Southport Trinity United Methodist Church

As we begin this advent season we remember that as they were once watchful for a baby, we are also now anticipating Christ's return.  Though things may get worse before it gets better, Pastor Taylor reminds us of the hope that it will get better.  That is the promise of the gospel.

On this, the last day of the Christian year, we are reminded of what Jesus has called us to do.

A man was given a sum of money.   Scared of losing the money when his boss asked for it back, he went and hid it in a hole.  Upon return the exact amount of money to his boss, his boss became angry that the man had done nothing with what he was given other than hide it away.  The man was unwilling to take a risk.  How about you?  What would you have done?

Rev. John Rice shares a unique perspective on prayer and how we can use prayers of blessing to share God's love with all around us.

On this All Saint's Sunday, we take time to look at the vision of heaven that John had.  What a glorious day we have to look forward to when the last of our tears will be wiped away.

Scripture is often complicated with nuances and layers, but today that is not so.  In this verse Jesus speaks plainly and clearly yet we still find a way to make this concept very complicated. 

The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus when they asked what they should do with the coins that had Caesar's face on them.  Jesus' answer teaches us more than just if we should pay taxes or not.

If God gives you 10 apples, do we actually give Him one back or do we take slices even from that for ourselves?

What does it really mean to be a cheerful giver?  It does not just mean giving money with a smile on your face.  Pastor Taylor shares what Paul was really talking about when he called us to be a cheerful giver. 

The Israelites were still in the desert and their water had long since run out.  They grumbled an complained to Moses once again.  Moses got frustrated with the people when they asked for water.  Had they not yet seen that God would provide?  Were they not grateful for what they had been given?  And an even bigger questions, was God as frustrated with the Israelites as Moses was?

We like math because math makes sense, it always adds up.  God's math, however, doesn't always add up in a logical or fair manner.  But that's the way of God's math because that's the way of His grace.

What could be better that just getting along?  Jesus gives us simple instructions on how to deal with conflict and yet we seem to try to find more "comfortable" ways.  Through Jesus' instructions we find that reconciliation can be far better than our ways.

Pastor Gary shares some important warnings found in the scriptures about how we should approach the scriptures and the importance of reading the Word for ourselves. 

Can you believe that Jesus entrusted the keys to the kingdom to Peter?  He did, and he entrusts those keys to us too.  So, what does that mean for us today?

A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter.  A as Jew Jesus should not have even been communicating with this woman and yet this story takes a turn and through this we see how his circle becomes increasingly bigger throughout his ministry.

Jesus commanded Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water.  But how many times do God or Jesus do that?  Have you ever noticed that when our Lord speaks, things happen?

Five thousand or more were fed with two loaves and a few fish.  They were not only fed but were filled.  What does that say about our God?  In this world of scarcity, how can we find abundance?

Jesus explained to his disciples what the Kingdom of God was like through parables and at the end asked if they understood.  Of course they said, "yes, boss."  But did they?  Do we?  How is it that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, or yeast, or a treasure in a field?

Paul writes to the the church in Rome, a church that is meeting in catacombs and praying to not be caught by the Romans.  All they see is persecution and they ask, "Paul, is there any hope?'  There is hope, even for us today, a hope that is in the unseen.

We have often looked at Matthew 13:1-9 from the standpoint of what kind of soil we need to be in order to receive the word.  But have you ever thought about the sower?  Why did he just throw seed everywhere?  Did he not know the basics of good farming or was God trying to tell more about his character and how extravagant his grace is?

We have been given a mission and have been sent...but what is our mission and to where should we go?

Among his many miracles, Jesus healed people and raised them from the dead.  Does this still amaze you or have you become so accustomed to the stories that there is little wonder left in them?  We should all still stand in amazement of what Jesus did for us.

The book of Luke shares some stories that are not found in the other four gospels and many times these stories are about those considered as lowly or outcast.  Luke wanted to make sure to share Jesus' love for these people. 

When Jesus came into the temple and saw they money changers taking advantage of those coming to worship he got angry.  "This is to be a house of prayer," he said.

Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured...there are four important questions that can be taken from this story to help us evaluate our walk with Jesus.

Three different blind men were healed by Jesus, each differently.  In this we can see that each of us may experience Jesus differently and yet it is with the same compassion that Jesus comes to each of us.

The book of Mark describes Jesus in different ways than the other three gospels.  Jesus is awe inspiring, human, empathetic, compassionate, and moving in our current lives.  

When you are tired and weary, when the world is overwhelming, when all feels lost, Jesus says, "come."  Come all ye weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Jesus dined with sinners and the Pharisees questioned him.  Do we still do the same with people in Christianity?

The scriptures today give a synopsis of Jesus ministry in three ways.  As we continue in the book of Matthew we look at a defining moment in Jesus' life and the three things that defined his ministry.

To begin the new year Pastor Mark shares 7 practical ways to help embrace the new.

As we enter a new year we look at the clean slate.  For some it looks scary knowing what is ahead. For some it looks like great possibilities.  And for others they are still reeling from the past year and are having trouble looking ahead at all.  But in all of these, we must know that there is hope, and not just hope but where that hope comes from.

When we lean into God and feel his love our fear can fade away.  

It is not always easy to do but always a good reminder to first, choose love.

Sometimes we look at big names in the Bible and think they had no flaws.  That God chose them because they did it all right.  But that is not the case in the Bible.  Many of our heroes have made big mistakes and yet God uses them anyway and He is there with them through it all.

You are holy and precious to God.  He will not discard you.  He will come beside you and uphold you with his mighty right hand.

As a follow up to the Human Trafficking conference held at Trinity the day before, Jim Foster of International Justice Mission shares moving stories as well as how we can help with a very difficult and important issue.

In conclusion: God is God and we are not.  Pastor Stuart uses Ecclesiastes to help unpack that. 

God did not create us to do everything ourselves.  He created us to be in community with one another and to learn to lean on each other.  When live get's hard it's good to remember that we are better together.

One of the most well known scriptures in Ecclesiastes says that everything has it's time under heaven.  But where is it you focus your time?  

The beginning of a new series on Ecclesiastes starts with a scripture touting everything as meaningless, everything the same, and nothing new under heaven.  But, as Pastor Stuart will share, there is something new and it is what brings all meaning. 

We have all been hurt at some point in our live.  Pastor Gary outlines what is God's responsibility and what is our responsibility in order to begin healing from the damage.

I a world filled with division it is important to remember that we, as Christians, can come together, even in our differences, to be the body of Christ.

Things happen in our lives, or we do things that bring us shame and regrets.  As we focus on the Cross and Key Prison ministry this week, Pastor Mark shares that for all of us our hope is found in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

When you feel discouraged and all is lost know that God is there with you.

Psalm 31 paints quite the picture of a woman and mother.  There is so much to be learned from our own moms and those who have been mother figures in our lives. 

Jesus has done so much for each of us.  It is our job therefor, to go and tell the world.

There are important lessons we can pick up from our fathers that point to helping us live our our biblical purpose.

God is our master gardener.  He is the one in charge.  Sometimes we are tempted to be the one to pluck the weeds out of the field before the harvest.  But God says that is His job and we should grow together.  

A powerful question...what kind of legacy will you leave.  Does it point to love?  Does it point to Jesus Christ?

It's Fourth of July weekend and a good time to look at what America was founded on.  Also a great time to get back to the basics of what our faith is founded on.