Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
Mark 6.30-44 How many of you have been on a picnic this summer already? How many of you have plans for a July 4th picnic? The extended family of my mom’s husband’s family have been hosted by my step-brother Dave each year the past several years. It’s becoming a family tradition, a reunion. Picnics are … Read more
John 17.20-23 Five Fingers Make a United FistIn a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn’t. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus. “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together … Read more
I’m thinking a lot about transition these days. Today is my last Sunday at Petersburg, and it’s also the last Sunday for Alexandria and Barree as seaprate congregations. Next week, these two congregations will become one new church, "Hope UMC." There’s a lot of transition in the Scriptures, too. Today, we’re going to look at … Read more
[Note: Joleen and I traded places today. Joleen preached at Petersburg and Alexandria/Barree and I preached at Wesley Chapel, Ennisville, and Faith. We each repeated our sermons from Pentecost Sunday two weeks ago to give our churches another perspective on the importance of Pentecost. You can read Joleen’s Pentecost Sunday sermon here: Can We Talk? … Read more
Joel 2.28-29 The Berlin Wall At the end of WWII Germany became divided into occupational zones. The capital city of Berlin found itself divided as well. East Germany had a Soviet-style authoritarian government and many of the people longed for the political freedoms and prosperity of non-communist countries. Many East Germans fled to these non-communist … Read more
[Note: Instead of a typical "sermon," today we took time to reflect on and discuss Annual Conference.] "Our Communities: Right Here! Right Now!" That was the theme of Annual Conference (Central PA Conference of the United Methodist Church) which took place during the last few days at Messiah College (Grantham, PA). It’s part of the … Read more
Acts 2.1-21 “Can we talk?” Every now and then, Randy or I will say to the other, “Can we talk?” And we both think, “Uh-oh.” We think there must be something serious we need to discuss. It’s kind of a “what have I done (or not done)?” Pentecost could be met with the question, “Can … Read more
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Just before Jesus returned to heaven, he instructed his disciples, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1.4-5). I … Read more
IntroductionThis past Thursday was Ascension Day, and today Ascension Sunday. I have never done a sermon on the Ascension, so I don’t know what images that conjures up in your mind, but I know for some it conjures up pictures of the Amish and Mennonite communities gathering at Greenwood Furnace or other such parks for … Read more
Genesis 32.22-32 Jacob prepares for confrontation But during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River. After they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp … (Gen 32.22-24a) Jacob wrestles God … … Read more