Sunday Sermons from Trinity UMC Lincoln, Nebraska: Recent Episodes
Jeff Slater
Why is kindness so powerful?
What can we as healthy, responsible Christians bring to our divided society, especially in this season where politics brings it all to the surface?
Kindness is a simple idea with great power, and the reasons for it connect directly to God. This morning, we’ll look at WHY kindness has such impact, and learn how we can make a positive impact on those around us no matter what!
Every now and then, it pays to ask why we do the things we do.
Today, we’re asking why Christianity (and religion in general) matters. It starts with the hard questions that come sooner or later for us all, but ends in tremendous, life-giving hope.
Every week we talk about being “fully alive in Christ.” But what does it mean?
This week’s scripture is THAT one— the one where Jesus says he came so that YOU “could live life to the fullest.” Come for a vision of who we are as a church and of what God wants for your life.
Join us as we let God’s love overflow!
We’ve come to the end of the Basics series, on what it means to be Christian and United Methodist. But what does it all mean? What difference does it make?If grace is true, and if all people matter, then it means we have a very particular responsibility to LIVE our faith. Join us as we talk about the Kingdom of God and our United Methodist Social Principles.We’ll tackle hard questions. And hear a story of John Wesley having a BULL TURNED LOOSE on him. Not unrelated— and TOTALLY worth it! See you there!
Do you have as many friends as you like? GOOD, close, deep friends?
Yeah, most of us probably answered “no” to that. Don’t blame yourself, it’s part of being human— we were made for relationship! But don’t worry— God has a plan for that!
Today we continue our series on the “Basics” of faith. This week: the importance of— and the solution to— our need for community. Come and make a friend this morning!
Can you think of a time you experienced love so deeply that nothing else mattered?
We’ve been talking about the pillars of what we believe… but let’s be honest, we can never truly comprehend GOD. Our beliefs are always imperfect.
This time we take a different approach, one at the heart of United Methodism: looking for God in our EXPERIENCES. That question at the top is only the beginning.
Join us— you may find your heart strangely warmed!
Do you pray? What even is prayer?
We all know prayer is a basic part of being Christian, but most would have a hard time saying what is. Perhaps even fewer of us do it as regularly as we’d like.
Today we continue the Basics series with a simple definition of prayer, a highly relatable story from United Methodism, and three steps to becoming a better pray-er and unlocking its inner benefits.
If someone asked “Why are you Christian,” what would you say?
Today we start a new series: BASICS: The Heart of Christianity and United Methodism. Each week we’ll look at one of the basic principles of what it means to be Christian and also at the nuance we bring as United Methodists. It will be good for all of us, whether you’re a life-long Christian or new to the faith.
Join us as we start with the #1 thing to know: GRACE!
Sometimes change is really hard. It means giving up the comfort of what we know.
Join us for Faith at the Movies! We’ll talk about Kung Fu Panda 4, where Po resists a new thing because he doesn’t want to give up the life he knows.
Not only will it be fun to watch movie clips, but it will speak to anyone in transition— whether it’s the transition to a new grade, a new school, a new job, or a new phase of life!
How much story can a single phrase contain?
Today we wrap up the Wonder Women of Faith series with the story of woman in the Bible you’ve probably never heard of: Lydia. Only four verses even remotely talk about her, but one phrase reveals just how remarkable— and brave— she was.
Join us as we find inspiration from the journey of Lydia: The Brave!
It’s always easier to do nothing.
This morning we hear from another Wonder Woman of Faith who was SO tempted to just hope somebody else would take care of things. But when she stepped up and answered God’s call… well, you’ll see what happens!
Join us for the exciting story of Esther!
Mary had been through some stuff.
We don’t know all the details, but we know enough to see that Mary was in desperate need of help. She found it— in Jesus— and she became perhaps his most loyal follower. And her example calls to us all.
Join us— you may discover how Jesus helps with what YOU need, too!
It’s time… This morning we start a fun Summer series: Wonder Women of the Bible!Join us as we introduce the series, then hear the story of a Bible hero you may not know: Deborah, the Warrior. The traits she embodies will inspire us all!
What do you do when “seas” get “rough?”
Today we have a story of Jesus where the disciples are facing a literal rough sea. But Jesus doesn’t simply calm the storm. Instead, he invites them to take an action that NONE of them saw coming.
Join us-- you’ll leave with four steps that will help you with whatever storm you’re facing!
Have you ever met someone that changed you life?
This morning, we read a story from the Bible about just such an encounter. A woman who meets a man at a well, and finds herself forever different. And like all such stories, the REAL story is how the ripples that come from it change those around us.
Join us as we read the story of the Woman at Jacob’s Well— YOU may leave a different person, too!
You know that feeling when you’re lost?
Ok, how about when your LIFE feels lost?
Join us as we hear the story of a man who came to Jesus in the middle of the night seeking more. Jesus’ answer showed him just how much more there was… and introduced him to the process of accepting the gift of true life.
Memorial Day Weekend is about remembering and connection— remembering those who’ve sacrificed for us, connection with those we love.
Today, we’ll talk about that connection and how it is also connection with God— the one who loves us most and has given the most for us. Join in to deepen your experience this weekend, to become a more whole, balanced person.
Ok. So we trust that God is transforming the world. But we still wonder how it’s even possible.This time, we wrap up our Easter series on God’s dream for the world, looking at HOW God “makes all things new.” The answer may surprise you not because of how big it is, but because of how small.Join us to see what God can do with YOU!
Ever wonder how God sees our problems?
The problems we face in our life can be so much bigger than us that we can’t see beyond them. But God can— and does!
Join us as we continue our series on God’s dream for us and for the world, focusing this time on the obstacles that get in the way. By God’s grace and help, there is nothing that cannot be overcome!
It's human nature to focus on what needs done right around us. But sometimes, it gives us hope to see what God is doing in faraway places.Today, we have a special treat: special guests from our ministry partners in Kenya! Join us to hear their experiences. You will be blessed!
Ever notice how some things equal more than the sum of their parts?
Join us as we look at how God brings us together to change the world. (And we MIGHT do it by way of children’s television from the 80s and 90s…)
What’s your gift?
We often say someone is “gifted” if they’re talented at something. But “spiritual gifts” in the Bible go deeper still. Among other things, they show you the role God made for you to play.
You may discover a gift— and a purpose— you never knew you had!
God has a dream— to make all things new.
This Sunday we start a new series for the Easter season, all about God’s dream for the world and our place in it. This week begins in the only place we can truly start: within our own hearts.
Join us as we start the restoration of the world in our own hearts!
Why does Easter matter?
It's human nature to get stuck without fully living into the transformation God brings. Join us as we live into the fact that God is making all things new!
It’s Palm Sunday, where we wave palm branches and sing “Hosannah!”
But why do we do it? Because it’s also the start of the Holy Week story. This story is at the core of Christianity, and it has the power to shape us into the very best of who we are in God.
You know the thing about the fish who doesn’t know what the ocean is? What’s YOUR version?
This morning we start with a simple observation that money has shaped each of us far more than we care to admit or are even aware. The good news is that Jesus knew it too, and he speakes to it quite directly.
Join us as we continue Lent by examining our lives and receiving Jesus’ help to be more whole.
Ever encounter a “reality distortion field?”
You know, like when we get so caught up in someone else’s strong emotion, or in a news story, or something we legitimately care about— but lose sight of the actual facts of the world?
Join us as we watch Jesus pull his disciples back, again and again, from their distorted reality. And in the process, he shows us the surprisingly simple way to escape our own “reality distortion fields!”
Most things worth doing will run into obstacles.
