Marlton United Methodist Church: Recent Episodes
Marlton United Methodist Church
God sends Abram and his wife Sarai on a journey, promising them land and offspring to bless them. But Abram and Sarai are already old and childless when they set out, and only grow older. God establishes a new covenant, marked by circumcision, and changes their names to Abraham and Sarah. Both are said to have laughed when they heard that they would become parents well into their old age, and so when the child was born they named him Isaac, which means, “He will laugh.”
God declares that creation is good. Life can feel chaotic and out of control at times. Literal and metaphorical storms can cause us stress. But from the beginning of time, God has been involved in the world. God was pleased with all of creation and has been guiding it toward his original purpose since then.
Pastor Jesse is struggling with tonsilitis, so he will not be bringing the message. Instead, Gina Yeske will be sharing a message of hope titled Mountains as Opportunities. Have a blessed day, we'll see you next week!
The letters to the seven churches show how the church was engaging with the real world, in its glories and its problems. The church in Laodicea thought it was doing rather well, but in reality they were lukewarm. Join us to hear about the ways in which we are lukewarm today and God wants to puke us out, as Alyssa Ruch, the Co-Director of the Maker’s Place, a diaper bank in Trenton, shares her story.
After the beasts are defeated and the lamb is victorious John tells us about a new heaven and a new earth. The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven and God's dwelling place is forever on earth. Join us this Sunday as we look at the implications of God inhabiting the earth alongside of humanity.
After the scroll is opened, John tells us about the seven seals and seven bowls. Then he described a dragon and two beasts which people begin to worship and mark themselves with their sign. John's point is clear, who do we worship and follow, the beast or God? Join us this week.
This week we are continuing in the Book of Revelation as John describes a scroll that needs to be opened. The drama unfolds when no one, in heaven or on earth, is worthy to unseal the scroll. Join us as we discuss John's expectations, and ours, this week.
This week we begin our study in the Book of Revelation, one of the more complicated and argued about books in the Bible. This week we are looking at God's throne room in Heaven, join us!
Rev. Ronell Howard of Christ Church Piscataway delivers a timely message letting us know that we have the power to move our mountains and all it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed.
As we are at the halfway point of our study in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul begins to provide a set of rules for holders of the Passports of Heaven. Join us this Sunday as we look closer at these rules and how we ought to act as the body of Christ.
Last week we saw how God had, since the beginning of time wanted to reconcile us to himself through Jesus Christ. This week, we are continuing in Paul's letter to the Ephesians on how we ought to behave as the Body of Christ, the Church.
This week we switch from the Book of Job to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. While on two separate ends of our bibles, the books are very much connected with the idea of how God wants to reconcile us with himself. Join us this week and we see how God has wanted to bring us into right relationship from the very beginning and how we ought to extend this invitation to others.
This week, I'm reminded of the chorus of the hymn by Julia Johnston, Grace Greater Than Our Sin, "Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!" What an awesome God we serve! Join us this week as we conclude Job's story and spend some time diving deeper into God's grace and the need for reconciliation.
We've seen Job start to question his faith, begin to sin and fall away from God. This week, God enters the conversation, if you have time this week, read Job chapters 38-41 as God responds to Job and his friends, and then join us this Sunday as we dive deeper into what God is saying.
After all Job has gone through, losing his business and his wealth, the death of his death children, the painful sores on his body, and self isolation, he sits in silence and grief for seven days, and then he starts talking to his friends. He wishes that he had never been born, and he and his friends begin questioning the very nature of justice and righteousness. Join us this week as we join their conversation on justice and righteousness and the celebration of two Baptisms, it's going to be a great worship service!
Last week we met Job, a successful, wealthy, blessed man. Then disaster struck and his faith was tested. This week, Job's health is attacked and we see how he, his wife, and his friends all respond. Join us as we see what happens next.
One question that has plagued humanity since the dawn of time, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The Book of Job is all about this not so simple question. Join us this Sunday as we kick off a new sermon series on the Book of Job and this question about evil.
Paul is frustrated at the Galatians, and in our scripture reading this week, he continues to try to remind them that faith is what is most important. This week, I will be out of the pulpit preparing for my wedding, Bob Michael will share a word about unity and division in the church.
