Our mission is to be a Christ-centered church that boldly serves, accepts, loves, and teaches. We hope these messages proclaim the good news of God's grace to you and inspire you love God and your neighbor.
Pastor Debra's last Sunday at St. Elmo UMC. The message is from Romans 5:1-5 and focuses on how we experience the Trinity. Personal experiences from the recent Annual Conference were shared, as well as how we experienced the Trinity in worship. For the entire service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
For Pentecost Sunday, we looked at being God's children, God's heirs, and how the same Spirit that was available at the day of Pentecost is available to us today. For the entire service, check it out here on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhWblD1OUo
Ascenscion of the Lord Sunday passage from Luke 24:44-53. For the entire service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg For this particular service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdi_u-0y5do
Sermon from John 14:23-29, focusing on the love and peace that God offers. For the entire service, go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On the 4th Sunday of Easter, the message came from Psalm 23: "Caring Shepherd". We looked at different versions of the Psalm and considered how the caring shepherd meets us in our lives. For the entire service, go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On this 3rd Sunday of Easter we explore having breakfast with Jesus-- the physical meal he offers to the disciples and the healing and redemptive relationship he offers to Peter (and the others in their presence). Check out the entire service on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On the 2nd Sunday of Easter we studied Psalm 150 and focused on praise: whom, what, where, how, and who. We looked at the example of child who offered us contagious excitement about Easter. For the entire service, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
We celebrate the risen Christ on this Easter Sunday as we look at the passage from Luke 24:1-12 and the empty tomb. For the entire service, you can visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg The Easter service can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4_14-p2KEA
We celebrate Jesus' journey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, thinking through today's passage and celebrating with the crowd. For the entire service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The Scripture for the 5th Sunday in Lent is Isaiah 43:16-21 as we explore the "new thing" that is being done in the wilderness. For the entire service, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The Scripture passage for the 4th Sunday in Lent is Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. We used several readers to "act out" the passage. Today's passage brings out the themes of relationships and belonging. For the entire service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On this 3rd Sunday in Lent we look at Luke 13: 1-9 and explore the phrase 'changed hearts and lives'. There were technological difficulties connecting to Facebook, so there is no complete service there or on YouTube for this week.
For the 2nd Sunday in Lent we looked at the passage in Luke 13: 31-35 and how Jesus wasn't deterred from his mission and ministry. For the full service, go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On the first Sunday in Lent, the Scripture passage is Luke 4:1-13 in which Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit. We prayed a Lenten prayer by Steve Garnaas-Holmes that reminded us that the wilderness beckons us. Then entire service can be found here on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-HqEfxwySw
The Ash Wednesday message is from Psalm 51:1-12, 19. The version is Nan Merrill's Psalms for Praying. For the entire Ash Wednesday service, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKqG-JpxBo
We look at Jesus' transfiguration/transformation experience through the Luke passage in 9:28-36 and enter into the story to consider what this experience might have been like. For the entire service, go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The Scripture passage is Psalm 37:1-11 and the focus is responding to the Lord as this passage teaches us. To watch the entire service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The Scripture passage from Jeremiah 17:5-10 helps us know where to turn our hearts and what the results are, even through difficult times and transitional times. For the entire service, you can watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Cha41GzF8
The Scripture reading is from Psalm 138. We looked at the people and things for which we are thankful and the things that David mentions in the Psalm. For the full service, you can go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The final sermon in the short series with our friends from the 100 Aker Wood. The focus is on community. Acts 2:41-43 is the Scripture passage. Eeyore, Pooh, and Owl help us understand what it means to live in community and what that looks like as unique and diverse individuals.
Continuing the series we began last week, our Scripture readings this week came from Romans 12:9-18 and John 13:34-35. We looked at how Kanga, Tigger, and Rabbit lived into the ways of loving others. For the entire service, you can visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On this 2nd Sunday after Epiphany we looked at Romans 12:3-8 from The Passion Translation (TPT) and discussed the grace-gifts mentioned. We looked at the gifts from the view of some of friends in the 100 Aker Wood to remind us we are all gifted and gifted uniquely. To take a gifts inventory, go here: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory/en To watch the entire service on YouTube, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36xRpxtv418
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday we looked at two Scripture readings: Isaiah 43:1-2 and Luke 3:15-7, 21-22. We looked at what it means and how it feels to be called by name and to be loved dearly by God. The full service can be watched here on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrCIOEuHTfE
The Scripture for this Epiphany Sunday is Matthew 2:1-12, focusing on the Magi's visit to the Christ Child. Their journey wasn't quite what they expected and they ended up going a different way home. How are our journeys not quite what we expect? How can we watch and listen for the guidance along the way?
