sermon Title - A Meal That Moves Us
Scripture - Luke 22:14-20
The taste of a family recipe, the smell of a dish that you enjoyed on vacation, the feeling that comes when sharing a meal with friends you haven't seen in a while—there is something about food that can transport us to another time or place. On World Communion Sunday, we join our siblings in faith all around the world, united in asking God to use this meal to move us.
Sermon Title - Deciding What Matters
Scripture - Luke 16:1-14
What do we do when we are confronted with the fact that everything is changing? When we are in a time of transition, when uncertainty is rising, when the familiar seems to have fallen away, it is time to step back and decide what really matters.
Sermon Title - The Biggest Sinner of All Scripture - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 What happens when we feel inspired by the Holy Spirit but unqualified or unworthy to do anything about it? The self-proclaimed “biggest sinner of all” has some thoughts.
Commit to Community
Acts 2:42-47
We invest ourselves in both the life of our church and our local community because together we can better grow as individuals and families while more effectively serving the community in which we are rooted.
Sermon Title -See the Good
Scripture - 2 Kings 5:1-3, 14-19a
When we “See the Good,” we focus on looking for God’s presence and activity in all people and situations. This not only reminds us of the goodness of God, but it helps us discern how we are called to respond in love.
John 4:4-10, 25-29
Values help to define how we live out our purpose, mission, and vision, and our first value is “Welcome Home.” More than just the greeting, this is meant to embody the verb—the action of welcoming. Like Jesus, we both engage those we meet and go out of our way to invite others to experience the grace and love of God.
Sermon Title - Where Faith Feels Like Home
Scripture - Ephesians 2:17-22
As we kick off Fall 2025, we unveil Lakeside’s new vision: Where Faith Feels Like Home. We believe God has uniquely shaped our church into a place where people experience the warmth and welcome of God, while also being called to grow in love for and service to our community.
Sermon Title - You Are Not a Burden to God
Scripture - Luke 12:29-34 “I don’t want to be a burden.”
This is a common refrain from people who are entering a season of needing help. And while our “earthly” support networks will have limits to energy and resources, the God of eternal abundance delights in giving us what we need.
Sermon Title - It’s Not About the Money
Scripture - Luke 12:13-21
While Jesus was ministering to a crowd, a man shouted out a question about money. Jesus responded with a story about money. Spoiler alert: it’s not about the money.
https://lakesideumc.net
Series - Movies That Made Us
Sermon - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Scripture - Isaiah 1:11-18
It is the Christmas season, and yet Charlie Brown feels a deep discomfort. As he looks around at all the decorations, parties, and even the annual pageant, it doesn’t feel right. He ends up playing the role of prophet, calling everyone back to the true meaning of Christmas.
Sermon Title - Dead Poet’s Society
Scripture - Hebrews 12:1-2
On the first day of class at a stuffy New England prep school, English teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) shocks his students with unorthodox methods and ideas. The most radical of which might be the simple phrase “Carpe Diem.” He shows them that by listening to the voices of the past, we can gain true appreciation for the lives we are living now and be encouraged to follow our dreams and seize the day.
Sermon ~ The Fellowship of the Ring Scripture ~ Psalm 73: 21-28 When the Fellowship of nine tasked with destroying a Ring possessing the powers of evil find themselves at what feels like a dead end, Frodo descends into despair. He lashes out and then laments that he finds himself in the midst of such danger. The wise wizard Gandalf reminds the little Hobbit that we cannot choose what happens around us, but we can choose how we respond.
Sermon Title - October Sky
Scripture - Jeremiah 1:4-10, 17-19
Homer Hickam is destined to be a coal miner—like his father, his friends, and every other boy in Coalwood, West Virginia. But after watching Sputnik pass overhead in the October sky, Homer decides to set his sights on the stars.
Sermon ~ If You Get Lost, Find A Family
Scripture ~ Luke 15:11-24
Getting lost is one of the most terrifying and disorienting experiences, especially for kids. Adding to the challenge of being lost is that not everyone around them may be a good or safe option for help. But a solid piece of advice for kids is also a great strategy for all of us when we feel lost: find a family.
Sermon Title ~ Lessons in Getting it Wrong
Scripture ~ 2 Samuel 12:13
In scripture we see David’s storied maturation from humble shepherd boy to Israel’s most beloved King. Though his tale is full of great deeds made possible by the Lord’s blessings, it is not without spot or blemish. In spite of this, David is know as one after God’s own heart. Holding these things together we learn that connection and relationship with God has less to do with always getting it right, and more to do with how we move forward when we fall short.
Pastor Dan, Jeremy, and Amanda respond to questions from the congregation!
LakesideUMc.net/connect
Sermon Title ~ John: Word Made Flesh
Scripture ~ John 1:1-5
John’s Gospel is quite different from the others, having been written last and by the longest living disciple. After a lifetime of reflection, teaching, and preaching, John has come to realize that Jesus is the God of Israel come in the flesh for all people.
Sermon Title ~Luke: The Upside-Down King
Scripture ~Luke 14:16-24
Luke’s Gospel contains some of Jesus’ most loved teachings, including the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Yet, it is these very parables and the way Jesus lived out the themes contained in them that got him killed. When viewed as Luke intended, this is a Gospel about an upside-down kingdom and its king who has no problem challenging the way of the world.
Sermon Title ~ Matthew: The Source
Scripture ~ Matthew 17:1-9
Matthew places extra emphasis on Jesus being the fulfillment of the story begun in the Old Testament. He is the faithful teacher and king that Moses and David had ultimately failed to be. Many of his most pivotal moments happen at the tops of mountains, where heaven and earth symbolically overlapped. But Matthew also makes clear that this fulfilled story of God’s great rescue is ultimately for everyone.
Series ~ Four Gospels. One Jesus
Sermon Title ~ Mark: Identity and Action
Scripture ~ Mark 8:27-30
Mark is generally understood to be the earliest of the four Gospel accounts, and it likely served as a sort of “rough draft” or even starting point for Mathew and Luke. Mark focuses in on Jesus in action, presenting a portrait of one who is always on the move. Threaded throughout the book is the question of Jesus’ true identity.
Jesus Is Alive and It Makes All the Difference! What does the Resurrected life look like? What are we called to do? And how are we supposed to do it? LakesideUMC.net/connect
Through Death to New Life
Luke 24:1-5 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Isaiah 65:17-25
When Jesus rose from the dead, it was more than just a miracle. It was a victory. And because of that victory, Jesus has opened the way through death and into the life God had always intended for us
Sermon Series ~ Through
Sermon Title ~Through Waiting
Scriptures ~Job 42:1-6, 10-12a Jeremiah 29:10-14 Romans 8:28 (NTFE) Psalm 30:1-5
There are many forms of waiting—from tedious endurance to troubling uncertainty to painful suffering. Sometimes it feels like we are waiting with God and other times we are waiting for God. When we are faithful to look for God’s presence and activity, we can join God in working all things together for good.
Series ~ Through
Sermon ~ Through Regret
Scriptures ~ Genesis 27:18-24, 32:24-28 Luke 15:17-24 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Psalm 73
That thing we did, that season of life, that broken relationship—it may be a thing of the past. But the regret we feel may be the burden we carry today. Is it possible for God to lead us through regret and into peace?
Sermon Title ~Through Good Times Scriptures ~ Deuteronomy 8:6-19, 1Kings 11:1-10, Genesis 41:45b-49, 45:4-9, Psalm 23 We may not feel like we need help getting through the good times of life. But that’s exactly the point. It is easy to rely on God in times of need, but how do we stay faithful when we experience God’s abundance?
Sermon Title ~ Through Change
Scriptures ~ Genesis 12:1-4, Exodus 13:21-22, 14:19-22, Joshua 24:14-15
Major changes in life can be a challenge. Sometimes it is forced upon us, but sometimes we are invited by God into significant change and we face a choice.
Series ~ Through
Sermon ~ Through Chaos
Scriptures ~ Genesis 1:1-13, Genesis 7:7-12, Psalm 46
What do we do when it feels like forces that are completely out of our control are causing chaos in the world or in our own life? Is it possible to live with a faith that rejects fear?
Series ~ 3 Simple Rules
Scripture ~ Colossians 2:3-7
The final of John Wesley’s Three General Rules for Methodists is the simplest of them all, and yet for some of us, it’s the easiest to neglect. What makes this such a tragedy is that this rule—stay in love with God—is actually the engine that powers everything else.
SERIES: 3 Simple Rules
SERMON: Do Good
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-36
Working toward doing no harm is a big and important first step. But it can leave us wondering what, if anything, we are supposed to do. How do I stand for what I believe? Is sitting it out ok? What difference can I really make in a world so big and so broken? These are all a part of the discussion around Wesley’s second general rule: do good.
3 Simple Rules
For all of the detailed theology that undergirds the Methodist movement, John Wesley understood the importance of living out our faith practically. All of the Bible knowledge in the world doesn’t do a lot of good if we don’t know how to apply it across our lives and relationships. These simple rules are as vital now to our love of God and neighbor as they were when they were introduced in 1743!
Scripture ~ Galatians 5:13-15
As the Methodist movement started to grow, it was no longer possible for John Wesley to personally oversee and guide every group that was meeting. He realized that how they did things was as important as what they did. And the first rule reflects the truth that we cannot truly do good until we commit to doing no harm.
SERIES ~ Pray This Way
SERMON ~ Kingdom, Power, and Glory
SCRIPTURE ~ Matthew 28:18-20
As we wrap up our series on the Lord’s Prayer, we are faced with a familiar and seemingly simple benediction: yours, God, is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. But as we have found with the entirety of this prayer, it is much easier to say than it is to truly live out.
SERIES ~ Pray This Way
SERMON ~ Rescue Us
SCRIPTURE ~ Matthew 6:13
Our modern understanding of temptation is that it is an invitation to do wrong. But the words of the prayer in Scripture actually point to the idea of a test that reveals the truth. Jesus’ prayer acknowledges that the testing we face is not as simple as picking the best choice in a vacuum but that we need God’s help to resist competing messages and follow God’s lead.
Scripture ~ Matthew 6:12
Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity, and yet our understanding of it is often a bit blurry. Forgiveness is simultaneously far simpler and far more complex than we may realize.
Series ~ Matthew 6:10
As we saw last week, praying “Our Father,” has a depth and meaning to it that might have caught us by surprise. The part of the prayer about God’s Kingdom coming and God’s will being done is no less surprising. In fact, it just might challenge us to rethink everything we think we know about heaven, earth, and the storyline of the Bible itself.
Scripture ~ Matthew 6:11
We have reached the part of the Lord’s Prayer where we begin to lift up our requests to God. It comes in the form of a request for daily bread - something so simple and generally plentiful for many of us. But as we have learned by now, the elements of the Lord’s Prayer may be simple, but they are packed with meaning.
Series ~ Pray This Way
Matthew 6:7-13
Prayer is one of the central disciplines to the Christian faith, and yet many people struggle with it. Perhaps that struggle begins with a central question: to whom are we praying?
Luke 1:26-38
Carrying a child is hard enough, but Mary has even greater challenges heaped upon her—from being pregnant out of wedlock to the pressure of bearing the Son of God. Mary displays incredible resolve when she accepts this calling, but it took more than courage. It took a deep sense of peace, and Advent invites us to experience that same peace in our lives.
Sermon Series ~ Expecting
Scripture ~ Genesis 18:9-15; 21:1-6
There is more than one way to laugh, and in the story of Sarah, we see her laugh twice. The first laugh is done in hiding with a spirit of disbelief, but her second laugh is one of contagious joy. As we continue through the season of Advent, we can ask ourselves: where are we struggling to wait for God to move in our life, and how might we anticipate the joy that comes when God’s promises are fulfilled?
https://lakesideumc.net
Luke 1:13-17, 39-45
The headliners of the opening of Luke’s Gospel are Mary and Jesus, but Mary’s relative Elizabeth giving birth to Jesus’ cousin John was no less a gift from God. And in both Elizabeth and John, we see a humble, self-giving love that supported Mary and Jesus. During the season of Advent, we are invited to keep our eyes open for the people in our lives who need our love and support.
John 18:33
We all have lenses through which we see and interpret the world around us. They shape how we understand things, how we respond emotionally, and even what we think is or is not possible. One of the ways we can become aware of the lenses we and others are looking through is to examine the questions we ask.
1 Corinthians 8~
The dinner table is where we come to share about our days, be surrounded by our loved ones, and of course eat. It can also be a place where family tensions linger. As Thanksgiving approaches and we prepare our homes and hearts for time with our families, we’ll look to Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth for wisdom.
