Orchard UMC Sermons

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people...

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn…[the angel said to them] to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

… there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. [Matthew 2:9b-10]

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered."

Join us as we pray together out of Joyce Rupp's book, "Out of the Ordinary." Take a short walk, sit in a chair outside or in your home. Let us pray...

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38 In a world where hate seems to be more prominent than love, we, as those who follow Jesus, have the opportunity to change the world. Loving like Jesus means that we love everybody—always: the neighbor who has late parties into the wee hours of the morning; the guy who cuts you off in traffic; the woman who screams at her husband in the parking lot; the kid who eggs your house; the person who looks different, smells different, worships different from me; the person with different values; the boss with anger management issues and the friend who’s always asking and never giving. Of course the list can go on and on, but the bottom line is, we are called to Be Love. This means love affects all of our behaviors, our actions, and our conversations. Throughout Lent we are using Bob Goff’s book "Everybody Always" to help us love like Jesus. We are looking forward to our time together this Lent—a time to take on the practice of being love to God’s world.

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5 In a world where hate seems to be more prominent than love, we, as those who follow Jesus, have the opportunity to change the world. Loving like Jesus means that we love everybody—always: the neighbor who has late parties into the wee hours of the morning; the guy who cuts you off in traffic; the woman who screams at her husband in the parking lot; the kid who eggs your house; the person who looks different, smells different, worships different from me; the person with different values; the boss with anger management issues and the friend who’s always asking and never giving. Of course the list can go on and on, but the bottom line is, we are called to Be Love. This means love affects all of our behaviors, our actions, and our conversations. Throughout Lent we are using Bob Goff’s book Everybody Always to help us love like Jesus. We are looking forward to our time together this Lent—a time to take on the practice of being love to God’s world.

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8 In our third and final sermon from the series, "That's Not in the Bible?", Pastor Amy Mayo-Moyle preaches on the phrase, "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves." Listen as she explains how that phrase isn't in the Bible, where it originated, and why it's not really how our God, who loves us all, operates. (Links to video clips used in the sermon are below.) Jay Leno video clip Children of Poverty video clip

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Pastor Nick Bonsky preaches on the popular phrase, "God will never give you more than you can handle," and dispels that by saying that yes, oftentimes, we do have more than we can handle. However, God does say that God will always be there in times of joy, times of trials and tribulations, times when things are piled high and we feel like we're drowning or being buried alive. Listen and be encouraged.

Scripture:  Romans 8:28-30 This week we began a new mini-series - "That's Not in the Bible?" Pastor Amy talked about the colloquial saying, "Everything happens for a reason." Listen as we will look at these sayings, unpack them, and suggest some alternatives from the Bible.

February 2, 2020 Scripture: Micah 6:6-8 On the final Sunday of our January sermon series, "Orchard at the Movies," Pastor Amy preaches on the movie Just Mercy. Coupled with the scripture reading in Micah - "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8b) - Pastor Amy delivers a powerful sermon, ending with the words from the movie, "... we all need justice. We all need mercy. And perhaps, we all need some measure of unmerited grace." (Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy)

Scripture: John 21:1-14 In this third week of our sermon series, Orchard at the Movies, we're taking a look at how the film Dolittle can help intersect faith and film. Pastor Amy Mayo-Moyle ties in the story of Dr. Dolittle, the title character of the movie, who is feeling hopeless, without purpose, and lost in grief for the past seven years at the death of his wife Lily, with the story of the disciples who felt lost, without purpose, and grieving at the death of Jesus. Using the passage on resurrection, Pastor Amy illustrates how doing Christ's work of helping others can help us find new life.

Scripture: 1 John 4:17-21 We saw "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" as our movie for the January 19, 2020 sermon. Listen as Pastor Nick relates the story in this latest (and last?) Star Wars film using the theme of how perfect love casts out fear.

On January 12, 2020, we were privileged to welcome Bishop David Alan Bard to our church as we celebrated together an evening of sharing our blessings and thanking God for all that he has done for us. Bishop Bard gave a message on "Ripples" - how we might never know the effects of who or how one act of kindness or generosity might touch others. It was a spectacular evening of gratitude and praise as we ended the evening singing together "For All That You Have Done for Us," to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

Scripture: John 15: 12-17 This Sunday started our popular January sermon series, "Orchard at the Movies." We met on the previous Tuesday and sold out the theater to view "Little Women" together. This Sunday Pastor Amy gave a sermon on one of the movie's themes - sacrificing for someone else. Our next movie is "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-7 This first Sunday of January in the new year, we have started a new tradition - celebrating All Saints' Day. By doing this on the first Sunday of a new year, we are able to celebrate the saints who have gone before us throughout the previous year, remembering their lives and the gifts that they shared with us in the past so that we might move forward in the present to bring about God's Kingdom on earth, and laying a foundation for those who will come after us.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 On this Christmas Sunday, Pastor Amy Mayo-Moyle asked the questions: "What would your life be like if you really believed God loves you?" and "What if we believed in ourselves the way God believes in us?" Her sermon on the favor of Mary and what it must have been like and taken to believe in the goodness and rightness of what God was doing in her life. In the season when the word "Believe" is prevalent, take that message to mean believe in God's favor and believe in God's love for you.

