Smoky Hill UMC Weekly Sermon

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  This fourth Beatitude will be the focus of our worship this Sunday. I will be in worship with you Sunday, but I will not be preaching. I have invited our Mountain Sky Conference Evangelist, Rev. King Harris, to bring us the message. His message is titled "The Pursuit," and is based on Matthew 5:6 and Micah 6:6-8.  Perhaps a good question for us to be thinking about as we prepare ourselves for worship this week is: What is it that I hunger and thirst for most in my life?  And is that where I put my energy and attention?   I look forward to gathering and worshiping together Sunday at 10:30 am!   -Pastor Derek

When we hear the word "meek" in our culture, there are all sorts of negative connotations that come to mind.  Weak, being a doormat, allowing others to take advantage of us, being small and insignificant, are some of the ways we might describe people who are considered meek.  We honor and reward people who we might describe as the opposite of meek: the powerful, those who would take advantage of others for their own gain, those who assert themselves in ways that proclaim "it is my way or the highway."  When Jesus says "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth," he is speaking of those who walk through life with a gentleness and humility that honors both oneself and others. The Gospel of Mark records the beginning of Jesus' ministry with Jesus acknowledging the presence of God's Kingdom among us, then inviting us to "repent, and believe in the good news." Repentance, it seems, necessitates a certain level of humility and meekness, confessing that we do not have all the answers and are not as "good" as we might like to think of ourselves as! Are meekness and repentance related to one another?  This Sunday's message, based on Matthew 5:5 and Mark 1:9-15, will explore these dimensions of our faith journey.  I hope you will join us on facebook live at 10:30 am.   -Pastor Derek

The Gospels record two instances where Jesus is said to have wept. One is the story of Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother, who dies and is raised back to life by Jesus (AFTER having already been buried!). The story referred to as The Raising of Lazarus is found in John 11.  The other story where Jesus weeps is in Luke 19.  This is where, in anticipation of his crucifixion, Jesus is looking over Jerusalem and lamenting its inability to recognize what truly makes for peace.  In both cases, Jesus is in mourning.  This Sunday we will be focusing on the second Beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).  Like the poor in spirit, those who mourn find themselves bumping against their limitations – here the limitation of mortality.  Most, if not all of us, have found ourselves mourning the loss of someone – or some thing – in our lives. Sunday we will hear God’s encouragement when a season of mourning enters our world.  See you Sunday on Facebook live!   -Pastor Derek

This Sunday we begin an eight-week sermon series on the Beatitudes.  The series will take us into and through the season of Lent. which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17.   There are 8 Beatitudes, each of them lifting up an aspect of our faith experience. Through his teaching (which is a part of a larger teaching called The Sermon on the Mount) Jesus is helping his followers discover that when they are living as God intends, they will find themselves blessed.  The Beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:1-12, and this Sunday we will focus on the first: “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”  We gather, open to the Spirit who leads us in worship to discover truths about ourselves, our world, and about God.  We will be celebrating communion this Sunday, and so I invite you to gather with communion elements available (bread, crackers, juice, wine) as we remember God’s providing for us along our journey – with bread and with companions!  My message is titled “The Beatitudes: Valuing the Un-Valued.”  See you Sunday morning on FaceBook Live at 10:30.   -Pastor Derek

In our Scripture passage for this Sunday morning (Mark 1:21-28) Jesus was confronted while he was teaching in a synagogue by a man with unclean spirits.  Jesus dramatically and enthusiastically casts out the demons.  Sunday we’ll be looking at two demons currently plaguing our country and the church:  Racism and White Supremacy.  Just as the demons asked Jesus “What do you have to do with us?” we’ll examine what we as individuals and a congregation have to do with those two demons.     -  Pastor John Kingsbury

We meet for worship this Sunday halfway between the second impeachment of our current president and the inauguration of our new president.  We also meet with our country deep into the depths of a pandemic that is continuing to take lives at a record setting pace.  If ever there has been a time when we need to be reminded of our connectedness to one another, it is now.  And that connectedness goes well beyond our own country. We need reminders of our connection to sisters and brothers around the world, as well as to the earth itself. This Sunday is, in the United Methodist Church calendar, Human Relations Day. This Sunday is celebrated each January on the day before Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is recognized.  It will be good to be together and worship as a church family – even if online!  My message this week is titled “We All Need…Somebody” and is based on John 1:43-51.  I hope you will be able to join us – either live at 10:30 or later by recording.  Bless each of you!  - Pastor Derek