Esther 4:12-17
The story of Esther is, in part, a reminder that we can be stewards of the resources, influence, and opportunities we have been given no matter the circumstance. On this Stewardship Sunday, Pastor Dan and Finance Committee Chair Audrey France-Lanas reflect on practical ways we can all make a difference.
Matthew 25:35-40
When we think about serving impactfully, it is easy to picture the mission trip or the big service project. But the opportunity to serve and make a difference isn’t just occasional or out-of-town, but it can be a part of our everyday lives. As we wrap up our Wesley Rooted series, we embrace the opportunity to continue the centuries-old tradition of Wesleyan Methodists making a difference for the Kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The vast majority of Christians, United Methodists included, believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. But what does that mean, and what does it not mean? And how does that meaning affect the way we engage with Scripture and allow it to guide and shape our lives?
Acts 2:47
As we gather to give thanks to God and celebrate 25 years of ministry, we reflect on the cycle recorded in Acts that demonstrates how churches survive and even thrive. Though there are a million details and challenges to living it out, staying faithful to the calling of all churches can begin to build momentum. The partnership of God’s grace and a faithful community can lead to long-standing and fruitful ministry.
Preacher┃Rev. Jeremy Green
Scripture┃Luke 15:20-24
As Christians, we are called to love God and neighbor, but who exactly is our neighbor? Our Wesleyan heritage guides us toward casting a wide net and accepting all. As we explore the words of John Wesley and the parables of Jesus, we’ll consider how we can be unified in love despite our deeply held differences.
Whether we are talking about the literal roots of plants, the places and people that shape us, or the foundation upon which we have built our lives, roots are vitally important. Roots are the conduit for what sustains us, they are essential to growth, and they are meant to provide stability and strength. Therefore, it is also vitally important that we are rooted and grounded in the right thing.
It can be easy to feel like we should be further along in our faith journey, especially when we read some of the stories in the Bible. We see the bold faith of Peter, the courageous self-sacrifices of Paul, or the calm love of Mary, and we ask why we aren’t like them. And it is the subtle twist into comparison that steals away our ability to grow into the disciple God has made and called us to be.
A good bit of anxiety stems from feeling like we aren’t getting what we need. And so we get reactive, seeking to meet those needs through our own effort. Essentially, we become like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, giving up our access to God’s presence by seeking to grasp things for ourselves.
One of the primary reasons we don’t experience the particular love of God is because the voice of God is one among many in our heads and hearts. The stories we tell ourselves and the “committee members” who provide running commentary on our lives do their best to crowd out the only voice that truly matters. We must focus on the One who has the first and final word.
There are four common dynamics that not only stress our relationships, but they often put us in a false reality. When we learn to locate and surface these dynamics, we can begin to dispel the illusion and return to the truth. Jesus promises that, through our faithfulness to him, we can know the truth, and the truth will set us free.
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: John 5:1-9
Description: It is easy to think that your faith in God is your deepest belief—the one you base your life on. But if you start to pay attention to how your mind and body reacts in various situations, you might discover that your faith in God is your most precious belief, but it is not actually your deepest one. The first step in closing the gap between expectations and experience in your spiritual life is clarifying your relationship with God and yourself.
When Jesus wanted to help his disciples—including us—understand his death, he did not give us a lecture. He gave us a meal. And in this meal, we don’t just learn about but we experience the love of God for us.
Baptism is one of the central practices of the church. But there is such a wide range of ideas about why we do it and what actually happens. When we look at the baptism of Jesus and see the connections to the rest of the biblical story, we get a clearer picture of the deep meaning of this act.
Gen Z college students are overwhelmed with social media stress, financial burdens, and mental health crises, all while tackling the usual challenges of young adulthood. How can we, as a church, offer them rest and resilience through Christ’s love? Discover how we can make a difference in their lives and lighten their load, just as Jesus promised.
If orientation was a time of peace and abundance, and disorientation disrupts all of that, it would be understandable to assume that reorientation is about putting everything back the way it was. However, while reorientation does pull us out of the depths, it is almost always surprising. It is about receiving the gift of new life God has to offer.
Grief and loss are aspects of the human experience that each of us know all too well. When the most difficult things in life happen, we can find ourselves wishing for yesterday and with little hope for tomorrow. However, we are not alone in this. Our ancestors in faith also had intimate experience with the heavy burdens life has to offer, and were so inspired to write Psalms of disorientation. Pairing their sacred words with Paul McCartney's haunting lyrics, we'll explore where we find God in all this, and how to engage in holy lament.
In a world of disarray, it is easy to point to optimistic perspectives, like the song “What a Wonderful World,” and think: yeah, right… so naive… the world hasn’t been that wonderful in a long time! But what if that is part of the point? There was goodness out there, it may still be there if we look for it, and at the very least it offers hope for that goodness to return.
Sermon Title: Time After Time
Scripture: Psalm 84: 1-4…10-12
The Psalms are some of the most vulnerably human sacred writings we have. Within them we find deeply expressive poetry about almost every human emotion from joy to crushing sadness. What we learn from studying them is that no matter what we may be experiencing in life, God is always present with us.
Sermon Title: Repent!! (Or: Change Your Mind!)
Speaker: Rev. Matthew Kern
Scripture: Luke 3:1-9
“Repentance” can be a loaded word, sometimes understood with only being a precursor to a life of faith. But John the Baptist gives us a hint into how our lives as disciples are in fact characterized by this repentance, or, “change of mind.”
Sermon: Until
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Luke 15:1-10
Description: The parables of the lost sheep and lost coin may be familiar to some of us, but there is one simple word in those stories that is key to understanding God's love for us. It should also serve as a motivator to those of us who are called to share that love in the world.
Sermon: Ask the Pastor (and Friends)
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich, Jeremy Green, Amanda Stallard
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16a
Description: Pastor Dan, Jeremy, and Amanda respond to questions from the congregation!
Sermon Series: Vision
Sermon: Beyond the Fulfilled Vision
Speaker: Jeremy Green
Scripture: Luke 2: 25-38
Description: Scripture tells us that if we stay committed to the vision that God has shown us it will come to pass. What does it look like for us to remain faithful and steadfast in the space between the revelation of the vision and its fulfillment?
Sermon Series: Vision
Sermon: Our Life Together
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Acts 2: 42-47
Description: Churches should always be outward facing, but community culture matters too. What did it look like then and what does it look like now to be the Church for and with one another? What are the marks of a healthy culture and community?
Sermon Series: Vision
Sermon: Between Two Worlds
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4
Description: Perhaps the hardest part of the visioning process is not actually coming up with an exciting vision. It is comparatively easy to dream about exciting an impactful things to do. But getting from a world in which we have plans to a world in which the vision is coming to life often requires waiting on God's timing.
Sermon Series: Vision
Sermon: Willing, Ready and Listening
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10
Description: Throughout Scripture, the "word of the Lord" is regularly tied to "vision." What we read in the Bible and what we hear from God is not simply for our own information or encouragement, but it is meant to come alive and make a tangible difference. What the Church desperately needs to do, especially with emerging generations, is make visible the impact that faithfulness has on our lives and the world around us.
Sermon Series: Vision
Sermon: Stop, Start, Continue
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Acts 9: 1-22
Description: We have all experienced the feeling of being stuck. The feeling that something has to change for us to make it to the next level in our professional lives, personal relationships, or faith journeys. Even the Apostle Paul had a moment like this, where everything he thought he knew was challenged by Christ himself. Paul wasn't all bad, but an encounter with the Messiah opened his eye to the things he needed to discard to move forward in relationship with God.
Sermon Series: Dreaming in the Deep Water
Sermon: Reality and Dreams
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Luke 5:1-11
Description: When we make the decision to trust and follow Jesus, we will come to better see and understand who Jesus really is. And in coming to better understand Jesus, it actually helps us to better understand ourselves. For Simon, this caused a moment of fear, but for Jesus, it was the moment he was waiting for to call him to be a disciple.
Sermon Series: Dreaming in the Deep Water
Sermon: Finding Faith in the Deep Water
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Luke 5: 1-11
Description: Have you ever gotten the sense that Jesus is asking you to do something outside of your comfort zone? Or something that you don't think will work and might actually be risky? How we respond in these moments says a lot about who we believe Jesus to be.
Sermon Series: Dreaming In The Deep Water
Sermon: There's Someone In My Boat
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Luke 5:1-11
Description: Peter had met Jesus before, he had heard him speak, and he had benefitted from one of Jesus' miracles. But today, Jesus was the one asking for a favor, and in doing so he was changing their relationship. In that moment, Peter had a choice: decline for any number of reasons, or say yes and open himself up to a life he could never have imagined.
Sermon: Why Seeing IS Believing: 'Doubting Thomas' Gets It Right
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Speaker: Amanda Stallard
Description: Join us this Sunday as we tackle the aftermath of Easter and what it looks like to wrestle with the Good News of risen Christ. History has been unkind to Thomas for casting doubt and needing proof of Jesus' resurrection...but what if Thomas is the role model we all really need? What if seeing is actually the key to believing?
Sermon: The Key to Freedom is Christ
Scripture: John 20: 1-18
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Jesus rising from the dead on Easter Sunday is proof of his victory over sin and death. And if Jesus broke the powers of sin and death, their power in our life can be broken as well as we come to believe in and follow the risen Jesus. Whatever it is that is holding us back, the power of the resurrection in our lives can set us free.
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Sermon: Jesus
Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-23
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Following Jesus isn't easy, and Jesus never promised it would be. Yet, at the same time, the Bible talks quite a bit about the power and victory we have thanks to Jesus' resurrection. So, how do we hold together all these ideas of life, death, love, suffering, scarifice, and victory?
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Sermon: Paul
Scripture: Acts 9:1-6, 17-22
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We keep saying that the resurrection changes everything. And that's easy but still possible to say about the part of our lives we want to leave behind. But what happens when the transformation calls us to challenge and even leave behind the things we are most confident in?
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Sermon: Walk to Emmaus
Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
Speaker: Troy Antonik
Description: Have you ever taken a walk and missed seeing something that was right in front of you? Have you ever been oblivious to what was going on right next to you? Oftentimes, conversations, rectangular distraction devices, or things on our mind will distract us from that which is right in front of us. The disciples who walked to Emmaus (and then ran back) on Easter Sunday had a similar experience and needed their eyes to be opened. Fortunately, for the disciples on the Road to Emmaus and for all of us today, we have someone who is both always with us and also runs ahead of us.
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Title: Thomas
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: John 20:24-31
Description: What is the opposite of faith? Many would say "doubt," but this is a sadly mistaken assumption that drives many people out of communities of faith. In the life of Thomas, we see someone who had doubts, but whose connection to both a community of faith and the resurrected Jesus led to an even deeper faith than he had ever had before.
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Title: Simon Peter
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35; John 21:14-17
Description: Peter had seen the risen Jesus, and yet here he was: picking up back to his old life from before he met Jesus. If the mission wasn't over, and in fact God was doing something incedible and new, why was the one Jesus hand-seleted for leadership acting like he wasn't a part of it anymore? Because he had failed, his self-image and confidence had been shaken, and now he was stuck. But the power of the resurrectioin includes the getting unstuck and back on mission.
Sermon Series: The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
Title: Mary Magdalene
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Luke 8:1-2; John 20:11-18
Description: How many times have we thought we were over something - past it, done - only to have it creep back into our lives? A bad habit, a sin, a broken relationship, an unhealthy perspective, the weight of anxiety or loss... The power of the resurrection means they not only no longer have to have power over us, but they can become part of our testimony to the power of God and the gift of new life.
Title: Bringing the Future Into the Present
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Scripture: Matthew 15: 21-28
Description: In one of the more uncomfortable passages in the Gospels, Jesus seems to reject a mother's request to heal her daugher - and likens her to a dog no less! Jesus ends up healing the daugher in response to what seems like a clever come-back from the mother. But there's so much more going on! This is a turning point in which the future is invading the present.
Title: Who Am I?
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Speaker: Rob Lewis
Description: In an age of self help books and self-discovery, there is peace to be found in knowing not just who we are, but whose we are.
Title: Praying with Joy
Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Thik about the role prayer plays in your life. Is it a habit, a chore, an emergancy parachute when all else fails, or nothing at all? Or, is prayer the source of joy and connection that it's intended to be?
Title: Good News For The Poor
Scripture: Luke 4:16-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: As Jesus launches his earthly ministry, he reads from the book of Isaiah, but he makes a few minor edits. These edits are key to understanding who he is and why he has come. They also offer a window into his expectations of all who would follow him.
Sermon Title: Underestimating Jesus
Scripture: John 1:43-51
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We all have our own idea of who Jesus is, what he can do, and what he wants to do in and through us. But like one of the main characters in today's story, regardless of how big or small that image is, we are likely underestimating Jesus. The invitation in today's story is to drop our expectations and simply come, see, and follow.
Sermon Title: Steadying Ourselves for an Unsteady Year
Scripture: Matthew 28: 16-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: A new year is upon us, and what a year it will be! There will be drama and boredom, success and failure, conflict and peace - and this will be true from the world stage down to our own personal lives. But it is possible to remain steady in an unsteady world if we remember two specific truths: Jesus is Lord, and he already told us what to do.
Sermon Title: God's Story to Tell
Scripture: Luke 2:1-14, 15-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The story of the first Christmas has been told countless times in movies, TV shows, cartoons, paintings, picture books, songs, inflatables, and more. Due to the brevity of the biblical accounts, they often have to flesh the story out, adding drama, emotion, and tension. But when we look at the story God chose to tell in the Bible, we might come away with a different picture.
Sermon Title: Here Is Your Tracking Number
Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We all know the excitement of getting tracking numbers as Christmas packages make their way to their intended destinations. Perhaps we even know the anxiety that grows when the anticipated delivery date starts slipping closer to Christmas or you stop getting updates. And as we await the gift of Jesus at Christmas, we see in Scripture divine tracking numbers that tell us the story of how our gift gets to us.
Sermon Title Here Is Your God
Scripture Isaiah 40:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: A common preacher-bumper-sticker saying is that Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. That is an important message, as we all have areas of complacency or areas where we trust things other than God, and we need to be challenged and convicted. But we all also struggle in areas of life, and sometimes we need to receive and rest in the Bible’s message of hope.
Sermon: Jesus, You Are Enough
Scripture: Isaiah 64: 1-9
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Christmas is often a spectacle - lights, trees, shows, food, gifts... And even in the spiritual practices and traditions, we can take the "bigger is better approach," with massive productions like Singing Christmas Trees or performances of Handel's Messiah. And while the coming of Jesus on the first Christmas is one of the most impactful moments in history, and it should be celebrated, we cannot overlook the smallness of it all as well.
Sermon: Come On, Lord!
Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In the final and least familiar chapter of the Jonah story, the happy resolution of chapter 3 is shattered. We discover that Jonah didn't avoid Ninevah out of fear but out of anger. The book ends with an unanswered question we are forced to wrestle with: do we actually want to be in relationship with the God of the Bible?
Sermon: The Power of God's Gift
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We have seen God's ability to hear a cry for mercy from the belly of the sea monster. But what happens when it is the monster itself calling on God? Is God's love and mercy truly available to anyone who asks for it?
Sermon: Jonah and the Sea Dragon
Scripture: Jonah 1: 17-2:3, 2:9-3:3
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: It is time to tackle the big fish in Jonah's story. What comes to mind for us is a whale, but perhaps the image we should be thinking of is a great sea dragon. Once we understand what the fish represents and the surprising thing that happens, we get a window into why our Christmas gift from God was a human baby.
Sermon: The Unwanted Gift
Scripture: Jonah 1:1-6
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: It is one thing to ask God to speak clearly into our lives and give us direction. It is entirely another thing to respond faithfully to what we hear. In the opening scenes of Jonah, we see a man who thinks he is running for his life while he is actually running from the life God has for him.
Sermon: How to Respond to a Scary World
Scripture: Matthew 24: 3-8, 32-39, 45-47
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Wars, social upheaval, pandemics, historic natural disasters...just another day on planet Earth, right? Or is it actually a set of signs that we should be paying close attention to in order to understand what God is doing? When the world seems out of control, it can be hard to know how to respond, but thankfully Jesus has given us a plan.
Sermon: Whose Image?
Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Stewardship is about far more than just what we do with our money. It is at the heart of who we are and why we are here.
Sermon: Whatever you do…
Scripture: Colossians 3:17,23-24
Speaker: Rob Lewis
Description: We often think the work we do is just for money, or to provide for our families, but our daily work - no matter what “job” or “career” we have, is so much more.
Sermon: Heard and Healed
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:17-23, 26-27
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: What happens when I want to follow Jesus, but I’m not sure how? If I don’t get it right, will God (or the Church) reject me? A joyful Passover celebration where almost nothing went “by the book” offers a message of hope.
Sermon: Waiting On You
Scripture: Waiting On You
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: One of the great prayers of the Church says, “Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray.” We have been given incredible access to the God of the universe, and yet we find so many reasons not to take advantage of it. For this, we need to repent, but we can do so in joy.
Sermon: It’s Not What It Looks Like
Scripture: 1 John 3:18-24
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Have you ever seen a bad candid photo of yourself and thought, “Why did I make THAT face?!” The answer is that you likely didn’t make that face, but rather you are looking at a moment of transition, and when isolated it can tell the wrong story. Life is full of these moments, when what others see or what we see in ourselves isn’t the true story, but there is hope for those who keep moving in love and faith.
Sermon: Why Belonging Breeds Joy
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Speaker: Amanda Stallard
Description: We were created for belonging. From Genesis to Jesus (and beyond!), the Bible shows us time and again the ways that God has formed us for relationship- with God and with each other. In a time when we see increasing trends in autonomy and isolation, connection feels harder than ever. How do we unlock the joy of belonging? Paul just might have the key.
Sermon: What Makes the Church
Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20
Speaker: Rev. Caitlin White
Description: This Sunday, we'll explore the tension between legalism and love for the early church, and in Matthew's gospel, we'll see the presence of Jesus in our relationships and in the church. How might our lives be changed if we become more aware of the presence of Christ in our midst?
Sermon: Forgiving Yourself
Scripture: Genesis 32:9-32
Speaker: Rev. David Killingsworth
Description:
Forgiveness isn't easy. Whether we are cut off in traffic or someone hurts us deeply, it can be hard to forgive others and work towards reconciliation. And as hard as it is to forgive others, it's oftentimes even harder to find forgiveness for ourselves. We know all of the faults and failures, and we have all the receipts of when we have messed up, even if someone else didn’t notice. And yet, God calls us to be people of forgiveness. Journey with the story of Jacob in Genesis as we learn that forgiveness is not just meant for "out there" with others, but also "in here" in our own hearts.
Sermon: More Than Just A Story
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-15 (NRSV)
Speaker: Ryan Ganaban
Description: Stories are our primary way of meaning-making: they help us establish group identity, teach us valuable lessons, and affect the way we perceive the world. One translation of the scriptures professes that Jesus "was never without a story when he spoke." When we listen to the stories of Jesus, we are challenged to see the world through God's eyes, where our expectations are overturned, and we are provoked to join in God's vision for our world.
Sermon: The Faith to Stay in the Boat
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
We know that when we are in the midst of the inevitable storms of life, we are to place our faith and trust in Jesus. And in the story of Jesus walking on the water, we see Peter first succeeding and then failing to do the same in a raging storm. The point is often made that Peter was able to walk on water until his faith wavered, but what if the kind of faith Jesus was looking for was the faith to stay in the boat?
Sermon: From This Day Forward
Scripture: Haggai 2:15-19
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: “The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time is now.” This anonymous proverb speaks to the idea that we can never change the past, but we can make the right choice right now. Whether we are weighed down by sunk costs or paralyzed by the grief that comes with change, the grace of God is available to all of us, and it is able to set us free from this day forward.
Sermon: Knowing What To Look For
Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: From hidden pictures to word searches to scavenger hunts, there’s something fun about finding things that are hidden in plain sight. But they can be incredibly frustrating if you feel like you’ve looked everywhere and had no luck. The same can be said about looking for the presence and activity of God in our lives and the world.
Sermon: Hospitality Is Worth It
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: True hospitality costs something. Sometimes it costs little and sometimes it asks a lot of us. This can lead us to start calculating whether it is worth it or not, overall or in each individual interaction. Through a famous parable, Jesus encourages us to see that hospitality is always worth it.
Sermon Series: Hospitality Is
Description: The “hospitality industry” traditionally includes things like restaurants, hotels, and theme parks. But the truth is, every organization can and should be focused on hospitality. This is especially true of churches and the people who follow Jesus, as the heart of hospitality begins with the heart of God.
Sermon: Hospitality Is Personal
Scripture: Matthew 11:27-30
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Will Guidara co-owned and managed the top rated restaurant in the world. They had great food and an amazing space, but they set themselves apart and earned the honor for what he calls “unreasonable hospitality.” The invitation Jesus makes to the world could also be called “unreasonable” when we compare what Jesus could have done with what he actually did.
Sermon Series: Hospitality Is
Description: The “hospitality industry” traditionally includes things like restaurants, hotels, and theme parks. But the truth is, every organization can and should be focused on hospitality. This is especially true of churches and the people who follow Jesus, as the heart of hospitality begins with the heart of God.
Sermon: Hospitality Is A Blessing
Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.” This is the famous Ritz-Carlton motto that highlights the worth and value of both sides of the hospitality relationship between staff and guests. When we look at how Jesus called his disciples to live out hospitality in the world, we see something quite similar.
Sermon Series: Hospitality Is
Description: The “hospitality industry” traditionally includes things like restaurants, hotels, and theme parks. But the truth is, every organization can and should be focused on hospitality. This is especially true of churches and the people who follow Jesus, as the heart of hospitality begins with the heart of God.
Sermon: The God Who Whispers To Be Heard
Scripture: Matthew 10:24-31
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The world has never been louder. More and more voices demand our attention and it is easy to make any voice or message seem more authoritative than it actually is. God possesses a voice that can shake the heavens and the earth, yet sometimes God whispers to be heard.
Sermon: Two Laughs
Scripture: Romans 5:1-8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: When God tells 90-year-old Sarah that she will bear Abraham’s long promised son, she laughs. It isn’t a laugh borne out of humor; rather it is a weary and even bitter laugh. Yet in a year, Sarah would not only be laughing with joy but inspiring it in others. Today, we explore how we get from one laugh to the other in our own lives.
Sermon: You Have Been Good
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
Speaker: Rob Lewis
Description: Jesus’ calming of the storm is a great reminder of his goodness, that even though life’s experiences may seem like he is asleep or unconcerned with our trials, he is still there, still in control, and still good.
Sermon: Stop, Look Around, and Remember
Scripture: Numbers 11:24-30
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Numbers 11 is a chapter full of amnesia. God’s people cannot seem to remember God’s faithfulness to them. Moses has forgotten a key leadership lesson his Father-in-Law taught him. So, in the middle of the mess, God brings the Holy Spirit to remind them all of what they need to know.
Sermon: Fruit of the Earth, Work of Human Hands
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In communion, Jesus transforms bread and wine, which are themselves a transformation of wheat and grapes by human hands. Similarly on Pentecost, the disciples proclaim the Gospel, and God transforms their words into speech that could be understood by anyone. The work of ministry, to which we are all called, is a collaboration we share with God.
Sermon: The Case of the Unknown God
Scripture: Acts 17:22-31 (NTE - New Testament for Everyone)
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Apostle Paul didn’t have a lot of downtime (at least when not in prison), usually devoting all of his time to spreading the good news of the Gospel. But circumstances led him to have to kill time in the city of Athens. What resulted was one of the most unique sermons in the entire Bible, and one that provides insight into how we can reach our world today.
Sermon: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Scripture: John 14:1-7
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: When kids have a parent they trust, they will follow them virtually anywhere without needing to know where they are going or why. As they grow older, they start to ask out of curiosity but then later out of self interest, wanting to be sure that following is worth it for them. In our life of faith, we must ask ourselves: are we actually seeking Jesus or mostly what we want to get out of our relationship with him?
Sermon: Care Packages
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20 NRSV
Speaker:Joel Pancoast, Co-Director of the Gator Wesley Foundation
Together we get to dream about how to build connections. It is our connections that illustrate the Kingdom of God to the world, because through connection we overcome differences with love and we hold our diversity as a blessing.
Sermon: Resurrection, Revelation, Reconnection
Scripture: Luke 24:13-16, 30-35
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We live in a world of deep and growing disconnection. Even the affiliations that used to hold us together can feel like they are falling apart. But the Church is equipped with the good news about the only connection that can truly last: a community centered on the truth of the resurrection and a genuine and deep love for one another.
Sermon: Control Your Calendar, Change Your Life
Scripture: Isaiah 58:13-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Many of us can feel like our calendar runs our life at times. You’re right, and it is even worse than you think! But there are other ways to structure our time, other calendars we can choose to live by, and one in particular is designed for our good.