God wants a right relationship with us, just as we want a right relationship with God. In Paul's letter to the Galatians, we see that our right relationship isn't just in what we do, it's also based in trusting Jesus. Join us this Sunday!
As we continue to watch the Church evolve, there is a new disagreement brewing: should the gentile Christians submit to the Torah and be circumcised? Join us this Sunday as we join in the conversation of the Council of Jerusalem.
Last week we saw Stephen, a deacon who was stoned by the religious authorities for his passionate speech and prophetic voice. This week, we are traveling with another deacon who is called to evangelism and eventually baptizes an influential man from Ethiopia. Join us as we look at this spirit-filled encounter and our own baptisms and the promises we have made.
Some of us are called to preach, some to pray, some to serve, some to give, and some to encourage. This week we see the ways in which from the beginning the church has recognized that we all are called to ministry and should work for the Glory of God.
Join us as we look deeper into the laying of hands and our spiritual gifts.
The risen Jesus has a lot of work to do, this week he meets two of his disciples on the road out of Jerusalem, he interprets scripture for them, and finally joins them in Communion.
Join us this week as we look deeper into this food for the journey, and how our own journeys are strengthened by Communion.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Friends, after the year we've had, the resurrection takes on new meaning as we are so close to normalcy. I can't imagine what the apostles were thinking when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James brought them news of the resurrection. Join us this Sunday as we hear this story once again.
A Service of Tenebrae, or "Shadows," is based on a twelfth–century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ. Join us as we read and meditate on the passion of Christ.
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd of disciples called out “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” and they were told to be quiet. We are setting the stage for Easter, and the final confrontation between good and evil, join us as we look ahead to Calvary, the cross, and the empty tomb.
As Jesus continues to Jerusalem, he passes through Jericho, where he encounters a blind man who wants healing and a short man who wants to see Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we discover what are the important moments and how we can miss them if we're not paying attention.
In this week's parable, Jesus tells a parable about two men, a rich man, and a man who was poor named Lazarus. In their lives, Lazarus went hungry while the rich man ignored him. They both die, Lazarus is brought to a place of comfort, while the rich man is brought to a place of suffering. Now the rich man wants Lazarus to comfort him, join us as we unpack this parable, and find a better way to live.
This week Jesus tells us three parables, all of them focus on the lost and the found. A shepherd had 100 sheep and lost one of them, a woman had 10 coins and lost one, and a father who had two sons. Join us as we look at these parables and see what God's love looks like to those who are lost, and to those who were never missing.
Sometimes we think about sin and suffering as if they go hand-in-hand. Sometimes they do, Israel's expulsion from the Promised Land and into captivity is an example of suffering being caused by sin. Sometimes they don't, as we'll see in this week's text. Join us as we learn that no matter what, we need to repent and seek reconciliation.
"What must I do to inherit eternal life?" the expert in the law asks Jesus. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the most well-known parables that Jesus teaches. I wonder, after so many hearings, am I ready to "go and do likewise?" Join us as we ponder this question and parable together
In Luke chapter 9, Jesus asks the disciples a question: Who do people say that I am? When the crowds answer wrongly, Jesus asks his disciples: Who do you say that I am? Peter answers, God's Messiah. This week, Jesus brings Peter, James, and John to a mountain to pray, and there everything changes. Join us this week as we walk alongside the disciples and witness the Transfiguration of Jesus.
SHOW LESS
Last week we saw Jesus interpreting and joining in the conversation surrounding the Sabbath. Jesus told us that he was Lord of the Sabbath. This week, Jesus is healing and raising people from the dead. The message is clear, rich or poor, powerful or weak, Jew or Gentile, God loves everyone, everywhere. Join us as we see that there is no barrier to receiving the grace of God which Jesus offers.
What are you allowed to do on the Sabbath? Can you go out into the field and pick grain? Can you heal someone? In our text this week, Jesus enters into a debate over what is allowed and what isn't. Join us this week as we enter into the discussion and how Sabbath rests look for us today.
Jesus leaves Nazareth and goes to Capernaum, teaching, and healing. He then stands by the side of the lake and teaches to the crowd. There, Peter, James, and John have a unique experience with Jesus, and he invites them to join him in his ministry. Join us this week as we look into their encounter with Jesus and our own ministries with God.
