Oberlin UMC Sermons

What separates an admirer of Jesus from an actual disciple? That's the question sitting underneath this week's gospel, and it's not a comfortable one, especially on a Father's Day weekend.Jesus is sending his twelve disciples out into the world, and he's honest with them about what's ahead: opposition, rejection, even division within their own families. Three times he tells them the same thing, don't be afraid. Not because the road will be easy, but because they won't walk it alone. Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from God's knowing. Every hair on your head is numbered. You are known, completely, even in the hard parts.This message asks us to look honestly at our own faith, not in dramatic, headline-making moments, but in the thousand small decisions that make up an ordinary day. Choosing forgiveness over resentment. Showing up when it would be easier not to. Loving someone who's hard to love. That's where discipleship actually lives.Casual disciples show up when it's convenient. Something else entirely is being asked of us, and it starts today, right where you are.

What if grace doesn't wait for you to have it all together? In Matthew 9, Jesus walks into the most ordinary places a tax booth, a dinner table, a crowded street, a home full of grief and something unexpected keeps happening. Grace shows up before anyone has time to qualify for it.A man marked by judgment hears two words: follow me. A woman who has suffered for twelve years and spent everything she had reaches out in quiet desperation and Jesus stops. Not later. Not when it's convenient. Right then. A father's grief becomes the site of something impossible.None of these people were ready. None of them had cleaned themselves up first. And that's exactly the point.Jesus says it plainly: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." God isn't looking for the most polished guest. God is setting a table where mercy is the main dish and there's a seat there for you, exactly as you are, right where you are.Wherever you're listening from today whatever you're carrying this message is for you. Ordinary people are still being met by extraordinary grace.

Pentecost Sunday. Listen to Pastor Gordon with this Pentecost sermon. Worship with us LIVE every Sunday at 11 am central time https://online.oberlinumc.org/live

Perspectives: How does our perspective deal with inviting others to hear the story? Listen to Pastor Gordon's message on Perspectives.

Thank you for listing to our Oberlin UMC Sermon Podcast. May the message you hear inspire you and help you on your faith journey. We invite you to join us for worship either in person or online.

Join us this morning as we worship Palm Sunday and learn about the Triumphal entry that Jesus made as we kick off Holy Week 2020. Record your attendance and download today’s bulletin: https://go.oberlinumc.org/attendance Have a prayer concern? Contact Pastor Gordon via email: gpettibone@oberlinumc.org Want to Tithe or Donate to Oberlin UMC? Send a Check: 102 N Cass Ave Oberlin Kansas 67749 OR Drop off your check in the locked drop box on the south side of the church. Praise Team Set Playlist: In His Time – CCLI Song # 25981 Hosanna, Hosanna – CCLI Song # 1388919 O How He Loves You and Me – CCLI Song # 15850 Filled with Excitement – CCLI Song # 354470 Tell Me the Stories of Jesus – CCLI Song # 2627445 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna – CCLI Song # 6329873 Copyright Information: Oberlin United Methodist Church -CCLI License # 1467347CCLI Streaming License #20199538 Oberlin United Methodist Church 102 N Cass Ave Oberlin Kansas 67749 hello@oberlinumc.org oberlinumc.org

Join us as we worship together online and learn about Mary, Martha, and Jesus from Pastor Gordon. Have a Prayer Concern? Contact Pastor Gordon – gpettibon@oberlinumc.org or 785-475-3067 Have an Offering or Tithe to Oberlin UMC? Mail a check: Oberlin United Methodist Church 102 N Cass Ave Oberlin Kansas 67749 Or leave your check in the locked mailbox on the south side of the church. Praise Team Sunday Set Lord I Lift Your Name on High – CCLI: 117947 Just a Closer Walk with Thee – CCLI: Public Domain In the Garden – CCLI: 62858 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God – CCLI: Public Domain Cares Chorus – CCLI: 23974 Hymn of Promise – CCLI: 4820130 Oberlin United Methodist Church 102 N Cass Ave Oberlin KS 67749 oberlinumc.org hello@oberlinumc.org CCLI License number: 1467347, 20199538

It's Not About Us. Join us this morning as we hear the message via online using YouTube Premiere. This mornings Gospel Lesson comes from John 9:1-41. May you be blessed by today's message from Pastor Gordon Oberlin United Methodist Church 102 N. Cass Ave Oberlin Kansas 67749 Visit our website: oberlinumc.org

Epistle Hebrews 4:12-16 Gospel Mark 10:17-31

Epistle Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Gospel Mark 10:2-16

We live in a dark scary world filled with hate, violence, and human trafficking. During this tough subject, learn about how this hits closer to home than you think and how you can help out. We are called to be a light in the world. If you are interested in becoming a freedom partner, please visit International Justice Mission's Website @ https://www.ijm.org/give/freedom-partner/ Epistle James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a Gospel Lesson Mark 9:30-37

Gospel Lesson Mark 8:27-38

Gospel Lesson Mark 7:24-37

Gospel Lesson Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Gospel Lesson John 6:56-69

Scripture Lesson John 6:51-58

Scripture Lesson Mark 6:1-13

Scripture Lesson Mark 6:1-13

Scripture Lesson Mark 5:21-43

We come to the end of this series on transitions today, even as, for many United Methodist congregations in the United States, today may mark the end of the leadership of a pastor or deacon, and next week the beginning of ministry of a different pastor or deacon, among them. Scripture Lesson Mark 4:35-41

"What?” It’s what we often say in English, at least in parts of the United States, when we hear or see or feel something that shocks us, or stuns us, or feels unbelievable, or out of place.“What?” we say. Then we may say or think, “Did I hear that right?” Or “Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” Or “This doesn’t feel right.” “What?” It’s perhaps one of the first things we will say when we hear news that means we’re about to enter a period of transition. It’s what the pastor or deacon who gets that call from the district superintendent thinks when he or she sees the number on the screen, or hears the voice at the other end of the call. It’s what the staff-parish chair thinks when the district superintendent notifies her about the date and time for the take-in. It’s what a lot of people may think when news gets out that their pastor or deacon won’t be there after June or maybe sooner. Scripture Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:5 - 12 Gospel: Mark 2:2 - 3:6 Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1 - 20

When news of change and a time of transition comes, especially a transition we do not want and can see more harm than good in, it’s the very next question after “What?” “Why?” It can be a useful question, an empowering question, even a question that could, at times, lead to a different kind of change that would be for the better. But let’s be honest about the degree of our own self-interest in asking “Why?” We ask “Why?” first as a kind of primal response, out of our own pain, confusion, and discomfort with the news we have received and where we see things going—for us and ours. We ask “Why?” as a kind of demand for the messenger or the change-maker to explain themselves, to justify the pain, discomfort, or confusion they’re putting us through. The deeper our sense of our own loss and pain, the more demanding our “Why?” becomes. There had better be a good explanation for this… or else. Scripture Lessons: Gospel Lesson: Mark 3:20 - 35 Old Testament: 1 Samuel 8:4 - 20

The good news of this story is that the Lord knows the hearts of God’s people. Ministry requires many different kinds of leadership, and God prepares many different kinds of people to lead. Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Want to learn more? Visit us on Facebook @OberlinUMC

Begin Again? Scripture Lessons Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 Want to learn more? Visit us on Facebook @OberlinUMC