Clarkston Umc's Weekly Sermons

Hunger Games: Catching Fire is one of the most popular movie sequels in recent history and is on the must see list of countless teenagers and adults. It is the first movie we will reflect on in this series on Faith in Cinema. How do the movies we watch offer an opportunity for faith reflection and insight? Today we take on some of the messages in Catching Fire and consider the Kingdom Choices that are ours to make as disciples of Jesus Christ. Support the show

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Clearly the majority of Bethlehem did not turn out for the Birth of Christ.  Most of the world still does not.  Some of our Christmas practices keep people separate from any real Jesus encounter.  Where is God in the places that ignore Christmas and what can we offer as a way to make sure we do not ignore Christmas reality and open it up as an awareness to a world too busy to notice it?  How can we reveal Jesus to a world with Christmas fatigue?Support the show

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Thanksgiving takes some preparation. When you are truly grateful, a quick thanks is not enough. So let us begin our Thanksgiving today as we praise God. What are you grateful for today?Support the show

What does it take to be a good Samaritan?Support the show

Scripture says “Out of the Believer’s Heart shall flow rivers of living water.”  Christ is with us and in us.  We have embraced a Christ who flows through us.  We celebrate all we do and give, in all the ways we can, so that the Living Water flows out of us as a Church with ripple effects on our community and world.Support the show

From the moment of our baptism, we are called to ministry.  It is out of baptism that we are called to serve.  On this day we remember those who went before us fulfilling their baptismal vows, and the vows they made to nurture us.  We follow in their footsteps.Who gave so you could be here?Support the show

Today in our worship we continue our series of “All You Can” as we discuss the themes of trust and sacrifice.  Giving isn’t meant to be an obligation, but a response to grace.  When we give all we can for God, we put our trust in God’s sustaining power and grace to enable us to give with generous hearts.Support the show

Today we begin our stewardship emphasis of “All You Can,” with a focus on blessing and gratitude.  When we give and do all that we can for Christ, our efforts have ripple effects that make the world a better place.  What a blessing it is to share our faith in such a way.Support the show

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What do you take with you on your trips? The answer to that question can determine whether it is a happy journey or a horrific chapter of your life. Support the show

Faith is tied to movement. The Chosen people were chosen to head out and not stay stuck, complacent and safe. To go on holy journeys, we have to leave behind what holds us back and this takes intentional work.  The character and quality of our life is defined by the journeys we are on and the ones we chose not to take.Support the show

Today begins a series of Sundays on the theme of  Life is a Highway.  Let’s Go!    We all are on journeys of life that share common moments.  We all have been in times of feeling lost.   There are moments of difficult good-byes and letting go of the past.  There are necessities we need along the way to be healthy and fulfilled.  There are moment of disappointment and questions about our ultimate destiny.  There is also the possibility of being led to amazing blessings, being set free of past pain and hurts, finding our joy in surprising places and discovering the holy depths of life when we know we are in the perfect place in our life.Support the show

Do you like to sleep in your own bed, eat at your favorite restaurants and spend time with your friends?  Then you probably like being home.  Home is the place where the familiar is comforting, love is given and real peace can be found.  Home can be our refuge or our launching pad.  Home may or may not be where you live.  It is where you thrive.  It is time to come home.  Come and be with us in our spiritual home as we worship, spend time with others who really care about you and experience the joy of being welcomed home.  After worship, stay for the picnic and enjoy being the family of God together.Support the show

Today in our worship we explore what we need to let go of in order to follow Jesus with all of ourselves. Support the show

This morning the message will focus on healthy shame.Support the show

Today we share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We celebrate this as a gift from Christ to the world. It is in receiving this gift we find ourselves on equal standing with each other and God. This is a gift of grace to bless us, restore us and prepare us for living lives filled with meaning and purpose. All are welcome to share in this meal. Support the show

Perhaps we have all wanted at times to be able to ask Jesus questions and get answers. The Gospels reveal poignant moments when Individuals did get the chance to ask their questions. The answers Jesus gave still amaze us today. Several times over the rest of the summer we will look at some of those Q and A's. Today began as such a simple request, "Jesus ,can you teach us how to pray?" May God bless our questions, our prayers and our worship.Support the show