This Sunday we hear the story of one of Jesus’ miraculous healings. But the healing may not be the biggest “miracle.” Wait until you hear the obstacles that were overcome just to make it happen! The story will renew your own “get up and go” to follow Jesus.
We all have a longing for more.
This week we begin the season of Lent, as we seek to live a life more aligned with God. Sometimes, that means adding something new to your life. Sometimes, it means dropping something to make space. But regardless, it means leaning into longing.
Why do the innocent suffer?
That question is the biggest source of doubt for faith— if God is all-powerful and all-loving, why does God allow so many terrible things to happen? We won’t be able to answer the question in the logical sense, but can enter into it together and let God use our doubt to help us grow.
Join us at as we wrap up this sermon series on doubt that has been so enriching to so many of us!
Have you ever wondered what’s going on with unanswered prayer?
Sometimes it seems like God answers petty prayers, then is silent on big things. Why is this? What are we to make of it?
Join us as we look at what Jesus said, plus famous examples of seemingly unanswered prayer in the Bible itself. I promise you’ll leave with a richer understanding and a desire to not only pray, but to work alongside God in the process!
Are all non-Christians going to hell?
How can we balance our own understanding of God with so many other global religions and spiritual practices? Are we the only ones who've got it right?
Join us as we explore the multifaceted nature of understanding God. From ancient civilizations to the profound teachings of Jesus, we'll embark on a journey through history to unravel perspectives on heaven and hell, striving for clarity amidst complexity.
Is the Bible really true?
It’s not wrong to ask that question, in fact it’s helpful. What do we do with parts of the Bible that are violent? Misogynistic? Clearly wrong?
Join us for a deep dive on how a faithful, thinking person can engage the Bible. I promise you will walk away with a deeper view of the presence and goodness of God!
Do you ever doubt God? The Bible? Religion?
No worries, you’re in good company— in one survey, 94% of church attenders said they often have doubt!
But maybe doubt is actually a gift. Healthy doubt, held well, has the potential to save us from bad beliefs while making the good ones more personal.
Join us as we celebrate Confirmation and re-affirm our own commitment to walk this faith journey hand in hand!
The last Old Testament prophet.
That’s what some people call John the Baptist. He arrived on the scene telling folks that something BIG was about to happen. God’s kingdom was about to come in a new way.
Just one thing: you have to check your pride at the door.
Ever seen something wrong? What did you do about it?
Opportunities to do the right thing abound. If we’re honest, sometimes we make the right decision, sometimes we don’t. But there’s an ancient story that gives us hope.
The worst thing is neve the last thing.
If there’s one truth we see over and over in the Bible and in each other, it’s that. And yet, from time to time, each of us finds ourselves in “pity party mode.”
Join us as we renew our sense of God’s goodness and commitment to see us through even the most difficult of times— and as we remember that our first job is to PROCLAIM hope!
Have you ever met a truly generous person? What did their face look like?
Often, when we talk about giving, we talk about the good it does. But generosity changes the giver more than the receiver. I’m guessing the generous person you pictured had a face full of joy.
Join us as we receive the wisdom of one of the Bible’s Proverbs and discuss the steps— literal steps— to living such a full life ourselves!
This is a special Sunday: All Saints’ Sunday.
Today we remember those who have gone before us— family, friends, teachers, even animals. We lift them up, remember what they gave us, and give thanks to God. As we do, we have a sense that they are never as far away as it seems.
Join us as we light candles, share in Communion, and celebrate that part of them which lives on in us.
Everything worth having takes work— especially relationships and peace.
Today we read a story from the Bible where neglected relationships lead to division, even among God’s people. But a look at the wider story shows that God is always working to restore us.
Join us as we wrestle with the hard work it takes to keep our relationships and community healthy— and look to God for help!
What does it mean to be “great?”
Careful… God’s answer may be different than your’s!
Join us this as we read the story that led to the Old Testament’s greatest king. It totally upends everyone’s expectations and helps us see the world through God’s eyes, too.
Sometimes we need reminding just how rich a life we can have.
Today we hear the story of Ruth in the Bible. On the surface, it’s a touching story of loyalty and friendship between generations. But dig deeper, and it reveals one of the secrets to a truly full life.
Ever notice the best things in life change over time?
Fresh produce, flowers in the garden, trees in the Fall… Their beauty changes over time.
Today, we’re going to look at a single Bible verse whose meaning has changed over centuries— it’s an example of how God is always speaking to us in new ways. Join us to discover what new thing God will say to YOU today!
Have you ever been afraid to do something really big, even though you know it’s a good thing?
Today we read the story of Moses and the Burning Bush. Come hear one of the greatest leaders of all time hem, haw, and make excuses for all the reasons he’s not right for the job. And… come hear God tell you that God will lift YOU up, too!
What limits you? Is it your body— an old injury? Your mind? Your impulses?
Join us as we explore an interesting idea: Our limits are precisely where we meet God. Our weakness is where we find strength. Come give the limits of who you are to God, and watch how God transforms them— and you— into something beautiful!
Are you dreaming big enough?
Join us as we study the story of Abraham and Sarah, two people who laughed at God's promise, thinking it was impossible. We’ll learn that God promises a future with hope, and while we might grow impatient, God never backs down from a promise.
This is a special Sunday at Trinity: Suicide Prevention Week.
Join us as we learn about suicide prevention and how we can be a source of support to those around us. We’ll hear stories from the Bible of people who struggled themselves, and see how God helped them.
We’ll end in a profoundly HOPEFUL place!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever been through?
Guess what? God was with you.
This is the deepest meaning of one of the best-known Bible stories: Noah’s Ark. Join us this morning at 9 and 10:30 as we dive deep in the meaning of it, including the animals two by two, yes, but real hope comes from the rainbow at the end.
Shame and broken relationships.
They go together, don’t they? Sometimes shame breaks relationships, other times broken relationships cause shame.
The good news is that God provides a surprising cure: HEALTHY relationships have the power to transform our shame into new life!
Who are you really? Have you ever been treated like someone you’re not?
This morning we’ll sing, pray, and consider the untrue stories we collect about ourselves. The good news is that the only fully true story about us is the one that’s comes from God— a story of redemption and goodness.
We all have baggage we carry. But is there anything in your past that makes you hang your head whenever you remember it?
Shame is a part of life, but God helps us not only move past it, but to transform it into something that gives you life. Join us as we start a new series that aims to trade in our shame for something better!
Have you ever wanted to throw a video game controller across the room?
(Ok, ok……. ever actually done it?)
This Faith at the Movies week! We’re talking about The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Pastor Jeff is singling out an experience we’ve all had: failure. And more failure. And more failure. Until we finally catch on. It’s a concept for which there may be no better teacher than Peter in the Bible.
Fully alive. We say it every week, but what does it mean? We often sense that Trinity is a special place, but why?
Join us as Pastor Jeff shares a special sermon on what makes Trinity unique. We’ll study the scriptures that guide our leadership and we’ll be inspired to live it out more fully. It’s not complete unless you’re part of it!
Doesn’t it feel good to get outside sometimes? Good, as in, “right?”
Join us for the final week of the Sabbath series as God reminds us who we are, and just how connected we are to the earth.
But it goes beyond trees and grass… come be reminded of how God is making YOU into a NEW creation!
Do you ever feel like you’re just plugging a dam with your fingers?
There’s so much that needs done in our broken world, not to mention our broken lives, and it can feel like we have two choices: ignore it or despair about it. Sometimes we try to help and it feels like not even a drop in a very large bucket.
There’s an answer for that: Sabbath.
Join us this morning for the third— and perhaps most surprising— week in our series on why rest matters. It may not change the world, but it might change YOU!
Why are you here?
Yeah, I mean that in the biggest sense possible. Why are you here on this earth, in this life?
