Skip to content

vancerains.com

  • About
  • Books I’m Currently Reading
  • Quote-a-holic
  • My Purpose:
  • brokenness Change Church Community Culture Death Diversity Faith grief Jesus Kingdom of Heaven Life Pain and Suffering Prayer Racism Reconciliation Society Worship
    A Prayer for Pentecost 2020

    A Prayer for Pentecost 2020

    On this day, we celebrate your Holy Spirit, poured out upon all flesh: reminding us of your individual love and care for every single person; each made, uniquely, in your own image and likeness.

    May 31, 2020
  • Bible Easter Jesus Kingdom of Heaven Life Preaching Sermon Sunday Morning Worship
    “Ascension”: A sermon preached on May 24, 2020, Ascension Sunday, for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando

    “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…

    May 26, 2020
  • Character Life Ministry Preaching Spiritual Growth words
    If You Don’t Have Something Nice to Say…

    If You Don’t Have Something Nice to Say…

    Where did we learn to be critics? Where did we learn to be fault finders? And, what makes us the experts? Why did we forget the childhood lesson, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all?” Did we forget the Bible’s frequent admonition not to…

    May 25, 2020
  • Bible Change Character Church Easter Faith Identity Jesus Life Ministry Preaching Sermon Sunday Morning Uncategorized United Methodist Worship
    “Potential”:  A sermon preached on May 17, 2020, for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando

    “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…

    May 18, 2020
  • Bible Biblical Ethics Identity Justice Masculinity Sex and Sexuality Society Theology words
    The Bible is NOT a weapon!  Quit beating people with it! (ie. Why Sodom wasn’t destroyed because of homosexuality)

    The Bible is NOT a weapon! Quit beating people with it! (ie. Why Sodom wasn’t destroyed because of homosexuality)

    To the heterosexual Christian community, at large: the Bible is not a weapon of violence!  Violence, of any kind, for Christians, is 100% UNACCEPTABLE! The Bible is a book of love; the love story of God creating, losing, and winning back his beloved creation. 

    May 16, 2020
  • Church Death Easter Lent Pain and Suffering Preaching Sermon Theology
    Easter 2020 Sermon (short, chopped, mini version) – New Birth Into a Living Hope

    Easter 2020 Sermon (short, chopped, mini version) – New Birth Into a Living Hope

    If God can raise Jesus from the dead, God can handle coronavirus!

    April 13, 2020
  • Church Easter Faith Jesus Lent Life Pain and Suffering Preaching Sermon Sunday Morning
    2020 Easter Sermon – “New Birth into a Living Hope” (complete text)

    2020 Easter Sermon – “New Birth into a Living Hope” (complete text)

    If God can raise Jesus from the grave, God can handle coronavirus!

    April 13, 2020
  • Change Church Life Preaching Sermon Spirituality Sunday Morning Worship
    A few suggestions for worshipping at home, and online

    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…

    April 7, 2020
  • Calling Doubt Faith Identity Jesus Life Ministry Pain and Suffering Spiritual Growth Spirituality
    “I press on” – a message to pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone else struggling with uncertainty and insecurity in the face of a global pandemic

    “I press on” – a message to pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone else struggling with uncertainty and insecurity in the face of a global pandemic

    Above all, the most pervasive feeling I’m wrestling with, these days, is uncertainty. 

    April 4, 2020
  • Church Life Ministry Relationship
    Nuts, cheese, crazy pills, and finding “squirrels” in the Temple.

    Nuts, cheese, crazy pills, and finding “squirrels” in the Temple.

    During times like these – CRAZY times like these! – we need laughter, and good people to laugh with.

    April 2, 2020
Previous Page Next Page
  • About
  • Books I’m Currently Reading
  • Quote-a-holic
  • My Purpose:

Website Built with WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • vancerains.com
    • Join 252 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • vancerains.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar