Sunday Sermons from Trinity UMC Lincoln, Nebraska

Does everything really happen for a reason?It's something we've all heard—and maybe even said ourselves. When life feels chaotic or painful, it can be comforting to believe that every event is part of a grand, divine plan. But what if this idea isn't the whole truth?Join us as we explore the phrase “everything happens for a reason” and question its deeper implications. Spoiler alert: there is a MUCH better way to understand God's presence in our lives!

What if the worst thing that could ever happen to you wasn't the end of the story?It's EASTER! So, this week we'll tell the story that changes everything, transforming even our deepest sorrow by the power of God's goodness. It gives us a way to face life's challenges with confidence and hope. Because, even in the darkest moments, the story isn't over yet.CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

What if true triumph doesn't look like power and glory, but humility and peace?Join us for Palm Sunday... We'll explore a story that flips the script on power and success. Instead of parades of glory and armies of might, it's about a humble man on a donkey, showing us a new way to prepare for something actually worth giving your life to.

Is sacrifice just about loss, or is it about creating something sacred?Join us as we explore the powerful connection between sacrifice and the sacred. Through the story of King David, we'll uncover how true sacrifice transforms ordinary actions into meaningful acts of love and dedication. We'll see what it means to truly give.We'll also receive Holy Communion— a reminder, among other things, of God's sacrifice to make YOU holy.

What if prayer isn't about you talking to God, but about God talking to you?This morning, we're flipping the script on prayer. It's not just about asking for things or presenting a list of needs—it's about listening. What if prayer could reveal a deeper purpose for your life? What if God is already calling you to something greater, and all you have to do is say, “Speak, I'm listening”?Join us as we explore how prayer can open the door to discovering God's will, not just for your life, but for the world. Whether you're new to faith or not even sure what you believe, this sermon offers a fresh take on prayer that just might change how you see it forever.

What would it take for you to tear the roof off for someone in need?This week we define the churchy word, “Ministry,” exploring what it really means, including real stories of lives transformed by generosity and faith in action. Join us as we celebrate the ways we're making a difference together and ask the question: What does God want to do through you?

How are you different than you were decades ago?Most of us have come a long way! It's good— deeply good— to reflect on the journey. The gratitude we feel is powerful.Join us as we kick off not just a new sermon series, but our campaign to start saving for a sanctuary. Today's message will have you considering your story along with Trinity's story—it may be one of the more powerful messages of the year. (Seriously, Pastor Jeff was near tears when he wrote it!)

What if greatness isn't what you think?In a world where success is often measured by power and status, Jesus offers a radically different perspective: true greatness is found in humility.Join us as we hear Jesus's call to let go of pride and embrace the beauty of our true selves. Come and see how smallness is the secret to something far GREATer than you can find any other way!

What if giving something up could actually give you more?Lent starts this week, and this is our last Sunday to make a plan. But, Lent isn't about rules or restrictions—it's about making a choice to bring balance, purpose, and deeper meaning to your life.Join us as we explore how the rhythm of feasting and fasting are both important— Mardi Gras and Lent are BOTH important!

Ever known someone who's actions betrayed the true state of their heart?I'll bet you thought of something negative just now. But isn't it also true of positive, pure hearts? The question is: how do we cultivate the RIGHT kind of heart so that we live with the RIGHT kind of actions?Join us as we hear what Jesus has to say about it. It just might transform your entire life!

What if fear wasn't your only option?When life feels overwhelming, and the storms seem too big to face, we feel lost, powerless, and anxious. But what if there's another way to respond?Join us as we explore how shifting our focus can transform the way we face life's challenges. I promise you can find Jesus In the Storm!

What if the chaos isn't meant to be sorted out—at least not yet?This week, we'll explore the parable of the wheat and the weeds, a story that speaks to the messy, intertwined reality of good and bad in our world.With patience and a fresh perspective, discover how to nurture what's good without being consumed by what's not. Whether you're new to faith or just curious about what this ancient wisdom can mean for you, join us!

Ever feel like you're building your life on quicksand? Like every step forward sinks you deeper into uncertainty? Join us as we explore what it takes to build a life that stands firm when everything else is shaking. Whether you're struggling with big decisions, feeling stuck, or just wondering if there's a better way forward, join us for an honest conversation about finding solid ground in an unstable world.

Ever feel awkward talking to the ceiling?  You're not alone. Prayer can feel strange, especially if you're new to it or haven't done it in a while. This Sunday, we're exploring the world's most famous prayer - but don't worry, this isn't your typical "thoughts and prayers" conversation. Join us as we unpack the Lord's Prayer, not as a religious ritual, but as a practical guide for connecting with something bigger than ourselves. No perfect words required. No religious background needed. Just bring your honest self.

