FaithWestwood UMC

John 10:1-10 Faith is tested when one struggles to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers! Jesus, the Gate for the sheep and the Good Shepherd, lays down his life for the sheep! How is Jesus inviting you to embrace the abundant life as a reality for the present and for the future?

Because I Want to Be Happy John 21:1-19 Faith is tested when one seeks to find happiness and/or joy in non-spiritual places. The disciples returned to fishing, and then Jesus appears to them. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter is reinstated for focus on his mission. How might you seek spiritual joy versus happiness?

Acts 11:1-18 Faith is tested when one encounters a challenging verse or passage of scripture. Peter tells a story about his unusual vision with a clear message that Peter cannot call anything impure that God has made clean! How has God expanded your understanding of the Bible and the Kingdom?

Acts 16:16-34 Faith is tested when one prays yet wonders if God is listening. After Paul and Silas heal a woman, they end up in prison where they pray and witness to the power of God! How might you experience transformation through the power of prayer?

Acts 16:9-15 Faith is tested when one struggles to discern God's will. The Apostle Paul has a vision that leads him to Macedonia. There, he meets Lydia whose heart was open to the gospel message, and her household is transformed! How do we need to trust the Spirit's guidance in our lives?

John 20:19-31 Faith is tested when one struggles to know what God looks like. Thomas' doubt was evident as he needed to see the Risen Christ for himself. How do we need to see to believe? In this collaborative message with Camp Fontanelle's Kate Millington, hear life-transforming stories about camping ministries.

Matthew 28:1-10 At dawn on the first day of the week, women go to the tomb and find it empty with an angel saying, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” The women are then instructed to share this news with the other disciples! This Easter, how will you “come and see” the Risen Lord?

Matthew 21:1-11 As Jesus enters Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The whole city is stirred and asked, “Who is this?” On this Palm Sunday, how might you offer your praise to Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee?

John 11:32-43 Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, passes away when Jesus is delayed. When Jesus asks where he has been laid, the people said, “Come and see, Lord.” In the face of life's greatest tragedies, how do you embrace the One who is the resurrection and the life? And how can you believe and see the glory of God?

Matthew 4:18-22 As Jesus calls his first disciples, he says, “Come, follow me.” At once these fishermen left their boats and nets and followed Jesus. As the church celebrates Confirmation Sunday, how do you best need to follow Jesus right now?

Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on the water, and the disciples cry out in fear. Peter says, “Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.” As Peter keeps his eyes on Jesus, he is fine, yet when he sees the wind on the water, he began to sink! Where in your life do you need to set aside your fear and doubt?

Mark 1:21-28 As Jesus teaches in the synagogue, a man possessed by an impure spirit cries out, and Jesus commands, “Be quiet! Come out of him.” This teaching with authority amazed the people. What teaching, preaching, and/or healing of Jesus do we most need to claim?

John 1:43-51 After Jesus calls Philip to follow him, Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus. As Nathanael has his doubts, Philip says, come and see.” Sometimes your faith demands that you see before you believe. How can you invite others to come & see Jesus?

Luke 9:28-37 As Jesus and his inner circle of disciples go to the mountaintop, Jesus is transfigured before them. This holy moment continues to set the stage for the Messiah to be revealed. As we prepare for the Lenten season, how do we respond to Christ as we come down from the mountaintop?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Above all, the kind of love that we are invited to strive for in all of our relationships is agape love, God's unconditional love. The Apostle Paul speaks to the Corinthians about this unconditional love that never ends! Our greatest love playlist concludes, At Last!

John 15:9-17 The Greek word for love of friends is philia. Jesus speaks to his disciples about the kind of love that helps them to remain and/or to abide in him! How can we strengthen our friendship love with Jesus and with others?

Song of Songs 8:6-7 Passionate love, or eros love, certainly has its place, yet what does the Bible have to say about this? Hear passages from Song of Songs and learn more about this love described in so many songs.

Romans 12:9-21 As we explore the gift of love in our lives, we will focus on storge love, the love of family. How can we best demonstrate our love for those members of our immediate family as well as extended family members?

Micah 6:1-8 The prophet Micah declares a truth bomb for God's people about what the LORD requires of us! Think about our time spent here and now as Christians. What has God done for us? And what is God calling us to do in the future?

Matthew 13:1-9 (18-23) Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower and how different soils receive the seed (the Word of God). There are things that you have to do before your “soil” gets too dry. What is the current condition of your soil? How will you receive the Word of God this year?

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 As Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, his public ministry is about to begin! How do you and I claim baptism as the “outward sign of an inward grace” for our lives, and especially in this New Year?

Matthew 2:1-12 with the Wesleyan Covenant Service Re>Imagine: Redream Navigation systems say, “Recalculating…” or “Reroute!” The wise guys sought the Christ-child, and then they had to go home by another route. How is the Spirit leading us in the New Year to dream for the future – our own as well as the church?

Luke 2:21-40 & 41-52 As we continue to celebrate Christmas, we hear childhood stories of Jesus remembering when Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, when he was presented in the temple, and even when he was found at his Father's house. These foundational stories help to shape how Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man.” How might we remember our foundation of faith as we finish this year well and prepare the way for a New Year?

Luke 1:57-66 & 67-80 John the Baptist is born and named. As Zechariah's tongue is set free, he praises the Lord “because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” God's redemption comes to us because of His great love! In these days before Christmas Eve, how can we be inspired to prepare the way for love?

Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel reveals to Mary about the “holy one to be born” to her. Mary's faith responds, “I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” She found peace with this amazing news! Even in our day, how can we be inspired to prepare the way for peace?