There is a way to be reminded of your purpose that is so simple we take it for granted: Sabbath. Join us as we continue our series exploring why it matters and how we can better practice it!
How good are you at resting? REALLY resting?
Be honest… do you know how to truly enjoy a moment with those you love and world around you? Or do you reach for your phone or some other distraction to fill the “gap?”
This week we start a new series, simply called “Sabbath,” exploring the art of true rest. Prepare yourself to appreciate life more deeply!
Pentecost is a holiday equal with Christmas and Easter in the church, but many don’t realize it’s significant. Come celebrate with us and learn how the presence of the Holy Spirit adds so much to life!
Jesus did all those miracles. But that kind of thing doesn’t happen any more. Right?
Don’t be so sure! Just because God’s work looks different than in Jesus’ day doesn’t mean it’s any less real. And even more interesting is HOW God’s work gets done.
Who does God care about? Everyone.
Why is it so hard for us to do the same?
Join us as we read a story of Peter in the Bible where God helped expand his circle of inclusion. Who do you have trouble loving? Maybe God will help you this week, too!
Ever wonder why some people stand taller than others in the face of struggle? This week we wrap up our series asking how we find God in the thick of things with one of the great passages of the Bible. You will leave standing tall because of God’s presence in whatever you may be facing!
Most of us would say we’d like to follow God’s plan for our life– but what is it? Truth is, most of us misunderstand what “God’s plan” even means. Yet, God calls us to play the starring role in writing the story of our lives, while walking along beside us in the beautiful work of co-creation. Join us as we learn to listen– and learn to follow– God’s very real presence in our lives!
We know God is good, but when illness and death rocks our world, it can be difficult to see. Sometimes, it even feels like unanswered prayer. Join us as we share our human struggles with God, asking for comfort, help, and healing. In the process, I think you’ll find that God is far more present in your struggle than you might think– and in ways you don’t expect.
Big question time: why is there so much evil and hate in the world? If God’s all powerful, why doesn’t God just stop it?
This week we start a new series called “Why?” that asks this question and others like it. There are no perfect answers, but there are better ones than you might think. And the journey of finding them is one that opens our eyes to the very heart of God.
Join us as we celebrate Easter– the moment when God gave us a sneak peek of the way everything is being made new.
Here’s where it all goes down. We’ve followed Jesus from his birth at Christmas, through his ministry and teaching, and we all know what’s coming next. But first… bread and wine. Family, around the table.
Join us as we shout “Hosannah!” Then, we delve into the most profound family meal in history, and we come to the table ourselves. There’s a seat with your name on it!
We all know there are big problems in the world. And we want to help! We even know Jesus is there when we do. But it’s so easy to overlook the small, everyday injustices that matter, too. Join us and learn how your kindness, no matter how small, can make a significant impact on the world!
AAAARGH! Ok, that wasn’t nice. But isn’t it true that life never goes how we expect? Yet somehow, when we look closely, God always brings good out of every twist and turn– even the negative ones. Join us as we hone our skills to notice the sacred good in WHATEVER comes next!
“The good life.” Sure. But what does that mean?
Jesus said it like this: “The Kingdom of Heaven.” He didn’t mean what happens when you die, he’s talking about living a full life in Christ NOW. But just because Jesus invites everyone doesn’t meant that everyone responds!
There’s no time like the present to accept the invitation to the life God made for YOU!
We often think of life as give-and-take, as earn-and-spend. But aren’t the best things in life more than that? For instance, don’t things like love or joy actually increase the more you give away? Join us as we do our best to live into “God’s economy.“ It’s a way of living where abundance and blessing always grow!
How’s your burden?
I don’t mean how much stuff you carry in your bag, I mean your heart. We have such a tendency to let the pain of the past weigh us down in the present.
Thankfully, Jesus gave us a process to help– he literally numbered the steps! Join us as we ask for God’s limitless grace to lighten our load!
Jesus knew things were going to get tough. He knew his disciples would need a powerful memory to hang on to. So he gave them one. Join us as we sit with one of the most amazing Jesus stories. It may be amazing, but it isn’t rare– by the time you leave, you may start seeing God everywhere!
Life is complex. Sometimes the good and the bad intertwine so much they can't be untangled. And we cannot overlook either. What are we to do? Jesus answered with a story– one that punches WAY above its weight. Join us as we wrestle with what to do with a morally complex world, and let Jesus guide us to a hopeful answer!
If I told you there was a religious teaching that has proven useful for at least 4,000 years— twice as far back as Jesus— would you listen? What if I told you Jesus gave it a super-subtle twist that makes it utterly world-changing? Join us as we dive in. Don’t wait for it to come to you— take the initiative!
How much stuff do you have? Does it make you happy?
Most of us— maybe even ALL of us— answered “too much” and “not really.” Fortunately, Jesus offers a better way to live. He even says it in a way that is impossible to forget.
Join us as we store up the RIGHT kind of treasure!
Ever try an unsalted french fry? This isn’t commentary on today’s snacks at church, but rather about Jesus’ phrase, that we are to be “salt for the world.” Salt was used for so many things in Jesus’ day— you won’t believe how much those four words show us. If your life ever feels bland and barren, like an unsalted french fry, you won’t want to miss it!
We all wrestle. Even Jesus wrestled.
Ever wonder WHAT Jesus wrestled with? Seeing what he struggled with is actually an interesting look into what he cares most about, what really matters to him.
(...what do YOU wrestle with?)
There are so many fresh starts in a new year, but who’s asking WHY? Who are you becoming? What are you called to in life? What are we trying to accomplish with all our fresh starts?
Merry Christmas! Christmas being on a Sunday gives us all the more reason to worship! We’ll sing a few carols and hear a Christmas story from Pastor Jeff.
Tonight we remember Jesus’ birth, the night God said, “My place is here, with you, in the muck and the mess, even in the cold and the snow.”
How many days until Christmas? Are we there yet?
Slow down! Take a deep breath and pause for a minute!
The simple truth is that God works on a different time horizon than you and I. But don't fall into the trap of thinking God isn't at work. And don't get lazy, either— Christmas is a reminder not only that God is in the world, but that it's our hands that help make the difference.
Listen to hear of the Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah in the Bible, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, but that comes alive now that we know. Among other things, it shows us what really matters most, even today!
Isn't it funny how sometimes we think that things are fine, even when they are obviously NOT?
Join us as we hear one of the foundational stories of the Old Testament. Everything was NOT fine, but God's response was one of great hope— a sense that God will get us through, no matter what.
While voting is vital, at no other time are divisions more raw than when we put the words "win" and "lose" next to names. I don't think anyone feels 100% great about anything. But our faith teaches us a better way to be, a way that heals a broken world— and, dare I say it, makes the "civic soil" more healthy.
God gave us a voice. Join us as we simply tell the story of Esther and ask what it means to use OUR voice in such a time as this.
I need you.
And you need me. Oh, and you know THAT person— the one who makes your blood boil when you think about some of the things they say? You need them, too. And so do I.
This week we continue our series looking for a better way to be Christian in politics. This week we "tend the civic soil" by learning the importance of interdependence. We need each other more than we know— it's how God made us.
We've all seen examples where church and politics corrupt one another, and it is never pretty. But how should a person of faith hold themselves during election season? There must be a better way to follow Jesus in our civic life! This week we start a new series looking at that very issue. Here's the basic idea: our votes and our candidates can only be as good as the soil in which they are planted. Perhaps our best role is to "tend the civic soil" so that better crops can grow.
Peace and kindness. Who could disagree with that? (So long as we get our morning coffee, anyway!) But where do peace and kindness come from? And what can we do to encourage them, both in ourselves and in others? Join us as we look at these Fruits of the Spirit and strengthen them in ourselves.
