United Methodist Chucks

This week our 7 Deadly Sins series brings us to "Envy" our 3rd sin. Is envy always bad? Who can we be envious of? What's the danger of envy? Do we ever get envy wrong? We explore this and more as we explore the 7 deadly sins. Our scripture reading comes from 1 Samuel 18:6-16. The transcript can be downloaded from the link above or viewed online.

Week 2 of our 7 Deadly Sins series brings us to "Greed." What is greed? How does greed impact our lives? Our community? Our nation? How do we fight greed?  We explore this and more as we explore the 7 deadly sins. Our scripture reading comes from Acts 4:32-5:11. A transcript of this sermon may be downloaded above or you can read it online here.

This week starts our 7 Deadly Sins series, and we begin with "Pride." Is pride always a bad thing? What happens with pride? How can we keep pride in check? We explore this and more as we explore the 7 deadly sins. Our scripture reading comes from Luke 18:9-14. A transcript of this sermon may be downloaded using the provided link, or can be read online here.

The last message in this run of The Word in Song is "My Back Pages", inspired by the time by Bob Dylan. This Father's Day message reflects on what it means to be like a child. Do we still ask questions like a child? Be humble like a child? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song! Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 18:1-5, 10-14. The musical inspiration comes from "My Back Pages" by Bob Dylan.

The latest in The Word in Song is "I Knew You Were Waiting," inspired by the duet by George Michael and Aretha Franklin. How do we handle feeling alone in times of great difficulty? Do we lose sight of God? Will Christ ever not be there for us? Is God faithfully waiting? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song! Our scripture reading comes from Lamentations 3:19-33. The musical inspiration comes from “I Knew You Were Waiting” by George Michael and Aretha Franklin.

Continuing in The Word in Song, today's message is "Always Something There To Remind Me." The music interpretation was from the song of the same title by Naked Eyes. We hear about the Israelites making a monument to remember crossing the Jordan. What is it in our lives that reminds us of God? Is it that inspiration always obvious? What might we be overlooking? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song! Our scripture reading comes from Joshua 4:1-7. The musical inspiration comes from "Always Something There To Remind Me" written by Hal David & Burt Bacharach. Though my inspiration was from the version by Naked Eyes, the Dione Warwick version is also superb.

Today marks the beginning of The Word in Song II, the second installment of the series. We begin with "Man In The Mirror" and it was inspired by the song of the same title by Michael Jackson. In it, we explore how we change ourselves to change the world. What examples does the Bible give us? Can we change others? Can we see how to change ourselves? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song! Our scripture reading comes from James 1:19-27. The musical inspiration comes from Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror."

Pentecost draws us to the end of our series, Led by the Spirit. The last message is "Feel the Fire" and explores our relationship with the Holy Spirit . What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Do wet hesitate to act on the Spirit? Live a life led by the Spirit! Our scripture readings come from Acts 2:1-21 and Romans 8:22-27.

This week's installment of Led by the Spirit is "Testify." We look at Mary on this Mother's Day. What does Jesus' mother show us about testifying to our faith? What does it show us about speaking up? Speaking out? Live a life led by the Spirit! Our scripture readings come from 1 John 5:9-13 and John 2:1-12.

Moving ahead in our series, Led by the Spirit, we come to "Conquer the World." What does it take to conquer the world? An army? Force? Power? What does that even mean? And how can our faith change the world? Live a life led by the Spirit! Our scripture readings come from Acts 10:44-48 and 1 John 5:1-6.

We begin our new Pentecost series today, Led by the Spirit. Today's message is "Bear Fruit" and in it we discuss what it takes to beat fruit. What is the link between all the things we do that are good? Can we really have perfected love? Who should we love? Who shouldn't we love? Live a life led by the Spirit! Our scripture readings come from 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8.

As we finish our Risen in Christ series, we reach "Know the Shepherd." What is the difference between knowing of someone and really knowing someone? How does that change our relationship with Christ? With others? Let us walk as those risen in Christ. Our scripture readings come from Acts 4:5-12 and John 10:11-18.

As we continue in Risen in Christ, we come to "Inherit the Kingdom." We are told we are children of God, but do we show it? How do we live as those set to inherit the kingdom? Are we eager to invite others in? To tell them the good news that they too are heirs? Let us walk as those risen in Christ. Our scripture readings come from Acts 3:12-19 and 1 John 3:1-7.

"Walk in the Light" is the second installment of our Risen in Christ series. Today we think about Thomas and his faith. What can we learn from Jesus about compassion? How should we approach those who don't believe? How do we show Christ to others? Let us walk as those risen in Christ. Our scripture readings come from 1 John 1:1-2:2 and John 20:19-31.

Easter is upon us! We begin our Eater series, Risen in Christ, with "Tell the Story." Is the story of the resurrection a story? Is it THE story? What if we approach it as our story? Does this change how we see the empty tomb? Let us live as those risen in Christ. Our scripture reading comes from Mark 16:1-8.

In this last Sunday of Lent, we "Celebrate and Grieve." We find great joy contrasted with deep sorrow today. How do these opposites relate to each other? These actions are central to Christianity. Let us prepare our hearts to Act with Christ. Our scripture readings come from Mark 11:1-11 and Mark 15:1-39.

As we near the end of our Lenten series, Act with Christ, we come to "Give Glory." Do we glorify God in all that we do? Do we glorify ourselves? Are we more likely to hand our troubles to God but keep our success? Let us prepare our hearts to Act with Christ. Our scripture readings come from Hebrews 5:5-10 and John 12:20-33.

Today's message in Acting with Christ is "Look and Live." We get a familiar scripture with what might be unfamiliar context. What have we set our sights on? What kind of example do we set? Is Christ at the center? Let us prepare our hearts to Act with Christ. Our scripture readings come from Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21.

Continuing our Lenten journey in Act with Christ, we arrive at "Clear the Temple." We are given the image of Jesus driving out money changers and vendors by force. But why? What kind of example does Christ set for us? Do we hesitate to act on our prayers? Let us prepare our hearts to Act with Christ. Our scripture reading comes from John 2:13-25.

As we continue in our Lenten series Act with Christ we arrive at "Take Up Your Cross." Peter receives a strong rebuke from Jesus. We seek to emulate Christ, but what about when his actions seem harsh? What about when they cause us to give up comfort? Let us prepare our hearts to Act with Christ. Our scripture reading comes from Mark 8:31-38.