United Methodist Chucks

Our message this week is "Times Change" and it takes a look at how something good can change over time. We reflect on three different scripture readings that help us to understand how times change. If the bronze serpent Moses made was good, why would Hezekiah destroy it? How can we keep ourselves from being a stumbling block to others? Our scripture readings come from Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Kings 18:1-6; and Matthew 18:6-9 in the CEB.

For Father's Day, our message is "The Prodigal Father." We may know that story of the Prodigal Son, but how often do we really think about the father in the parable? What examples does he give us of being a good father? About being a good person? What can we learn about the example we set for others? We explore this and more. Today's reading is from Luke 15:11-32 CEB.

This week's message is "To Do Good" and it looks at when and how we do good. What was wrong with healing on the sabbath? Was it a matter of legalism? Was it upsetting tradition? When should we do good? What does God really expect from us? Our scripture readings for today come from Micah 6:1-8 and Luke 6:-1-11. You can now find the United Methodist Chucks weekly podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Spotify!

Our sermon for Trinity Sunday is "God's Creation." In it, we look at what it means to care for God's creation and for humanity. What does it mean if we are created in God's divine image? How do we accept being given charge over all creation? Do we think about each other as being created in the image of God? How does this change the way we interact? Let us be in ministry in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Our scripture readings come from Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20. Today's readings are from the Common English Bible.

The last entry in the Day by Day series is our Pentecost message. "Peace and Justice" takes a look at what it means to share peace with others. It is also a hard look at the way that we must take action for justice. In troubling times, those who can speak must speak for those who are not heard. If the Holy Spirit is for all, how do we work on ensuring that all people can share in peace? Day by day, we share God's love and mercy. Our scripture readings are from Acts 2:1-21 and John 20:19-23.

The next Day by Day entry is "Faith and the Future" on this 7th Sunday of Easter. We explore how faith guides is in times of uncertainty. What do we really know about the future? What do we need to know? What do we need faith for? Our scripture readings come from Acts 1:6-14 and John 17:1-11.

This week in Day by Day we look at the subject "Truth." Why is truth important right now? What does it mean that Christ is the truth? The way? The life? If Christ is in us, and we in him, how does that change our witness? Do we act to keep those commandments Christ gave us? Day by day, we will get by with God's help. Our scripture reading for today comes from John 14:1-21.

This Sunday we look at Naomi in our Mother's Day message for Day by Day. "Mother IN Hard Times" looks at Naomi's role in Ruth's journey. What was it like for her to be a mom? What can we learn from her for today's struggles? Day by day, we get through with God's help. Our scripture reading comes from Ruth 1:7, 11-14, 18-22; 2:1-3, 19-20; 3:1-5, 16-18; 4:13-17.

Our Easter series is Day by Day and for this fourth Sunday of Easter, our message is “Devotion.” We show our devotion in many different ways. How do we show devotion to God in this time of distancing? Should we be pushing to get back into the church building? What is it others see when they see us following God? Day by day, we let God lead us. Our scripture readings come from Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Peter 2:19-25.

Our Easter series is Day by Day and for this third Sunday of Easter, our message is “New Information.” How is new information presented to us? When it is, do we believe it? Why? Why not? How do we present new information to others? Do we accept God giving us new information? Day by day, we let God lead us. Our scripture readings come from Luke 24:13-35.

Our Easter series is Day by Day and for this second Sunday of Easter, our message is "Personal Experience." As we work through this unprecedented time, we explore what personal experience means to us. How does it shape our faith? How does it impact our witness? How do we maintain faith and trust in trying times? Our scripture readings come from 1 Peter 1:3-9 and John 20:19-31.

Our Easter message is "He Is Not Here." How do we celebrate the resurrection while we practice social distancing? How do our current situations influence our faith? Where is our hope? We explore these questions today! Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 28:1-10.

Ready for Lent continues with "Ready for the Spirit" as we continue to navigate these difficult times. Being ready for the spirit means being ready for things to be different. But it also means recognizing when things are difficult. Our scripture readings come from Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; and John 11:1-45.

"Ready for Sight" is the next installment in Ready for Lent. Today we look at different ways that we are ready to see the world the way God sees it. How do we see each other? What happens if we think differently than God? Do we try to change our view? Or do we try to change God to fit our view? To be ready for Lent we must be ready to change. Our scripture readings come from 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, and John 9:1-41.

This week in Ready for Lent we try to be "Ready for Unity" in the midst of an unusual situation. As the Coronavirus pandemic takes hold, we are holding off on having services at the church for the time being, so today's message addresses that situation. How do we find unity in times of struggle? What can we do when we don't know what comes next? We trust that God will make us ready to help each other. Our scripture readings come from Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, and John 4:5-42.

"Ready for Faith" is the next preparation point in Ready for Lent . How do we get ready for faith? Shouldn't we already have faith? What is our faith? What do we have faith in? What should we have faith in? Let us be ready to follow Christ and get ready for Lent. Our scripture readings come from Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 and John 3:1-17.

Our new series is Ready for Lent and "Ready for Temptation" is our first message. We are given examples of how to face temptation in today's scripture, but what do they mean? What is one of our greatest temptations? Are we ready to face those things? We get ready for Lent by focusing on Christ. Our scripture readings come from Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, and Matthew 4:1-11.

Our final message of Following God is "In the Glory of God" for Transfiguration Sunday. What does the transformation mean? What is the message Christ has? What do we learn about following God? We explore what it takes when we are following God. Our scripture readings for today come from Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9.

"Speak to Life" is the next to last installment of Following God. If we are given a choice between living a life dedicated to what's good or what's not, how do we know which we are doing? Are our actions enough? Or do we have to feel it? How do we balance the personal with the social? Should we be cutting off limbs to avoid sin? We explore what it takes when we are following God. Our scripture readings for today come from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37.

"With a Purpose" continues in the Following God series. We look again at serving selfishly versus selflessly. What kind of fast does God want? Prayer? Worship? How do we shine a light or be the salt? How do we do anything? We explore what it takes when we are following God. Our scripture readings for today come from Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20.