Ever lick a salt rock? (Don't.) But try eating a meal without any salt, and suddenly that tiny sprinkle becomes everything. This Sunday, we're diving into Jesus' surprising take on influence – and why the smallest dash of purpose might be exactly what your world needs.Join us in person or online, as we explore Matthew's Gospel and discover how being salt and light isn't about grand gestures, but about showing up in ways that make life worth savoring.

Have you ever felt pulled in two different directions, knowing what's right but feeling drawn to something else?We all face temptations, but they're more than just choices between good and bad - they're moments that reveal where we need God most. Turns out your greatest struggles aren't just about willpower, but something deeper.Join us as we explore Jesus' encounter with temptation in the wilderness and discover how our moments of greatest weakness can become opportunities to experience God's strength.

Have you ever seen the heavens broken open?Today's worship is special: we celebrate the Confirmation of a bunch of our youth— claiming the reality of their baptism. And we'll do it while hearing the story of when Jesus himself was baptized.

Everyone's family tree has some interesting branches. Some we celebrate, others we'd rather forget. But in God's hands, even the most complicated family histories can become channels of grace. This Sunday, explore how Jesus' own family tree shows us that God delights in transforming our messy pasts into stories of redemption. Join us as we discover how our own family stories, with all their complexities, fit into God's greater story of Christmas and salvation.

In this special sermon, the focus is on Joseph's side of the Christmas story as told in Matthew's gospel. The sermon explores Joseph's difficult decision when he finds out Mary is pregnant, his compassion and righteousness, and the monumental choice between doing the hard thing or the harder thing. Through deep reflections and personal stories, it highlights the importance and challenges of saying yes to God, giving up control, comfort, and convenience, and opening oneself up to blessings beyond imagination. Join us as we dive into Joseph's experience and find inspiration for our own lives.

What do you expect this Christmas? Christmas isn't just about what happened 2,000 years ago, it's about what we expect to happen today. Jesus didn't just come, he IS COMING. And when you let that expectation shape your life, it changes everything. Join us this morning at 9 and 10:30, in person or online, as we raise our expectations high for what Jesus will do this season!

Ever try to buy happiness? Did it work?Any craftsperson knows that you have to use the right tool for the right purpose. Money is a tool that most of us don't use well— or at least not always for the right purpose.There's a better way!Join us as we hear an ancient tip from Jesus— a difficult tip, but one that has the potential to set us free!

Jesus talked more about money than he did about prayer, yet the lofty idea of a “tithe” is the only way some churches ever talk about it.Join us to catch a vision for a better way to think about what you give. And the best part— as we saw last week, your heart will follow!

When you die, hopefully many years from now, what do you want your obituary to say? Most of us want to be known less for WHAT we did and more for WHO we were. Yet, we spend far too little cultivating the things that really matter. Join us as we start a new series designed to grow us into the BEST kind of people. Come and learn to be truly GENEROUS— of heart, time, energy, resources, and soul!

Join us as we finish the Do Unto Others series what may be the simplest but most profound “todo” you've ever received!

Today's sermon will be the best sermon that's ever been offered to God. Ok, maybe not… we're talking about humility.

The Do Unto Others series may be changing the world a little, but it's changing US a LOT!This morning the stakes get higher still, as we look at what we really mean by a common four-letter word, a word that taps into the very heart of God: LOVE.

Join Pastor Katherine Ebling-Frazier for this week's message!

How many times have you listened to another person and thought, “That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard?” Ok, maybe don't answer that out loud. This morning's installment in the Do Unto Others series is on respect. And the takeaway from it is so deceptively simple— a small rewording of a question you think every day that has the power to change how you relate to everyone you meet. (Maybe it even has the power to heal our divided society.)

Why is kindness so powerful? What can we as healthy, responsible Christians bring to our divided society, especially in this season where politics brings it all to the surface? Kindness is a simple idea with great power, and the reasons for it connect directly to God. This morning, we'll look at WHY kindness has such impact, and learn how we can make a positive impact on those around us no matter what!

Every now and then, it pays to ask why we do the things we do.Today, we're asking why Christianity (and religion in general) matters. It starts with the hard questions that come sooner or later for us all, but ends in tremendous, life-giving hope.

Every week we talk about being “fully alive in Christ.” But what does it mean?This week's scripture is THAT one— the one where Jesus says he came so that YOU “could live life to the fullest.” Come for a vision of who we are as a church and of what God wants for your life.Join us as we let God's love overflow!

