SERMON SPECIFIC RESOURCES
December 2, 2018
- Read the Scripture from The Message translation
- Advent and Christmas (Discipleship Resources) [be sure to click on the resources in the right column, including the Advent Quiz and the FAQ]
- Watching for Signs of the Kingdom- by Bob Cornwell (a Facebook friend)
November 25, 2018
Sermon- Revelation 1:4b-8- The Alpha and Omega
- Learn about the Greek Alphabet
- Learn about the Christian Year, the different seasons, why we keep this odd calendar
- A sermon from Will Willimon at Duke Chapel on Christ the KIng Sunday, 2003
November 18, 2018
Sermon- Matthew 6:25-33- Give Thanks
- Read the lesson from The Message
- Read about the First Thanksgiving (National Geographic Kids)
- What happens at Belmont Abbey? (mentioned at the close of the service)
November 11, 2018
November 4, 2018
Sermon- Revelation 21:1-6a- I Believe in the Communion of Saints
- What is the "communion of saints"?
- More on United Methodist thinking about the saints
- Consider who your mentors in the faith are. Have you spoken to the ones that are living? Have you thanked God for those who have already moved on to glory?
October 28, 2018
Sermon- Mark 10:46-52- Let Me See Again
- A Wikipedia article on Bartimaeus
- Thanks to Carolyn Miller who remembered that Mr. Mister did this song back in the 1980's-- hear is an adaptation of that pop hit on YouTube- Kyrie Eleison
- Questions: 1) What do you need to see clearly this week? 2) Are there people you need to see with clear eyes? 3) What in your life do you need to pray about with a "Lord have mercy" ?
October 21, 2018
Sermon- Mark 10:35-45- The Greatest Among Us
- Read the Scripture from The Message (note: the author of that version, Eugene Peterson died this week after a long battle with health issues)
- Learn about slaves and servants in Jesus' time
- Christianity's 5 Most Countercultural Virtues
October 14, 2018
Sermon- Hebrews 4:12-16- The Sword and High Priest
- Read the Scripture from The Message (what are the differences between this version and your own Bible?)
- Learn more about logos in the New Testament
- Learn more about Francis of Assisi
October 7, 2018
Sermon- Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12- Sanctified
- What are General Rules of The United Methodist Church"
- What are the "means of grace"?
- John Wesley's sermon- "The Duty of Constant Communion"
September 30, 2018
Devotion- He Who Sings Prays Twice- Psalm 96
- Hear Psalm 96 chanted in Hebrew
- The Lord's Prayer sung in a church service
- St. Augustine's Confessions (online book)
September 23, 2018
Sermon- Take Up My Cross?- Mark 8:27-38
- Read Mark 8:27-38 from The Message
- Listen to Dallas Willard on The Cross and Discipleship (3 minute sample)
- A sermon by J. Bennet Guess that tells the story of Clarence Jordan and Koinonia Farm--the sermon: The Cost and Joy of Discipleship- Mark 8:31-38
September 9, 2018
Sermon- Faith and Works - James 2:1-10, 14-17
- Read James 2:1-10,14-17 from The Message
- Read Wesley's Notes on Chapter 2 verses
- Read Rick Morley's reflections from 2012 on the same passage. How did this differ from my sermon?
September 2, 2018
Sermon- Hearers and Doers- James 1:17-27
- Read the lesson from The Message- James 1:17-27
- Think back over this week- How have you been a hearer and a doer?
- Try reading Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
August 26, 2018
Sermon-The Whole Armor- Ephesians 6:10-20
- Read the Scripture Lesson from The Message
- Try doing a "a sword drill" in your home or with a group of friends. (see instructions)
- Learn more about the armor of a Roman Soldier (YouTube video)
August 19, 2018
Sermon- Wisdom and Service- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
- A Chart of all the Kings of Israel and Judah (there are many out there. This may be one of the better ones)
- A quick synopsis of the monarchy of Israel (from Samuel to Solomon) Check out SparkNotes (see summaries for 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings)
- Read Song of Solomon from the Bible- see Bible.com or read from the app. This is a unique piece of literature in the Bible attributed to Solomon the King of Israel.
August 12, 2018
Sermon- The Imitation of Christ- Ephesians 4:25-5:2
- I mentioned the book by Thomas A'Kempis in the sermon: The Imitation of Christ. Read the book online for free- from The Literature Project
- Read the Scripture Lesson from The Message
- Practice this week taking a deep breath--and asking "What Would Jesus Do?" in every situation.
August 5, 2018
Sermon- Bread of Heaven- John 6:24-35
- I mentioned Exodus 16 in the sermon (Manna in the Wilderness)- Read from Bible Gateway
- There are lots of articles on the internet about the health benefits of making bread- try this one: Baking and Mental Health: Therapy in a Bag of Flour
- Some questions to ponder: Do you need more patience for anything? Is there something in your faith that needs more practice? What do you need to prioritize in your life to be more effective?
July 29, 2018
Sermon- The Rhythm of Discipleship- John 6:1-21
- Here is the website for Church of the Savior in Washington, DC that I mentioned at the end of the sermon- inwardoutward.org. They are still in the business of the Journey Inward and Outward as a church.
- Video- Celebrating the Ministry of the Laity
- How are we offering HOPE as a church? (How are we involved in the community through Hospitality, Offering Christ, Purpose, Engagement?)
July 22, 2018
Sermon- In Need of Leisure- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Take a moment with Jesus this week:
- Try a YouTube video with quiet music (above)
- See July 15th--Upper Room and Common Prayer
- 10 Breath Prayers (from Guideposts)
July 15, 2018
Sermon-A Recurring Vision- Acts 2:42-47
Scripture- here are a few resources that will assist you in reading the Bible more systematically and consistently:
- The Revised Common Lectionary- this 3 year system of readings will be a primary source of Bible readings at Rehobeth UMC for the time being. Spend some time each week reading with the congregation.
- Bible.com There is a web version and a phone app version of this resource. There are dozens of translations to use, verse a day reminders and other great resourcces to keep the Bible in front of you.
- The Bible Project- This is a bigger collection of resources for reading the Bible--but my favorite is the app to read the whole Bible in 365 days. If you want a challenge, give it a try.
Prayers- here are some resources to assist you with daily prayer and devotion:
- The Upper Room- one of the longest running devotional guides in the world. The only version is very easy to use.
- Common Prayer- this is a resource I discovered working with young clergy several years back. Some small communities use this resource daily as a way of praying together.