Podcast appearances and mentions of sarah harrison mcqueen

Sermon preached on 2023-02-18  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, "Get Up and Don't Be Afraid"  Scripture,  Matthew 17:1-9 (CEB) Common English Bible. Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-02-11  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, "Walk this Way"  Scripture,  Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-02-04  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, "Little Altars Everywhere!"  Scripture,  Psalm 84 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-01-29  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, "Make My Day!"  Scripture,  Micah 6:1-8 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-01-22  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, "Lighten Up!"  Scripture,  Isaiah 9:1-4 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-01-15  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Spiritual Affective Disorder" Sermon, “Arise! Shine!"  Scripture,  Isaiah 60:1-6 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-01-08  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Generation to Generation" Sermon, “We Keep Seeking"  Scripture,  Matthew 2:1-12 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2023-01-01  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Generation to Generation" Sermon, “God Dwells with Us” Scripture,  John 1:1-14 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on 2022-12-24  by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Generation to Generation" Sermon, “We Tell the Story” Scripture,  Luke 2:1-20 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show

Sermon preached on April 17, 2022 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Translated into Vietnamese by Rev. Hieu Phan, Pastor of First Vietnamese-American UMC during our joint Easter worship service.Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "A New Normal.” Scripture, John 20:1-18.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

A joint worship service with Central UMC and Arlington Temple UMC. Scriptures readings by the Rev. Allie Rosner Bass, Pastor of Arlington Temple UMC, the Rev. John Conway, Minister of Health and Visitation for Central UMC, and the Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen, Senior Pastor of Central UMC.Apologies for the low audio quality of the recording.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on March 5 , 2022 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking." Sermon,  "Blessed are the poor in Spirit.” Scripture, Matthew 5:1-16Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on January 30, 2022 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "Parable of the Sower.” Scripture, Mark 4:1-34.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on January 16, 2022 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "The Temptation of Scarcity.” Scripture, Luke 4:1-13.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on January 2, 2022 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Sermon,  "A New Covenant.” Scripture, Jeremiah 31:31-34.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on December 24, 2021 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "The Light of the World.” Scripture, John 1:1–5, 9–10; 3:19–21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35–36, 46.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on December 18, 2021 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "Family Tree.” Scripture, Matthew 1:1-17.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on December 4, 2021 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon,  "Pregnant With Impossibilities.” Scripture, Luke 1:26–55.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-11-20 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon, “Are we there yet?” Scripture,  Isaiah 2:1–5 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-11-06 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon, “This is the way, walk in it.” Scripture,  Deuteronomy 7:7-9 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-10-16 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon, “Struggling for a Blessing.” Scripture,  Genesis 32:22-32 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-09-25 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "We Make the Road by Walking" Sermon, “Remember the Promise.” Scripture, Genesis 6:5-8, 13, 17, 8:1-21, 9:8-17 (CEB) Common English Bible.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

A joint worship service between Central UMC and the First Vietnamese-American UMC. The sermon is preached in both English and Vietnamese, with the Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen preaching in English and the Rev. Hieu Duc Phan preaching in Vietnamese.Scripture is John 1:1-17.In the beginning was the Word    and the Word was with God    and the Word was God.The Word was with God in the beginning.Everything came into being through the Word,    and without the Word    nothing came into being.What came into being    through the Word was life,    and the life was the light for all people.The light shines in the darkness,    and the darkness doesn't extinguish the light.A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn't the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.The true light that shines on all people    was coming into the world.The light was in the world,    and the world came into being through the light,        but the world