Echoes of Easter (Week 4)
After Jesus has washed the feet of his disciples and speaks of his betrayal, he shares a new commandment with his closest friends. He tells them to simply love one another as he has loved them and others will know that they are his disciples. Our students will lead us in worship and share how they have been able to experience God’s love and have had the opportunities to share God’s love with others, both inside and outside of AUMC.
Echoes of Easter (week 3)
Actions speak louder than words. And in today’s world where it seems that we just talk over each other, our actions have never been more important. Jesus tries to tell the people that titles do not matter, but rather, the works we have been given are the most important. When the people are unsatisfied with that response, Jesus plainly says, “I and the Father are one.” As we live as Easter people, knowing of the truth of the resurrection, where are we hearing the Echoes of the Easter message in Jesus’ statements? What Easter truths are you hearing today? Let’s explore how we are to live out the Easter message and allow our actions speak for us.
Echoes of Easter (Week 2)
Trust is something that is built. And trust is in short supply these days. In John 21, we’re two Resurrection appearances in and Peter, the leader of the apostles, still doesn’t trust what’s happening. What is more, Peter, whom Jesus calls “the rock on which I will build my church” does not appear very trustworthy himself. Peter, like us, easily loses focus in a tumultuous time. Peter and the disciples are confronted yet again with the power of Christ’s Resurrection – and the boldness of what it means to follow him. We’ll explore how the grace of God shows up in our lives and draws us toward building trustworthiness in our own lives and for the Church.
Echoes of Easter
An echo is a reflection of a sound heard by a listener after the original sound is heard. That sounds complicated, but most of us have experienced an echo. Whether footsteps in an empty hallway, or shouting “Hello!” in a cave or canyon, our voices are reflected back at us. In John’s Gospel, on Easter eve, disciples in the Upper Room are greeted by Christ who shared, “Peace be with you,” not once, but twice. He commissioned them by saying, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” and he breathed the Spirit on them. This week, let’s talk about echoes in time and space, the Spirit, and how we continue Jesus’ ministry and mission.
Easter (April 17, 2022)
Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!
We are so glad you are here and it is our sincere hope you find community wherever you are today.
Living Lent (Week 6)
Before the empty tomb, before the cross, there was the garden. At the foot of an olive tree, Jesus wrestles with the competing wills at work within him. Ultimately, he finds his way to humble surrender. The path of Lent ultimately leads us to this same olive tree before we arrive at the cross or the empty tomb; this week we invite surrender into our faith and our lives.
Living Lent (Week 5)
If you were tasked with bringing salvation to the world, how hard might it be to find time to rest? That kind of pressure would be enough to burn anyone out. And yet, it appears that Jesus’ life of ministry invites us to consider the power of rest and stillness in the midst of busy and stress-filled lives. This week, we turn our attention to Mark’s Gospel, as we look to Jesus’ example and ask, “How can rest and stillness be the key to renewed purpose and power?”
Living Lent (Week 4)
If you’ve ever sat in the optometrist’s chair, you know the feeling of fuzzy shapes slowly becoming crystal clear letters. Some of the disciples have a similar experience with Jesus up in a mountain, when they could suddenly see him for who he truly is: the Son of God and Savior of the world. This week, we head up the mountain with them, and consider how taking time to focus and reflect on our life of faith with Jesus will not only change how we see God, but ourselves as well.
Living Lent (Week 3)
Living Lent (Week 3)
What does it mean for God to grieve? This question is central to chapter 11 of John’s Gospel. One of Jesus’ best friends dies, his sisters are furious at this so-called “Savior” who wasn’t there when they wanted him most, and Jesus reveals his own heart in a visceral way. This week, we draw near to the depth of God’s heart and gain a glimpse into why Jesus walks the path he does.
Living Lent (week 2)
Compassion can look like bringing comfort to the hurting, but it can also sound like a young man’s biting critique of kings and holy cities. When Jesus is approached by religious leaders bearing a message from the local king, his response is strong, and born of a deep compassion for those who had been long-forgotten. Let’s talk about the layers of compassion, and how it can lead us to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
Compassion can look like bringing comfort to the hurting, but it can also sound like a young man’s biting critique of kings and holy cities. When Jesus is approached by religious leaders bearing a message from the local king, his response is strong, and born of a deep compassion for those who had been long-forgotten. Let’s talk about the layers of compassion, and how it can lead us to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
Living Lent (Week 1)
The art of the “soft-sell” is only becoming more common in our prevailing culture: cancel-at-any-time contracts, free trials, anything to help people ease into a new commitment. Jesus was terrible at the soft-sell. To start his ministry, he proclaims, “Change your hearts and lives!” This week, let’s talk about commitment in the life of faith, and why the transformation of the world could truly begin with one person committing to a new way of life.
Living Lent (Week 1)
The art of the “soft-sell” is only becoming more common in our prevailing culture: cancel-at-any-time contracts, free trials, anything to help people ease into a new commitment. Jesus was terrible at the soft-sell. To start his ministry, he proclaims, “Change your hearts and lives!” This week, let’s talk about commitment in the life of faith, and why the transformation of the world could truly begin with one person committing to a new way of life.