Sermon: Do Not Fear
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The most repeated command in the Bible is actually not to love. Jesus said loving God and others were the greatest commandments, but the most repeated throughout Scripture? Do not fear. In fact, this is the first command the risen Jesus gives on the first Easter. Perhaps it is only after we overcome fear that we can truly love.
Sermon: Practices from the Cross
Scripture: Luke 23:34a
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Why do we practice spiritual disciplines like worship and prayer, study, serving, giving, and sharing? Just because we are told to or is there more to it? In his words from the cross, Jesus shows us how these disciplines can sustain us in even the worst moments, allowing us to remain focused on being faithful to God.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Share
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: If you want to know who has the best tacos in town, a computer can tell you information like locations, hours, and menu items, but they have no experience on which to draw. On the other hand, a human can rave about incredible flavors, but if they can’t remember where they got them, it is no help either. To faithfully practice the discipline of sharing our faith, we need both knowledge and experience.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Give
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The moments when we have the opportunity to exercise our faith in extraordinary ways are quite rare. And when it comes to disciplines like giving, we may only be able to make a truly sacrificial gift once or perhaps a few times at most. But our willingness to rise to these moments isn’t usually something that comes out of the blue, but rather it is the result of our everyday life being shaped and marked by generosity.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Serve
Scripture: Romans 12:1, Mark 12:28-31
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Our culture has a paradoxical relationship with serving. We admire and honor those who live lives of service, while at the same time chasing being seen as important, influential, or in charge. The discipline of service is about becoming neither famous nor a pushover. Rather it is a unique way of living that Jesus taught and modeled throughout his life and ministry.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Study
Scripture: Psalm 19:1-4a
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Hearing God’s voice is a common challenge. Even when it comes to reading the Bible, it is not uncommon to have seasons in our lives - or whole sections of the Bible - where we struggle to understand what God is actually trying to say to us today. The spiritual discipline of study is about learning to listen and pay attention to what matters most.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Worship and Prayer
Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: If you were to ask someone what rituals or practices Christians are supposed to engage in, they would probably say worship and prayer. Even non-Christians know these are supposed to be central to our faith, and yet for many Christians, worship and prayer can feel like a routine or even a chore. Part of learning to walk with Jesus is learning how to recapture what worship and prayer are really all about.
Sermon Series: The Walk
Description: When Jesus called his disciples, he said, “Come, follow me.” He was, of course, inviting them to go where he went, but he was also inviting them to observe his life, listen to his teaching, and pattern their lives after his. During the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are looking at five essential Christian practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God.
Sermon: Jesus Doesn’t Give Up on You
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
One step forward, two giant steps back… That’s how it must have felt when Peter went from being called “the rock upon which I will build my church” to being likened to Satan. If our own inconsistencies in life and faith have ever left us wondering where we stand with God, the story of the Transfiguration should offer us a ray of hope. Tuesday, February 14th
Sermon: Perfecting Our Echo
Scripture: John 14:8-16, 25-26
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The word “discipleship” is not in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, and yet it is a word we use in the church a ton. And that can be kind of a problem, especially if we are a bit fuzzy on its meaning even in the church. But there is a natural phenomenon we are all familiar with that can give us a model for understanding the concept.
Sermon: The Love You Had at First
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13, Revelation 2:1-5
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Things can get old after a while - from favorite songs or favorite meals to jobs to even relationships. The things that we were once excited about or couldn’t live without become things we take for granted or even resent. What do we do when that happens in our relationship with Jesus?
Sermon: Dash
Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3
Speaker: Troy Antonik
Description: Do you feel that your life is full of busyness and you continually run from one thing to the next? That’s when it’s time to push pause for as long as it takes to make sure you are running in the right direction, running with the right mindset and running the right race. The race marked out for us with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Sermon: Purpose: What You’re Here to Do
Scripture: Luke 4:16-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: If you think about all the different ways people have described Jesus, you’d have a hard time believing they’re all talking about the same person. Jesus’ life and ministry was varied, and he did many different types of things. But what unifies everything about who Jesus was and what he did was his purpose - the thing he was sent to do.
Sermon Series: Laying the Foundation
Description: You would think that when Jesus was ready to start ministry, he would just… start. But Jesus didn’t hit the ground running. Instead, Jesus went through the process of laying a foundation that would guide him and show everyone around him who he was, what he stood for, and what he was there to do.
Sermon: Values: What Means the Most to You
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Having had his identity revealed and declared at his baptism, Jesus still does not yet launch into ministry. In fact, Jesus heads into a place that may seem odd for God to send the beloved Son: testing in the wilderness. But it was important for Jesus to decide and declare what meant the most to him.
Sermon Series: Laying the Foundation
Description: You would think that when Jesus was ready to start ministry, he would just… start. But Jesus didn’t hit the ground running. Instead, Jesus went through the process of laying a foundation that would guide him and show everyone around him who he was, what he stood for, and what he was there to do.
Sermon: Identity: Who You Are and Why You’re Here
Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: There are a million good things you can do with your time, talents, and resources - not to mention the endless bad things too. If we just jump in aimlessly, doing whatever seems most right or urgent in the moment, we may accomplish a few good things. But if we follow Jesus’ lead and define our identity first, it sets the foundation to do what we were uniquely made and called to do.
Sermon Series: Laying the Foundation
Description: You would think that when Jesus was ready to start ministry, he would just… start. But Jesus didn’t hit the ground running. Instead, Jesus went through the process of laying a foundation that would guide him and show everyone around him who he was, what he stood for, and what he was there to do.
Sermon: We Don't Eat Trash In This Family
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: What started as a throwaway line to a dog became a convicting challenge: don’t eat trash. And it isn’t just a practical diet tip, but one that can and should apply to what we take in across our lives. As we kick off a new year, let’s heed the Bible’s call to focus on what is good.
Sermon: Somebody Must Love You
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In many neighborhoods on Christmas afternoon, you will find children out taking their new toys for a spin. They want to be seen because they are excited to show off what they got. God wants us to feel the same way about the gift of Jesus.
Sermon: God Will Be With Us
Scripture: Mark 1:1-9, 14-15
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: At Christmas, we don’t simply remember and celebrate Jesus’ coming 2,000 years ago. But through this retelling of the story, we are to see ourselves in the shoes of those waiting and ultimately receiving the presence of Christ. The same God who has been with us in the past and is with us in the present will be with us forever.
Sermon Series: Present
Description: As we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, we should point to his role as Messiah and Savior. But we should also remember that Jesus didn’t just come to do things for us, but he came to be with us. And with that in mind, we can look for ways to be present ourselves.
Sermon: God Is With Us
Scripture: Luke 2:6-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Angels, shepherds, glory. Divine being, smelly field hand, that which is embodied by shining clouds among other incredible manifestations. It sure seems like one of these things is not like the other. But part of the heart of the Christmas story is that they all belong and are connected by the one called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
Sermon Series: Present
Description: As we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, we should point to his role as Messiah and Savior. But we should also remember that Jesus didn’t just come to do things for us, but he came to be with us. And with that in mind, we can look for ways to be present ourselves.
Sermon: God Was With Us
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Every family tree tells a story - many stories, actually. Some we love to share, some we try to hide, and many are lost to history. But they all point to where we came from and who we are, and it is no different with Jesus.
Sermon Series: Present
Description: As we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, we should point to his role as Messiah and Savior. But we should also remember that Jesus didn’t just come to do things for us, but he came to be with us. And with that in mind, we can look for ways to be present ourselves.
Sermon: For Yourself
Scripture: Luke 2:25-38
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: On our final week of preparation for the Christmas season, we turn our question around on ourselves: what do we want for Christmas for ourselves? Examining our heart and its God-inspired longings is not selfish, but rather part of how we intentionally make the kind of space in our lives that Jesus wants to fill.
Sermon Series: What Do You Want For Christmas?
Description: What do you actually want for Christmas? Not the list of gifts you hope to receive. Not the expectations you hope to meet (or surpass). But what do you want to see happen in your life, the lives of your loved ones, and in your relationship with God this Christmas season?
Sermon: For God
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: What do you get someone who has everything? Here’s an even harder question: what do you get the One who literally made everything and gave it to you first? The answer: you give them the only thing they didn’t give you.
Sermon Series: What Do You Want For Christmas?
Description: What do you actually want for Christmas? Not the list of gifts you hope to receive. Not the expectations you hope to meet (or surpass). But what do you want to see happen in your life, the lives of your loved ones, and in your relationship with God this Christmas season?
Sermon: For Your Loved Ones
Scripture: Romans 12:2-5, 9-12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Christmas season can be so full of expectations - many of them unrealistic. We may flip through a magazine or scroll Instagram or Pinterest and wish we could duplicate what we see for our families. But, at the end of the day, is what you want for your loved ones this Christmas a perfectly clean house and photo-ready dinner table? Or is there something else you want for them?
Sermon Series: What Do You Want For Christmas?
Description: What do you actually want for Christmas? Not the list of gifts you hope to receive. Not the expectations you hope to meet (or surpass). But what do you want to see happen in your life, the lives of your loved ones, and in your relationship with God this Christmas season?
Sermon: Growing in Faith by Asking Better Questions
Scripture: Luke 20:27-40
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
A viral math problem, a YouTuber, and a long defunct religious group from Jesus’ day help us understand the power of asking better questions. Tuesday, November 1st
Sermon: A Debt of Gratitude
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: As we transition toward Thanksgiving, the topic of gratitude will start to show up more and more. Sometimes gratitude naturally pours out of us, and other times it must be a choice that we make or a discipline that we practice. And it is especially in those moments where we don’t feel gratitude that it can become a powerful tool for keeping us focused in our relationship with God.
Sermon: Looking for a Savior
Scripture: Joel 2:23-32
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Where is God when it feels like everything is going wrong? How do we find God when we have already looked in every place we usually find God? It may be time to check the unlikely places.
Sermon: But Now
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Church has the power to change the world. It doesn’t naturally have this power; rather it is a result of God’s intention to see God’s kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. On Laity Sunday, we remember that when we talk about the Church, we are not speaking solely about an institution or specific leaders, but we are talking about all of us together.
Sermon: Perseverance
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Sprinting and marathons are both forms of running, but they require entirely different skill sets and training. And while there are certainly moments in life that feel like a sprint, far more of life is about mastering the long game. And if a church is going to experience renewal and revival and pass its special sauce from one generation to the next, it will require perseverance.
Sermon Series: Rediscovering the Special Sauce
Description: Every organization and institution that lasts more than one generation does so because they have a “special sauce.” But the challenge they all face is that, over time, the recipe gets forgotten. If there is going to be renewal, it will take rediscovering what made them who they are.*The core illustration and structure of this series is inspired by the work of Pastor Mark Sayers.
Sermon: Sacrifice
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: As we learned last week, commitment is as much about saying “no” as it is saying “yes.” And that means a second essential ingredient to the church’s special sauce has to be sacrifice. And while this is an uncomfortable posture to take, the example all through the Scripture and especially in the life of Jesus is that sacrifice leads to something far more valuable than what is given up.
Sermon Series: Rediscovering the Special Sauce
Description: Every organization and institution that lasts more than one generation does so because they have a “special sauce.” But the challenge they all face is that, over time, the recipe gets forgotten. If there is going to be renewal, it will take rediscovering what made them who they are.*The core illustration and structure of this series is inspired by the work of Pastor Mark Sayers.
Sermon: Commitment
Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: It is telling when virtually every product or service on the market today includes in their marketing pitch: no contract, cancel anytime, free returns! And while we all celebrate no longer needing to lock in cable or cell phone plans for two years at a time, any relationship or organization of consequence requires commitment.
Sermon Series: Rediscovering the Special Sauce
Description: Every organization and institution that lasts more than one generation does so because they have a “special sauce.” But the challenge they all face is that, over time, the recipe gets forgotten. If there is going to be renewal, it will take rediscovering what made them who they are.*The core illustration and structure of this series is inspired by the work of Pastor Mark Sayers.
Sermon: Forgetting and Remembering the Postures of Faith
Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Every organization and institution that lasts more than one generation does so because they have a “special sauce.” But the challenge they all face is that, over time, the recipe gets forgotten. If there is going to be renewal, it will take rediscovering what made them who they are.*The core illustration and structure of this series is inspired by the work of Pastor Mark Sayers.
Sermon Series: Rediscovering the Special Sauce
Sermon: God Works All Things For Good
Scripture: Romans 8:18-19, 23-28
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: An unlikely musical work called “The Disintegration Loops” became for many in New York the soundtrack of September 11, 2001. But rather than simply recalling the horror of the day, it became a source of hope. In an even greater way, the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in and through us can also turn what looks like an end into a new beginning.
