God Is In the Manger
Joy to the World
On this First Sunday of Christmas, Jesus is dedicated in the Temple. There Joseph, Mary and the child encounter Simeon and Anna who proclaim and praise the Messiah. Our Scriptures are: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40.
Christmas Eve 2020
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” Our Scriptures at this Christmas Eve Service are Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 2:1-20; and John 1:1-14. Our full Christmas Eve service is also available on the McFarland UMC Podcast available through the Google Play store or Apple Podcasts and on our SermonByPhone link at 706-866-6577. May the Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love…
Is It So, Joe?
What do you think was going through Joseph’s mind when Mary told him this amazing story about the angel’s proclamation? “Does she really expect me to believe this?” Can you imagine how disappointed he must have been? As Mary’s betrothed, he had the option of having her stoned to death… he could do that if he wanted to deal with the shame. No, he was going to dismiss her quietly so that they could both move on with their lives.…
A Revolutionary Idea
This morning we join Mary as she visits with Elizabeth, the mother of the boy who will be known as John the Baptizer. After Elizabeth greets Mary, the baby jumps in her womb. Mary responds to this greeting with a statement that has come to be known as The Magnificat, one of the most revolutionary declarations of all time. She declares that the Messiah will turn the world upside down and the world has been reverberating from that declaration ever…
Touched By An Angel
Imagine what it must have been like to be Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her. He told her that she was favored by God and that she would bear the Son of God. She must have been frightened and confused. “How can this be?” she asked. But in the end, her response was a response of faith and trust, “let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, NRSV). Join us this morning as Pastor Wayne…
People, Get Ready
Happy New Year, Church! Today is the first Sunday in Advent which means that we have entered into a new liturgical year in the life of the church. Advent is a time of preparation. We prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, yes. But it is also a time when we prepare ourselves for the return of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But we don’t fret about the “end times.” Jesus told…