This week we are starting fresh in the Gospel according to Luke. Jesus has been teaching and healing and performing miracles and so when he finally went home to Nazareth people were excited to hear him preach in the synagogue. Join us as we find out what happens next.
God speaks through you to others. God wants you to be the voice of God through your conversations and actions. God is able to speak through us as we say ‘Yay God, yes God and yahoo'. Join us as we worship with the Bishop and Annual Conference and seek to understand just how important we are to God and the world.
Join us for a worship service provided by the Greater NJ Annual Conference. Bishop Schol will share the morning message and celebrate virtual communion.
The theme for January 3rd is Your Epiphany. God is speaking to you and wants you to know the purpose and meaning God has for your life. God speaks to you as you turn outward through observing, quieting, and curiosity. People will find themselves in worship through scripture, story, and sacrament. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated and worshipers are invited to bring bread and juice or water as they participate in the worship. Place them on a plate and cover them with a napkin.
All are welcome!
Join us this week as we discover how Jesus was raised by Mary and Joseph and how their love molded Jesus into the man we know today.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
This Sunday is our Christmas Pageant, put together by the students of Marlton United Methodist Church, they'll be reading, and singing and telling us the story of Jesus' birth and Christmas.
We have come to the third week of Advent, traditionally this Sunday is reserved for Joy. The joy of the coming Messiah, the joy of the new Jerusalem, the joy of justice, and righteousness reigning over us. The joy that Isaiah writes about is one of a deeper, more global, and universal joy, release of captives and outcasts, restoration of cities, and peace in the land.
Where do we go from here? That's the question I think of when reading Joel's words this week. After a disaster we typically ask two questions, why did this happen and where do we go from here. These are the same questions Israel has been asking, and while we've been focusing on the first one, this week our focus turns to the second one. Join us as we discover what God has in store for Israel and for the whole world.
King Darius of Persia issued a law, declaring that anyone caught praying to anyone other than the king would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel trusted in God and continued to worship him in defiance of the law. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions as punishment, but God sent an angel to protect Daniel. Join us as we look at the ways Daniel puts his trust in God.
God keeps giving the prophets messages for the people, but as we'll see this week, those messages sometimes fall on deaf ears. Thankfully, God keeps trying. Join us this week as we see what God's promise looks like even in the face of refusal and denial
Isaiah, one of the most important and famous prophets, has an interesting origin story. Isaiah sees God in a different way than Moses or Abraham or Eve ever saw God, Isaiah sees God and he said the hem of God's robe filled the entire room. "Woe to me!" Isaiah cried, and realized how unworthy he was for the mission God sent him on. Which, all things considered, seems like the right reaction.
As we continue in our Big God Story, we come to one of the most pivotal moments in Israel's history. Assyria has warred with Samaria, and Babylon is warring with Judah and Jerusalem. This week, we see the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the dispersion of Israel into gentile hands. How did we get here, and where do we go from here? These are the questions of the prophets and the precursor to Advent. Join us this week as we look at what God was doing and continues to do for us.
After David dies, his son Solomon becomes King. The peace that Israel sees is short-lived because once Solomon dies, the kingdom is divided between his two sons. Now we have Israel, the northern kingdom, and Judah, the southern kingdom. Elijah, a prophet and man of God preaches against the northern kingdom and their evil king, join us this week as we follow Elijah to Zarephath and see how God can still be faithful even when all else seems lost.
Samuel anoints the first kings of Israel, this week we see David, fresh off his successful military campaigns talking to a prophet, Nathanel. David has built himself a palace and wants to build one for God, but that wasn't God's plan. Join us this Sunday as we see how God answers David, and how God might be speaking to us today.
After the Israelites settle in the Promised Land, God gives them judges to rule over Israel. This week we are looking at the mother of the last judge, Hannah. Hannah was without children and bargained with God and God remained faithful and provided her with a son, Samuel. Join us this Sunday as we look at the prayer life of Hannah and insights into the way that we pray to God.
After the Exodus from Egypt, Moses led the Israelites into the desert. There God began to show himself to the Israelites and continued to shape their relationship with one another and himself. But, over time, the Israelites became restless and disobedient. Join us in-person or online, 10am Sunday as we look at one of those times when the Israelites built an idol of a golden calf to worship.