We fast forward quickly through Jesus’ childhood, youth, and young adulthood. The lectionary moves us directly from the departure of the Wise Men to Jesus’ baptism at the age of 30. Down and out to the Jordan River goes Jesus, joining people from all over the land of Israel. In Mark’s gospel, the heavens are “torn apart” as the Spirit descends following Jesus’ baptism. God’s presence breaks in, making it clear that God has not abandoned the world, but intends to reclaim it, and us, in the embrace of unconditional love. After a week of continuing deaths due to COVID, and chaos in our nation’s capital, it will be good to gather together in worship Sunday morning. May God’s grace surround you now and always.  See you online Sunday at 10:30.  - Pastor Derek

A happy and blessed new year to everyone! This Sunday in worship we will be celebrating Epiphany Sunday. During this Sunday and season, we lift up the theme of Christ's unveiling, the recognition, and the celebration that the light of God's love and salvation have come into the world - for everyone. This is symbolized in Scripture by the visit of the "Wise Ones" from the east (Luke 2:1-12).  They follow their wisdom to locate and worship the Christ child in Bethlehem.  My message, titled "Home By Another Way," will invite us to reflect on our journeys and how the things we have experienced and seen impact the directions our lives take. We will be celebrating communion, so you are invited to have communion elements (bread, crackers, juice, wine) on hand.  We will also be invited to pray together - out loud! - the Wesley Covenant Prayer.  Methodists have prayed this prayer at the beginning of each new year for centuries(!).  Join us online at 10:30 this Sunday...instructions for connecting are included below.    - Pastor Derek

Worship: Our “Traditional” Christmas Eve service, on Facebook Live.  Gather with your family in your home, and have your candles ready as we will close the service in the dark singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.

As we gather for worship this Second Sunday of Advent, we acknowledge that being displaced can mean several things. We can be displaced mentally or emotionally. We can be displaced spiritually. And we can be displaced physically. And of course, there are all sorts of combinations including each!  The Good News is that God seeks us out and offers us hope – even and especially in our times of feeling displaced.  My message, “Displaced: No Room for Them Anywhere, It Seems,” connects us with the story of Mary and Joseph needing to travel to Bethlehem, and upon their arrival finding no room in the inn (Luke 2:1-7)!  Mary Edlund will be sharing her and her husband Lee’s experience of being displaced during these days. And we will be celebrating Holy Communion together. You are encouraged to gather elements (bread, crackers, and juice or wine) you can use in your space as we take communion together.  See you Sunday morning at 10:30 am on Facebook Live!             -Pastor Derek

"Displaced: Where Hope Finds Us"   Our Advent theme for this year is an acknowledgment of our existential predicament as we begin a new Christian year together.  Most, if not all of us, find ourselves in a much different place than we expected to be when 2020 began. And the paths we have followed to arrive at this new reality has been a journey we likely would not have chosen if we had been given a choice!  But here we are.  Here we are.  For the next few Sundays, we will hear from some Smoky Hill members who have, and are, experiencing displacement in some very real and significant ways.  This Sunday Kristi Skarphol will share her experience as a High School teacher. We appreciate Kristi opening a window for us to see into a part of her life that has changed dramatically in 2020. My message this week is titled, "Displaced: Were Perfect Openness Becomes Possible."  It is based on the Annunciation story in Luke 1, and the Magnificat, Mary's Song, in that same chapter.  The Good News is that God finds us even in - and maybe especially in - those times when we are feeling most displaced and lost.  I hope you will be joining us online - 10:30 Sunday morning!  -Pastor Derek

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, writes these words: “For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…”  In Paul’s absence, it seems that Timothy’s zeal and excitement about sharing the Gospel has waned a bit.  There is something about presence – both physical and spiritual – that helps us to remain steadfast and focused in our lives of faith.  During the past eight months, we have needed to be physically apart as a local expression of the Body of Christ.  For some, myself included if I am being honest, there have been times when being separated from our siblings in Christ has brought challenges to keeping the light of faith burning bright.  This Sunday morning, Stewardship Celebration Sunday, is an opportunity for us to be renewed and reminded that our faith in Christ is never in vain, and that God continues to work miracles of love and hope – and that God does this not only FOR us but THROUGH us.  Are you ready to be used by God?   We will see you on Facebook Live Sunday morning at 10:30, and for those who can come Sunday afternoon at 4 pm in person at the Gazebo.      -Pastor Derek

This Sunday’s sermon scriptures are Psalm 116:1-9, 12-14 and Mark 8:34-37. It is entitled: “Give from Love Instead of Fear.” Have you ever silently reflected on why you give to the church, causes, and to people? Have you really reflected on the motivation behind your altruistic deeds, all of which are about giving? Perhaps words like duty or obligation come to mind. Maybe you tell yourself, “because I ‘should’ give” or do this particular act. Or...and you are not alone, maybe you give out of what’s left, after you feel financially secure. Have you ever given out of your lack because you have a crazy faith in God’s promises to provide for all your needs? When duty or “should” is our motivation, or if we give  God what is left over; then we are operating from a place of fear and not faith. This means we don’t truly trust God’s love for us and are not resting secure in God’s love. As a result,  we give from a place of fear and not love. Last year, I talked about giving as a spiritual practice or discipline. This Sunday’s sermon further extends that theme.      -Pastor Felicia