You can listen to the Disintegration Loops soundtrack here : YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYOr8TlnqsY Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/10SeyQmuBIVJmbZYYJs07W...
Sermon: Working Toward Clarity and Direction
Scripture: Luke 12:32-34
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In the quest to understand the kind of life that God wants us to live, we have looked at things that stand in the way: the mismatch between our priorities and actions, defining life by the wrong measure, and worry. Jesus ended last week’s passage by telling us what we should be doing instead: desiring God’s kingdom. This week, in 5 simple sentences, he ties it all together.
Sermon Series: This Is Not The Life
Sermon Description: The arrival of the fall always brings a “getting back into the swing of things.” But the last couple years have led many of us to rethink, recalibrate, and even reset what life looks like. We all want to live a good life, but what does that look like? And perhaps, just as importantly, what does it not look like?
Sermon: Working Toward Clarity and Direction
Scripture: Luke 12:32-34
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In the quest to understand the kind of life that God wants us to live, we have looked at things that stand in the way: the mismatch between our priorities and actions, defining life by the wrong measure, and worry. Jesus ended last week’s passage by telling us what we should be doing instead: desiring God’s kingdom. This week, in 5 simple sentences, he ties it all together.
Sermon Series: This Is Not The Life
Sermon Description: The arrival of the fall always brings a “getting back into the swing of things.” But the last couple years have led many of us to rethink, recalibrate, and even reset what life looks like. We all want to live a good life, but what does that look like? And perhaps, just as importantly, what does it not look like?
Sermon: Letting Go of Worry
Scripture: Luke 12:22-31
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: When describing our ideal life, it probably doesn’t include worrying. And yet, worry can be such a common experience that it is almost like a constant buzzing in the background that we just get used to. But Jesus is clear that worry is not a part of the life God wants us to lead, and he helps us understand how to let it go.
Sermon Series: This Is Not The Life
Sermon Description: The arrival of the fall always brings a “getting back into the swing of things.” But the last couple years have led many of us to rethink, recalibrate, and even reset what life looks like. We all want to live a good life, but what does that look like? And perhaps, just as importantly, what does it not look like?
Sermon: Defining Our Life By the Right Measure
Scripture: Luke 12:13-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In the quest for the good life, perhaps the most basic question that needs to be asked is: how do we measure the quality of our life? What goals are we chasing, and are they even the right ones? Because the right answer is never to win at the wrong game!
Sermon Series: This Is Not The Life
Sermon Description: The arrival of the fall always brings a “getting back into the swing of things.” But the last couple years have led many of us to rethink, recalibrate, and even reset what life looks like. We all want to live a good life, but what does that look like? And perhaps, just as importantly, what does it not look like?
Sermon: Aligning the Inside and Outside of Our Life
Scripture: Luke 12:1-12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We all have an interior and an exterior aspect to our life, and it is normal—and even good—that they aren’t 100% identical. But are they compatible? No matter how good our life may look to the world around us, if who we are on the inside and outside are disconnected, there will eventually be a problem.
Sermon Series: This Is Not The Life
Sermon Description: The arrival of the fall always brings a “getting back into the swing of things.” But the last couple years have led many of us to rethink, recalibrate, and even reset what life looks like. We all want to live a good life, but what does that look like? And perhaps, just as importantly, what does it not look like?
Sermon: The Joy of The Lord
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
Coming face-to-face with our own sin and failings can prompt quite a range of emotions. Certainly sadness, remorse, repentance are common, natural, and ultimately necessary. And hopefully, an understanding of the Gospel will also bring us joy and peace. But what is God’s reaction to it all?
Sermon: If You Get Lost, Find A Family
Scripture: Luke 15:11-24
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
Getting lost is one of the most terrifying and disorienting experiences, especially for kids. Adding to the challenge of being lost is that not everyone around them may be a good or safe option for help. But a solid piece of advice for kids is also a great strategy for all of us when we feel lost: find a family.
Sermon: So Small Yet So Loved
Scripture: Psalm 8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description:
Sometimes it is good to be reminded how incredibly small we are. That’s exactly what happens when we put things in their proper perspective. But when we remember just how small we are, something strange happens: it magnifies how much God loves us.
Sermon: So Far...
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1-3
Speaker: Rob Lewis
Description:
Every once in a while, it's a good idea to take a pause in the journey, a time to catch one’s breath and take stock of the view behind, and prepare for the road ahead.
Sermon: Finding God in the Small Steps
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-19a
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: A few weeks ago, we said following Jesus involves taking the next faithful step - no matter how large or small. But often, when it seems like all we are taking is small steps, we can wonder if it is making any difference. Today’s story shows us that small steps can lead to a big response from the God who values our faithfulness.
Sermon: Good News for the Lonely Leader
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Elijah is one of the most famous and influential prophets in the whole Bible, repeatedly risking his life to speak the truth of God. And yet, despite his great reputation, Elijah was also a prophet who struggled, often feeling alone or even abandoned. A look at stories from the end of his life and ministry offer a model of hope - both for the lonely leader and those who love and support them.
Sermon: Learning To Trust the Power of Jesus
Scripture: Luke 8:26-39
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Jesus is immensely powerful. The Gospels report that he was able to do incredible things like calming storms, multiplying resources, healing, and casting out demons. At times, this power caused fear and confusion, even in his disciples! But what led them to keep following him was learning to trust the power of Jesus.
Sermon: Learning From the Wisdom of Coaches
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The example of an athlete training for a competition was a common illustration used in ancient Greek and Roman times - amongst philosophers, politicians, and poets. It was also a favorite image of the Apostle Paul, but his application of it was different due to his perspective as a follower of Christ. Today, we do something similar, seeing how we can apply some of the wisdom of today’s coaches to our lives of faith.
Sermon: Following Jesus is Taking the Next Faithful Step Scripture: Acts 2:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Pentecost Sunday is one of the “big” holidays in the Church - often recognized as the Church’s birthday. It is also the beginning of what is known as “Ordinary Time” in the Church calendar. Today we explore the relationship between the ordinary and extraordinary, and how that shapes the way we follow Jesus.
Sermon: Living Like It Is Real - Setting An Example
Scripture: Acts 16:25-34
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: If we live like Easter is real, it changes the way we see and act in the world. And when our lives are shaped by the truth and power of Easter, they become vehicles of the Gospel, allowing others to experience Easter as well.
Sermon Series: Experiencing Easter
Sermon Description: The empty tomb of Easter was the first visible sign of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, as well as a signpost pointing to the new creation that is coming. But this is not just an idea we are called to think about, agree with, and persuade others to believe. Jesus gave us very tangible things we can do to experience it.
Sermon: Living in Community - Acts of Service
Scripture: John 13:12-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples what he called a “new command.” He said that we should love one another - which wasn’t the new part. What was new was that he added “as I have loved you.” When we see the context in which Jesus gave this now familiar command, we see how revolutionary it truly is.
Sermon Series: Experiencing Easter
Sermon Description: The empty tomb of Easter was the first visible sign of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, as well as a signpost pointing to the new creation that is coming. But this is not just an idea we are called to think about, agree with, and persuade others to believe. Jesus gave us very tangible things we can do to experience it.
Sermon: Coming Through the Water - Baptism
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: There is just something about water… Drinking it, soaking in it, sitting by it. But as peaceful and nourishing as water can be, it can also be powerful and dangerous. And through baptism, God puts all of these aspects into play in order to create an experience that marks a moment of change.
Sermon Series: Experiencing Easter
Sermon Description: The empty tomb of Easter was the first visible sign of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, as well as a signpost pointing to the new creation that is coming. But this is not just an idea we are called to think about, agree with, and persuade others to believe. Jesus gave us very tangible things we can do to experience it.
Sermon: Sharing a Meal - Communion
Scripture: Luke 24:28-35
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Eating is a necessity, but sharing a meal is not. We have all had plenty of forgettable plates of food, but we have also had meals we will remember forever. There is a power embedded within the sharing of a meal, and it can change your life when the one who planned the meal is the God of the universe!
Sermon Series: Experiencing Easter
Sermon Description: The empty tomb of Easter was the first visible sign of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, as well as a signpost pointing to the new creation that is coming. But this is not just an idea we are called to think about, agree with, and persuade others to believe. Jesus gave us very tangible things we can do to experience it.
Sermon: Exploring the Scripture - Worship and Bible Study Scripture: Luke 24:13-27 Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: As we celebrate the annual tradition of giving our third graders a Bible, we talk about how the Bible can be more than just information. It is a gift meant to draw us close to God and one another.
Sermon Series: Experiencing Easter
Sermon Description: The empty tomb of Easter was the first visible sign of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, as well as a signpost pointing to the new creation that is coming. But this is not just an idea we are called to think about, agree with, and persuade others to believe. Jesus gave us very tangible things we can do to experience it.
Sermon: Eternal Life
Scripture: John 20:11-18
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: When Jesus promises eternal life to all those who believe in him, what do you picture? Or more specifically, when do you picture? What if the hope of Easter is about more than what happens when you die, but it is about the life God has for you now?
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News
Sermon Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon: Shall Not Perish
Scripture: Romans 6:2b-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Bible tells us that all have sinned and that the wages of sin is death. So basically, every human being who has ever lived - minus Jesus - deserves death. Really?! And even if that were true, if God wants to save everyone, why can’t God just accept our apology or even just declare everyone forgiven? The answers to these questions bring us to the heart of what actually happened on the cross.
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News
Sermon Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon: Everyone Who Believes In Him Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-12, 17-19 (CEB)
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Jesus tells us in John 3:16 that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. But what does it mean to believe? What does biblical faith look like?
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News
Sermon Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon: God Gave His Only Son Scripture: Romans 8:31-39 Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: How is Jesus’ death on the cross a gift and not the act of a monstrous God abusing an innocent victim? To get there, we need to unpack and understand animal sacrifice, the Trinity, biblical generosity, and the struggle between abundance and scarcity mindsets.
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News
Sermon Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon: A Glimpse of the Gospel Scripture: John 3:16-17 Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: God so loved the world, but what does that mean? The word love has so many meanings, even in the Bible itself. But when God describes God’s own love for humanity and creation, God tells us exactly what kind of love it is.
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News
Sermon Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon Series: Uncovering the Good News Sermon: A Glimpse of the Gospel
Scripture: John 3:16-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It’s both a succinct and comprehensive summary of the Gospel. Yet, the heart of this verse has been obscured over time. It is time to peel back the layers and uncover the good news.
Sermon: Which Christ? Scripture: Luke 4:21-30 (NIV)
Speaker: Rev. Erwin Lopez, Wesley at UCF
Description:The idea is that as Christians our ultimate goal is to imitate Christ. But which one? The book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all show us a different picture of the Christ. We also see images of Christ in self help and very strict law abiding churches. We can also break down Christ into prophet, priest and healer (or King). So which Christ?
Sermon Series: Oh Yeah, That's Me!
Series Description: Unlike the other three Gospels, which are jam-packed with lots of little stories, John gives us fewer stories in more detail. He intentionally curates his collection to prove a specific point: Jesus is the Messiah and through believing in him we have life. Early in his Gospel, John works toward this by showing us that Jesus is the truth that four important symbols point to.
Sermon: The Source of Living Water
Scripture:John 4:1-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: You can drink until you are uncomfortably full, and yet at some point you will get thirsty again. This is not only true with water, but it is true for the many thirsts we feel as human beings. What we do not need is more of what we thirst for - in fact, more is often worse. What we need is to drink from the right source.
Sermon Series: Oh Yeah, That's Me!
Series Description: Unlike the other three Gospels, which are jam-packed with lots of little stories, John gives us fewer stories in more detail. He intentionally curates his collection to prove a specific point: Jesus is the Messiah and through believing in him we have life. Early in his Gospel, John works toward this by showing us that Jesus is the truth that four important symbols point to.
Sermon: More Than Just a Teacher
Scripture: John 3: 1-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Under the cover of darkness, a respected teacher and community leader meets with a young upstart who has just pulled an outrageous stunt that got everyone talking. If he can figure out how to bing this young man into the fold, perhaps they can be mutually beneficial to each other. The young man's response? "Get a life."
Sermon Series: Oh Yeah, That's Me!
Series Description: Unlike the other three Gospels, which are jam-packed with lots of little stories, John gives us fewer stories in more detail. He intentionally curates his collection to prove a specific point: Jesus is the Messiah and through believing in him we have life. Early in his Gospel, John works toward this by showing us that Jesus is the truth that four important symbols point to.
Sermon: The Host of the Party
Scripture: John 2:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Turning water into wine at a wedding party is one of Jesus’ most well-known yet least understood miracles. It is memorable, fun to make jokes about, and easy to mistake as just some divine magic trick. But the Gospel writer tells us it was so much more: a sign that revealed his glory and led his brand new disciples to believe in him.