Radicals (Week 4)
What can we learn from the unexpected prophets around us? Even though the prophet Anna might only show up in a few verses in Luke, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to her story and what role she plays in spreading the good news of God’s love and grace. Another unexpected prophetic voice is that of Amanda Gorman who is a 23-year-old born and raised in LA. She grew up with her own challenges and is one of the most well known poets and activists. What can we learn from these prophetic female voices? What can we take away from the good news they have to share with us?
What can we learn from the unexpected prophets around us? Even though the prophet Anna might only show up in a few verses in Luke, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to her story and what role she plays in spreading the good news of God’s love and grace. Another unexpected prophetic voice is that of Amanda Gorman who is a 23-year-old born and raised in LA. She grew up with her own challenges and is one of the most well known poets and activists. What can we learn from these prophetic female voices? What can we take away from the good news they have to share with us?
Radicals (Week 3)
Rev. Edlen Cowley’s message speaks on the power of young people and how they speak into the present while living into their (and our) future. The powerful of transformation of Naaman was tied to the words of a young slave girl. Malala Yousafzai’s passion for girl’s education spoke to my heart so many years ago when she was shot at almost point-blank range.
Radicals (Week 3)
Rev. Edlen Cowley’s message speaks on the power of young people and how they speak into the present while living into their (and our) future. The powerful of transformation of Naaman was tied to the words of a young slave girl. Malala Yousafzai’s passion for girl’s education spoke to my heart so many years ago when she was shot at almost point-blank range.
Radicals (Week 2)
In the “Radicals” worship series, we will take a close look at several prophets - some major, some minor, and some who might be unfamiliar to you. We will hear their words and understand the warnings - or joy - shared with God’s people. Finally, we’ll look at some modern prophets and compare their proclamations with the practice of the Biblical prophets of old. Who among us today is sharing prophetic wisdom and in what way?
In the “Radicals” worship series, we will take a close look at several prophets - some major, some minor, and some who might be unfamiliar to you. We will hear their words and understand the warnings - or joy - shared with God’s people. Finally, we’ll look at some modern prophets and compare their proclamations with the practice of the Biblical prophets of old. Who among us today is sharing prophetic wisdom and in what way?
Radicals (Week 1)
In the “Radicals” worship series, we will take a close look at several prophets - some major, some minor, and some who might be unfamiliar to you. We will hear their words and understand the warnings - or joy - shared with God’s people. Finally, we’ll look at some modern prophets and compare their proclamations with the practice of the Biblical prophets of old. Who among us today is sharing prophetic wisdom and in what way?
Epiphany - The Path of the Magi
Having followed the star, they journey to find the newborn King of the Jews. They offer him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But the Magi have a more precious gift for us. In the night, they heard the Spirit warning them not to return to Herod but return home by a different route. They gave us the gift of listening to God's Spirit and the confidence to follow a different path. Just as they trusted the appearance of the star to take them to the King, they trusted the voice of the Spirit. They step into the unknown, without a star to lead them, and rejoicing, follow the voice of God.
Having followed the star, they journey to find the newborn King of the Jews. They offer him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But the Magi have a more precious gift for us. In the night, they heard the Spirit warning them not to return to Herod but return home by a different route. They gave us the gift of listening to God's Spirit and the confidence to follow a different path. Just as they trusted the appearance of the star to take them to the King, they trusted the voice of the Spirit. They step into the unknown, without a star to lead them, and rejoicing, follow the voice of God.
The Songs of Advent (Week 4)
As we listen to the song "What Child is This?" it refers to "the babe, the Son of Mary." So today, we take a look at Mary's song - the Magnificat, from Luke Chapter 1:46 - 55. What does it mean to identify Jesus as the Son of Mary?
We know Jesus to be both fully human and fully divine in our faithful tradition. So when we talk about Jesus having the heart of God, it's important to remember he had the heart of Mary also.
As we listen to the song "What Child is This?" it refers to "the babe, the Son of Mary." So today, we take a look at Mary's song - the Magnificat, from Luke Chapter 1:46 - 55. What does it mean to identify Jesus as the Son of Mary?
We know Jesus to be both fully human and fully divine in our faithful tradition. So when we talk about Jesus having the heart of God, it's important to remember he had the heart of Mary also.
The Songs of Advent (Week 3)
As we light the Shepherd's candle in Advent, we listen to Vivaldi's best known sacred work, his Gloria. We call to mind the angel's proclamation to the shepherds who were the first to hear of the birth of Christ. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards all!" Luke 2:14
The glory of heaven entered the world in darkness. To those who wait in the darkness of oppression, the angels proclaim that the light of Christ is entering the world. And this child is to be the comfort and joy of all.
As we light the Shepherd's candle in Advent, we listen to Vivaldi's best known sacred work, his Gloria. We call to mind the angel's proclamation to the shepherds who were the first to hear of the birth of Christ. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards all!" Luke 2:14
The glory of heaven entered the world in darkness. To those who wait in the darkness of oppression, the angels proclaim that the light of Christ is entering the world. And this child is to be the comfort and joy of all.