didn't recognize the light.The light came to his own people,    and his own people didn't welcome him.But those who did welcome him,        those who believed in his name,    he authorized to become God's children,        born not from blood        nor from human desire or passion,        but born from God.The Word became flesh    and made his home among us.We have seen his glory,    glory like that of a father's only son,        full of grace and truth.John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.'”From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;    as the Law was given through Moses,    so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-02-28 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Roll Down, Justice!" Sermon, “How Long?” Scripture, Psalm 13.This worship series features the music of Mark A. Miller. Visit this link to hear his original composition, “How Long?” https://vimeo.com/154877065Over half of the liturgical songs of the Israelites were Psalms of Lament. Penned in a time of exile and persecution, these were poets trying to give voice to the pain of the people. Today we lament the injustice of our time and yet, like the Psalms of Lament, we end in praise anyway for “God is good, all the time.” We remember that even and especially in times of despair, through our baptism we are given the “freedom and power to resist evil in all its forms” as we “put our whole trust in God.” How will we put these words into action to show hope to the world?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-02-14 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "God is Holding Your Life." Sermon, “In God Alone.” Scripture, Psalm 50:1-6.“God speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.”The Psalm that comes at the end of our series speaks of an active God whose light shines for all time and in all places. God is not silent, but calls the people to remember that they, too, can act on God’s behalf, holding all suffering peoples in hands of prayer and care and transforming the world that will shine bright into the future. May it be so.Psalm 50:1-6Lukan Psalter translationADONAI our God speaks and summons the earthfrom the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,God shines forth. ADONAI comes and won’t be silent:a devouring fire goes before God,while storms rage all around. God summons heaven and earthto the trial of God’s people: “Gather to me my faithful ones,who make their covenant with me by sacrifice!”The heavens affirm God’s justicebecause it is God who is the judge!Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-01-24 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "God is Holding Your Life." Sermon, “In God Alone.” Scripture, Psalm 62: 5-12.In God alone my soul finds rest,for my deliverance comes from God, who alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress:I will never be shaken.Only in God—my deliverance, my glory—my refuge is God. Trust in God always, my people;pour out your hearts before God our refuge. Humankind is but a breath,mortals are just an illusion. Put them on the scales and the balance is thrown off:they weigh less than a breath. Do not trust in extortion,or put false hopes in stolen goods;do not set your heart on richeseven when they increase. For God has said only one thing,Twice have I heard it:that power belongs to God:Steadfast love is yours, ADONAI –you repay all people according to their deeds.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2021-01-10 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "God is Holding Your Life." Sermon, "Awe and Wonder.” Scripture, Psalm 29.Strength and peace is the prayer of the Psalm this week. The Psalmist says “let me count the ways” that we can know the strength of the Holy One. With awe and wonder we behold the presence of God in all the elements of creation–water, fire, air, earth. And it is this glory that assures us that God, indeed, is holding our lives.Psalm 29 Lukan Psalter translationGive glory to ADONAI, you heavenly court,give ADONAI glory and strength! Give forth the glory that God’s Name deserves,and worship ADONAI in the splendor of holiness! The voice of ADONAI resounds over the waters;the God of glory thunders over the raging seas. God’s voice is powerful,God’s voice is full of majesty. The voice of ADONAI snaps the cedars,shatters the cedars of Lebanon. It makes Lebanon skip like a calf,and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of ADONAI strikes with bolts of lightning; the voice of YHWH shakes the wilderness,the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of God twists the oaks,and strips the forests bare;and in God’s Temple all cry, “Glory!”ADONAI sits in judgment over the flood;ADONAI is its Ruler forever. Give strength to your people, ADONAI!Bless your people with peace!Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