Sermon Series: Oh Yeah, That's Me! Series Description: Unlike the other three Gospels, which are jam-packed with lots of little stories, John gives us fewer stories in more detail. He intentionally curates his collection to prove a specific point: Jesus is the Messiah and through believing in him we have life. Early in his Gospel, John works toward this by showing us that Jesus is the truth that four important symbols point to. Sermon: The Host of the Party
Scripture: John 2:1-11
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Turning water into wine at a wedding party is one of Jesus’ most well-known yet least understood miracles. It is memorable, fun to make jokes about, and easy to mistake as just some divine magic trick. But the Gospel writer tells us it was so much more: a sign that revealed his glory and led his brand new disciples to believe in him.
Sermon: Ministering to the Emotionally Impacted: Stephen Ministry
Scripture: Luke 10:25-37
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Stephen Ministry’s mission is to bring Christ to a hurting world through one-on-one meetings, allowing emotionally impacted people to know the peace and power of Christ’s healing. We’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this healing ministry and how to introduce this benefit to those who are hurting as well as how to answer Christ’s invitation to get involved as a Stephen Minister.
Sermon Series: A Good Year Sermon: The Power of Good to Heal Divisions and Bring Unity
Scripture: Acts 8:4-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Most of us love the idea of unity. And the kind of unity we love the most is when the people who are wrong come to see that we are right! But in order to heal divisions and build healthy unity, it often requires God breaking things down in us too.
Sermon Series: A Good Year
Sermon: The Power of Good In and Through Us
Scripture: Acts 8:4-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: “Circumstances may change, but the mission doesn’t.” That’s easy to say, but not that easy to live into. As we seek to make something good happen when it feels like the normal and familiar are gone, it is important to remember that we never do this work alone.
Sermon Series: A Good Year
Sermon: The Power of Good in Unlikely Times and Places
Scripture: Acts 8:4-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In Acts 8, we see the Church in a situation we might recognize: completely thrown off from what was normal due to extraordinary circumstances. And when forced to leave their comfort zone, they found themselves out amongst those with whom they had deep divisions and disagreements. And yet, in these unlikely times and places, the power of the Holy Spirit made something good happen.
Sermon: A Good Year
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Whether we are New Year’s resolution people, goals people, dreams people, or fly by the seat of our pants people, everyone wants the new year to be a good one. But what do we mean by “a good year”? Spending time answering that question might completely reshape our resolutions, goals, and dreams.
Sermon: The Soul Felt Its Worth Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, John 3:16-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: There are many voices, both in us and around us, competing to build us up and tear us down. But we can only know our true worth and identity in the light of Jesus. And in the birth of Jesus and all he did for us, we see that God’s words of love and peace are not simply talk but backed up by action.
Sermon Series: A Thrill of Hope
Description: This new sermon series explores the traditional themes of Advent with the help of familiar lines from the song “O Holy Night".
Sermon: Sweet Hymns of Joy in Grateful Chorus
Scripture: Luke 2:25-38
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Joy is one of those words that get used a ton during the Christmas season, and rightly so! For two little-known characters in a part of the Christmas story we rarely read, encountering the baby Jesus led to an almost involuntary explosion of joy. In their example, we see how the joy we experience around Christmas isn’t unique to this season but something that can truly last all year.
Sermon Series: A Thrill of Hope
Description: This new sermon series explores the traditional themes of Advent with the help of familiar lines from the song “O Holy Night".
Sermon: His Law is Love and His Gospel is Peace
Scripture: Luke 4:16-21
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: It would have been both easy and understandable for God to just scrap creation and start again after humanity opened the door for sin and death’s corrupting influence. And yet , God came to us in Jesus with an invitation to repair the relationship and be a part of cleaning it all up. If the one with the authority to hold us accountable instead offers us grace and mercy out of love, that’s certainly a thrill of hope.
Sermon Series: A Thrill of Hope
Description: This new sermon series explores the traditional themes of Advent with the help of familiar lines from the song “O Holy Night".
Sermon: The Weary World Rejoices
Scripture: Psalm 30:1-5
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We live in a weary world, and it isn’t just because of all the current issues we face. The corrupting influence of sin is wearying and always has been. What is it about the coming of Jesus that made his coming a thrill of hope and reason to rejoice?
Sermon Series: A Thrill of Hope
Description: This new sermon series explores the traditional themes of Advent with the help of familiar lines from the song “O Holy Night".
Sermon: Honest Prayer
Scripture: Luke 18:35-43
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: So far, our exploration of prayer may seem a little one-sided, focusing mostly on God. But what about the questions, challenges, and requests that we want to bring to God? Does God care about them too?
Sermon Series: Prayer That Sustains
Description: To his weary disciples… To those trying to do it all themselves… To one who was suffering… Jesus told them about their need to pray always and to not lose heart. In Luke 18, Jesus reveals three qualities of prayer for those that needed it the most.
Sermon: Humble Prayer
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The parable about the prayers of the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector seems straightforward, but it is a trap! Even the very definition of humility can point us in the wrong direction.
Sermon Series: Prayer That Sustains
Description: To his weary disciples… To those trying to do it all themselves… To one who was suffering… Jesus told them about their need to pray always and to not lose heart. In Luke 18, Jesus reveals three qualities of prayer for those that needed it the most.
Sermon: Persistent Prayer
Scripture: Luke 18:1-8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: A season of waiting is ultimately an admission of our lack of control. When it feels like we are waiting on God to deliver what God has promised, it can be frustrating and wearying and even tempt us to lose heart or hope. Knowing that his disciples would soon face this struggle, Jesus taught them to focus on what they could control. They can’t force God to move, but they can be sure they are ready for when God does.
Sermon Series: Prayer That Sustains
Description: To his weary disciples… To those trying to do it all themselves… To one who was suffering… Jesus told them about their need to pray always and to not lose heart. In Luke 18, Jesus reveals three qualities of prayer for those that needed it the most.
Sermon: How It All Ends
Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, 27-28, Revelation 22:1-6
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The word “apocalypse” is often used to refer to the end of the world. One of the most famous apocalyptic works in the Bible is Revelation, which does give us a picture of the end. But ultimately, apocalypse is about God allowing us to see from a divine perspective. That makes this the perfect way to end our Learning to Read the Bible series.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: What We Want For You
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The annual “stewardship sermon” about giving is rarely a top-5 most loved sermon - either for the congregation or the preacher! And yet, what we do with our financial resources and how we relate to money is one of the things Jesus talked about the most. It was a common theme for Paul as well. For both Jesus and Paul, their focus was rarely the impact of the gift on the recipient and far more the impact that giving has on the giver.
Sermon: Reading Someone Else's (Holy) Mail
Scripture: Romans 12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Reading the New Testament Letters. They teach theology, but that theology is born out of real relationships between people facing real challenges.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Discerning the Meaning and Significance of Jesus’ Parables
Scripture: Luke 16:1-9
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Though we can conflate the two, meaning and significance are two different things. When we read Jesus’ parables, we often skip the meaning in our search for the significance. We practice finding both today, as we dig into one of Jesus’ most difficult parables.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Eyes to See, Ears to Hear
Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The parables of Jesus are some of the most beloved and well-known passages in the Gospel accounts, if not the entire Bible. Just about everyone knows what a “Good Samaritan” is even if they don’t know where it comes from. But, in a refrain that has been repeated throughout this series, what if our common understanding of the parables is actually a misunderstanding?
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Who Do You Say That I Am?
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Each of the four Gospel accounts of Jesus tell the same story, but they get there using different routes. This is, in part, because they are writing for different target audiences. This week, we explore a few key facets of these books that will help us both see the unified story and appreciate the masterful way each account contributes to that unified story.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: The Gospel is All About God’s Kingdom
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, 14-15
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: “Gospel” is one of those words that might be so familiar that its meaning has become fuzzy or diluted. Paradoxically, it has also come to represent something so specific that actually limits our understanding of it. And so, in order to learn how to read the Gospels, we first need to remind ourselves what the word means in the world of the Bible.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Where Are We Going?
Scripture: Revelation 21:22-25, 22:1-5
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The story of the Bible begins in a garden with access to the Tree of Life and it ends in a garden with access to the Tree of Life. In-between is the story of humanity outside of the garden, without access to the Tree of Life because we are bound by the power of sin and death. In order to get to the end of the story, there has to be a way back, and that story also centers around a garden and a tree.
Sermon Series: Garden Center - Who We Are & Why Are We Here
Sermon: What Is Our Story?
Scripture: Genesis 2:9, 15-17, Genesis 3:14-15, 22-23
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The beautiful story that begins with humanity as royal priests representing God and ruling over the good world on God’s behalf only last about a page before it all comes crashing down. And it is here where we sync up with the beginning of the stereotypical story of Christianity most people have heard: a broken and sinful humanity in need of saving. The problem is, even if we get the overarching plot right, many of us misunderstand key details that affect how we understand our own story.
Sermon Series: Garden Center - Who We Are & Why Are We Here
Sermon: Who Are We and Why Are We Here?
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31, 2:4-9, 15
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Identity and purpose: who we are and why we are here. More than any other of life’s “big questions”, these shape how we see and act in the world. In a way, the answers to these questions are both much grander and much more simple than we likely realize.
Sermon Series: Garden Center - Who We Are & Why Are We Here
Sermon: Where Are We?
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In order to tackle the big questions of life, like who we are and why we are here, we must start at the beginning. And in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. This week, we start off by exploring the world into which God placed us.
Sermon Series: Garden Center - Who We Are & Why Are We Here
Sermon: The Pursuit of Lady Wisdom
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, 13-18
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs are all tied to the figure of Solomon in the Bible. And like in the narratives of 1 Kings, we experience multiple sides to Solomon - the young optimist, the elder cynic, and even the ideal shepherd king that wasn’t. But despite the varied perspectives, they all call us to one thing: the pursuit of Lady Wisdom.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Wisdom: Not If But How
Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-15
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The simple truth is that everyone gains wisdom—it’s a part of growing up. But not all wisdom is created equal! The source, content, and ramifications of how we see and discern good and bad, right and wrong shapes our lives. And as the biography of King Solomon shows us, it is a life-long pursuit.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: How Jesus Fulfilled the Law
Scripture: John 5:19-24
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: It is not uncommon to hear people say that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament seem like two different Gods. One is about rules and laws and the other is about faith and love. But when we learn to read the Law of the Bible properly, we see that it is all part of the unified story that leads to Jesus.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: What Even IS Biblical Law?!
Scripture: Psalm 1
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: There’s a memorable bit of dialogue from the film The Princess Bride: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” In some ways, this could be said of us when we talk about the Law in the Bible. And so, in order to learn how to read biblical law, we might first have to unlearn how we currently read it.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Covenant Watchdogs
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Dr. Tim Mackie of the BibleProject describes the biblical prophets like “covenant watchdogs,” issuing warnings and calling people back to faithfulness to God. But it is not all gloom and doom. Even the most devastating of God’s punishments are ultimately about providing the cleansing necessary to restore the relationship and rebuild the covenant community.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Prayers of the Past, Hope For the Future - Part 2
Scripture: Psalm 8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Last week, we introduced the idea that the Psalms are prayers of the past that offer hope for the future. This week, we see that the hope offered isn’t just some general hope about God’s future faithfulness. Rather, some of them became key points that New Testament authors, and even Jesus himself, would use to prove Jesus’ identity as the promised messiah.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Prayers of the Past, Hope For the Future - Part 1
Scripture: Psalm 2
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poetic songs and prayers. But it isn’t just a “best of” collection - they are intentionally arranged, communicating deep truths within and across psalms. These prayers give us both a picture of the past and hope for the future.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Roses Are Read, Violets Are Blue, Poetry is Hard, but It’s Worth It Too
Scripture: Psalm 29
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Poetry can be hard to read and understand. Even seemingly simple poems, like the famous “roses are red…“, have much more going on below the surface than we often realize. But poetry, and especially biblical poetry, is so valuable precisely because it communicates in such a different and powerful way.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: HGTV, The Bible, and Baptism
Scripture: Romans 6:1-8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: If you’ve ever watched a home renovation show like Fixer Upper or Home Town, you are familiar with the concept of design patterns. Colors, textures, themes, and sometimes even literal patterns run through the house in big and small ways to tie everything together. The same technique is used by the biblical authors that, when recognized, adds a layer of depth and meaning.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Haven't We Been Here Before?
