Messages on Lent

Messages on Lent

Loving the Light

The sermon on John 3:1-21, delivered by Pastor Wayne, delves into the symbolism of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night, exploring the themes of darkness as spiritual blindness and the transition from ignorance to understanding. Nicodemus represents those who question Jesus and struggle with his teachings, yet also embodies the journey of seeking truth and enlightenment. The sermon emphasizes the need for believers to confront their spiritual blindness and expand their understanding of God’s teachings. Nicodemus’s nighttime visit symbolizes the…

Turning Tables

The scriptures for today are: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; andJohn 2:13-22 In Pastor Wayne’s sermon, he juxtaposes the idealized image of the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with the harsh reality of the region’s puppy mills. He challenges the theological justifications for animal exploitation while weaving in an allegorical story about the creation of dogs and cats to highlight the unique bond between humans and animals. Transitioning from this exploration of human-animal relationships, Pastor Wayne delves…

For the Sake of the Gospel

This sermon offers a profound reflection on the nature of discipleship and the essence of Christian faith as portrayed in Mark 8:31-38. Here’s an analysis of its key points: 1. **Peter’s Misunderstanding**: The sermon begins by highlighting Peter’s misconception of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. Peter, like many Jews of his time, expected a triumphant, conquering Messiah who would deliver Israel from its oppressors. However, Jesus redefines the role of the Messiah, emphasizing suffering, rejection, and ultimately, resurrection. 2. **Conflict…

Has Come Near

On this First Sunday in Lent, our Scriptures are: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; and Mark 1:9-15. In his sermon based upon the Gospel text, Pastor Wayne delves into the significance of Jesus’ wilderness experience, particularly focusing on Mark’s concise account compared to the more detailed versions in Matthew and Luke. It reflects on the symbolic elements of the wilderness—temptation, wild animals, and angels—as well as the broader themes of uncertainty, doubt, and reliance on the Spirit. Pastor…

Boot Camp for the Soul: Dead End

On this Fifth Sunday in Lent, we deal with themes of death and resurrection, an appropriate topic since the celebration of Resurrection Sunday is only 2 weeks away! Our scriptures are: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; and John 11:1-45. We joyfully welcomed Beverly Capps back to church following a long illness and we welcomed Liz Jones as a new member at McFarland by transfer of letter from Jones Memorial UMC in East Ridge. Holy Week services are as follows:Sunday,…

Boot Camp for the Soul: Redefined

The scriptures for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A:1 Samuel 16:1-13Psalm 23Ephesians 5:8-14John 9:1-41 When we encounter God, we find our lives changed. The encounter redefines who we are in relation to whose we are.

Bootcamp for the Soul: Hydrate

Water is essential to our daily living. We can fast from food for some time, but we cannot fast from water for more than a day or two. On this third Sunday in Lent our theme is water. From the water that Moses provides to the stick-necked people of Israel to the living water that Jesus offer to the Samarian woman at the well.

Boot Camp for the Soul: Reset

This is the second sermon in our lectionary series for Lent, Boot Camp for the Soul. Looking at the text primarily from John 3:1-17, we see that transformation is at the heart of discipleship.

The Need for Change: 2023

Change is everywhere. It is part of growth. It is foundational to life. However, we resist change. This sermon opens a second attempt at a sermon series, “Boot Camp for the Soul.” The first attempt was interrupted by the COVID-19 lockdowns. Lent is a time to examine who we are in light of whose we are. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter. Join us as we explore together.

Character & Calling: Discipline

Welcome to the second Sunday in Lent. We continue this series on Character and Calling with a focus this week on Discipline. Lent provides a good opportunity for us to emphasize and practice the spiritual disciplines that serve to draw us closer to God and closer to each other. Our text is Philippians 3:17-4:1.
  • 1
  • 2