Sydenstricker United Methodist Church Podcast

Morning Service: “Close to the Brokenhearted” How do we become a place of sanctuary and healing for the world around us? Scripture: Psalm 34:15-22

Evening Service: "Who Was St. Valentine?" What was his relevance and what is his connection to Valentine's Day? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Morning Services: “ What is Transfiguration?” What is the significance of transfiguration for us today? Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Morning Service: “Love Survives” In the midst of trial, Paul writes about love. How does it help us overcome obstacles and adversity? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Evening Service: "Why Did God Decree Celebrations?" Why did God decree specific celebrations and observance for the Jewish people? Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Morning Service: "The Tree Flows" Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 What does the Jewish holiday of Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, teach us? How does the rising of the sap bring us hope?

Morning Service: "God is Present" Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 God has a plan of redemption for the world and our role is to witness, share and invite.

Evening Service: “Modern Evangelistic Techniques” Scripture: Mark 6:7-13 How do we identify our neighbors and invite them into relationship?

Morning Services: “Who is My Neighbor?” Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 What does the parable of the Good Samaritan tell us about who we are to be?

Evening Service: "Baptism and Theology" What is the history of baptism and what is its theological basis? Scripture: Mark 1:1-11

Morning Service: "What is Baptism?" Scripture: Mark 1:1-11 We will explore the Wesleyan concept of baptism as we consider how, and why we baptize and its relationship to salvation.

Morning Service: "Service of Gifts" Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-6; 9-12 Members of the SUMC family will share their gifts and graces as we celebrate Epiphany.

Morning Services: “Theology in Christmas Songs” Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 2:11-14 Is there theological reference and relevance in Christmas music?

Morning Services: “Advent Series: Adoption is the Key” Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 What does Joseph's story tell us about the importance of adoption and how to love our neighbor?

Evening Service: “ “What is the Difference Between Hymns and Carols?” Scripture: Galatians 4:4–5; Luke 2:10–11; Psalm 98:4 Does it matter what, where and when we sing during the Advent season?

Morning Services: "Advent Series: ”Hope in the King" What does the ministry of John the Baptist teach us about who Jesus was and why we wait in excitement for his arrival? Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Evening Service: "Christmas Star and Other Wonders" Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 2:1-2; 8-10 What is the truth behind the Christmas star, the wise men, the shepherds and other Christmas traditions?

Morning Services: "Advent Series: While We Wait" Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 What does it mean to be patient and urgent at the same time while we wait for Jesus' return? What must we do to get right with God?

Evening Service: "Why Advent" Where did the celebration of Advent begin and why is it important to us today? Scripture: Isaiah 7:14; John 1:29; John 2:1

Morning Service: "An Unexpected Arrival" Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 Jesus talks about what is yet to come. How does this colliding of past and future shape what we expect?

Evening Service: "Why God Needs to Be King" How did kings came to be in the Hebrew faith and why do we need God to be our ultimate King today? Scripture: Psalm 1; Samuel 8:6-22

Morning Services: "On That Day" Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-9 Zechariah prophesied of the day when Christ will come in final judgment. What will that day look like and why does it provide hope for us?

Evening Service: “How Do We, As Christians, Understand Mental Illness?” Scripture: Psalm 147:3-5; Jeremiah 30:17-20 As Christians, what can and must we do about mental illness?

Morning Services: “The Promise” Scripture: Zephaniah 3:12-20 Zephaniah promises that God will come and bring the restoration of Israel. Has this already happened and what does it mean for the rest of us?

Evening Service: “Is Organ Donation Properly Christian?” Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Isaiah 65:17-18 Exploring Christian understanding of organ donation and the impact on the body.

Morning Services: "Organ and Tissue Donation” Why does the UMC Book of Discipline advocate organ donation? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13

Evening Service: ”Freedom Requires Responsibility” Scripture: Luke 12:13-21 We have received freedom from death as a gift from God. What must we do to acknowledge and give back for such a gift?

Morning Services: “He Will Come Again” Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-21 Paul writes to remind us that Christ is coming and that we must be strong and courageous. When will it happen and what must we do to prepare?

Evening Service: "Good Deeds or Good Discipleship?" Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12; 4:10 We do good things but when does what we do become good discipleship? When do the good deeds we do become discipleship, and what sets good deeds apart from obedience to God?

Morning Services: "My Will or Thine" Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 24:13-15 How did the concept of free will come to be and how does it set us apart from other religious understandings?

Evening Service: Laity Sunday "Strength in Spirit" Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Morning Service: Laity Sunday "Forgiveness" Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24

Evening Service: Youth-Led Service "Thankfulness" Scripture: Psalm 136:1-5

Morning Services: Children's Sabbath "Two Little Words" Scripture: Psalm 136:1-5

Evening Service: "A Sacramental Question" Scripture: Matthew 26: 26-29

Morning Services: "Communion, More Than a Meal" Scripture: Matthew 26: 26-29 What is the significance of communion? What do the elements represent and how do we understand the presence of Jesus at the table?

Evening Service- "Stewardship" Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Morning Services- "Test Me, Says the Lord" Scripture: Malachi 3:5-12 Malachi reminds us that we have much because of God and, in return, God requires much of us.

Evening Service- "What Are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?" Scripture: Exodus 12:2; Leviticus 16:20-22

Morning Services- "Extravagant Generosity" Scripture: Luke 10:30-37 What did John Wesley view as "extravagant generosity" and what does that look like?

Evening Service- "Navigating Social Media" Scripture: Proverbs 12: 16-23

Morning Services- "Intentional Faith Development" Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16 What does personal discipleship look like, and how does SUMC help individuals along the discipleship path?

Morning Services- "Risk-Taking Mission" Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46 What is risk-taking mission and how do we know if what we are doing fits the description?

Evening Service- "Do the Ten Commandments Still Apply?" Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20

Morning Services- "It's Not Just About God's Money" Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; 1 John 3:16-18 Stewardship is about much more than just money

Evening Service- "Why Does Social Justice Matter?" Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:18 and 24:17

August 24 Morning Services- "Passionate Worship" Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:15-21 What does passionate worship look and feel like?

Evening Service- "Why Does Social Justice Matter?" Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:18 and 24:17

Morning Services- "Radical Hospitality" Scripture: Hebrews 9:9-15 What does "radical hospitality" mean and how do we, as a congregation, extend it?

Morning Services "Connecting Through Music" Scripture: Ephesians 5:17-20; Matthew 26:26-30

Evening Service "How Did We Sing Hymns Without Hymnals? Scripture: Psalm104:31-33; Colossians 3:16