All-Saints Sunday has always been one of my favorite Sundays of the Christian year.  While we remember those who have died over the last 12 months, the tone is not one of sadness, but of triumph and victory. An old phrase, using traditional language, proclaims that the celebration on the First of November is about the transfer of membership from the Church Militant (at work) to the Church Triumphant!  This year we remember and celebrate the lives of 3 saints from Smoky Hill whom we have said goodbye to: Eve Pistorius, Linda Parks, and Larry Arterburn.  Our celebration of Communion takes on special significance this Sunday, as we intentionally recall that our celebration includes the Communion of Saints.  My message, titled “These Are They,” is based on Revelation 7:9-17, and specifically verse 14.  Let us join together online at 10:30 am (remember to reset your clocks this weekend!) and I invite you to gather communion elements as we share in this meal as a family.         -Pastor Derek

“Social Distancing” has become so much a part of our daily vocabulary, that we hardly notice the negative implications of a phrase like that anymore.  This Sunday’s scripture, Luke 16:19-31, is the story known as The Rich Man and Lazarus.  It is about wealth, and the dangers of accumulated wealth, but it is also about the ways we distance ourselves from one another – and what that does to our very souls. I would encourage you to read the story, perhaps a couple of times, before Sunday morning. Allow its various meanings to sink in and speak to your heart in whatever way God might intend.  The title of my message, borrowed from our friends in the Real Estate business, is “Location, Location, Location!”  Join us on Facebook Live Sunday morning at 10:30, or later in the day or week on our various platforms.      -Pastor Derek

The focus of worship this Sunday will be the Confirmation of 5 of our youth. They went through confirmation classes last winter and spring, and due to the COVID outbreak, we waited until we felt we could safely confirm them together as a class. That time is here! Be sure to join us for worship at 10:30 on Facebook Live, as we, the gathered community, offer them our prayers and support.  They are an incredible group of young disciples! Sunday's message will incorporate their voices, as well as other leaders from the congregation. And we will have some special music from Lily Legleiter, one of our Sr. High youth.  Romans 5:1-11 is the focus for the message, which is titled "The Effects of Grace in the Hearts and Lives of Believers."   See everyone on Sunday!    -Pastor Derek

This Sunday's scripture text is Deuteronomy 7:1-9 and the sermon title is "The Promised Land: Was it Meant for ALL or only a Few?" In Postcolonial Feminist Interpretation of the Bible, Dr. Musa Dube posed a question, which is as poignant today as it was when she wrote them twenty years ago: Why the Biblical text and its Western readers were instruments of imperialism and how Black Africans can justify their faith in a religion that has betrayed them..."a religion of the enemy, so to speak." This question is not just limited to Blacks in Africa but to persons of color in America and youth and young adults of all races. Personally, I can't count the number of times I have been asked how I can believe in and preach a faith that continues to oppress people of color.  Sadly, I personally know and have been told about youth and young adults who cannot connect with the Bible, because it is "irrelevant, misogynistic, patriarchal, and endorses slavery and other kinds of oppression".  Today, we look at the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land, Canaan. We read that God told the Israelites to "utterly destroy them...and show them no mercy...for the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth..." Since at least the 16th century, Western Europeans have used this passage along with several others to justify the annihilation of Indigenous Americans, Manifest Destiny, slavery, colonialism, and imperialist agendas. I don't know that I can completely blame them, when scripture has God telling the Israelites to engage in similar behavior towards the Canaanites. Or is it...? What do we make of this God and what do we tell our youth and young adults? Do we ignore those parts of the Bible that seem ethically problematic while embracing the rest? If so, does that mean that certain parts of the Bible are NOT sacred? What makes the Bible sacred?  I have wrestled with these questions for quite some time and cannot say that I have "the answer." I have some thoughts for reflection. At the end of the day, scriptures like today's raises more questions than it answers, and we each must prayerfully reflect on what status the Bible holds for us and our lives. As for me, the Bible remains a sacred text...with some caveats I'll share. - Pastor Felicia