Having God in your heart bears fruit. But what happens when your garden's full of weeds? Turns out there's a "fruit" for that, too!
Is there joy in your life? Notice I didn't ask if you are "happy;" happiness always comes and goes. But deep joy is a sign of God in your life.
How do you know you're doing it right?
With a car, you can check your speedometer. A doctor can help tell you if you're healthy. But how do you know if you're following Jesus well?
This week we start a new series, letting the Bible take the lead. We'll look at the "Fruits of the Spirit" and ask where we see good "fruit" growing in our life.
Want to be MORE faithful? That starts with fruit, too.
Patience. That may be the hardest lesson to learn, but it's also the truest. This week we wrap up our series on parenting by letting it teach us about hope. God, the Great Parent, isn't done with us yet. It's worth waiting for!
How's your village?
Village Gardens? Village People? No… I mean, "It takes a village," and it pays to ask how yours is doing. This Sunday, we continue our parenting series (that's not just for parents) by talking about mental health and how none of us can go it alone.
Listen in— you may discover just the person you need to make YOU a better person!
Ever said something and realized you sounded just like YOUR parents? We continue our sermon series on parenting (that's really for all of us) with "Generational… Stuff." Pastor Jeff will talk about the ways we become like those who formed us, both good and not-so-good, and how God is in it all!
What makes you lose your cool? This week we're talking about anger. In the Bible, God gets angry. Jesus gets angry. It's a natural emotion when something crosses the line, so long as your anger doesn't cross a line itself. But don't overlook what happens after: in parenting, as in life, as in faith: forgiveness is what makes all the difference.
Do you ever run from one thing to the next, wondering if any of it really matters?
This week we start a new series. It's about "parenting in a hectic world," but believe me, it'll speak to more than just parents. We ALL need centering, grounding, and reminding of what really matters as a barrage of information and calendar items swirl around us. Everything comes down to this: you are loved, just the way you are.
It's Faith At the Movies week! Join us as we sing, pray, and watch a clip from Encanto! It's a colorful movie full of great songs. And its message about large, colorful families teaches us to appreciate the burdens we each carry. Oh, and we'll DEFINITELY be ~~talking~~ singing about Bruno. 😁
How much does fear control your thoughts? It's uncomfortable to consider how our minds are guided by fear of things from economy and world events to the health of ourselves and our loved ones. Yet Jesus says, "Don't be afraid, little flock." Clearly Jesus knows something we don't— let's take a step together in learning WHY we don't need to be afraid!
Do you care about the right things? We all get off track sometimes, losing sight of what's really important in life, what really matters, what lasts when everything else falls away. Join us and get inspired to care about the BEST things!
What were you made to do? I don't mean your job, or even your role in your family. Rather, what traits do you have that naturally bring life? Are you an encourager? Do you lean toward wisdom? Do you help people heal or learn?
This week we wrap up our series on the Holy Spirit by looking at how the "wind" blows THROUGH us to help others. Your gifts that bring life— those are gifts from the Spirit!
Look around— what's the most ordinary thing you see?
A curtain? A wall? A chair?
Now, look around again— what's the most holy thing you see?
Is it possible the answer is one in the same?
Too often we get caught up looking for God in the extraordinary. And it's true, God IS in the extraordinary! But God is just as present in the simple things.
Have you ever struggled with a difficult decision, wondering where God was leading? You're not alone! The Holy Spirit is everywhere, but it's always hardest to listen when we're all tied up in knots. This week we'll talk about how to spot the Holy Spirit in discernment, complete with tools you can use the next time you need them. Oh, and there's a 16th-century monk who might be able to help, too.
No one likes change they didn't ask for.
But change is a part of life, isn't it? Not all change is good, but I think more of it is good than we sometimes think at the time.
Today we continue getting to know the Holy Spirit by looking at how the Spirit brings re-birth to us all. And, let's be honest— not only is the world in desperate need of new life, WE are, too.
What if God was with you, right now, closer than you know? Helping you live your life? This week we start a brand new series on the Holy Spirit: God's presence with us for every step we take.
Sometimes all we need is a little push to open our eyes to something better, something wholesome, something… joyful. Join in for the grande finale of Let Us Play!
All this "play" stuff we've been doing is great. But what about when you just don't wanna? It's true; there are times when life's twists and turns have us down, and we don't feel like having a good time. But play takes many forms, and sometimes the RIGHT kind of play can be God's way of lifting you up.
Do you take your time off seriously enough?
One thing that's clear in the Bible from beginning to end is that God always has to remind us to take Sabbath seriously. But resting well doesn't start when the clock says so— GOOD rest requires preparation.
Did you know the wise men drove a Honda to see the baby Jesus? The Bible says they were in one Accord.
Yes, that's right, it's time for the Gospel of the Dad Jokes! Join in for many laughs, but also to see what's really going on "beneath the hood" of a good dad joke: the kind of play that totally ignores high horses to laugh together just as we are.
(Oh, and don't worry about all the rain lately... If you need an ark-- I Noah guy.)
It's time to play in church! Faith should be fun, so this week Pastor Jeff is starting a new series: "Let Us Play!" Join us for fun music, a sermon about coming to Jesus with an attitude of play. 😉
How is God's love growing in you-- right now?
This week we celebrate Confirmation, as 9 of Trinity's young people claim their walk with God— their baptism— as their own. As we do, we'll hear the story of Timothy in the Bible, who had the love of God poured into him by many people, from his mother and grandmother to the Apostle Paul himself.
How did YOU first come to faith? Who are you pouring God's love INTO now?
Christ is risen! Easter has arrived-- at last! Christmas was about God coming to us, but Easter shows us that God is STILL at work through everything we do, transforming our struggles into LIFE.
There is incredible power in weakness. God, who knows our suffering, is willing to give all so that we might be whole.
If you were a coach, and you knew the game was going to get worse before it got better, what would you say?
That's essentially Jesus at the Last Supper. He knows the "game" will be won, but he and the disciples (his "team") are going to have one heck of a rough quarter to get there.Basically, his pep talk starts like this: "Yeah, it's going to be rough. But I need you to go out there like THIS..."
Join in for the "pep talk" you need, too!
What would you say if you knew you had only one shot at passing on what you know? What wisdom would you pass on? How would you share it? What have you learned about life that it seems everyone else just doesn't get?
This week our reading of the Gospel of John enters a new phase: Jesus' last chance to tell his disciples what really matters.
As we read the Gospel of John as a church, today we come to the story of a crippled man relying on superstition to get healed. He probably figured he had no other choice and nothing better to do with his time anyway. It turns out most of the people around him were obsessed with the wrong things, too.
But Jesus says, open your eyes: there's something WAY better out there, better than you can possibly imagine. And all you need to do is stand up & receive it.
How would your life be different if you read just a little of the Bible each day?
Maybe it seems daunting before you start. Maybe you worry it's hard to understand. Maybe you're afraid you'll feel guilty if you miss a day (it happens!)
Maybe you're even just a little afraid of what God might do in you, even though it would be very good.
Today is the first Sunday of the season of Lent. We are going to read through the Gospel of John as a church. It's a perfect place to start, and we even made a free bookmark you can use to know what to read each day. Paper Bibles and Bible apps are all excellent for this, too.
Join us this morning for worship; Pastor Jeff will include an introduction to help us get the most out of John. There's never been a better time!
Sometimes God comes to us through the needs of our hearts. But sometimes God blesses us— and there is no better word than "blesses" us— with a pure and simple glimpse of the divine.
Maybe you see it in a child or a friend, maybe in art or music, maybe in a beautiful Nebraska vista.
