- Jul 28, 2019Receiving God’s Truth
Receiving God’s Truth
- Jul 21, 2019Walking Away From Jesus
Walking Away From Jesus
July 21, 2019 Walking Away From Jesus
I hope to see you in worship and in ministry to our community,
Pastor Bob
Mark 10:17-31
- Jul 14, 2019Do it Again, Lord
Do it Again, Lord
July 14, 2019 Do it Again, Lord
It was the end of the first day of creation and the angels gathered to celebrate. All of a sudden the chant began, "Do it again, do it again, do it again!"
So God did it again. And again. And again....
It is a staggering thought. To think of how many days God has created since that first day. How many sunrises and sunsets, eclipses and claps of thunder, solar flares and cricket chirps.
There is no way to ponder the endless miracles of our God.
But this Sunday we will try to follow the hand of God in a miraculous story from Mark 8, where Jesus for the second time in the Gospels feeds a multitude of hungry followers. And we'll ask the question, "Will Jesus do it again through us?"
I hope to see you in worship and in ministry to our community,
Pastor Bob
Mark 8:1-10
- Jul 7, 2019What’s Your Life Compass?
What’s Your Life Compass?
July 7, 2019 What’s Your Life Compass
I read a lot of columns by a lot of pastors. Some are concise and to the point. Most are a bit long-winded (sorry, but it’s the truth). Pastors are preachers and being long-winded is a professional hazard.
So I’ll get right to the point (and then drone on for awhile because I just can’t help it). Following Jesus can’t be done with words alone (see James 1:22-25). The devil can convince us that if we “babble the Gospel” long enough we’re bound to wear someone down; that people will give their lives to Jesus just to stop us from preaching at them.
But for every word we preach there must be a boat-load of actions adding power to our words. People need to see us living out the Gospel. Living like Jesus. Walking in his steps, not just talking about something we really aren’t willing to live out. "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (I John 3:18)."
So (and here’s where I’ll put a stop to the words), I want to thank everyone in our church who shares Jesus by walking in his steps. Every youth and adult on the summer mission trip. Everyone of our youth working up at Camp Overlook this summer. Every volunteer in the food pantry or the community center or in the kitchen cooking for a grieving family. Every teacher, every lay preacher, every one who crosses boundaries to be Jesus to their neighbor.
You are God’s will come alive and the Kingdom of God is in our midst because He lives in you.
I hope to see you in worship and in ministry to our community,
Pastor Bob
Mark 7:14-23
- Jun 16, 2019To Be a Dad
To Be a Dad
June 16, 2019 To Be a Dad
Suddenly we're deep into summer and, if you are like our family, you're trying to sort out vacation schedules, lawn mowing, and staying active in the church! The first and most important summer activity for those who love the Lord is prayer, reading His Word, and serving in His name. Let's make sure to leave time and energy for those core activities so that we will be strengthened and not drained by a busy summer schedule.
Remember.... Every day we serve and worship a risen Savior... may our hearts be filled with praise for the Christ who is alive in our church!
I hope to see you in worship and in ministry to our community,
Pastor Bob
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
- Jun 9, 2019The Other Side
The Other Side
June 9, 2019 The Other Side
Rain at last! Things have been a bit hot and dry over the past few weeks, so it's good to see a cooler, wetter stretch forecast over the new week. It's amazing how dependent we are on things we can't control - the weather, the air we breathe, the grace of God.... Don't ever take these things for granted. Praise God every day for the free gifts he give us, especially the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ!
Remember.... Every day we serve and worship a risen Savior... may our hearts be filled with praise for the Christ who is alive in our church!
See you in worship and in ministry to our community,
Pastor Bob
Mark 4:35-41
- Jun 2, 2019Dinner With Jesus
Dinner With Jesus
June 2, 2019 Dinner with Jesus
This Sunday, June 2nd, we begin a summer sermon series through the Gospel of Mark. Preparing for this series has impressed me with the absolute focus Jesus had on his mission. He came to seek and save the lost and that is still the mission focus of the church, the Body of Christ. I hope you will be around as much as possible this summer to grow in faith through the Gospel of Mark.
Remember.... Every day we serve and worship a risen Savior... may our hearts be filled with praise for the Christ who is alive in our church!
See you in worship, Pastor Bob
Mark 2:13-17
- May 26, 2019The Path To Freedom
The Path To Freedom
May 26, 2019 The Path to Freedom
This Sunday, I am excited at the prospect of opening God's Word together on a weekend that reminds us that freedom is not something to be taken for granted - that it is purchased at a great cost. That applies to the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of The United States of America but more importantly, the ultimate freedom we have in Jesus Christ, a freedom that transcends finite nations and cost the very life of the Son of God.
Remember.... Every day we serve and worship a risen Savior... may our hearts be filled with praise for the Christ who is alive in our church!
See you in worship, Pastor Bob
John 8:31-36
- May 19, 2019The Greatest Graduation Speech Ever
The Greatest Graduation Speech Ever
May 19, 2019 The Greatest Graduation Speech Ever
This Sunday is Graduate Sunday at VUMC. We invite every high school, college and post-graduate school graduate to attend one of our worship services where they'll be recognized for their achievements, receive a gift from our congregation, and hear a message entitled "The Greatest Graduation Speech Ever."
Every day we serve and worship a risen Savior... may our hearts be filled with praise for the Christ who is alive in our church!
Pastor Bob
Luke 4:16-30
- May 5, 2019Baptism – Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ
Baptism – Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ
May 5, 2019 Baptism -Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ
This Sunday provides an opportunity for us to deal with some oft' heard questions about Christian baptism. In my May 5th sermon we'll open God's Word and discuss why Methodists have never been obsessed with the "technicalities" of baptism (such as how much water is used and whether a child is at an "age of accountability"); but put more emphasis on God's saving works and grace in the baptismal act as witnessed in Scripture. I hope you'll come and spend some time contemplating God's great gift of baptism.
With many prayers for a blessed week, Pastor Bob
Romans 6:3-11
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