Anne was a dancer. A part of a youth group I led in a church I previously served, she had a sweet, gentle, humble spirit, and she was honest in her ability to see herself and her gifts clearly. Anne was a good dancer. But I'll never forget the day she said to a group of us, "I'm a dancer, but I've got no rhythm." My mind did a double-take as it tried to square those seemingly incongruous statements. "A dancer with no rhythm," I thought to myself. Is that even possible?I wonder if we might be in a time and a place where dancing may be our only way out – or better yet, our only way through. As a society, as the United Methodist Church, as individuals and families, many of us may be feeling stuck – almost paralyzed – by the trauma we are experiencing. COVID-19, long-overdue racial and economic reckonings, cultural divisiveness fueled by a spirit of winner-take-all politics, ever-intensifying extreme weather causing record-breaking destruction of habitat and lives...all these (especially together) are raising stress (and distress) levels for everyone!Barbara DeAngelis, a counselor and consultant, has written, "The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place." Friends, we know who we have been (or are at least discovering it in some new ways). Who we are now becoming is yet to be revealed. This is that in-between moment when we are invited to step out onto the floor of the Dance of Life. (No wallflowers at this party!) Now is the time we are called as Christians to give witness to the one we call the Lord of the Dance. We do this by loving courageously, sharing generously, and seeking to model compassion in everything we do.Now I know that too many folks in our culture, dancing may seem to be only a trivial distraction or mere recreation. In many indigenous cultures dance is understood to have the power to impact and change the world. In Native American dance, for instance, outsiders may focus solely on the beauty and the pageantry; for those who participate, the dances signify and carry deep meaning about the world, the values of the people, and how they relate to the natural world as well as to one another.In his book Clare: A Light in the Garden, Murray Bodo writes of how St. Francis of Assisi and Sister Clare understood their calling. He says it was their desire to "show the world its hidden heart." I hear such beauty in that phrase. They would live so that people would see in them what had been buried away and forgotten in people's lives: love of neighbor and compassion for the poor and forgotten ones.What if you and I were to walk – DANCE! – in such a way that others, in seeing us, would be prompted to rediscover in themselves that place of compassion, humility, grace, and generosity of spirit? The choreography need not be complicated or over-rehearsed. It need only be marked by authenticity and freedom. Like Anne, we don't even have to have rhythm - the rhythm of God's mercy and love finds us. We only have to accept the invitation to get on our feet, make our way to the dance floor, and join in the dance that is already begun! What are we waiting for?Pastor Derek