Or maybe it happens at the top of a mountain.
Join us this morning as we bask in the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
What's in a name?
This morning we read the story of Moses and the burning bush, in which Moses asks God his name. What really happened, though, was that Moses walked away with knowing his own identity, his own "name," in a way he never had before.
Join us this morning as we gather around the fire to hear the story. (It's Camping Sunday, too... so make that "gather around the campfire!")
What do you want your obituary to say?
Ok, now that I have your attention, I'll ask a more important question: what do you want your eulogy to say?
Naturally, we all hope our last breath is a long way off. But when the time comes, will people say you were kind? Loving? Caring? Those are generic qualities… what specific traits do you hope you are remembered for?
Today we wrap up our series, "To Be List." Join us on the road to "be" the
best of who we are in God!
Have you ever known someone who cares more than they have to— a teacher who goes above and beyond, a repair person who honors the craft, or a coworker who really does want to know how your evening was?
We each have our daily work, be it school, a job, retirement, or whatever. But as people of Christ, we're called to go deeper than that. But our real vocation isn't WHAT we do, it's HOW we do it.
No one hates love. But have you ever considered what the act of loving does to your soul?
I’ll bet you’ve never thought about it, since the definition of “love” means we care about something outside ourselves. But the truth is, the very act of focusing “outside ourselves” is exactly what we need to deepen our connection to God, the world, and, ironically, ourselves.
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to let someone help you?
We spend so much of our younger days striving for independence. But sooner or later, we all need help. Often we think of that as a bad thing, but what if it isn’t? What if our dependency on others is actually a blessing in disguise?
Join us as we consider the blessing of needing others, inspired by a God who chose to be dependent on us (really!)
So we admit we’re not perfect. Now what?
In our heart of hearts, we all have a desire to be “more.” God loves us just as we are, warts and all, but isn’t it also wrong not to even try? What’s our responsibility even in the midst of our humility?
This week we look at how to have a healthy spiritual life and why you should give it your all!
"I've never met a person of questionable character who was content."
That's a line from Pastor Jeff's sermon that gets to the heart of our new series. Many are starting the year with new habits, and many of them are worthy goals. But in an age where most care more about their accomplishments than their character, well… maybe some have work to do.
True character comes in partnership with God. Walk with us as we seek it together!
This week we don't have a typical “sermon,” but instead Pastor Jeff leads us in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina— a guided meditation on scripture. Come and allow John 1— what many consider the greatest Christmas poem ever written— to sink into the depths of your being.
Are you longing for inner quiet on this last week before Christmas? Today we turn to the story of Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visiting her relative Elizabeth. It's a moment of peace, simplicity, and pure joy in the midst of the chaos of life both before and after it.
Join us as we celebrate musically the birth of Christ and experience the wonder and awe of the season! Dr. Michael Tully and Dr. Anne Gray are directing this yuletide presentation you won't want to miss.
There's a teaching of Jesus that most people never "get."
The Sermon on the Mount starts with the "why," a beautiful, inspiration picture of what life COULD look like. He spends time talking about the things we can do to live better, from moral behavior to the ways we connect with things beyond us, like God.
But the end his teaching? He says straight out: not many will get it.
Join us this morning— the road may not be easy, and the gate may not be wide, but Pastor Jeff will do his best to illustrate it with Venn diagrams. (Really! Not kidding!)
I hate judgmental people. (See what I did there?)
That kind of hypocrisy— the kind that judges others— is something Jesus taught about in no uncertain terms. It’s the old “three fingers pointing back at yourself” syndrome. Join us as we fight off negativity andinvite Jesus to make us ALL whole!
Do you wrestle with worry? You’re not alone, parents, kids… we all worry— So much so that Jesus felt the need to talk about worry directly. Come this Sunday as we share Communion, All Saints, and try to worry a little less with God at our side!
When you pray, why do you do it? For most of us, if we’re honest, the answer might be “because I need help” or, in some cases, even, “so I can look or feel spiritual.”
What did Jesus teach about prayer? Simply, that it should be God above all else. Join us this morning as we hear what Jesus said about religion in his "Sermon on the Mount" and we pray together— with honesty and with our hearts in the right place!
Even non-Christians lift Jesus up as a great moral teacher. But do you know what he said?
This morning we continue our series: "When Jesus Spoke to Crowds, What Did He Say?” This week’s section dives into how we are to live. It’s about taking the right actions, but Jesus says it’s about more than just our actions: we must also cultivate a good heart. Join us for a challenge to see the humanity in others, and in doing so, find humanity within yourself!
When Jesus spoke to crowds, what did he say?
Everyone knows Jesus is the central figure in Christianity and most know the story of the cross. But for much of Jesus’ ministry he went from place to place, healing, preforming miracles, and teaching. It is believed that what we now call the “Sermon on the Mount” is a compilation of usual topics, collected from those who were there.
Gratitude is a choice to focus on the good things, so it’s closely connected to how happy we are. What if there were a “trick” to make it happen more often? A feedback loop that would draw us constantly toward greater gratitude and greater joy?
It turns out God gave us such a tool: it involves living life with a spirit not only of gratitude but of generosity. Give others something to be thankful for and you’ll be surprised at just how much it changes YOU!
WHY should we be grateful? What fruit does it bear?
Peace, happiness, contentment… that’s an awfully good start. Frankly, that’s enough. But something about gratitude also leads us to generosity. There’s something natural about recognizing the good in your life that makes you want to share it.
All this gratitude stuff is great. But what about when you just… can’t?
What about the woman who once tried to sing “It Is Well With My Soul,” only to realize it really WASN’T well with her soul? How do we give thanks then?
Today we consider the thankfulness of Job, a man in the Bible who lost everything but still said “Bless the Lord!” Join us to see how we can live a life of gratitude even when happiness is out of reach. (You'll be happy you did!)
Jesus regularly took time away with his disciples. Part of it was rest and renewal, but breaking up the routines of the world also helped them to keep one foot in heaven.
Can you plan on being thankful even before something happens?
Sometimes, sure, but can you always plan on gratitude?
This week we start a new series that says “yes,” absolutely. Part of the reason is that God always brings good out of even the worst situations. But even beyond that, gratitude is an attitude— and it is always an option for us to choose. Doing so makes all the difference in our happiness and in our closeness to God.
Do you long for awe? Does your heart yearn for wonder?
Studies have shown that awe and wonder reduce our “mental chatter” and worry by pulling us out of ourselves. Yet, such experiences seem hard to come by these days. It’s a good thing God also longs to help us!
"You are special."
When Mister Rogers said that, he didn’t mean that you are better than anyone else, but rather that you are unique: “There is nobody else in the whole wide world exactly like you, and you can be loved exactly the way you are.”
But believing that, both about ourselves and about others, isn’t easy. In fact, it takes life-long work.
Whatever you’re doing, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the air you’re breathing in. Enjoy the sound, whether it be a bird outside your window or your dog snoring at your feet or even just the fan of your air conditioner. Enjoy the moment.
Today we continue our Faith at the Movies series with a Pixar movie: Soul. Along with Ecclesiastes in the Bible, it makes the very compelling case that indeed there is nothing more true to life than what’s in front of you right now. Join us and let’s enjoy a moment together!
How did this world get so broken?
That’s the question that starts the movie Raya and Last Dragon, and I’ll bet you’ve asked it, too!
Today we start our Faith at the Movies series. Join us this morning for a fresh dose of hope in seeing how God speaks into brokenness—both our own brokenness and that of the world!
When was the last time you saw Jesus?
This week's scripture says that we see Jesus in anyone who is hurting, anyone who is weak, anyone who is struggling. I'll bet you've seen Jesus more recently than you realize. I'll bet you've even been Jesus to someone else.
