In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 8, Matthew 28:16-20
- Jun 11, 2017It Takes A Team
It Takes A TeamOur message for the morning will focus on how the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - are a team who invite each of us to be part of the building of God's Kingdom. We'll see the ways in which Jesus chose and built his team of disciples... and how we can be a more faithful and effective part of God's team here at VUMC.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 8, Matthew 28:16-20
- Jun 4, 2017Pentecost – Gifts of the Spirit
Pentecost – Gifts of the Spirit
June 04, 2017This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Seven weeks after Easter, we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the birth of the Church. We also remind ourselves that each member of the Church has received a gift for service in the Body of Christ.
I realize that many question what their gift is, or even doubt that they have received a gift of the Holy Spirit. In part, this is due to the common misapprehension that spiritual gifts are always displayed with wind and flame and that they are possessed by only the "more spiritual" among us.
The truth is, the gifts are poured out on all who call Jesus their Lord. They are gifts of God's grace, often subtle and practical and best demonstrated with a spirit of love and servitude.
That is how I see the gifts of the Spirit most often utilized in our congregation - with humility and love - leading to an outpouring of the fruits of those gifts: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control [Paul's letter to the Galatians]."
May it always be so!
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
I Corinthians 12:3b-13
Acts 2:1-21
- May 28, 2017Let God Rise Up
Let God Rise Up
May 28, 2017
Memorial Day is a sacred day in our nation. 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 wept as each of his children fell.
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 Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
I Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
- May 21, 2017Fools for Christ
Fools for Christ
May 21, 2017 Fools for Christ
A decade ago I stood on the Areopagus in Athens and imagined the dramatic scene described in Acts 17 when the Apostle Paul uses the idols of the city as a launching point for sharing the message of salvation. In Athens, the ancient world's center of philosophy and wisdom, he told the story of Jesus, the cross, and the resurrection.
The reaction of the crowd? Many disregarded his message as foolishness. But others saw the truth in his words. They saw the power of God in his retelling of the story of Jesus - the power of salvation in Christ that could accomplish what all the wisdom of the world could never achieve.
The world continues to trust in the ever-shifting sands of human wisdom bereft of a divine foundation. But those who trust in the Gospel message will gladly bear the title "Fools for Christ" if in doing so others come to know the wisdom of God. Because Paul had the courage to declare the "scandal" of the cross all those years ago on the Areopagus, you and I and millions of others have come to know the good news of Jesus and the salvation he alone can bring.
Christ is risen and our hopes have risen with Him. For the sake of a world drowning in sin, are we willing to share the good news of Jesus, even when others label us as fools?
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Don't forget to take time today to praise our God above, for Christ is our perfect Shepherd, risen and coming again!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
Acts 17:22-31
- May 14, 2017When Women Shepherd
When Women Shepherd
May 14, 2017 When Women Shepherd
With the passing of long-time VUMC member Helen Miller last Sunday morning, my mind is more focused than usual on the many ways the women in our lives shepherd us. When women shepherd, lives are changed and souls are saved!
Traditionally, we do not think of women as shepherds. Yet, in the most formative years of my childhood, it was almost always women who taught me manners, gathered me with other children into reading circles, picked me up when I fell on the playground, and tended to my injuries with reassuring whispers of "It's going to be OK, Bobby." They filled my stomach with good food, dried my tears, sang me to sleep, and made sure I was safe every step of my young life. It turns out that women can be extraordinary shepherds.
I'll bring the message at each service from the 23rd Psalm: "When Women Shepherd."
Don't forget to take time today to praise our God above, for Christ is our perfect Shepherd, risen and coming again!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
Psalm 23
- May 7, 2017What shall we do?
What shall we do?
May 7, 2017 What shall we do? Acts 2:36-47
This Sunday, May 7th, is a holy communion Sunday. I'll be sharing a message Acts 2:36-47 focusing on the fundamental questions of every human life. What shall we do to be saved? What shall we do to grow in God's love and grace? What shall we do to be at peace with each other?Don't forget to take time today to praise our God above, for Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
- Apr 30, 2017On the Road Together
On the Road Together
April 30, 2017 On the Road TogetherPastor Stephen Creech Bridgewater UMCThis Sunday morning Pastor Stephen Creech of Bridgewater UMC will be preaching at both our services as I preach at Weyers Cave UMC. This is part of our Harrisonburg District's annual "Pulpit Exchange."Remember during this Easter season that Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
Luke 24:13-35
- Apr 23, 2017Who’s in Charge?
Who’s in Charge?
April 23, 2017 Who's in Charge?
Faithful discipleship in an age of rebellion
This Sunday we explore the post-resurrection question: "Who's in charge?" In light of the resurrection, the answer is simple enough - God, of course! Yet, we live in an age of rebellion where the authority of God, His Word, and His Spirit are ignored routinely, not only by non-believers but also by those who claim the name of Christ. We all fall short, we all are sinners, we all are without excuse. All the more reason that we should seek to live in God's light, trust in His Word, and heed His Holy Spirit.
May we walk with the Lord daily, testing what is true and holy.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
Hebrews 12:1-12
- Apr 16, 2017Easter Sunday – this changes EVERYTHING
Easter Sunday – this changes EVERYTHING
April 16, 2017 Easter Sunday – this changes EVERYTHINGChrist is risen! He is risen indeed!
- Pastor Bob Weeks
Luke 24:1-12
- Apr 9, 2017Hosanna In The Highest – Everyone Loves a Parade
Hosanna In The Highest – Everyone Loves a Parade
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a series of rapidly unfolding events in the life of Jesus and his disciples that leave us gasping for air! The triumphal entry into Jerusalem; the Last Supper; the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus... all carrying us toward the day of Christ's resurrection the following Sunday.
As we shout "Hosanna" this Sunday, we should remember that many in the crowd who gave him a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on that day cried "Crucify Him!" just a few days later. Their story is a reminder that our faith in Jesus must be constant, whether we are basking in the light of a glorious day or weeping in the shadows of His cross. Christian faith isn't based on our surroundings - it is built on the soul-saving, death-defeating truth of His death and resurrection.
May our Holy Week and Easter gatherings fortify our faith in the One who died to set us free and rose from the grave to give us life everlasting!
- Pastor Bob WeeksMatthew 21:1-11