Sermons by Randy

Prepare yourself!Advent is a time of preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming. The word “prepare” is a great word. We’ll talk about it today in two different ways. First, let’s talk about preparing ourselves. In a "Peanuts" cartoon strip, Charlie Brown says to Linus, “Life is just too much for me. I’ve been confused from the … Read more

Luke 2.1-7 Joseph & Mary Travel to Bethlehem During the reign of Caesar Augustus, a census was decreed, which required everyone to travel to their hometowns. Joseph, being from the family of David, had to travel to Bethlehem, David’s ancient home. So Joseph and Mary (now pretty far along in her pregnancy) set off from … Read more

Last week we talked about the word, “come.” Christmas is about God coming to us and showing his love for us in very practical ways! God still comes to us, and he is coming back to us again someday, which leads us to today’s keyword, “promise.”Christmas is a sign of God’s love!For God so loved … Read more

Question for reflection …How will you prepare your heart this Advent for Christ’s coming? Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Our Advent series will look at several keywords of the Christmas story. Today, we’ll look at the word “come.” The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word, adventus, which means “coming.” There has always … Read more

Ann Landers once responded to a letter from a girl who was writing about her uncle. The girl told the story: “My uncle was the tightest man I’ve ever known. All his life, every time he got paid he took $20 out of his paycheck and put it under his mattress. Then he got sick … Read more

Colossians 3.18—4.18 This section begins with some basic household rules. Paul addresses three groups of people: Wives (submit) and Husbands (love), Children (obey) and Parents (don’t provoke), Slaves (obey) and Masters (treat with justice/fairness). He gives each group instructions (see parenthetical statements above) on how to live together in ways that honor God. (Note: In … Read more

Colossians 3.1-17 Let heaven fill your thoughts! Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ … Read more

We see warning labels all over the place. There’s a warning label on boxes of cigarettes: "SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, and May Complicate Pregnancy." On coffee cups, you’ll notice the warning, “Caution: Hot!” You might see signs occasionally, exclaiming, “Flammable!” or "High Voltage!" On homes, you might see signs … Read more

For this series, we’re using the New English Translation. It’s posted online by chapter, so you can read today’s text by clicking on Colossians 1.24–29 and Colossians 2.1-5. God call servants First, let’s talk about God’s call. Paul writes, “according to the stewardship from God.” Clearly (from here and other writings), Paul understood that he … Read more

It’s great to be with all of you today at the Shaver’s Creek Community Building where the six United Methodist congregations, representing hundreds of years of ministry here in the Juniata Valley, are gathering for a special day of worship and fellowship. Community From early on in our planning, we knew we wanted to focus … Read more