So what can you do to help Jesus?
When you do something nice, why do you do it?
If you hold a door for someone, do you do it because of social pressure, because you “should?” Or out of a sense of obligation because someone just held the door for you? Or, do you hold the door just because you want to be nice?
Today we hear a story where Jesus’ disciples had… mixed… motives. But Jesus’ response is one that none of them saw coming. It showed them his true heart, a heart that inspires all of us to Serve Like Jesus.
What is God’s will for your life?
There isn’t one of us who hasn’t asked that question at one time or another. It comes from good intentions: to be a faithful follower of God. But what if that question is coming from the wrong direction—upside down and inside out?
This morning we hear the beginning of the story of Jeremiah the prophet. God tells him, “Before I created you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart.”
Yet, his purpose was to be found not within him, but around him.
When was the last time you threw a tantrum?
Yes, YOU. 😊 We’ve all seen kids lose control in a public place. The parents among us have all felt bad for the kids’ parents, while saying, “I’m glad it’s not me!” But if we’re honest, even the oldest among us have moments we’re not proud of.
This week, we hear such a story about a prophet in the Bible. Yes, that’s right, a prophet, chosen and equipped by God, sulking on a hillside.
If God can help him, then God can help us, too.
This week we examine our “stains” in the light of God, and specifically through the lens of Jonah—AFTER he got spat out of the whale. The good news is that God’s grace washes us clean and helps us to see that we are new creations in Christ. Join us for worship this morning as we sing, pray, and grow our way closer to God!
It's easy to put your suitcase in the closet, but what do you do with your internal baggage?
Do you know someone who says, "the only time that I think about that is when you bring it up, other than that it never really bothers me",? In reality, burying your baggage does not make the pain go away, and it keeps manifesting in ways that hurt you and others. Today, Pastor Jeff will be offering some insight on how to loosen our grip on past hurts so we can live a healthier, happier life.
Prayer is often defined as simply, “talking to God.” This isn’t a wrong definition, but there’s more to prayer than just talking. As we take a look at what it means to be intentional in prayer, we’ll consider how we learn to pray, even if you’ve been doing it your whole life. We’ll also consider how the seeds planted in prayer can sustain, equip, and transform us for God’s work in the world.
Ever been turned off by people who use scripture in a way that’s shallow or even harmful? We’ve all seen it, from quotes taken out of context to wall hangings that seem to do nothing but get dusty. This Sunday we will continue our series on how to rebuild our lives in a way that is intentional and profound by looking at the role of the Bible. We have a sense in our gut that God should be our foundation—the better we know the God revealed to us in this special way, the stronger that foundation will be for everything else. Maybe you even feel a longing for what scripture ought to be in your life.
This week we dive into our “Be Intentional” series in earnest: as we rebuild our lives post-pandemic, how do we include space for God to be our foundation? We use the word “worship” a lot in church, but this week we’ll talk about what it means and how we can do more to encounter God in it.
For the last year, life has happened “to us,” with little we could do to change our circumstances. But it doesn’t have to be that way going forward.
This week we begin a new series to help us rebuild our lives well, with the right foundation, in a way that will leave us healthier than we were before the pandemic. As life ramps back to normal (we hope,) what can we do to safeguard our hearts and our souls? What do we need to say “no” to? What do we need to say “yes” to that we used to neglect?
The series is called “Be Intentional.” Join us for worship this morning as Pastor Jeff gives us the overview and sets us up for a “new normal” that blows the socks off our old one!
How would you live if you already knew how things would end?
This week is the GRAND finish to our HOPE series as we dive into the biblical book of Revelation. Many find Revelation confusing or even scary, but when you learn more about it, it’s actually a book of profound hope. So profound, as a matter of fact, that knowing what it says will shape your outlook and your actions for the better—every day of your life.
Who first taught you to hope?
Was it a parent or a grandparent who assured you that your scraped knee would heal? Was it a teacher who believed you were capable of success?
God sent the world hope in a person—Jesus—so why shouldn’t we learn it from the people in our lives, too? This week we hear the story of Paul in the Bible, who clearly drew on the people he held close to sustain and motivate his hope.
Enough with words of hope. There comes a time for action.
Today our series looking at how God brings hope in the different parts of the Bible turns to the Gospels, the stories of Jesus. What we see is hope with flesh and bones—hope embodied in a person, actively working not to tell people about a better future but to help them get there for themselves.
Join us this morning to hear—and more importantly to LIVE—the hope of Jesus. Because he doesn’t only offer it for our own sake, but so that we can be a hopeful presence for the world!
Where do you find hope when all seems lost?
Sometimes we get discouraged when life is hard—not only in our life but in our walk with God, too. We ask questions like, “How could God let me go through this?” We wonder if God is even there!
But the prophets in the Bible speak directly to this question and show us that God is indeed with you!
Join us as we hear about just how hopeless life seemed in the times of the prophets. But far more important than that, come hear about how God was with them and turned their mourning into dancing!
I’m at the end of my rope!
Have you ever used that phrase? (Of course you have-- we all have!)
We’ve all found ourselves in situations where our strength wasn’t enough, where we couldn’t do it on our own. What exactly is God’s role in this? Today we start a new series walking through different parts of the Bible to see where good, faithful people of the past have found God’s hope.
It turns out the real question isn’t “are you at the end of your rope--”. The better question is “WHO’S on the other end of your rope!”
Do you remember when you first started to “get” what it means to be a person of faith? (Or, are you still waiting for that moment?)
This Sunday we have a special celebration. Baptism marks the beginning of our faith journey and how God claims us as people of great worth. But, when we’re baptized as infants, the time eventually comes when we claim that promise for ourselves, confirming our faith.
Join us, support our youth, and recommit to your own walk of faith as you do!
So many people get stuck on the cross of Good Friday or, more commonly, wallow in the neither-here-nor-there muck of Holy Saturday. But the risen Christ calls us to something greater: to embrace the new thing God is constantly doing in our midst. Just as Spring is popping up all around us, so new life blooms within us—when we let it.
This week is Palm Sunday, which we usually—and rightly—celebrate with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna, just as happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem. This year Pastor Jeff will fill in some of the political satire that was going on, too; you may be surprised by the not-so-subtle jab Jesus was directing towards the oppressors of the world from the back of that donkey.
Did you know there’s a prayer book in the middle of your Bible?
This week we continue to let God shape and mold us by turning to the Psalms, songs or prayers that have proven themselves valuable for several millennia and counting. Pastor Jeff will talk about why this is important, and we will pray together one of the most beloved psalms, but one you might not be familiar with: Psalm 51. Join us for worship to hear the story that inspired it, to realize that it speaks to you, too, and to pray it together with the church.
At Trinity, we talk all the time about being “Fully Alive.” (Or, about wanting to be fully alive, anyway!) But what does it mean?
This week we read one of the scriptures that inspired that phrase, not only for us but for a number of other great people as well. We’ll talk about how a form of death can sometimes sneak into our lives and how, exactly, we find a truer life on the other side.
Join us and find out what it means to truly live!
Jesus is angry.
Not an easy thought, is it? We tend to think of Jesus as the embodiment of love, and surely he IS love in the flesh. But in today’s scripture, he gets so mad at what he finds that he turns over tables and scatters coins to cleanse the temple.
What does it mean for you and me? What does it mean for our world today? Join us this morning for some “anger management—” Jesus style!
Has your life turned out the way you wanted it to?
None of us can say a 100% “yes” to that. Yet, while life might not be prefect, aren’t there things about it you wouldn’t trade for the world?