This Sunday’s scripture text is Genesis 9:18-28. The sermon title is:  The Curse of Ham: When Scripture is Misused for Selfish Reasons. Today’s scripture text is not in the lectionary and many in the church are unfamiliar with it. Beginning in 1830,  southern slaveholders began to misuse the text to justify slavery, disenfranchise people of color, and protect the role of honor in their psyche. Before we go judging slaveholders for their reprehensible behavior, I encourage you to pause and consider whether you have weaponized scripture to justify your judgement or criticism of others who live or think differently than you. If we are honest, we all have been guilty of misappropriating scripture for our own agenda, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. Either way, what became known as The Story of Ham is a cautionary tale about how dangerous it is to mishandle God’s word. Jesus said the Word is spirit, truth, and life. Whenever we misappropriate it for selfish gain or to judge and criticize another, we engage in sin.     -  Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The story of Jesus' encounter with the woman of Syrophoenician birth (in other words, Not a Jew), is a difficult one to hear.  Even now I still wince when I hear Jesus' reply to this woman, comparing her to a dog, and implying that her people are not worthy of God's attention. What is going on here?  Mark 7:24-30 is where you can read this story, and as we worship we will open ourselves to God's Spirit so that we can encounter it's good news. My message is titled "Bringing Our Whole Selves to the Word."Once again, we will be worshipping outdoors and in-person at 10:30 am, as well as online.  Our 3rd graders will be receiving their Bibles, and we will be commissioning our newly trained Congregational Care Ministers.  I hope to see you there!    Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What does it mean to recognize God’s presence in all that is around us?  And what does it mean to recognize God’s presence in each person as we encounter them?  Do we recognize Christ’s face in the one who we know will vote differently from us in the upcoming Presidential election?  Do we see the promise of the Holy Spirit at work in the protesters in the street who are at the other end of the “left-right” continuum from us?  My message Sunday is titled “Whose Face Do You See?” and is based on the vision Peter receives in Acts 10.I hope you will be able to join us outside on the church lawn/parking lot this “KickOff” Sunday.  We will be worshipping at 10:30 am – both in-person and online.  AND we will be celebrating communion together.  If you join us in-person, pre-packaged communion elements will be distributed, including gluten-free crackers.  If you will be with us online, you are invited to set your own communion table with the appropriate elements.  Either way, I look forward to worshipping together this Sunday…    Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Rev. Mack Lovvorn will be our guest speaker in the pulpit this weekend. This week's sermon is entitled A Very Dysfunctional Family or Just a God Story?  The scripture text is Genesis 45:1-15. Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week's sermon is entitled Not Without a Limp. The scripture text is Genesis 32:22-31. This week we encounter a God who looks different than the one to which we are probably accustomed.  This God starts a fight with Jacob, for seemingly no reason. This God breaks Jacob's hip when it appears God cannot prevail. What kind of God does this and why? I want to suggest that this is the same loving God we worship but whose ways are beyond our understanding. Also, I invite you to ponder this: Although our God is Sovereign and mighty, this is not the case when it comes to prevailing against our free will. Sometimes, God has to allow a breaking for our blessing. Sometimes, we must be broken, before we will surrender to God's will for our lives... God's best for our lives. Jacob went from the trickster to Israel, from not knowing God to have seen God face to face, and from being a man on the run for his life to the father of a nation, by whom many would be blessed. But it was not without a limp.      -  Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week's sermon is entitled "Bloom Where You Are Planted." The scriptures are Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; 45-4-7.  Often when we find ourselves in a challenging situation, we can become so focused on the situation that we lose sight of the larger picture and our ability to overcome. In this week's sermon, we are re-introduced to Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel. At seventeen, God reveals to him in a dream the destiny to which he is headed. But that destiny is delayed by his siblings, who hate and are jealous of him; because he is well loved by his father. They despise him so much that they plot to kill him and ultimately sell him into Egyptian slavery. Over the course of thirteen years, Joseph will serve as a slave, be sexually harassed by his master's wife, do a stint in a jail for a crime he didn't commit, and be betrayed by two prisoners, after his gifts lead to their release. Joseph could have used his situation as an excuse to be less than God destined him to be. Instead, Joseph blooms where he is planted and ultimately Pharaoh puts him over his entire house and all his people; he is second in command only to Pharaoh. Bad situations give us two options: we can either focus on the situation and sing whoa is me, or we can do the best we can, with what we have, and trust God to deliver us into a better situation. Joseph's story reveals what will make the latter possible.       -  Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"You Can't Choose Your Family."  This is the title of this Sunday's message - and a truth many of us experience in our lives.  Many of us have, hanging out somewhere in our family tree, that crazy aunt or uncle, or cousin who always pushes the boundaries and seems intent on driving the others crazy!  We love them, of course. But some days all we can do is shake our heads and admit "yup, we're related!"  This Sunday's scripture, Genesis 29:15-28, seems to take family dysfunction to a whole new level. And that's saying a lot if you've been following our series on Genesis these past few months! Jacob and his Uncle Laban have quite a time together, and we are reminded that God works through all kinds of circumstances and deviousness. As we come together for worship, we will be blessing backpacks and school supplies - as well as our children and all who are heading back to school in the next few days and weeks.  See you online at 10:30 Sunday morning!  -  Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Jacob has, through conniving and deception, "stolen" his brother Esau's birthright and blessing from their father Isaac.  Esau, understandably, is not a happy camper.  Under the guise of seeking a non-Canaanite wife, Isaac and Rebekah urge Jacob to flee from his brother. Jacob leaves home, afraid, and unsure of what the future holds.  God comes to him in the night, in a dream, assuring him God's presence and promise are with him and will remain with him into the future. A vision of a "ladder," or a ramp. leading up into the heavens is taken as a sign of this promise of protection and providence.  My message this week is titled "From Fear to Assurance," and is based on Genesis 28:10-19a. I hope you will be able to join us - either live at 10:30 on Facebook Live or later on our various platforms.   See you Sunday!       -  Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This Sunday we move quickly on in the story of our Forbears in the Faith.  Isaac and Rebekah have married, and now Rebekah is pregnant - with twins! How wonderful, we might think. But Rebekah knows, still early in her pregnancy, that conflict and struggle will mark her children's lives. And so it is. Jacob is born grasping at his older brother Esau's heel. And that rivalry seems to have no ending. God is very much a part of their saga - but the way God acts is somewhat surprising. My message is titled "This is the (Story) that Never Ends..." and it is based on Genesis 25:19-34.  Join us - and we will be celebrating communion, so everyone is invited to gather with your communion elements - bread, crackers, juice, wine - and we will share together this holy meal.  10:30 this Sunday morning!           -  Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

