St. Marks United Methodist Church

Sermon – August 29, 2010: Becoming the Answer

St. Mark’s — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:59:02 +0000

Our guest preacher is Rev. Greg Jenks, Executive Director of ZOE Ministry. God brings children from hopelessness, despair, and exploitation to faith, self-reliance, and dignity through ZOE Ministry. We have an opportunity to become the answer to the prayer, “give us today…” and then, these orphans become the answer to that prayer for other children. Angelique is an example of this. She is a 15-yr old girl who has been left as the head of household after the death of her parents, who has been treated as slave labor by her neighbors, who has been exploited and about to give birth, who has lost hope in people, life and God. You will hear how her life has become a miracle. You will hear how this miracle is repeated thousands of times over through ZOE Ministry’s life transforming empowerment ministry.

Becoming the Answer

Sermon – August 22, 2010: Transferred

St. Mark’s — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:59:49 +0000

Listen to guest preacher, Rev. Bruce Stanley, President & CEO of Methodist Home for Children as he shares his inspiration from Colosians 1: 1-14 in a message titled, ”Transferred“.

Transferred

Sermon – August 15, 2010: The Dinner Party

St. Mark’s — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:59:28 +0000

Lots of us are familiar with the old question “What Would Jesus Do?” the myriad of bracelets produced is rivaled only by the LiveStrong yellow bands, I am sure. But, the question we will ask this week in worship is “who would Jesus invite to his dinner party.” It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue in the same way, but the answer may be just what we need to hear. Give Luke 14:15-24 a read and get a head start on the answer to the question by inviting someone to come along. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Our guest preacher is Owen Barrow, the Associate Pastor at Apex United Methodist Church in Apex, NC.

The Dinner Party

Sermon – August 8, 2010: The Inbreaking God

St. Mark’s — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:59:06 +0000

How do we respond to the possibility of a “break in”? Jesus thinks that we who put a lot of stock in “stuff” have some things to hear about getting priorities more aligned with the ways of the Kingdom, perhaps beginning with a change of heart. Get ready for God to break into your life, for our God is The Inbreaking God! Luke 12: 32 – 40

The Inbreaking God

Sermon – August 1, 2010: “More Than Twitterpated”

St. Mark’s — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:59:18 +0000

Guest Preacher Heather Rodrigues, Associate Pastor from Millbrook UMC, shares with us a lesson from John 21:1-14. She challenges us to see that God is inviting us to put down nets in new places and spaces and become More Than Twitterpated in our commitments to God.

More Than Twitterpated

Sermon – July 25, 2010: The Prayer

St. Mark’s — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:36:47 +0000

“Mama,Is God’s name Howard?”

“No, son, why do you ask?”
“That’s what I heard, ‘Our Father who are in heaven, Howard is your name.’”

That same misunderstanding was not repeated as our Vacation Bible School Children learned The Lord’s Prayer this summer. Verse by verse, they were taught well the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. Join Pastor Lib in reflecting on the words of the Lord’s Prayer found in Luke 11: 1 – 13. This prayer has been The Prayer of the church for over 2000 years.

How does is still shape our faith today?

The Prayer

Sermon – July 18, 2010: The Myth of Multitasking: Don’t Be Distracted

St. Mark’s — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:59:28 +0000

Are you good at multitasking – doing more than one thing at a time? Multitasking is all the rage in our 24/7 culture but can it actually be done? Good question. Scientists are studying the brain to see what happens when we try to multitask. The results might surprise you. In our text for the morning, Luke 10:38-42 , Jesus calls Martha out for trying to multitask. He calls her out because she is distracted. She is not fully present to his teaching. Are you distracted by your many tasks? Are you fully present to Christ? Listen as we unpack The Myth of Multitasking and the call of Christ to be fully present.

The Myth of Multitasking

Sermon – July 11, 2010: You Can’t Pick Your Friends

St. Mark’s — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:59:16 +0000

In our text for today, The Parable of the Good Samaritan -Luke 10:25-37 , a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Rather than answer the question directly Jesus tells an incredible story. Twenty centuries later we are called to wrestle with this same question. Be prepared that the answer – as it was for the lawyer – may challenge us and move us beyond our comfort zone. The reality is “We Don’t Get to Pick Our Neighbors” or limit our love. We don’t get to pass up or pass by those who have fallen by the side of the road of life. Go and show mercy! It is easy to say but oh, so hard to live out. May we boldly live into the law and invitation to love our neighbors.You Can’t Pick Your Friends

Sermon – July 4, 2010: The Birthday Wish

St. Mark’s — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:59:43 +0000

Life in the 1st Century Galatian church was not pretty. Factions within the faith community were divided and polarized. Many were using their new found freedom in Christ and freedom from the law to pursue their own interests and desires with little concern for the common good. They were on a path toward destruction. Two thousand plus years later the same could be said of life in The United States. Even as we prepare to celebrate The Fourth of July we know that we are headed down a dangerous road. Conflict, division, and polarization exist on a national level and in our own community. It is getting increasingly ugly. Civil discourse is breaking down. What does the future hold? Is there another way? Yes, is the answer! Paul spells it out in his letter to church in Galatia, Galatians 5:1, 13-25. The Birthday Wish this 4th of July is that we – the church – might embrace this alternative way and model it for our community and our nation!

The Birthday Wish

Sermon – June 27, 2010: The Case of the Would-Be Follower: “But Lord…I Have a Really Good Excuse!”

St. Mark’s — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:59:26 +0000

The reading from Luke 9:57 – 62 invites us into reflecting on the work of being a follower of Christ. Christ calls, “Follow me!” But the people who hear the call pull out nothing but outrageous excuses. Discipleship is hard work. Grace is free, but it’s not cheap. When have we responded to God with the opening words: “But Lord…”? In building a faith we are called into faithful responses, lifelong commitments, and covenant living. Still Jesus calls, because Jesus knows the journey is worth the effort. Join Pastor Lib in examiningThe Case of the Would-Be Follower: “But Lord….. I Have a Really Good Excuse.”

The Case of the Would-Be Follower