This week we hear a story of Jesus’ disciples reacting negatively when faced with the fact that following Jesus means encountering the cross. But Jesus knows that it’s the unexpected—and sometimes undesirable—parts of our journey that end up becoming the best things that ever happened to us.
When you hear “Noah’s Ark,” what do you think of? Animals 2 by 2? God giving up on humanity? Or the rainbow?
…and if you think of the rainbow, do you really know what it means? Because it’s about a lot more than floodwater!
Today is the first Sunday of Lent, the season of the church year where we do things differently out of a desire to draw nearer to God. For our worship services, our scriptures and themes are going to be assigned for the day rather than chosen by Pastor Jeff. The hope is that we’ll grow in ways we never expected, hearing scriptures that might not have been on our radar. That starts this week with Noah’s Ark. Join us for worship for a story of redemption not only from the past, but for your life today and always!
Isn’t it nice when music notes blend together in beautiful harmony? Don’t you wish people would do that, too?
This week we wrap up our series on the “One Another” phrases in the Bible as we hit the motherload in the book of Romans, culminating in “Live in harmony with one another.” Pastor Jeff, who loves thinking about music more than making it, is going to give us a music theory lesson (ok, he’s going to totally geek out at the piano) that will reveal some wonderful tips on how our very lives can resonate in beautiful harmony with those around us. After all, that’s what the “one another” phrases are all about, and it’s how God made us to be!
Do you ever shut the world out?
Ok, sometimes it’s a good idea, like when we crave solitude. But that’s not what I’m talking about—do you ever shut the world out from something in your life that’s meant to be shared? Like when you have a problem that others could help with? Or when you have a talent or a passion but keep it to yourself?
This week’s “One Another” phrase is “Submit to one another.” No, it’s not about being a doormat. It’s about being courageous enough to invite others to participate in your life.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever had to do to take care of someone?
This week’s “One Another” is one whose meaning is easily minimized by American Christians: “Wash one another’s feet.” It was even more unpleasant and undignified in Jesus’ time than in ours. Yet Jesus uses it as an example of what God is doing in the world—if you don’t “get” this, then you don’t understand any of it.
What don’t you know about yourself?
Ok, that’s an awkward question. How about this one: “Are you living up to all God made you to be?” Just as important and more to the point of today’s worship service: “Are you helping others to live up to THEIR full potential?”
This Sunday we continue our series on the “One Another” phrases in the Bible with “Spur One Another On.” The phrase is a little different in every translation, but the gist of it is sometime we need someone to give us a bit of prickly kick to make our “get up and go,” well, get up and go.
What’s your biggest burden? I don’t mean your physical work, nor do I even mean challenges around you in your work or family. I’m talking about YOU. What’s the heaviest weight that drags down your heart, your mind, and your soul?
This week we continue the One Another series with “bear one another’s burdens.” That’s right, we’re not intended to carry that weight alone.
As we settle into the new year, do you feel encouraged or discouraged?
Pastor Jeff is back this week as we start a new series on the “one another” phrases in the Bible. This week’s is “encourage one another.” Join us both to be encouraged yourself (no matter what’s going on in the world) and to become more of an encourager to others. Our Christian hope is meant to be shared!
God's light always shines in the darkness, and God always brings good from even the most difficult of times!
This morning we will continue singing and praying our longing for Jesus. This week we’ll take a special look at Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. How did he wait during those long nine months between the angel in his dream and the manger in Bethlehem?
The answer will give YOU something to do while you wait, too!
Do you ever find waiting to be lonely? It doesn't have to be.
Have you ever wondered what Mary did for those nine long months between the angel and the manger? We don't know much, but the one thing we do know speaks volumes: she made special effort to go and visit Elizabeth, the only other person who could come close to understanding what she was going through.
There's a special kind of bond that forms when people go through similar situations together. Something about the sharing of it builds a type of community that can only be described as "holy." Sure, it can be hard to make friends and we all feel isolated sometimes. But when we seek relationship, first with God but also with others, it's amazing what happens.
Thanksgiving has passed, winter is approaching, and the days get darker and darker. I’m referring to the actual days, of course, but with the pandemic perhaps it serves as a metaphor, too.
**The good news is that God knew there would be days like these.
That’s why God gave us Advent.**
Advent is the season of the church year that’s all about waiting, hoping, and expecting. Today we begin a new series called “Waiting Room.” Do you have enough room for waiting in your heart? Are you waiting well— for more sunlight? For a vaccine? For God’s kingdom?
Do you have enough love in your life?
Now wait, I'm not just talking about sappy love-song love. That's nice when it happens, of course, but I'm talking about something WAY deeper-- the kind of love that transcends even puppies and the hugs of children. I'm talking about the kind of Love, with a capitol "L," that binds us together even with those we've never met, transcending even time itself.
Join in as we sing, pray, and finish our series inspired by the phrase, "Now faith, hope, and love remain-- these three things-- and the greatest of these is love." You're more connected to that Love than you know!
If faith is trusting in what you don’t see, then hope is the certainty that there is pure goodness beckoning us toward itself.
This Sunday, we continue our series inspired by 1 Corinthians 13: “Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things...” Join us as we ask what hope is and how we can be more in touch with it!
What would happen if you took everything-- and I mean everything, your house, your car, your family, your memories-- and boiled them down to only the parts that touch your innermost soul? If you crossed off everything that is good but not quite to the soul-touching level, what would be left?
This week we start a new series based on something Paul says in 1 Corinthians in the Bible: only three remain, "faith, hope, and love." This week we'll sing our faith, pray our faith, and Pastor Jeff will help us get in touch with and grow our faith.
We end the Unafraid series on a big note: fear of sickness, of growing old, and of dying. But don't think it will be depressing, far from it! In fact, surveys show most people only get happier in their old age and Jesus shows us that dying, while scary, leads to the greatest blessing of all.
**We've come to the most timely week of the Unafraid series:
pandemic and politics.**
We lived in an age of anxiety even before COVID-19. Global communication shows us more of life's dangers. Studies have been done on how politicians on both sides use fear to get elected. And now our fear of disease both for our loved ones and ourselves has reached new highs.
But what's real? What's really worth our fear? God has an answer for that! This morning we'll sing, pray, and read of how God is "our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of great trouble."
Who are you afraid of?
That question probably made you think of specific individuals, but I mean it more broadly: what part of town makes you lock your car doors? What convenience stores would you not go in because you're nervous? What part of the world would you not want to visit?
We all have a fear of people who are different than us, it's natural to be anxious about the unknown. But Jesus calls us to something better: love for neighbor. Some fear is healthy, of course, but by and large people are people and we're all the same deep down.
And learning to respect the image of God in the person you fear will change your life and change the world.
Are you ever lonely? More to the point: does loneliness ever make you anxious?
Despite our digitally connected world, there is an epidemic of loneliness. I doubt there are many among us who don't long for more and deeper friendships, and COVID-19 certainly hasn't helped. Teary-eyed emoji are nice, but they are no substitute for a hug.
This week our Unafraid series talks about fear of being friendless and alone. Here's the good news: our faith offers two fantastic tools to fight that fear by letting us know we're never alone.
Our topic in the Unafraid series this week is one we all feel, young or old: the fear of failure. Do you ever wonder if you're good enough? Do tests make you nervous in school? Do you grown ups ever feel like an imposter who's bound to be "found out" at any moment?
You're not alone. This week we hear the story of Moses, perhaps the greatest Old Testament prophet, who felt exactly the same way. And so did his successor. Join us to learn what God had to say to the both-- and to us today.
What role does fear play in your life?
We all struggle with fear and face seasons where the uncertainty and change in our life becomes a true challenge. Right now our world is facing massive uncertainty about the future in regards to COVID, politics, and race. Fear is natural and can’t be avoided— what makes the difference is how we hold it.