On this 1st Sunday after Christmas, we look at Luke 2:41-52 and explore the question in the title of whether or not Jesus was really lost, as his parents seemed to think. We look at our "lostness" too and how we can know our bearings. The entire service can be found here on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eO0-4CYSeU
Today's Advent message "God Broke Through the Chaos with Peace" comes from Luke 2:8-20. We explore the meaning of peace and how we can have peace in and through chaos. To watch the entire service, visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On this 3rd Sunday of Advent we light the candle of joy and look at how God broke through the impossible with a miracle. The Scripture passage is Luke 1:26-38, in which we find two miracles offered. We reflect on what the "impossible" situations are for us and what miraculous breakthroughs we might need. To watch the service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCT35jZTUM
On the 2nd Sunday of Advent we focused on the theme of "light" from John 1:1-14 and we talked about light and darkness. One is not better than the other. They both have good qualities, depending on circumstances. If you want to watch the entire service and hear the songs, tune in to it on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrJ9dfdyrdw
Our Advent series is based on the book by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, "God Broke Through at Christmas". On this first Sunday of Advent, we explore how God Broke Through the Silence with the Word, looking at Psalm 62. We lit the candle of hope.
The Scripture on this Christ the King Sunday comes from John 18:33-37, a dialogue between Pilate and Jesus. For the entire service, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
This sermon is from Hebrews 10:11-25. At the beginning of the sermon, last week's "Canticle of Love" (UMH #646) is shared, as it leads into the message. The title comes from verse 24, though I mistakenly typed "Speaking" instead of "Sparking" on the Order of Worship and it was printed everywhere. :) The entire service can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4UE5qnNuJ0
Today's sermon comes from Psalm 127-- where the Psalmist reminds us that unless the Lord builds the house-- is in charge, it is pointless, in vain, useless. We ponder the question-- 'who is in charge?' of our daily lives, decisions, our faith community, etc. Check out the entire service on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq7xQE-kJOw (specific service)
We celebrated All Saints Sunday today, recognizing and remembering four saints from our faith community that have gone on before us this past year. The passage from Isaiah 25:6-9 reminds us that God swallowed up death for us. We explored what veils or shrouds might be covering us.
In today's passage from Mark 10:46-52, Jesus asks Bartimaeus this question: "What do you want me to do for you?" We look at where we find ourselves in this passage and how we might answer that question. The entire service can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
On this Laity Sunday, we used the yearly theme "Rise Up! And Revive God's Gift" with the Scripture passage from 2 Timothy 1:3-7. May the love of Christ compel you to live for the sake of others, sharing the gift of yourself, which is the gift of love from God. Our services are posted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
Today's message from Hebrews 4:12-16 reflects on the living, active word. Here is the YouTube service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnNKPjKDrwI
This is our final Sunday in our month-long focus on faith + mental health. Today's passage is John 5:1-18. We look at the man's story of healing and consider our story. For the entire service, here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WEkDU77LoE
On the 3rd Sunday in our "faith and mental health" series, we focused on the boundless love of God. Titus 3:4-7 was the main passage. We discussed how God goes to extremes to get our attention because of love. God offers love, hope, and healing to all. For the entire service, visit our Facebook page or watch here on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Vu3pvK5nE
Week 2 of our series on faith + mental health. Our focus verses were Psalm 139: 7-12 that reminded us we can not be out of the presence of God. We practiced Psalm 46:10 and discussed listening to God, self, and others. We looked at practical ways to work on our listening skills from chapter 3 of Steve Austin's book, Hiding in the Pews. For the full service, go to our FB page or YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
We kicked off our September "Faith + Mental Health" series with 2 Corinthians 11:27-30 and a discussion of being vulnerable, open, authentic. This series is based on "Hiding in the Pews: Shining Light on Mental Illness in the Church by Steve Austin. For the full service, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg or visit our FB page: www.facebook.com/saintelmoumc
James 1:17-27 offers us guidance to live by, including "be quick to listen" and "be doers of the word". Listen for more or check out the service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
Greg's message from John 6:56-69 encourages us to reflect on our salvation, how to see things, what we are eating, opening ourselves up to Christ, etc. For the full service, here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXXuN7CKZR4
Pastor Debra served as Chaplain at the United Methodist House at Chautauqua Institution from 8/15-8/22 and gave the morning message in their chapel on 8/15-- "God Feeds Us" from Psalm 111.
One of our Certified Lay Speakers, Danny Tullier, shared the word from Luke 15:11-32 on this day. Check out his message. For the video version of the sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGGpXZI0KeY of the entire service, here is our YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPRVqsQecw
The Scripture for this sermon: Ephesians 4:25-5:2.
In this sermon we unpack how we are to live worthily of the call from Ephesians 4:1-16, how we are to build one another up, and live in unity. The title comes from verse 1.
The message comes from Ephesians 3:14-21, with the title stemming from verse 17.
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 offers us an example of living into the inward/outward journey of mission and ministry as we make time to be-- rest, refill, replenish, and re-energize between giving and doing.
We look at Psalm 24 and explore what it means to have 'clean hands and pure hearts'. You can watch the entire service on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ExGQBL11R8s5f0nx-EJsg
The Scripture reading is 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (CEB) as we explore God's sufficient grace and think about where we most need grace in our lives.
Scripture from 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 reminds us that authentic love flows from the healing grace of Jesus Christ. What are our surpluses and what are our deficits?
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