We were blessed with hearing the message through music on our Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 15. Directed by Jantz Black, our Director of Music, the Chancel Choir and soloists, guest orchestra, and narrators helped make the Christmas story come alive. Everlasting Light: The Promise of Christmas From the collaborative efforts of Lloyd Larson, Mary McDonald, Jay Rouse, and Larry Shackley, "Everlasting Light" showcases the profound significance of the light of Christ come to earth.

Scripture: Matthew 24:42-44 and Luke 3:1-6 On this second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Amy preaches on "When God Breaks In." She asks two questions in her suggestion to make an Advent list: "What in your life do you Christ to break in and steal?" and "What can you put on your list to make the world better?"

Listen to highlights from Sunday's service - through scripture, song, and prayer - as Pastor Nick Bonsky, liturgist Jantz Black, and members of the congregation helped decorate the sanctuary with symbols of the season - Advent candles, wreaths, garland, poinsettia, light, caroling, tree, etc.

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79 On this Thanksgiving Sunday, Pastor Nick preaches on how to be thankful for the mess - the mess of life that leads us to need Jesus, the mess of life that Jesus walked among - through and with the muck - and the mess of life that we are called to walk with Jesus. 

11/17/19 Scripture:  Hebrews 13:1-3, 5-6 On our "Taking the Next Step" Sunday where we dedicate our gifts to God for next year's ministry, we hear Pastor Amy talk about having faith to do as God calls. It takes courage to act in faith; are you ready to be completely changed by generosity?

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 As we continue our sermon series on the Ripple Effect, we were honored to have the Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, District Superintendent of the Greater Detroit District, preach on "The Missional Imperative" at both the 9 and 11 am services.

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 In this second sermon in our Generosity Challenge, Pastor Amy speaks on "Revealed through Prayer." How often are our prayers centered on needs - those of others and of ourselves? How often do we stop and ask, "God, what do you want me to do?" and then listen for the answer?

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 As we begin our Generosity Challenge, we hear Pastor Amy speak on being "Grounded in Gratitude." Before this sermon series we asked Orchard members and friends to tell their story of gratitude for God and for Orchard. We then recorded their stories and, each week, will hear from two Orchard friends. This week we hear from two members - Rob and Barb - as they relate their stories of gratitude.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-28a Rev. Mike Mayo-Moyle stepped to preach for us as Pastor Amy recovers. Preaching out of the scripture passage from Genesis on creation, Rev. Mike tells about being made in the "spittin' image" of God, each of us uniquely created with sacred gifts to use in showing what God is doing in our lives.

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30 In this last sermon in our series, "Getting Your House in Order," Pastor Nick talks about getting our "jobs" in order - and ends by asking the questions, "what seeds are we sowing..." and "when people look at you, do they see a faith lived out?"

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 In our fifth sermon in our six-week fall sermon series, "Getting Your House in Order," Pastor Amy talks about our physical health in order. We hear a video in the sermon - "Get Fit & Lit with Jesus" - that can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yll0CXJfQhw.

Scripture:  Isaiah 43:1-5a We're into our fourth week of our fall series, "Getting Your House in Order." This week's topic is about mental and emotional health and you'll hear a conversation between Dr. Mary Clark and Pastor Amy.  Dr. Clark is a member of our congregation. She earned her doctorate in Psychology & Counseling at Wayne State University.  She was a founding member and is presently Associate Director of Alpha Psychological Services, PC.  She specializes in women’s issues, marital counseling, mood disorders (depression, anxiety), OCD, trauma, and adjustment disorders.  She has served on the Board of Directors for the Christian Association of Psychological Studies, and currently is President of Michigan Association of Professional Psychologists.  Dr. Clark is author of Hiding, Hurting, Healing  (Zondervan) and Together and Strong (iUniverse).

Scripture:  Deuteronomy 24:19-22 This week's message in our six-week fall sermon series, "Getting Your House in Order," is from our Associate Pastor, Nick Bonsky. Pastor Nick talks about getting our financial houses in order.

Scripture:  Luke 10:1-5 In the second sermon of our six-week sermon series, "Getting Your House in Order," Pastor Amy talks about relationships. It was the perfect setting for celebrating the ministry of DyAnn St. Clair, the "Face of Orchard," who retired after 23 years of service, most recently as our Hospitality Coordinator. 

Scripture:  Romans 12:1-2, 12-13 This is the first sermon in our six-week fall sermon series, "Getting Your House in Order." In this first sermon, Pastor Amy talks about getting your spiritual house in order.