To read the story of Rebekah being "recruited" to become Isaac's wife is to barely notice the work of God going on behind the scene. The story is recounted in Genesis chapter 24. The "recruiting" is being done by one of Abraham's servants, who travels back to Abraham's homeland, following Abraham's orders. It turns out this is a match made in heaven, but the way it happens seems quite out of the ordinary, even given the times. We often do not see God's hand at work in our relationships until after the fact, looking back at what has transpired. Meet us outside on the front lawn of the church, or on Facebook Live, at 9:00 Sunday morning, for worship and my message titled "The (Sometimes) Hidden Hand of God." Remember - we will be asking everyone present to wear facemasks, practice social distancing, and bring your own blanket or chairs to sit on. See you then!      -  Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The drama of God’s work in and through the family of Abraham and Sarah continues.  In Genesis chapter 22 God directs Abraham to sacrifice his son – and apparent heir to The Promise – Isaac.  In a scene that could come straight out of a Cecil B. DeMille film, God stops Abraham just moments before the act and provides an alternative.  And all of us in the audience are able to exhale.  “Surprised With Life” is the title of my message this Sunday, a reflection on how God has and continues to, offer us life in unexpected ways, and in the most dire of circumstances. See you online at 10:30 am….    -Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week's message is taken from Genesis 21:8-21. The Sermon Title isYOUR IDENTITY & DESTINY: DETERMINED BY GOD OR PEOPLE? In the "Sound of the Genuine," Howard Thurman asks the question: What is your name--who are you.--can you find the sound of the genuine in yourself? He goes on to write, if you cannot hear the sound of the genuine in you, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls. In our text for this week, Sarah and Abraham cast Hagar and Ishmael out into the wilderness, because Sarah did not want Ishmael to inherit with "her son." Ishmael was both the child of a slave and Abraham's son. He was the child Sarah planned to raise as her own if God failed to deliver on God's promise. Yes, Ishmael was the child of a slave but God extended the same ancestral promise to him as he extended to Abraham: I will make of you a great nation. How would Ishmael choose to identify...as a child of a slave or as a child of promise? The answer to this question would determine the trajectory of his life and his destiny. The same is true for us...what or who we allow to determine our identity significantly influences who we become and our ultimate destiny in life. So, will we allow God or people to determine the answer to the question: what is your name and who are you...really?-Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Is Anything Impossible for God?"  This question is raised in many places in the Bible, including our continuing story in Genesis. This week we will hear of the three men who visit Abraham and Sarah, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, to announce to them that God will give them a son. It seems that God will make a way after all, where there seemingly was no way. In Genesis 18:1-15 many themes arise, including the way God works through encounters with strangers, and invites us to be open to the words of life they may offer to us. Space is created for the possibility of New Life to be born. Our message on Sunday will include a word from our bishop, Karen Oliveto.  Also, a reminder that we will celebrate Communion together this Sunday. Gather your communion elements (bread/crackers and juice/wine) so that we can bless and share together.  One other request: If it is possible, would you take a picture of your home communion setting and send it to derekd@smokyhillumc.org?  We would like to put together a montage showing how people are celebrating communion in their own homes/spaces.  Include yourselves in the picture if possible!  Thanks - and we will see you Sunday morning - back at our regular 10:30 worship time.    -Pastor Derek Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

I will be preaching from Genesis 16:1-16 CEB and the sermon title is: "Where Have We Come From and Where Are We Going?" The question posed in the sermon title is something worth individual and collective reflection. There's no getting around the fact that our past (where we have come from) can impact and has implications for our future (where we are going). Moreover, we can never really know where we are going, if we are unclear about from whence we have come. That's not to say we are victims to our past. Rather, we possess the potential to allow the past and the ways it has shaped us--knowingly or unknowingly-- to negatively impact our future. In the sermon text, Hagar runs away from Sarai's mistreatment. Even though she is justified, God commands her to return. Why would God command such a thing? Could it be that our avoidance of difficult and uncomfortable circumstances keeps us from fully living into our future because we are still carrying baggage from the past?  - Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Is Faith a noun? Or is it a verb?  Perhaps it is both!  In Genesis 12:1 God says to Abram (who is not yet "Abraham"): "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you."  And then in verse 4, we see Abram's response: "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;"  After packing the Uhaul, Abram and Sarai went in search of a new land, which at that moment was nothing more than a promise. And so begins the Story of the Israelite peoples. It is Our Story. Our faith is not an assent to a particular set of beliefs, so much as a willingness to join God on this journey toward becoming human. As God chooses Abram and Sarai to be the bearers of the promise, so does God invite us to be "On The Way" with him still today. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 10:30, and we will celebrate God's continual call to God's people today. Our scripture is Genesis 11:30-12:9.  See you then!   - Pastor Derek  Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The story of Noah’s Ark, found in Genesis chapters 6-9, seems to have taken it’s place in Biblical literature in the children’s section of the library.  And certainly, there are components of the story that lend themselves to a child’s ears and sensibilities.  But it is no beautiful fairy tale.  Probably it fits in better as a horrific tale of death and destruction, leading toward repentance (God’s!), and ultimately promise and a new beginning.  This Sunday’s message, titled “A Beginning, An Ending, and A Turning,” explores the ways our understanding of God’s steadfast love for us, and for the world, helps us as we navigate the realities of sin, pain, and alienation.  I hope you will join us on Facebook Live Sunday morning at 10:30.  See you then…     -Pastor Derek   Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Beginnings.  This Sunday, known as "Trinity Sunday" in the Church Calendar, takes us back to the story of Creation in Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a.  We will be looking at it through two lenses: 1) How the dynamics of what we in the church call the Trinity are already at play (and I use that word deliberately!) during the creation of the universe; and 2) What this story of Creation says to folks who are wrestling with displacement and uncertainty in their lives and their world.  My message is titled, "The Corn-Popper God."  We will also be treated to a creative telling of the Creation Story from the Legleiter girls.  I look forward, as always, to worshiping together with you on Sunday!         -Pastor Derek   Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

