Harlan First and Monroe Chapel United Methodist Church

Faith is like a relay race. We all run it and carry the baton until it is time to pass it on to someone else. In his last sermon at Monroe Chapel and Harlan First, Pastor Mike encourages us to continue to do God's work until the time comes for us to pass the baton.

How can we recognize the voice of God, our shepherd, as we go through change?

In this Easter sermon, we focus on Jesus' assignment for us to make disciples.

In this Good Friday message, we explore why this day is considered bad and good.

Palm Sunday is a time when we remember Jesus coming into Jerusalem. It is an event with many layers of meaning. In this sermon, we look at a clash of priorities between Jesus, his followers, the religious leaders, and Rome.

What does it mean to walk the narrow way? Is it more important to believe in Jesus or to follow Jesus' teachings?

What does it mean to judge, and why shouldn't we do it? If we are not to judge, is there still a place for accountability and correction?

In this message, we look at wealth, worry, and faith - things we can all relate to.

In this message, we look at some of the hardest teachings of Jesus, including loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, and not seeking revenge. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it is impossible.

During Lent, we are focusing on the sermon on the mount. This sermon goes over the beattitudes.

Is faith the same thing as certainty? What is the role of doubt in the life of faith?

You are a child of God. Never forget it!

We begin a new three week sermon series focused on John the Baptist.

The Gospel of Luke is the only Gospel that has the only childhood story of Jesus in the Bible, and it's a parent's worst nightmare.

Simeon and Anna hope for and get to see the Messiah, Jesus, during a purification ceremony. They had been waiting their whole lives but trusted in God. As we continue in these uncertain times, where do you place your hope?

King Herod was an insecure leader who did not want to lose his power, and he was willing to use any means necessary to keep his power, including violence. Innocent people died as a result. Yet, God continued to work. In this sermon, we explore this story and look at how we are called to respond to violence and work for peace.

In this sermon, we take a look at the story of the magi who come to see Jesus. What can this story teach us about how we should view and treat people of other religions? How does God speak to them?

It's Christmas Eve! Even though we may not be able to hold candles and sing in a crowded sanctuary, the good news is that the light of Christ is already within us to shine in the dark places of the world.

For many, this is the most depressing time of the year. What should you do if you just don't feel jolly?

Peace seems elusive in our world today. How can we find peace, and how can we live as people of peace?

In this sermon, we look at the shepherds in the Christmas story. Is it still possible to be in awe of God today?

In this sermon, we look at the story of Mary. How does her response to God's call affect our own?

On this first Sunday of Advent, we focus on the theme of hope.

In this sermon for what would have been Consecration Sunday, we take a look back at how we have responded and adapted to the pandemic this year. We also learn that we can persevere in faith when going through trials or when we are asked to make sacrifices for the good of our community.

In this sermon, we conclude our look at the Lord's Prayer. With everything going on in the world, it is good to know it all belongs to God.

We continue our look at the Lord's Prayer.

This sermon is all about forgiveness as we continue through the Lord's Prayer.

We continue our look at the Lord's Prayer with the part that says, "give us this day our daily bread."

We continue our series on the Lord's Prayer with a look at what Jesus means when he uses the word "kingdom." If the kingdom of God is really among us, what can we do to help this kingdom to come and for God's will to be done?

We are beginning a new sermon series focusing on the Lord's Prayer. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he said what we have come to know as the Lord's Prayer. We pray this prayer so often that we can say it without even thinking about the words. Yet, if Jesus taught it to his disciples as a model for prayer, then it must be profound. Join us for this sermon series as we look at how the Lord's Prayer can connect us to God and change our hearts.

In this sermon, we wrap up our series with a look at the relationship of Christians to the government.

We are continuing our sermon series, called "Open Mouth, Insert Foot: The Controversial Writings of Paul," with a look at Ephesians 5:21-6:9 and Colossians 3:18-41. In these verses, Paul writes about the relationship between husband and wife, children and parents, and slaves and masters. Each time, his advice seems hopelessly out of date, and these passages have been used by many to encourage the abuse and oppression of the vulnerable in society. What is Paul trying to do here? Is there more than meets the eye? Join us as we go on another investigation to find out what Paul was actually trying to communicate.

Did Paul really think all women should be silent in church? Join us as we go on an investigation to find out!

In this sermon, we look at the letter to the Romans. In it, Paul describes the Gospel of God's grace for all people. How sad, then, that so many have used a part of his letter to condemn others!

We begin a new sermon series looking at some of the most controversial writings of Paul. In the sermon, we look at two instances where Paul crossed a line by engaging in insults and stereotyping to bolster his arguments, which is never good. How can we learn from Paul's mistakes as we go through this very divisive year in America?

We are concluding our series in Exodus with a reminder that God is with us as we continue through the wilderness.

In this sermon, we continue through the book of Exodus with the story of the golden calf. When faced with great change and anxiety, the Hebrews wanted to go back to what was familiar. What they needed was a reminder that God was with them and would lead them through the wilderness to the promised land.

We are continuing our look at Exodus with detailed instructions for the building of the tent of meeting in Exodus 25-31. Although not very exciting, even this scripture has a word for us as we travel through the wilderness.

In this episode, continue through Exodus with the story of Moses receiving the law at Mt. Sinai. What role does the law have in our lives today? There is a mistake in this episode where I state that Jesus saw through a mirror dimly. I meant to say Moses saw through a mirror dimly.

In this sermon, we look at the story of Moses receiving advice from his father-in-law. With so many voices coming at us today with all kinds of advice, how are we to know who to listen to and what advice to follow?

The Hebrews face challenges as they move through the wilderness. Do you feel as though you are taking a journey through the wilderness? How do we, as people of faith, keep hope alive?

We look at the story of the Red Sea in this sermon. The Hebrews celebrated their freedom in the midst of future challenges. Do we have a reason to celebrate in the midst of the challenges of 2020?

We continue our look at Exodus with the story of the plagues. Listen in as we tackle the ethical problems associated with the last plague, which is the death of the firstborn children.

We continue our look at Exodus with the story of the burning bush.

In this sermon, we begin our summer sermon series looking at Exodus. The beginning of Exodus is a very dark time in the life of the Hebrews. In this story, we learn that in ugly situations, unlikely heroes arise.

In this sermon, we look at how our churches have responded and will respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.

We conclude our Genesis series with the Tower of Babel, which is a story warning us of the dangers of pride and power.

In this sermon, we look at the story of Noah and the Flood. This story has a lot to teach us, but it also has a lot of problems. Listen as we explore this wonderful and problematic story.

In this sermon, we continue our look at the early stories of Genesis with a look at the story of Cain and Abel. As we explore this story, we will see what it has to teach is about the use of violence, the interconnectedness of human society, and why our first concern should not necessarily be when we are able to gather for worship again.

In this sermon, we explore the second creation story. How should we read this story, and why is it valued by so many cultures?

Join us for our new sermon series in which we explore the early stories of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. In this episode, we look at the first creation story. How should we read this story? Does it say anything about science or evolution? Understanding this story requires us to enter the mindset of an ancient people in an ancient world with concerns that were very different than ours today.