Category: Sunday Morning
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“Ascension”: A sermon preached on May 24, 2020, Ascension Sunday, for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando
If like the Celtic Christians believe, heaven is close; and, if Jesus is God in human flesh; and, if the incarnate Jesus was raised from the dead, lives, and ascended to God’s right hand; then the ascended Christ is potentially very near – near to you, near to me, near…
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“Potential”: A sermon preached on May 17, 2020, for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando
With the help of God’s grace, whatever and whoever I will be in heaven, in some way I already am and have the potential of becoming. My future heavenly reality, is already possible in my present. Whatever growth, or perfecting, or cleansing, or healing, or forgiveness I expect will happen…
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2020 Easter Sermon – “New Birth into a Living Hope” (complete text)
If God can raise Jesus from the grave, God can handle coronavirus!
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A few suggestions for worshipping at home, and online
For many, home worship during this Covid-19 pandemic is a “novel” experience (pun intended!). Though many churches have offered online worship for years, the majority of Christians still primarily worship in person, together, at church… until now. Now, at least for the moment, if you want to worship it’s your…
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“I will lift my eyes” – a Facebook Live sermon, based on Psalm 121, preached for The First United Methodist Church of Orlando, on March 29, 2020
Last Sunday morning, before worship, a First Church friend sent me a beautiful YouTube video of the University of British Columbia Choir, singing a choral arrangement of Psalm 121, called “I will lift my eyes,” that literally moved me to tears.
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“How are you doing?”: the many moods of an introverted pastor in an age of coronavirus
Like you, I suspect, many friends and colleagues have recently asked me, “How are you doing,” as we endure this strange season of coronavirus. Of course, I’m asking the same of them. It’s an understandable question. These are strange, unprecedented times, for all of us.
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“Christ Centered Community” – a sermon preached on March 8, 2020, at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando
4 Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. 5 You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices…
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Worship: Where is everybody?
Perhaps its time to expand our minds. Perhaps its time to expand our understanding of what worship is and who it’s for. Perhaps its time to expand our vision for what Church can be. Perhaps – brace yourself – it’s time for change.
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