Luke 1:5-25 As Advent begins with the birth of John the Baptist being foretold, we prepare the way for Hope to arrive! As we hear Zechariah and Elizabeth's story, we hear the angel's words of hope that that their son will “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” In this Advent journey, how can we be inspired to prepare the way for hope?

Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus shares in the Sermon on the Mount about storing up treasures in heaven. What do we find in our storehouses? The third part of our vision statement is to be a daily disciple – what does this mean and how might we insert daily gratitude into the stewardship of our gifts?

Mark 12:41-44 Jesus lifts up a widow who put in everything she had into the treasury. What does it mean to share “all that we are” and “all that we have”? The second part of our vision statement is to be a daring disciple – what does this mean and how might we insert daring gratitude into the stewardship of our gifts?

Mark 12:28-34 Jesus says that the most important commandment is to love God with one's whole being, and we are called to do likewise. The first part of our vision statement is to be a deep disciple – what does this mean and how might we insert deep gratitude into the stewardship of our gifts?

Revelation 21:1-6 The vision in Revelation reveals “a new heaven and a new earth” and casts a vision for God and people to dwell together. How might we give thanks and insert saintly gratitude for those who labored before us?

Ezekiel 37:1-14 As the Spirit led Ezekiel to a vision of dry bones, he is invited to prophesy to those bones to hear the Word of the LORD who will give them breath! In what areas are we experiencing “dry bones” and needing the Spirit's breath? How might we insert hopeful gratitude for the future?

Acts 8:9-25 As the apostles were performing miracles and healing, Simon the Sorcerer believes and is baptized, yet he seeks the Spirit's power for his own purposes. How do we keep our hearts in the right place to share in Christ's ministry?

Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John encounter a man who was lame from birth. The man was begging, yet Peter offers what he has, in the name of Jesus Christ. The man is healed! How do we offer the gifts that we have when needed most?

Love is Indispensable 1 Corinthians 12:31b –13:13 The Apostle Paul shows the most excellent way to be the body of Christ: recognizing God's unconditional love that never fails! How does love inspire us to use our gifts to glorify God through Jesus Christ?

09-29-2024 - Gifted - Bonus Message by FaithWestwood UMC

1 Corinthians 12:13-31a The Apostle Paul continues to speak to the Corinthian church about how one body has many parts, and so it is with Christ! How can the body of Christ recognize each part so that there is unity in the body?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The Apostle Paul informs the early Church about spiritual gifts. There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit distributes them. What are these spiritual gifts, and how can we use them today?

On this Labor Day, may we join our hearts together in Word & Song, remembering that we are called to serve Jesus Christ every day! Scripture: Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 8:18-22; Matt. 9:9-13; Matt. 9:35-38; Matt. 10:1-8

On this Labor Day, may we join our hearts together in Word & Song, remembering that we are called to serve Jesus Christ every day! Scripture: Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 8:18-22; Matt. 9:9-13; Matt. 9:35-38; Matt. 10:1-8

John 15:1-9 As Jesus proclaims that he is the True Vine, he reminds his followers about being pruned to bear more fruit. If Jesus is the vine, and his followers are the branches, then they must remain in him and in his love. How can we, as Jesus' disciples, bear much fruit to the glory of God?

Hebrews 11:32-40 The author of Hebrews recounts the names of those who were commended for their faith yet did not receive what had been promised. Wait, what?! How can we live into the promises of “something better” that God has planned?

Daniel 3:1-18 Daniel's friends would not worship the gods of the Babylonian King, and so they were thrown into the fiery furnace. How do we believe in God's promises to walk with us through the fires in life?

John 14:1-7 When the disciples were anxious and fearful about his departure from them, Jesus tries to give them encouragement, reminding them that he is the Way, Truth, and Life. How might we follow Jesus to the cross and beyond?

Jeremiah 36:1-9 & Romans 16:1-2 In the Old Testament, Baruch served in a very important role as Jeremiah's scribe. In the New Testament, Phoebe is lifted up as a deacon, benefactor, and servant of the church. How might these witnesses inspire our servanthood?

John 11:25-44 Lazarus' death deeply grieves his sisters, Mary and Martha, and even Jesus. When confronted, Jesus declares that he is the resurrection and the life and later raises Lazarus from the dead. How might we claim this resurrection spirit and be raised to new life?

John 10:11-18 Jesus declares that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep who know him. Hired hands run away in times of danger and don't care for the sheep like the shepherd. Today, how can we, like sheep, listen to the Shepherd's voice and claim Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

2 Samuel 12:1-14 King David sinned, and the LORD sent Nathan to speak the truth in love to David. As he utilizes a parable to tell this story, David is convicted of the truth, confesses, and repents. How can we claim courage to speak the truth in love to those that we love as well as to repent of our sin?

John 10:1-10 As Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, he describes how the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep! This figure of speech escaped the religious leaders, yet Jesus' proclamation of being the Gate for the sheep is a powerful one. How might we claim this gate and the abundant (full) life that Jesus offers?

1 Samuel 1:9-20 During her time of worship, Hannah wept and prayed for the LORD to bless her with a child. Her encounter with Eli the Priest allows her to name her pain and hopes. How do we trust in God with all of our hopes and fears?

John 8:12-20 Jesus boldly proclaims that he is the Light of the World in contrast to religious leaders who would challenge him. How can we follow Christ today so that we never walk in darkness and claim the light of life?

Esther 3:1-13 In Esther, we experience hatred, prejudice, and even religious persecution. Haman's plans to destroy the Jews are thwarted by Queen Esther. How do we continue to “renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness” in this world?