Scripture: John 4:1-26
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The streets of New York City, the canals of Venice, a cafe in Paris. These are iconic settings that many of us can not just picture but almost feel too. The setting in a narrative has the power to affect how we experience a story - sometimes without even realizing it! And learning to read the Bible means recognizing this as a tool of the biblical authors and Holy Spirit as well.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Seeing Yourself in the Bible
Scripture:2 Samuel 12:1-7a
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Modern stories often give us what can seem like detailed blueprints of characters, telling us about their appearance, backstory, and even thoughts and motivations. The characters in the Bible are much more like impressionist paintings, communicating a lot through very little detail. This lack of detail actually helps us better grasp and connect with the meaning and purpose of biblical narrative.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Parts of Parts of Parts
Scripture:
Judges 6:36-40
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Legos are great because every piece is so versatile. But if you have ever used an actual Lego kit, you know the designers have a specific place and function in mind for every piece. And usually, each piece makes up a part that makes up a section that helps create the final product. The same is true with plot in biblical narrative.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Biblical Gaps and Ambiguity: A Feature, Not A Bug
Scripture:
Genesis 4:1-7
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We all have a heart and a mind. They do different things, and they each have strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, there are literary styles in the Bible that specifically seek to engage each one, and they too function in different ways. Today, we dig into poetry and prose discourse.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Even if we accept that the Bible is not a textbook or moral instruction manual, we can still desire more clarity. For example, why are so many details in some of the stories either vague or missing completely? It turns out that this isn’t a mistake or just some cultural quirk of ancient literature, but it is an intentional tool of the biblical authors.
Sermon: Hearts and Minds
Scripture:
Exodus 15:1-10
1 Corinthians 9:24-10:6
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We all have a heart and a mind. They do different things, and they each have strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, there are literary styles in the Bible that specifically seek to engage each one, and they too function in different ways. Today, we dig into poetry and prose discourse.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: Everyone Has a Story
Scripture: Exodus 14:10-18, 21-23
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Bible can be broken down into 3 primary categories of literary styles: narrative, poetry, and prose discourse. While they all feed into the larger purpose of the Bible, each literary style has its own unique way of doing so. Today, we look at narrative, which makes up nearly half the Bible.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: Jesus Isn't Where You Left Him
Scripture: Mark 16:1-7, Matthew 28:16-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
On the morning we now call Easter, a group of women who followed Jesus came to take care of his body—but Jesus wasn’t where they had left him! As we begin to look toward recovering from the pandemic, we are likely to discover the same thing. Jesus isn’t where we left him 55 weeks ago, and it’s for the same reason: Jesus is alive, on the move, and calling us to follow him somewhere new.
Sermon: The Relationship Question: What Sets Us Apart
Scripture: John 13:33-35
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Jesus took the weight of humanity’s sin upon him as he willingly went to the cross. It was the only way for the God who is love to defeat the powers of sin and death once and for all. As those who follow in Christ’s footsteps, we too must wrestle with what love requires of us.
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: The Maturity Question: This Is The Way
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Does your decision making more resemble the limbo or the high jump? Is it “how low can you go” or “how high can I set the bar”? Snuggling up against the line between right and wrong leaves no margin of error, which is why we are called to be guided by wisdom.
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: The Conscience Question: The Tension that Deserves Attention
Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-12
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: You’re facing a decision, and you can’t put your finger on it, but something just doesn’t feel right. This is a critical point that is often a fork in the road between a good decision and a regret. And that “little voice in the back of your head” is often a lot more important than we give it credit for.
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: The Legacy Question: A Story To Be Proud Of
Scripture: Genesis 39:1-9
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: They may never make a movie our your life, but you still have a story. Is your life story one you’re proud of? Or are there parts you hope no one tells? The good news is, we can shape our story moving forward one decision at a time.
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: The Integrity Question: Fire the Liar in Your Head
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The good news: You’re the most effective salesperson you have ever known. The bad news: The person you can sell practically anything to is yourself. The first question that leads to better decisions and fewer regrets is, “Am I being honest with myself… really?”
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: The Power of Decision Making
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-6
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: When facing a tough decision, has anyone ever asked you what you would advise someone else to do? Implicit in this suggestion is an inconvenient truth: forces like our emotions, attachments, and perspective can actually work against us. We begin the road to better decisions and fewer regrets by acknowledging the power of decision making, why we can be so bad at it, and the tools we need to get better.
Sermon Series: Better Decisions Fewer Regrets
The story of our lives is written one decision at a time. And while we may never plan to ruin our lives or the lives of those around us, we don’t always plan not to. This series explores a set of five questions that lead to better decisions and fewer regrets.
Sermon: Love One Another And Be Kind
Scripture: 1 John 4:19
Speaker: Marti Pacheco
Description: The title of my message is actually one of my favorite songs that we sing at our preschool. I’ve learned so much from and about the students at our preschool. Pastor Dan asked if I could share some of the things I’ve learned in the preschool ministry here at Lakeside.
Sermon: Let Them Come To Christ
Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15 (CEB)
Speaker: Rev. Ryan Frack
Description: Welcome is a very timely topic, both in our culture and in the church, where Christ-like embrace is a transformative experience. Through Jesus’ acceptance of the children, we can rediscover our call to fully embrace anyone on the margins.
Sermon: Browsing the Stacks
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:9-14, 1 Timothy 4:13
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The stories around us shape us. They shape our identity, worldview, what we think is possible, and the ways in which we do and don’t respond - in both word and deed. Though admittedly hard to read at times, we believe the Bible to be the story that most truthfully and authentically represents reality. But the way in which we engage the Bible often limits the story’s ability to shape us the way it was made to.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: Browsing the Stacks
Scripture: Luke 24:44-49
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Bible is a book like no other. One of the many ways it is unique is that it tells a unified story across a library of books—a couple of libraries, actually. And just like in a library, the section in which you find the individual books tells you a lot about what to expect from those books.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: Multiple Authors, A Thousand Years, One Story
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: We have explored the story of the whole Bible and how it can be useful to us as a map. Now we need to start asking questions about the story itself. What is its purpose, how does it set about accomplishing that purpose, and why does it—or, frankly, why should it—matter to us today?
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: Using the Map
Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Last week, we explored the story of the Bible. With that 30,000 foot perspective, it serves as a map, highlighting key themes and the shape of the whole Biblical narrative from creation to eternity. Maps are also incredibly valuable when we feel lost, as they help us both figure out where we are and where the journey will take us.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Sermon: the Bible from 30,000 Feet
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3, Revelation 22:1-5
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: The Bible is an epic narrative made up of multiple genres, covering creation to eternity, with hundreds of characters, and complex plots and subplots that interconnect with one another. When we try to read the Bible, it is easy to get confused, bogged down, lost, or even downright discouraged. A good first step in learning to read the Bible is to grasp the main overarching story, so no matter what you are reading, you can always zoom out and find your place on the map.
Sermon Series: Learning to Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t easy. But neither are the most important and meaningful things in life. Relationships, our well-being, making a positive impact—they all take work! As we learn how to read the Bible, it doesn’t necessarily get easier, but we can get better at it. In this extended series, we will learn how to read the Bible with the help of amazing free resources from the BibleProject.
Scripture: John 1:1-14
Description: In March, astronomers discovered Comet NEOWISE, and for a month over the summer, it provided a spectacular show. But the comet itself was not new, and despite the fact that we can no longer see it, it is not gone. Similarly, Jesus was at work long before we realized it and is at work still, even when we don’t see it.
Sermon: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Scripture: Luke 1:26-28
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: Christmas caroling is fun until the strangers on your doorstep starting demanding obscure desserts and refusing to leave until they get some. Something pleasant turns into a burden. But when we look at the surprise offer a young woman receives from God, we see a burden become a blessing.
Sermon Series: Thats Not What Christmas Is All About
In this light-hearted series, we are comparing the embedded messages in our favorite Christmas songs with the true messages of Christmas.
Sermon: Deck the Halls
Scripture: Psalm 126
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: What do we do when everyone around us is decking the halls and enjoying the most wonderful time of the year, and we just can’t? What do we do when Christmas isn’t so merry? What does a life of faith look like when we are hurting at a time when everyone else is rejoicing?
Sermon Series: Thats Not What Christmas Is All About
In this light-hearted series, we are comparing the embedded messages in our favorite Christmas songs with the true messages of Christmas.
Sermon: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: An old guy who is spying on you, giving out rewards for good behavior, and withholding rewards or even giving out punishments for bad behavior. Does this describe Santa or God… or both? This is the most played Christmas song of the last 50 years, and yet it is almost the exact opposite of what Christmas is all about.
Sermon Series: Thats Not What Christmas Is All About
In this light-hearted series, we are comparing the embedded messages in our favorite Christmas songs with the true messages of Christmas.
Sermon: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Scripture: Mark 13:24-37
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Description: In the quest for the “perfect” Christmas, or a “traditional” Christmas, or in wanting to recreate for our family—or ourselves—the experience we had in the “olden days”, we can strive to have complete control over how Christmas turns out. This is not only impossible, but it keeps our focus inward on our own experience. It is also the complete opposite of the posture the Bible calls us to have as we celebrate Christ’s coming and anticipate his return.
Sermon Series: Thats Not What Christmas Is All About
In this light-hearted series, we are comparing the embedded messages in our favorite Christmas songs with the true messages of Christmas.
Sermon What's My Motivation
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
There’s an old theater joke about an actor asking the director, “What’s my motivation?” The director replies, “Your paycheck.” The point of the joke is that it’s the actors job to just do what’s on the page, not understand it. This is how some approach the Bible and their faith as well, but it is not at all how God intends it.
Sermon Title: Where There Is Faith
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1
Speaker: Rev. Rob Lewis
It's often easy to talk about faith when we are healthy, well-fed, and financially fit. What happens when we're not those things? What does it mean when our faith in Jesus meets the challenging realities of life that we may or may not have control over?
Clip referenced - The Miracle of the Fish (scene from The Chosen): https://youtu.be/hWGCkovAUWM
Sermon Title: Spiritual Sunk Costs
Scripture: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
We all have a past. That past runs from the day we were born until just before the moment you read this—and even now that moment too is the past. And while the past matters and certainly has consequences, we cannot change it. We can only choose how and with whom we will move forward.
Sermon Title: We Should All Probably Leave
Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
We are bombarded with information all the time, but information is not the same as insight or wisdom. Similarly, we are constantly looking at things, but the ability to see… that’s different. On this Stewardship Sunday, we explore how vital actually seeing is to shaping a faithful response to all that God has given us.
Sermon Title: Learning to See
Scripture: Mark 12:41-44
Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich
We are bombarded with information all the time, but information is not the same as insight or wisdom. Similarly, we are constantly looking at things, but the ability to see… that’s different. On this Stewardship Sunday, we explore how vital actually seeing is to shaping a faithful response to all that God has given us.
Sermon Title: Laity Sunday
Scripture: Romans 5: 1-11
Speaker: Troy Antonik
A message on perseverance.
Sermon Title:
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Scripture:
Exodus 32:1-14
Description:
How comfortable are you with the idea of God being angry? Is it off-putting? Is it scary? Is it central to your picture of God’s character? Often how we respond to God’s anger is more about our own experiences than it is the God of the Scriptures.
Sermon Title
A Memorable Meal
Scripture
Matthew 26:17-30
Description
The meaning of Jesus’ death is central to the Christian understanding of how everything works. And yet it is something that, according to the Gospels, Jesus spoke very little about. Instead he gave his followers, then and now, a memorable meal.
Sermon Title
Following God’s Lead
Scriptures
Exodus 13:21-22
Exodus 40:17, 34-38
Description
When you stop and think about it, apps like Google Maps are mind-blowing. We can explore multiple route options; compare variables like traffic, turns, and tolls; and even access real-time information about speed traps, stalled cars, and suggested stops. The journey of following God may not come with that level of detail, but it does come with something far more valuable.
Sermon Title
Even The Cows of Nineveh
Scripture
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Description
Jonah and the whale is a popular Bible story for kids. But the Sunday School version usually only tells part of the story. When we look at the oft-forgotten ending to the story, we see that God’s grace - something we celebrate and sing songs about - may actually be something we need to wrestle with.
Description
Sometimes, forgiveness feels like we are letting people off the hook - as if what they did doesn’t really matter. On the other hand, enforcing consequences can sometimes feel harsh. But the model of accountability that Jesus teaches finds a way between these two approaches, and it is all about mercy.
Scripture
Matthew 18:21-35
Sermon Series- Control: Having It, Losing It, and Finding It Again
Has life felt a little out of control lately? You’re not alone.
This crazy year has revealed an important truth: The kind of control we thought we had was an actually illusion.