It's Pentecost Sunday!  We hear once again of the Spirit's entry into the hearts and lives of Jesus' followers as they are gathered in Jerusalem.  And we are reminded of how the Holy Spirit "took hold of them," and formed them into a community with such fervor and love that nothing - literally nothing - could stop them.  They were empowered with gifts that God would use to spread Jesus' message to the far ends of the earth.  We will be hearing from some of our youth this Sunday, and my message titled, "A Sustaining Spirit," will be based on Acts 2:1-21 and 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13.  Don't forget to wear red! And we will see you online...     -Pastor Derek

This week's sermon text is Hebrews 12:1-3a CEB.  The title of the sermon is "God Called us to be Faithful, Not Successful".  Theodore Roosevelt once said that "comparison is the thief of joy." In today's culture, we often assess our own success based on that of others'.  Perhaps the comparison is not the problem but those to whom we compare ourselves. In today's text, we are told that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. These witnesses were people of faith who were faithful. They are people whose lives inspired us because they embodied and emulated the love of Christ. Families, communities, and the world became a better place because they were in it.           - Pastor Felicia Introduction - "The Curtain Rises" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This Sunday morning we will once again share in our communion liturgy, and you are invited to have communion elements (bread, juice, or wine) available as we worship together at 10:30. In chapter 6 of the Gospel of John, Jesus says "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty..."  We will enter into these words as the basis for the message "Giving Grace."  When we offer one another even the simplest of blessing, God's love is multiplied and miracles occur. Our sharing in communion is a reminder, a sign if you will, that we are loved, held, and renewed by God's ever-present spirit. I look forward to worshiping with you, virtually, this Sunday!          - Pastor Derek

The sermon title is "Chosen & Precious".Scripture:  1 Peter 2:1-9. Often, when we experience suffering or life becomes more challenging than we like, we begin to ask ourselves: "Where is God"? We begin to feel that God has abandoned or rejected us. At these moments, I want us to remember that we are chosen and precious in God's sight. This truth is the focus of this week's sermon. We will also contemplate why and what it means to be chosen and precious in God's sight. The short answer is because we said "yes" to Christ. Has your reason for saying "yes" to Christ changed? Has your relationship with Christ deepened or have you grown apart? I invite you to ponder these questions, in preparation for Sunday's sermon.    Enjoy the day and make time to enjoy some of this beautiful day. If I could, I would find an outdoor patio at a coffee shop and work. Oh well...     - Pastor Felicia

Here at Smoky Hill, we do not include the recitation of The Apostle’s Creed in our weekly worship.  My hunch is that some of you grew up in churches that did, and that you are very familiar with it.  There is that one line in it which stresses something central about Easter: “I believe in…the resurrection of the body.”  What does believing in the “bodily resurrection” of Jesus mean?  And is it something that is still relevant to Christians (and our life together) today?My message this Sunday is titled “The Word of Life Revealed” and is based on 1 John 1:1-5. I hope you will be joining us as we worship together!          - Pastor Derek

This Sunday in worship, we will join two of Jesus' disciples on that first Easter Sunday afternoon, as they are walking to a town called Emmaus. A stranger will be joining us as we walk, and we shall find out later that the stranger is none other than the Risen Christ himself. This story told in Luke 24:13-35, will give us clues about experiencing the presence of the Holy in the most unexpected ways, and in the most unexpected of circumstances.  I pray that you are well and that you are finding ways to nurture life and love during this time. And I so look forward to worshiping with you Sunday morning at 10:30.  Please join us on Facebook Live.        -Pastor Derek