There's something about eating together in community. One of the very first things I wanted to do as your pastor was to have a pot-luck. Spending time together over a meal is such an integral part of who we are. For the Israelites, and for us, the Passover is one of the foundational moments of our faith. Join us as we look deeper into this holy meal.
In the promise-based relationship that God has made with Abraham and his descendants, God has chosen the Hebrews as his people. This week, we followed Abraham, his son Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob. All throughout our readings, we saw God's involvement with this family. This week, we will meet Joseph, who will usher in a new direction for the Hebrew people, and bring them into Egypt.
This week we read about Noah and his ark in our daily bible readings, and God's new covenant with humanity in Genesis 9. This Sunday, we'll learn about God's covenant with Abraham, and how we are a covenant people still connected with God even today.
Join us Sunday at 10am on Facebook, Youtube, or out front of the hub.
This is our first week in the big God Story walkthrough of the Bible. We're beginning in the very beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden. What started with trust, obedience, and relationship with God devolves into distrust, disobedience, and temptation. How does God respond to humanity?
How is it September already? I feel like I turned around and the summer was over! This week we are looking at Matthew 7, The Wise and Foolish Builders. We'll be talking about how we can build our own lives on the rock, and what happens when the storms of life batter us.
There are so many questions in John's version of the Feeding of the Multitude: Who was the boy that brought five loaves of bread and two fish for his lunch? What was he thinking when he packed his lunch that morning? Where did all of the leftovers go?
Join us as we look deeper at the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, and Andrew's simple question, How far will they go among so many?
I love the Sunday School song, Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man. Zacchaeus was so short, he had to climb a tree to see Jesus. Then Jesus calls up to Zacchaeus and says, "I must stay at your house today." Then the grumbling started.
The feeling of being unprepared is awful. We stumble and get anxious, we worry and try to go through all of the different situations in our heads. We want to be prepared, not caught off guard. Thankfully, God equips us, even when we are unprepared. Join us as we see how Moses was given his tools for his mission, and how God equips all of us.
"Here I am", three little words that we have all said at one time or another. Three little words that Abraham repeats time and time again. Here I am, God. Here I am, Isaac. Here I am, angel. The binding of Isaac is a hard story to discuss. One fraught with confusion and questions. What did Sarah have to say about all of this? Where does Isaac go afterwards? How come God didn't send an angel to tell Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Join us Sunday as we try to wrestle with these questions and more.
When you've heard a story so many times, you might miss some of the details. Did you know that Noah may have been alive during the building of the Tower of Babel? What else have we missed during our frequent readings of some of those classic Sunday School stories? We're starting a new series to look at a few of these Bible stories and see what else we can discover. Join us this Sunday as we take a closer look at the construction of the Tower of Babel.
First we saw Jonah running away from God, then he was swallowed by a big fish and prayed to God, then he repented and preached God's message to Nineveh. Join us as we conclude our series on the book of Jonah and see what happens when Jonah sits and waits for God's judgment and God confronts Jonah with a simple but difficult question, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
Ian Carlos Urriola, Director of Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute, is our guest preacher this week. He looks back to the sage advice and comfort of Mr. Rogers for help in troubled times. Our text this week is Romans 8:38-39 and Romans 12:9-15. May you be blessed as we worship God together
Guest preacher and district superintendent for the Northern Shore District, Gina Hendrickson, shares from Philippians 2. We are worshiping together online until it's safe to gather again.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul begins with with a warm greeting expressing his gratitude to God, “every time I think of you.” God had already been at work in the city of Philippi and Paul had no doubt that God would bring it to completion. God too has been at work in us and God is not done yet.
Today we’re talking about continuing the ministry that Jesus began. He came and healed, fed, taught and loved many people. We are called to do the same. May you be blessed as we worship together.
Today’s message is “What the World?” In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit comes into a closed space where all of the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples from neighboring countries are gathered. Strange things are afoot and God’s action is mighty and peculiar. So, we pause and say to one another, “What the World?” as we dig into God’s Word. May you be blessed as we worship together.
This week we conclude our series, “What Happened Next,” as we delve deeper into the stories of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples after his resurrection. John 21:1-14 tells a story of fish, breakfast, and Jesus’ welcoming love.
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.