A sermon preached for Central UMC on 2020-12-20 by the Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Advent Apocalypse." Sermon, "The Unveiling .” Scripture, Romans 16:25-27.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-11-22 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Unraveled." Sermon, "Finding Wisdom When Life Totally Unravels.” Scripture, Job 28:12-28.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-11-01 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Unraveled." Sermon, "Unraveled Shame.” Scripture, John 4:1-29.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-10-25 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Unraveled." Sermon, "When Humans Unravel God’s Plans for Justice.” Scripture, Exodus 7:8-23.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-10-18 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Unraveled." Sermon, "When Dreams Unravel.” Scripture, Jeremiah 29:1-7.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-09–20 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Unraveled." Sermon, "Unraveled by Grief.” Scripture, 2 Samuel 3:7; 21:1-14.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-08-30 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Haleakalā National Park, Journey.” Scripture, Matthew 17:1-8 .Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-08-16 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Saguaro National Park, Nurture.” Scripture, Isaiah 35.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-08-02 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Rocky Mountain National Park, Perspective” Scripture, Matthew 5:1-12.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-07-12 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Yosemite National Park, Trust." Scripture, Psalm 18.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-06-28 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Silence." Scripture, Lamentations 3:19-33 (CEB).Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-06-14 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Petrified Forest National Park, Time." Scripture, Ezekiel 37:1-14.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-05-31 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Exploring Holy Ground." Sermon, "Wind Cave National Park, Spirit." Scripture, John 20:19-23.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-05-03 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "The Heart of the Matter." Sermon, "Hearts Overflowing." Scripture, John 10:1-10.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-04-19 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "The Heart of the Matter." Sermon, "Our Bodies Remember." Scripture, John 20:19-31.The end of the sermon includes the body prayer created by Julian of Norwich. To see the video of this sermon please visit https://vimeo.com/409519618.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-04-12 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "The Heart of the Matter." Sermon, "Resurrection." Scripture, a Contemplative Reading of John 20:1-8 (original video located at https://vimeo.com/405057455). This short film tells the story of the empty tomb through time lapse art using the image, “Fullness of the Tomb” by Lauren Wright Pittman. Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-03-29 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Come to the Table." Sermon, "Come to the Table...at your house today." Scripture, Luke 19:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-03-22 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Come to the Table." Sermon, "Come to the Table...set in the presence of my enemies." Scripture, Psalm 23 (Revised Standard Version).The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil;for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-03-15 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Come to the Table." Sermon, "Come to the Table...for all." Scripture, Acts 11:1-18 New International Version (NIV)"The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-03-01 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Come to the Table." Sermon, "Come to the Table...of Grace." Scripture, Matthew 15:21-28.From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” But he didn’t respond to her at all.His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.”Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.”He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.”She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.This short pericope [scripture text] provides a raw, telling glimpse of the human Jesus, for this is the only instance in the Gospels when he loses an argument! Whenever he is confronted publicly Jesus always has a response to his questioners. But in this instance, his female Canaanite interlocutor manages to stump him – a major embarrassment for a middle- eastern man of the 1st century. More significantly, it appears that Jesus evolves in his thinking about the nature and scope of his ministry. He initially makes it clear to the woman that he has come for the sake of Israel, but by the conclusion of this episode something has changed. Could this be the moment when Jesus realized that the salvation he brought was to be for the nations as well?This story serves as a challenge to the closed religious mind – those who see faith as static and not subject to development. Jesus exhibits a willingness and ability to change and take on a new perspective. Are there any areas of your faith life where you might be closed-minded or short-sighted?How have you been challenged with a new perspective and way of articulating some aspect of your faith that made you feel uncomfortable, but resonated with you none-the-less?How does our encounter with and contemplation of the humanness of Jesus nourish our spirituality, identity as disciples, and faith life?(Source: https://episcopalchurch.org/library/bible-study/bible-study-proper-15-2017)Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on Ash Wednesday, 2020-02-26 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Come to the Table." Sermon, "Come to the Table...of Life." Scripture, Genesis 2:4-7.