But God wants to teach us an even more important truth: We have more control than we could ever imagine. It just might look a bit different than we imagine…
Sermon - Made For This
Paradoxically, we both over- and underestimate the control and responsibility God has given us all the time. But when we understand and live into our identity and purpose as the image of God, we get to join God in building and blessing all creation.
Scripture
Psalm 8, Revelation 22:1-5
Sermon Series- Control: Having It, Losing It, and Finding It Again
Has life felt a little out of control lately? You’re not alone.
This crazy year has revealed an important truth: The kind of control we thought we had was an actually illusion.
But God wants to teach us an even more important truth: We have more control than we could ever imagine. It just might look a bit different than we imagine…
Sermon - God Is In Control… Right?
God is in control… but we are also in the middle of a global pandemic wreaking pain, suffering, and death around the world.
God is in control… but bad people “win” and good people “lose” all the time.
God is in control… but sometimes I question how God is using that control.
God is in control… right?
Scripture
Romans 8:26-39
Sermon Series- Control: Having It, Losing It, and Finding It Again
Has life felt a little out of control lately? You’re not alone.
This crazy year has revealed an important truth: The kind of control we thought we had was an actually illusion.
But God wants to teach us an even more important truth: We have more control than we could ever imagine. It just might look a bit different than we imagine…
Sermon -SNAP Back into Control
Feeling out of control is disorienting. And when it seems like whatever we do is either pointless or makes things worse, it is easy to just give up—or “give it up to God.” But waiting on God, though Scriptural, is just the first step.
Isaiah 40:27-31
Sermon Series- Control: Having It, Losing It, and Finding It Again
Has life felt a little out of control lately? You’re not alone.
This crazy year has revealed an important truth: The kind of control we thought we had was an actually illusion.
But God wants to teach us an even more important truth: We have more control than we could ever imagine. It just might look a bit different than we imagine…
Sermon - Driving Cars, Mowing Lawns, and Planting Gardens
Genesis 1:26-31
Sermon Title
Amazed
Scripture
Luke 7:1-10
Description
Our minds naturally look for patterns and make generalizations, allowing us to group things. Without the ability to do this, everything and everyone we encounter would be an overwhelming “new” experience. But this natural process can come back to bite us if we let it go too far.
The One Who Calls You Is Faithful
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
The Thessalonian church was a scrappy little community who persevered in their faith despite resistance and challenges from all sides. As we walk in our own season of challenges, we focus in on Paul’s encouragement to continue living lives of prayer, celebration, and gratitude in light of God’s ultimate faithfulness.
This week, Lakeside is participating in Share The Mic Sunday! This Sunday remembers and celebrates the consecration of the first African American female bishop in the UMC by inviting the voices Black women to speak to us today. We have the privilege of hearing a sermon from Rev. Latricia Scriven, pastor of New Life UMC in Tallahassee and Director of the Wesley Foundation at FAMU.
You Will Find Rest
Matthew 11:20-30
If there is one word that sums up life right now, it just might be “exhausting”. There is so much pain, anger, and division. The same could be said of the world in which Jesus lived. To that world, he offered rest, and the offer still stands for us today.
Scripture:Matthew 11:2-19
Description:Last week, we explored the story about God testing Abraham to see whether Abraham truly loved God or just what God had promised to give him. Today, we see Jesus take this challenge one step deeper: Is our faith actually in Jesus or just our expectations of Jesus?
Sermon Title:
Faith & Sight, Genesis 22:1-14
Sermon Description:
Hebrews famously tells us that faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And while we will not see the fullness of God’s promises until Jesus comes again, it doesn’t mean we are left with nothing. In one of the most iconic stories of the Old Testament, we see faith and sight intertwined.
Sermon Title
Resurrection = New Life, Romans 6:1-11
There is a key difference between resuscitation and resurrection. One restores to old life and the other gives new life. As we begin to figure out what our lives will look like after the pandemic, we have the opportunity to choose one or the other.
Sermon Title: Spirit-Focused Decision Making in a Time of Transition, Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Description: Leadership and decision making are normally hard enough. In times of transition, when you’re trying to discern and design a “new normal,” it gets even harder. A little-known story from Acts gives us a picture of what this looked like in the earliest days of the Church.
Sermon Title
Out of Control
Scripture
Acts 2:1-18, 37-42
Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29
Psalm 33:6-12
Description
Many of us like to be in control, and one of the revelations of this season of pandemic is just how little control we actually have. But in the story of Pentecost, even when God empowers people to build and lead the church, we see that control wasn’t God’s top priority.
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Kingdom, Power, and Glory, Matthew 28:18-20
As we wrap up our series on the Lord’s Prayer, we are faced with a familiar and seemingly simple benediction: yours, God, is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. But as we have found with the entirety of this prayer, it is much easier to say than it is to truly live out.
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Deliver Us, Matthew 6:13
If we are dedicated to bringing God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, we shouldn’t be surprised when we face opposition from those representing other kingdoms. In a paradoxical way, the temptations and trials we face aren’t a sign that God has abandoned us, but rather they are opportunities to recognize and rely on God’s presence with us.
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Forgive Us, Matthew 6:12
Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity, and yet our understanding of it is often a bit blurry. Forgiveness is simultaneously far simpler and far more complex than we may realize.
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Our Daily Bread, Matthew 6:11
We have reached the part of the Lord’s Prayer where we begin to lift up our requests to God. It comes in the form of a request for daily bread - something so simple and generally plentiful for many of us. But as we have learned by now, the elements of the Lord’s Prayer may be simple, but they are packed with meaning.
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Thy Kingdom Come, Matthew 6:10
As we saw last week, praying “Our Father,” has a depth and meaning to it that might have caught us by surprise. The part of the prayer about God’s Kingdom coming and God’s will being done is no less surprising. In fact, it just might challenge us to rethink everything we think we know about heaven, earth, and the storyline of the Bible itself.
Check out the BibleProject video on Heaven and Earth that served as an outline for Pastor Dan as he wrote this week's sermon!
Series Description: Pray This Way
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “Pray this way…” What came next was five short verses that we pray every week in worship and countless people have memorized. The brevity and familiarity might lead us to think of the Lord’s Prayer as simple. But upon closer inspection, it is anything but simple. It is quite possibly the most powerful prayer we have ever prayed.
Sermon Description: Our Father, Matthew 6:7-13
Prayer is one of the central disciplines to the Christian faith, and yet many people struggle with it. Perhaps that struggle begins with a central question: to whom are we praying?
Sermon Title An Unforgettable Easter
Scripture John 20:1-22
Description Panic, confusion, weeping, doubt, fear, isolation, locked doors. These words describe the world in the midst of a pandemic. But they are also accurate descriptions of the first Easter. In the same way that none of those hindered the presence and power of the resurrected Jesus two thousand years ago, they can’t hider him today either. And just as that day ended in rejoicing, may we too rejoice on this unforgettable Easter.
Series Description: Nice: Why We Love to be Liked and How God Calls Us to More
Niceness keeps the peace, wins friends, gains influence, and serves our reputations well, but it also takes the teeth out of our witness and the power out of our faith. Based on the book by Pastor Sharon Hodde Miller, this series explores the seemingly innocent idol that has crept into our faith and quietly corrupted it.
Sermon Description: Processed: The Fruit of Sentimentality Matthew 21:1-11
Remembering the good ol’ days or happy memories can fill us with positive emotions, and that can be a good thing on occasion. But nostalgia and sentimentality often misrepresent reality, serving up only good feelings. When we try to practice a “nice” Christianity that is constantly providing emotional hits, we too misrepresent reality.
Series Description: Nice: Why We Love to be Liked and How God Calls Us to More
Niceness keeps the peace, wins friends, gains influence, and serves our reputations well, but it also takes the teeth out of our witness and the power out of our faith. Based on the book by Pastor Sharon Hodde Miller, this series explores the seemingly innocent idol that has crept into our faith and quietly corrupted it.
Sermon Description: Hard: The Fruit of Self Righteousness , Luke 15: 11-32
“Nice” Christians are often rule followers—in large part because God has called us to live in a certain way. The problem is that, when the rules become the focus, the very things meant to bring us life end up bearing bad fruit in our lives.
Series Description: Nice: Why We Love to be Liked and How God Calls Us to More
Niceness keeps the peace, wins friends, gains influence, and serves our reputations well, but it also takes the teeth out of our witness and the power out of our faith. Based on the book by Pastor Sharon Hodde Miller, this series explores the seemingly innocent idol that has crept into our faith and quietly corrupted it.
Sermon Description: Bitter: The Fruit of Cynicism , Ephesians 4:1-6, 31-32
Because niceness is inherently inauthentic, if we use it to our own advantage, we can be tempted to assume everyone else is too. Similarly, if our niceness is taken advantage of or it doesn’t get us what we want, it too can lead to anger and cynicism. However, neither of these perspectives are how God calls us to see one another and the world around us.
Series Description: Nice: Why We Love to be Liked and How God Calls Us to More
Niceness keeps the peace, wins friends, gains influence, and serves our reputations well, but it also takes the teeth out of our witness and the power out of our faith. Based on the book by Pastor Sharon Hodde Miller, this series explores the seemingly innocent idol that has crept into our faith and quietly corrupted it.
Sermon Description: Rotten: The Fruit of Corruption,James 1:2-5, 19-22
As we noted last week, niceness can function like a Trojan Horse, providing cover for something terrible within. This is something we battle both within ourselves and in our relationships with others - particularly those who are nice to us. The way we root out this bad fruit is through wisdom and discernment.
Series Description: Nice: Why We Love to be Liked and How God Calls Us to More
Niceness keeps the peace, wins friends, gains influence, and serves our reputations well, but it also takes the teeth out of our witness and the power out of our faith. Based on the book by Pastor Sharon Hodde Miller, this series explores the seemingly innocent idol that has crept into our faith and quietly corrupted it.
Sermon Description: Fake: The Fruit of Inauthenticity, Matthew 7:16-20
In a compelling illustration, Jesus teaches that the health of a tree is evident in the quality of its fruit. And though being nice is one of the most valued qualities in the church and the world, a close inspection shows that it can easily lead to bad fruit - the first among them being inauthenticity.
Sermon Series - How We Do It
As the Methodist movement started to grow, it was no longer possible for John Wesley to personally oversee and guide every group that was meeting. He realized that how they did things was as important as what they did. And so, he gave Methodists three simple rules as a guide.
Sermon - Stay In Love With God, Mark 1:32-39
The final of John Wesley’s Three General Rules for Methodists is the simplest of them all, and yet for some of us, it’s the easiest to neglect. What makes this such a tragedy is that this rule - stay in love with God - is actually the engine that powers everything else.
Sermon Series - How We Do It
As the Methodist movement started to grow, it was no longer possible for John Wesley to personally oversee and guide every group that was meeting. He realized that how they did things was as important as what they did. And so, he gave Methodists three simple rules as a guide.
Sermon - Do Good, James 2:14-26
Working toward doing no harm is a big and important first step. But it can leave us wondering what, if anything, we are supposed to do. How do I stand for what I believe? Is sitting it out ok? What difference can I really make in a world so big and so broken? These are all a part of the discussion around Wesley’s second general rule: do good.
Sermon Series Description
How We Do It
As the Methodist movement started to grow, it was no longer possible for John Wesley to personally oversee and guide every group that was meeting. He realized that how they did things was as important as what they did. And so, he gave Methodists three simple rules as a guide.
Sermon Description
Do No Harm, Matthew 5:38-48
The first of Wesley’s three general rules for Methodists was to do no harm. We are living in a time of great polarization, debate, and change—within our Church, country, and world. How might the way in which we work through these challenges differ if we committed to following the first of Wesley’s three general rules for Methodists: do no harm?
John 14:8-16, 25-26
Discipleship is one of those “church words” that get used a lot. And while we generally know what it means - to grow as a follower of Jesus - it sometimes helps to have a concrete image we can relate it to. The anatomy of an echo offers a simple yet powerful illustration of what discipleship can look like.
GOD LOVES (THE REAL) YOU-The Gospel and the Enneagram• Sundays in January
The Enneagram is a personality typing system built around why we do what we do. By examining our motivations, it can help us not only understand the way we see and act in the world, but it can help us identify the defense mechanisms we use to get through life. And ultimately, the better we understand ourselves, the more we can hear God’s specific message of love and grace toward us.
God Loves (The Real) You, Week 4: The Enneagram’s Body Triad - 8,9,1 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Those in the body triad try to control everything around them in order to hide weakness, avoid conflict, or right all wrongs. They can change the world through their courage, ability to unify, and drive to improve. The good news of the Gospel for people dominant in these types is that what God offers to each of us is love, grace, and mercy.