This week we start a new series on living life Unafraid. Each week Pastor Jeff will share a tool from psychology and one from our faith to help us through.
What do you know about Joseph of Arimathea?
Probably not much! He was mentioned in the King Arthur/Holy Grail legend, but little of that was grounded in truth. His brief appearance in the Bible, though gives us an inspiring glimpse of one of the very first Christians using his God-given ingenuity to take care of the practical side Jesus’ resurrection. After all, how could we celebrate the empty tomb of Easter if someone hadn’t thought to give Jesus a tomb in the first place?
Join us for “The Miracle of the Tomb Itself” as we not only hear Joseph of Arimathea’s story but consider the practical side our own role in God’s kingdom as well!
How often do you blame others for what’s wrong in the world? In our community? In your life?
Today is the last of our "Resting _____ Face” series, letting God shape our default reactions. Many of you have talked about how it has really affected you and been beneficial. It hasn’t been easy, but it HAS been worth it!
We’ll end by looking at our unhealthy default reaction to blame others when things are off kilter. Did you know the reason behind it is not only human nature but goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. But naturally, Jesus steps in to give us new life.
Are you ever angry?
Ok, stupid question, we’re all angry sometime. But do you get angry… too much?
This week we continue our series on changing our “defaults” by asking God why we get angry so much. It turns out there is an almost “magical” answer to this one: practicing the art of forgiveness, while not easy, has a way of changing our anger into, of all things, gratitude.
What’s your first thought when something seems… off?
Do you assume the best or do you get suspicious?
For most of us, the answer is suspicion. We’ve seen enough, lived enough, and been hurt enough that our reaction is usually to brace ourself for more of the same. Yet the love we see in Jesus is quite different and,
frankly, quite refreshing.
This week Pastor Jeff returns to the series “Resting _____ Face” as we examine and seek to change our default reactions.
Instead of a full sermon this week, Pastor Jeff spoke about what Confirmation is, reminded us each of our own baptism and place in the church, and then let the act of Confirmation itself do the talking. Join six of our young people as they claim their faith as their own-- and reclaim your own as well!
What’s your first reaction when life doesn’t go the way you want it to? What’s your default?
Some of us get angry, others judgmental. Some get quiet and depressed, others lash out. Almost none of us, though, can say that our “default” is a good one. But the good news is that not only can our default be changed, but in fact doing so is a big part of what Jesus teaches and shows us.
This week we begin a new series called “Resting ____ Face: Letting God Shape Our Default.” We begin this week by seeking to change our tendency to judge others into an attitude of grace.
Pastor Jeff talks about the movie Frozen II which speaks remarkably well to our current moment in history: when you’re lost in the forest and you cannot see the future, sometimes all you can do is the “next right thing—” which sometimes involves sacrifice. Good thing we have God to help us find our way!
This week Pastor Jeff will wrap up our series on the book of James and race with something you may not have seen coming: the power of words. James compares it to a rudder: that small piece of wood beneath a mighty ship that change its whole direction. So our own words, chosen— no cultivated— carefully, can change not only our hearts but our actions and the world. If you’ve ever wondered what YOU can do for the racial tension in our world, join us this morning for more!
This week Pastor Jeff continues our challenging series on James with an eye toward the racial tension in our country. We'll hear James the brother of Jesus say in no uncertain terms that if your actions don't follow what you CLAIM you believe then your so-called beliefs mean nothing. Harsh words but they also remind us that our well-intentioned "thoughts and prayers" toward minorities are meaningless-- if not hurtful-- if we just slouch back to the way things were.
We begin a new series this week on the book of James in the Bible. James was the brother of Jesus, and at least one thing clearly runs in the family— he tells it like it is. Fair warning: this series will be a challenging one, as Pastor Jeff also intends to help us find a faithful way to approach the racial tension in our nation.
Are you fully engaging worship from home? Forget the WFH ("Work From Home") movement, this is about WORSHIP From Home! We've been doing it via livestream for months now and are grateful for it. But worship is about so much more than what happens on Sunday morning!
Have you ever "gone through the motions" with Communion but sensed something deeper was going on? This Sunday we continue looking at the basics of faith with a special look at what theologians call "sacraments." For United Methodists that means Baptism and Communion. What makes them so special and why do we put so much energy into such simple things?
Is your faith as healthy as you'd like? Jesus once lifted up the idea of a fruit tree-- if it doesn't bear fruit, then something is incomplete. The same is true for us! Now before you get worried, take a close look... God may be doing more through you than you are aware. But that said, all of us could stand to live out our faith a little more-- with God's help.
Do you have enough friends? Deep friends who truly know you? Let's face it... even before COVID this was a problem for nearly all of us. Yet in the Bible, loneliness was present even before that first apple bite: "It's not good that the human is alone." We were quite literally made for connection!
How do you answer that yearning inside? Our yearning for God is like our thirst for water. Most of the time we don't even know we're thirsty. But take one sip and... oh, my, that water tastes good-- and we end up drinking the whole glass! The problem is that we don't always know where to begin.
This Sunday we begin a new series called “Home/Church” that will help us grow in the basics of the Christian life and the building blocks upon which our worship at home is built. This week starts out with “The What and How of Praying.” What is prayer? Does it do any good? Why bother?
Do you ever feel less than fully human? Have you ever noticed that some parts of this world just aren’t aligned with the way God made them to be? If so, then this sermon is for you! We’ll celebrate the Holy Spirit by hearing the amazing story of the first Pentecost day in the Bible. Part of what it shows us isn’t just a remarkable story of fire and wind, but one of imperfect people finally realizing who God made them to be.
Do you ever feel like God has given up on this world? You’re not alone… there are days when the evidence around us seems to suggest God has indeed given up. But this morning we’ll hear a message that may surprise you: the risen Jesus’ last appearance to his disciples offers evidence that not only has God NOT given up on us, but is, in fact, invested in this world’s future— personally.
So you’ve had some moments you’re not proud of. All of this social distancing and self-isolation has built to the point where it’s harder to bear. Maybe you’ve lashed out, maybe you’ve harbored resentment, maybe you just shut down more than you used to. This week’s sermon is for you. We’ll sing, we’ll pray, and we’ll hear the story of Peter who felt exactly that way after Jesus’ crucifixion and arrest simply broke him. But what Jesus says to him after he faces it? Wow— you’ll hardly believe it’s true for you, too!
Did you know Jesus had a sense of humor? This morning, Pastor Jeff will share a story of the risen Jesus doing something you may never have noticed— teasing! That’s right, there’s a moment where Jesus appears to be having a good laugh with his friends. We hope you’re doing the same and that you’ll bring your laugh with you today!
Pastor Jeff’s sermon includes a story of when the risen Jesus appears to his disciples— wait for it— while they were in a locked room. Sound familiar? Join us and find that the risen Jesus is in YOUR quarantine shelter, too!
Have you ever noticed how stress affects your body? Or how your body being sick keeps you from thinking straight? Our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits are all connected. So what can we do to support our soul and our spirit? This week we’ll hear about how the risen Jesus also embraced and cared for his own body and see how we bring our whole selves to our faith, too.
This week’s premise might sound familiar: two disciples are walking along the road, just like so many of us are doing during social isolation, and they’re feeling downtrodden, not fully understanding Easter. What they discover surprises them and makes them describe their hearts as being on fire. Listen in— you might say the same thing!
Ok, let’s say one thing straight out— quarantine isn’t how any of us expected to be spending Easter. We miss seeing one another and singing “Christ is risen!” with our church. But you know what? Christ is STILL risen! No virus can cancel the resurrection, nor our hope!