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-02-23 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Odd and Wondrous Calling." Sermon, "Word, Service, Discipleship, and Hospitality." Scripture, 1 Corinthians 12:4-27 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Paul is writing to the church in Corinth where one-upmanship is apparently a problem. Humans love a pecking order and knowing who is the most important in the room. Paul says that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, and the Spirit chooses who receives which gift. Gifts are not earned or deserved, they are simply given and received. This passage from Corinthians speaks helps us recognize the wonderful variety of gifts that the Holy Spirit provides and call us to recognize and receive these abundant gifts with open minds and open hearts for the common good. How do these words inform how we view our own spiritual gifts and those of others? What is one of your gifts that you use for the common good?How do you recognize spiritual gifts in others? Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2020-02-16 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Odd and Wondrous Calling." Sermon, "Word, Service, Sacrament & Order ." Scripture, 1 Timothy 4:1-16."The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."Reflection questions:Paul challenges Timothy to “train yourself for godliness.” (4:7) How are you doing this? What else could you do? What help do you need?When Paul challenged Timothy to “let no one despise you for your youth” (4:12) why would a person disrespect someone for their youth? What would cause an older person to disrespect a younger person? What characteristics does Paul challenge Timothy to develop in order to give no one the opportunity to disrespect him simply for being young? What is gained with age and what can be learned with training?Can the church help people ponder the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”What role does the church play in determining a person’s career path? What role do you think it should play?How have you heard God’s call in your life? How have you responded?Have you ever found yourself resisting God’s call? What kept you from heeding God’s voice?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on February 2, 2020, by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Won't you be my neighbor?" Sermon, "Who is my neighbor?" Scripture, Luke 10:25-37.25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”When Mister Rogers called his viewers “neighbors,” when he hosted us in his neighborhood for over thirty years, he was playing out his own greatest parable: calling us, gently but firmly, into lives of mercy and care for one another. He knew we wouldn’t always get it right, that we are prone, like the king he lovingly created, to bow to fear and to serve competition, to privilege our own safety and to neglect others’ real needs. Maybe, in calling us neighbors, he knew he was calling us something better than we actually were. But maybe he believed that if he got to us while we were young, if he told us, again and again, that we are good, that we are lovable, and that we can build bridges of mercy, maybe we could grow into real neighbors to one another. (Tuttle, Shea. Exactly as You Are. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Kindle Edition location 1541.)When you think about the neighbors in your circles, think of those you encounter in the following places:Geographical neighbors: where you liveMarketplace neighbors: where you workSocial neighbors: where you play – park, gym, coffeehouse, etc.How can you practically show them the love and life of Jesus?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on January 19, 2020, by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Won't you be my neighbor?" Sermon, "Walk the Walk." Scripture, Philippians 2:12-16. Philippians 2:12-16 New International Version (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. The phrase “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” in verse 12 may cause some confusion. Paul persistently taught that salvation is through faith and grace alone, and is in no way dependent on performing deeds. Now, he is telling the Philippians to work out their salvation? Verse 13 shows up who is the one at work. God is at work in us! We just need to say, “yes” to allow God to work in our lives. Paul wanted the church at Phillipi to cooperate with God’s work in them to produce a mature community of faith. Individual and communal spiritual maturity is the product of “working out” our salvation. “Fear and trembling” could also be understood as “awe and reverence.” John Wesley emphasized that embracing faith produced inward and outward holiness, also called sanctification. The process of sanctification is God at work in us and this holy work is worthy of our awe and reverence. When we say, “yes” to the grace that God offers to us and then God works in us to reduce the sin in our life and increase the love in our life. One of the ways that we say “yes” to God at work in our lives is through daily prayer and scripture study. “Prayer is not only a daily discipline that deepens our relationship with God; it also provides a way for us to be together in our aloneness.” (Hollingsworth, Amy. The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, p. 29. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.) What are the ways that you say, “yes” to God at work in your life? What is one way you can feel God working in your life? Do your inner attitudes match your outward actions and vice-versa? Do you have different standards of behavior when you are with different people? How does your life shines like the stars in the sky? Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on January 12, 2020, by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Won't you be my neighbor?" Sermon, "143." Matthew 22:34-40.Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” This week’s passage appears at the end of a series of debates with Sadducees and Pharisees. Jesus easily answered all questions, and finally, one of the lawyers asks: “Which commandment is the greatest?” (v. 36). Jesus responds with what Jewish people refer to as the Shema, “You shall love the Lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (See Deuteronomy 6:4-5.) It expands the first commandment found in Exodus: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus affirms these two commands are foundational. David Ewart writes: “As long as we observe both commandments, we can be confident we are on that Godly path. However, if we choose to ignore either love, we will soon find ourselves in a spiritual ditch.” (Source: https://episcopalchurch.org/library/bible-study/bible-study-proper-25-2014) "Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like 'struggle.' To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now." — Fred Rogers, from “The World According to Mr. Rogers" "There are many ways to say I love you. Just by being there when things are sad and scary. Just by being there, being there, being there to say, I love you." —Lyrics from "Many Ways to Say I Love You" as performed on Episode 1643 of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood What spiritual ditches do you find yourself in? How might the love of God and neighbor help to dig you out? In what ways is love of God like love of neighbor? Do we do the second as a form of obedience to the first? Or do we do the second because it is indistinguishable from the first? Who are the people who have loved you so that you have encountered the love of God? This week, how can you say “I love you” to one of your neighbors? This week, how can you say “God loves you” to one of your neighbors?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on Christmas Eve, 2019-12-24, by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Heaven and Nature Sing!" Sermon, "The Lord is Come: Incarnate Joy." Isaiah 52:7-10 & Luke 2:1-20.After the scripture reading we played "The Christmas Scale" mini-movie (https://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/35213/the-christmas-scale) purchased from Igniter Media. Due to copyright restriction this was deleted from our audio podcast.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-12-15 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Heaven and Nature Sing!" Sermon, "Make the Blessings Known: Unabashed Joy." Isaiah 35:1-10 and Luke 1: 46b-55.Reflection Questions:How can we personally tap into the strength of ever-present, God-given joy, especially in the midst of difficulty?How are we contributing to the oppression of others?What are we doing to bring healing in our community?What is our “magnificat”—our song of prophetic joy?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-12-08 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Heaven and Nature Sing!" Sermon, "Repeat the Sounding Joy: Loving Joy." Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12.Reflection Questions:Who needs a message of love in your life? In the world?Why do we ration love as if it isn’t never-ending, ever-green?Like the tree adorned with ornaments, with what outward messages do we adorn our own lives?What messages of love and joy can we repeat? How?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-12-01 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Heaven and Nature Sing!" Sermon, "Prepare Him Room: Hopeful Joy." Isaiah 2:1-5 and Romans 13:11-14. Reflection Questions: What, or who, needs to be lifted up in hope this day? Where have we fallen down in celebrating the beauty of each being? How can we find a unity where all are included, like the circle of the wreath? What keeps us from “making room” in our lives for God? What perspective needs to be shifted in order to embrace hope? Are we contributing a voice of hope or a voice of negativity? Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-11-24 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "A Season of Saints." Sermon, "Jesus, Lord of the Dance." Colossians 1:11-20.In this letter there is an explanation of what Christ has done for us, and it explains how we should act in the world to live out Christ’s salvation. This passage contains a hymn to Christ starting at verse 15, “He is the image of the invisible God,” and going until verse 20, “by making peace through the blood of his cross” (The People’s New Testament Commentary, p. 627). “Christ is the image of the invisible God! All things were created through him and for him, and through Christ all things in heaven and on earth may be reconciled to God through the peacemaking of the cross!” That is definitely a hymn of praise. It conveys a strong message, and it helps us to be more joyful in how we give thanks. All these facts about Christ lead us to be joyful and to be strengthened for the journey. What are some of your favorite hymns? How do you feel when singing them? Do you sing them when you are stressed, angry, sad, hurt? Try writing out the text of a hymn to see what it teaches you and what gospel truth it proclaims. Try writing a hymn like this one. What do you love most about Christ? How do you know Christ in your own experience? What images or stories from Scripture come to mind when contemplating Christ? Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-11-17 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "A Season of Saints." Sermon, "Queen Liliʻuokalani." Psalm 150.From the beginning of Psalm 1 to the very end of Psalm 150, from “Happy is the one...” to “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord, alleluia!”, the book of Psalms is an invitation to let our faith breathe, and to praise God. Not because all is necessarily well when we pray, but because God listens and answers prayer. The living God often surprises us but never lets us down. This is the profound conviction which undergirds these ancient prayers. The wonder is that everything in human existence, from the highest joy to the deepest desolation, has a place in the Psalms. Nothing is filtered out. Such prayer embraces life whole so as to bring it before God. In this case praise is more than praying to God when things go right. It is all of life as it enters mercy’s light.Psalm 150, the conclusion to the Psalter, is a prayer of pure praise. The invitation to praise God, “hallelu”, is repeated in each line. A final “Hallelujah” comes once again at the very end. When we reach the final verse, the vista opens wide and the crescendo spills over into a call addressed to all living beings: “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord, alleluia!” Praise carries the believer always further. Where does it lead us? To rejoicing in God’s beauty, to serving God’s joy in one another until it spreads throughout all creation. The breath that makes us live and sing is that which animates all that God has made.For what “deeds of power” can I praise God? Where can I see God’s “greatness”?If praise is an art, what helps us “learn” to praise God?What changes in our lives when we praise or thank God?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-11-03 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "A Season of Saints." Sermon, "Cloud of Witnesses." Hebrews 11:1-2, 11:32-12:2Hebrews 11-12By faith, by faith, by faith… the long line of forefathers and foremothers unfolds in this passage, declaring God’s powerful deeds done by means of their faith. If the author of Hebrews wrote this passage today who else might be named? Would it include people like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa? Would it also include people who carried the faith to you? Parents, siblings, and friends who walked with you by faith through a challenging time. Aunties who disclosed God’s marvelous works in their lives and cousins who held your hand in hushed prayers under the night’s sky. How many thousands of pages would be filled if we listed all of the names of ordinary people who lived by great faith? This great cloud of witnesses, the ones we personally know and the ones whom we’ve only read about, are cheering us on. One day we too will be part of this cloud of witnesses.How are you now carrying faith to others?How can you be the one who tells others of the glory of God, the relative who holds out a hand in prayer, or that friend who walks by faith alongside another?Who is in your great cloud of witnesses?What are the feats of faith that you’ve seen in your own life?Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-10-27 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Imagine." Sermon, "Abundance." Matthew 14:13-21.“Mother Teresa said about Jesus, ‘He uses us to be his love and compassion in the world in spite of our weaknesses and frailties.’ In this miracle Jesus does not produce food out of nowhere. He takes the little that the apostles have, and he multiplies it a thousand-fold. No matter how little I think I have to give, once I freely place my gifts in Jesus’ service, they become limitless. In the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, I am reminded that Jesus can also provide spiritual sustenance beyond my imagining. There is a mysterious disproportion between what I give and what the Lord makes of it.”How do we imagine the crowd reacted to this miracle? Do you think their participation in this event changed them?(From the Sunday, June 23 entry in “Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2019 “ by The Irish Jesuits, Loyola Press, 2018)Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-10-20 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Imagine." Sermon, "God’s World Transformed." Matthew 14:13-21.The sermon text begins on a sad note. Jesus has just been told that his cousin, John the Baptist, has been killed. (Matthew 13:1-12) Moreover, his body has been desecrated: his head being placed on a platter and brought to Salome. Jesus withdraws “to a deserted place by himself” (verse 13), but upon seeing the crowds who needed him, he emerged because “he had compassion for them” and went to cure their sick (verse 14). Jesus surely felt profound grief over John’s fate, but upon seeing the crowds, his sense of mission prevailed. The crowds needed him. The text says that “he had compassion for them” (verse 14). The Greek word translated as “compassion” refers to a sense of profound emotion. Jesus’ compassion for the crowds seeking his healing eclipsed his personal grief. Can you relate to Jesus’ desire for solitude in the midst of his grief? Who surrounded you during that time? How have you experienced this type of compassion from another person? From God? Have you been moved with compassion for others that causes you to act? Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-10-06 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Imagine." Sermon, "Feeding the Multitudes." Matthew 14:13-21.Like loaves and fish, unlimited abundance is possible when we connect with others and areempowered by our faith. As United Methodists, through our connectional giving, a portion ofour gifts joins with more than 12 million United Methodists investing in strong leadership,quality education, and building new United Methodist communities around the world. Likemultiplying loaves and fishes, together we do more to fill communities with overflowing signs ofGod’s love for us through Jesus.In this account, Jesus doesn’t feed the people. He trusts the disciples to find a way.What does that look like today through our own discipleship? We can pursue the God sizedvision for this church, confident that we have the resources we need. And when each of ourgifts joins with others, we experience unlimited possibility.Jesus trusts and empowers his disciples to feed the people. There is a mission field beyondthese walls and through our gifts we can offer them Christ. As you consider and give thanks forwhat God has blessed you with, imagine the possibilities for how your gifts can impact thischurch, the community, and God’s world.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-09-29 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Three Simple Rules." Sermon, "Stay in Love with God." John 15:1-11.Jesus makes clear in this passage that obedience to God is not simply a matter of adhering to rules; rather, it’s an intimate relationship with the Holy One who created us. We abide in Jesus’ love as we keep his commandments; we keep his commandments as we abide in his love. And the more we “get” this, the more complete is his joy in us.How do you think about the relationship between following Jesus’ commandments and abiding in his love? Do you sometimes feel as if you have to do one or the other?Can you think of a time when you were especially aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you followed God’s commandments?If you do not currently have a consistent personal spiritual practice that supports “staying in love with God” take time to reflect on beginning one.If you already have a consistent practice, reflect on what works and what doesn’t. Challenge yourself to change a component to make it new again.Prayer: Christ, you are the true vine and we are the branches. By your Spirit, produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, and patience in us for others to taste and enjoy. Keep us from hanging on to love for ourselves. Prune all selfishness from us and fill us with your love. Amen.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-09-22 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Three Simple Rules." Sermon, "Do Good." Philippians 4:4-9Bishop Rueben P. Job, Three Simple Rules That Will Change the World“Doing good, like doing no harm, is a proactive way of living. I do not need to wait to be askedto do some good deed or provide some needed help. I do not need to wait until circumstancescry out for aid to relieve suffering or correct some horrible injustice. I can decide that my way ofliving will come down on the side of doing good to all in every circumstance and in every way Ican. I can decide that I will choose a way of living that nourishes goodness and strengthenscommunity.” (p. 38- 39)“But taking appropriate care of self and living selflessly are not opposites. Rather, they areessential elements of a healthy and productive life. To love God with all of life and to love one’sneighbor as oneself is not to denigrate, deny, or devalue self. It is to proclaim the heart of ourtheology as Christians and to place enormous value on self and on neighbor. It is to choose tolive in the reign of God NOW. To begin to live as a citizen of a new order in which God’s love forall creation is recognized and proclaimed in word and deed.” (p. 49)Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Sermon preached on 2019-09-15 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen. Worship series, "Three Simple Rules." Sermon, "Do No Harm." Galatians 5:13-26.From Bishop Rueben P. Job (Author of Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living) “What would it mean if we took this first simple rule seriously? First of all, it would mean an examination of the way we live and practice our faith. And if this examination were thorough, it would surely lead to a change in the way we practice our faith. To do no harm is a proactive response to all that is evil- all that is damaging and destructive to humankind and God’s good creation, and therefore, ultimately destructive to us. To adopt this first simple rule as our own is a giant step toward transforming the world in which we live.” Three Simple Rules; p. 30.Support the show (http://tinyurl.com/donatecumc)

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all of our listeners! We close out 2016 with a special holiday podcast, featuring Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen of Central United Methodist Church in Ballston, Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church in Nauck, Rabbi Lia Bass of Congregation Etz Hayim along Route 50, and an exclusive interview with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. This is a family-friendly episode that you can feel free to let your kids listen to.