Verona United Methodist Church

June 24, 2018 Who’d A Thunk It?

Shawna Hiner Preaching this Sunday at VUMC

Thank you to Pastor Jeff Allen for preaching this past Sunday while I was at Annual Conference in Hampton. Shawna Hiner, newly licensed for pastoral ministry and one week away from beginning her ministry as Aisle 7's new pastor, will preach at our 8:30 and 11:00 services. Her sermon is entitled "Who'd a Thunk It?" from Acts 9:1-19a.

Acts 9:1-19a

May 27, 2018 I Need To Make A Call

      Memorial Day is a sacred day in our nation. Like others in our nation, I mourn the sacrifice of my uncle Robert's life in Viet Nam and for my father whose wounds and battles with malaria and pneumonia plagued him until his death 20 years ago. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices of millions of others raise this day above all others on our nation's cultural calendar.

      But for a day to be truly sacred, truly set aside for holy purposes, it must first be dedicated to the One Holy God who reigns over every man, woman, and nation.

      I would ask that this Memorial Day weekend we let God “rise up" in our souls and speak to us of courage and sacrifice and obligation. I would ask that we do this not merely as an act of love of country and of those who sacrificed their lives in war, but as an act of love for the God who is the Father of us all and who weeps for each of His lost children.

      Let God rise up in our hearts so that the world might know his Holy Way and no longer walk in the paths of war - so that the sounds of battle may be overwhelmed by an everlasting chorus of peace in Jesus Christ.

                                     In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

Acts 4:23-31

April 29, 2018 THE HOLY SPIRIT……Now what?

The first step

.... is in many ways the most difficult. Leaving behind a life-time of prejudices and traditions and routines. That's what Peter was asking of the crowd gathered on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Repent and turn away from your sins. Be baptized into the name of the one who just weeks before you crucified. Receive His Holy Spirit.

The steps to salvation were difficult but clear. And after several thousand in the crowd took the first steps of faith in Jesus Christ, the next question was natural:

"Now what?"

It's an important question to ask, not just at the beginning of a faith journey but at the start of every day in that journey. Now what, Lord? Yesterday is gone. Today is here. Tomorrow awaits. What would you have me do now?

John Wesley had a prayer that helps clarify that question. It is a prayer for the start of the journey with Christ - and every day thereafter:

I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;

put me to doing, put me to suffering;

let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

exalted for you, or brought low for you;

let me be full,

let me be empty,

let me have all things,

let me have nothing:

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things

to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours. So be it.

And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

                                                                             Pastor Bob

Acts 2:37-47

April 15, 2018 Holy Spirit…. Here & Now!

This Sunday we'll move deeper into the book of Acts and I hope you'll take time to read the second chapter of Acts in preparation. I was encouraged after receiving an email on Monday from one of our members sharing that she was reading through the entire book of Acts this week! Join her and get acquainted with the faith and inspiring sacrifices that built the early church from a handful of followers into a massive army of missionaries for Christ!

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When was the last time you remember being touched by the Holy Spirit? Not by a mere emotion. Not by a wayward thought. But by the very Holy Spirit of the living God? An unmistakable movement of God in your soul that brings conviction or comfort or a gift of the Spirit that begins to take root in your life? When was the last time?

Many Christians have never moved beyond the porch of their initial faith and into the house of growth in Christ. There is so much more promised by God and knowing those promises and their source can be the beginning of a walk with Jesus Christ that goes far beyond your hopes and dreams.

Some questions I'll address in this Sunday's message include:  If the Holy Spirit is a Comforter, why are so many people "dis-comforted" by the worship of churches that emphasize the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" and its manifestations such as speaking in tongues? If the Holy Spirit is a Teacher and Guide, why does the worship of some "Spirit-filled" Christians seem so frenetic and out of control? Is it possible to "live in the Spirit of God" and still retain the essential personality God endowed you with at birth?

I hope you'll join us on Sunday morning as we continue our journey through God's Word in Acts.

                                                Grace and Peace,

                                                          Pastor Bob

Acts 2:1-13