We've come to the end of the Basics series, on what it means to be Christian and United Methodist. But what does it all mean? What difference does it make? If grace is true, and if all people matter, then it means we have a very particular responsibility to LIVE our faith. Join us as we talk about the Kingdom of God and our United Methodist Social Principles. We'll tackle hard questions. And hear a story of John Wesley having a BULL TURNED LOOSE on him. Not unrelated— and TOTALLY worth it! See you there!

Do you have as many friends as you like? GOOD, close, deep friends? Yeah, most of us probably answered “no” to that. Don't blame yourself, it's part of being human— we were made for relationship! But don't worry— God has a plan for that! Today we continue our series on the “Basics” of faith. This week: the importance of— and the solution to— our need for community. Come and make a friend this morning!

Can you think of a time you experienced love so deeply that nothing else mattered? We've been talking about the pillars of what we believe… but let's be honest, we can never truly comprehend GOD. Our beliefs are always imperfect. This time we take a different approach, one at the heart of United Methodism: looking for God in our EXPERIENCES. That question at the top is only the beginning. Join us— you may find your heart strangely warmed!

Do you pray? What even is prayer? We all know prayer is a basic part of being Christian, but most would have a hard time saying what is. Perhaps even fewer of us do it as regularly as we'd like. Today we continue the Basics series with a simple definition of prayer, a highly relatable story from United Methodism, and three steps to becoming a better pray-er and unlocking its inner benefits.

If someone asked “Why are you Christian,” what would you say? Today we start a new series: BASICS: The Heart of Christianity and United Methodism. Each week we'll look at one of the basic principles of what it means to be Christian and also at the nuance we bring as United Methodists. It will be good for all of us, whether you're a life-long Christian or new to the faith. Join us as we start with the #1 thing to know: GRACE!

Sometimes change is really hard. It means giving up the comfort of what we know. Join us for Faith at the Movies! We'll talk about Kung Fu Panda 4, where Po resists a new thing because he doesn't want to give up the life he knows. Not only will it be fun to watch movie clips, but it will speak to anyone in transition— whether it's the transition to a new grade, a new school, a new job, or a new phase of life!

How much story can a single phrase contain?Today we wrap up the Wonder Women of Faith series with the story of woman in the Bible you've probably never heard of: Lydia. Only four verses even remotely talk about her, but one phrase reveals just how remarkable— and brave— she was.Join us as we find inspiration from the journey of Lydia: The Brave!

It's always easier to do nothing. This morning we hear from another Wonder Woman of Faith who was SO tempted to just hope somebody else would take care of things. But when she stepped up and answered God's call… well, you'll see what happens! Join us for the exciting story of Esther!

Mary had been through some stuff. We don't know all the details, but we know enough to see that Mary was in desperate need of help. She found it— in Jesus— and she became perhaps his most loyal follower. And her example calls to us all. Join us— you may discover how Jesus helps with what YOU need, too!

It's time… This morning we start a fun Summer series: Wonder Women of the Bible! Join us as we introduce the series, then hear the story of a Bible hero you may not know: Deborah, the Warrior. The traits she embodies will inspire us all!

What do you do when “seas” get “rough?”Today we have a story of Jesus where the disciples are facing a literal rough sea. But Jesus doesn't simply calm the storm. Instead, he invites them to take an action that NONE of them saw coming.Join us-- you'll leave with four steps that will help you with whatever storm you're facing!

Have you ever met someone that changed you life? This morning, we read a story from the Bible about just such an encounter. A woman who meets a man at a well, and finds herself forever different. And like all such stories, the REAL story is how the ripples that come from it change those around us. Join us as we read the story of the Woman at Jacob's Well— YOU may leave a different person, too!

You know that feeling when you're lost? Ok, how about when your LIFE feels lost? Join us as we hear the story of a man who came to Jesus in the middle of the night seeking more. Jesus' answer showed him just how much more there was… and introduced him to the process of accepting the gift of true life.

Memorial Day Weekend is about remembering and connection— remembering those who've sacrificed for us, connection with those we love. Today, we'll talk about that connection and how it is also connection with God— the one who loves us most and has given the most for us. Join in to deepen your experience this weekend, to become a more whole, balanced person.

Ok. So we trust that God is transforming the world. But we still wonder how it's even possible. This time, we wrap up our Easter series on God's dream for the world, looking at HOW God “makes all things new.” The answer may surprise you not because of how big it is, but because of how small. Join us to see what God can do with YOU!