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!    So echoes the ancient Easter greeting among Christ's followers. And so shall we proclaim it this Sunday in worship! Although you are receiving this on Good Friday, we know that Sunday is coming - and with it shouts of acclamation (muted though they may be a bit this year!). This Easter Sunday's message is given in two voices, with myself and Pastor Felicia each sharing our perspective on "Dying to Live."  Our scriptures for the morning are Matthew 28:1-10 and John 12:23-24. We also hope to be singing the traditional "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" along with United Methodists from around the globe.  If you are wondering where Hope and Life have been throughout these days of Coronavirus, come as we encounter together the power of God once again.  See you Sunday!         -Pastor Derek

Jesus' friends and followers entered into Holy Week uncertain about what the future was going to hold.  That week they encountered a darkness and a turn of events that threw everything that was familiar and they thought could be counted on into disarray.  Sound Familiar?  The Good News - for them and for us - is we do not walk through this time alone. We walk with Christ and with one another!  May we trust that God's love will sustain and keep us - always!   See you Sunday!          -Pastor Derek

"Are you feeling overwhelmed with all that is going on and with all you are dealing with? Do you feel like a shadow has been cast upon the world? You’re not alone. But, there IS good news! Very good news. Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook Livestream to get in touch with the things that remove the shadows and clear our hearts and minds, so our souls can reset and find rest!” - Ashley Given

This Sunday’s Sermon is entitled, “Taking Care of Yourself: Getting Back to the Basics.” The scripture text is taken from 1 Kings 19:1-9. As we socially distance ourselves as a public health precaution, a sense of fear, anxiety, and doom seems to be permeating our culture. I’m grateful that my journey of illness destroyed any illusion I had of control and has taught me, as one Positive Psychologist put it, to hunt the good...to look for what there is to be grateful for, even or especially in the midst of difficult circumstances. There are blessings and opportunities in the midst of our current health crisis. We are all being given an opportunity to pause, rest, and get back to the basics. If we take advantage of these opportunities, we will begin the process of taking care of ourselves. We don’t have control over the virus but we have control over how we respond to it. How we respond will either care and strengthen us against the virus or it will make us more vulnerable to it. Just as important, if not more so, how we respond can draw us closer to God or keep us distanced from God. We get to choose...  Pastor Felicia

Dear Friends, It is with very mixed emotions that I let you know we have decided to cancel worship and Sunday School this Sunday morning.  We are in a new, uncharted place as a society, and I believe we as a church want to be as helpful as we can in stemming the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Although we do not meet the 250 person gathering threshold, I believe it is prudent for us to follow the lead of many schools, and other organizations in canceling our gatherings. Just to be clear: this is not being done in panic mode. It is being done out of a desire to help stem the spread of the virus by being as cautious as we can. I believe it is part of being a good neighbor in our community. We will be offering an abbreviated worship service live-streamed at 10:30 via Facebook live. Click on the link for our Smoky Hill UMC Facebook page to connect https://www.facebook.com/smokyhillumc.org In the days ahead, we will be communicating about other gatherings and events at the church. It is likely that we will not be meeting in person for worship for several weeks. We will do our best to keep everyone up to date on these and other emerging issues by way of eblasts, the church website, the church sign, etc. This is a strange new landscape we are making our way into, and it is important that we lift one another up in prayer, as well as being attentive to those who may be most vulnerable in our community. If there are needs among us, like the early church, we want to be made aware of them so that we can help each other. The place we start, as always, is with prayer. I look forward to gathering together with you - virtually - this Sunday morning at 10:30. Pastor Derek

Healing was at the center of Jesus’ ministry.  Wherever he went, folks were eager for his touch upon their lives.  And a ministry of healing presumes there are hurting people looking to be restored.  This Sunday in worship, we will consider our own yearnings for wholeness – through the lens of Psalm 42.  And we will be offered the opportunity to share prayers for healing with one another.  Come Sunday – and let God touch your life!    -Pastor Derek

“How Is it With Your Soul?”  With this question, John Wesley invited those who were a part of the Methodist movement to dig deeper into their souls to give voice to their hopes and longings for a closer walk with God.  This First Sunday in Lent, we will use this question to reflect on the state of our own relationship with God – and be invited to spiritual practices intended to draw us closer to God’s love in Jesus.  Scripture is Matthew 11:28-30.  See you Sunday!   -Pastor Derek

 Ash Wednesday Service

"Crossing Boundaries"              Scripture:  Acts 1:6-8 Rev. Tezenlo Thong is the Superintendent of the Peaks/Pikes Peak District of the Mountain Sky Conference.  DS Thong will be preaching at both servicesand joining us for the Celebration of Ministryfollowing the last service.  

"Becoming Like a Child"Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley is an expert on the spiritual lives of children and writes, consults, mentors and teaches groups and organizations to meet the needs of the children they work with. She is an ordained minister in the UMC and currently works at Christ Church UMC, Louisville, KY.