Pastor Laura Johnson - Mary's hymn of praise, traditionally called Mary's Magnificat, interprets theologically the news that Mary is going to give birth to the Savior.  Through her song, we learn not only what is going to happen, but why the world will never be the same.  Join us this week as we explore Mary's Magnificat and let our souls, too, magnify the Lord. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - The words wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace are better sung than said. Handel's oratorio "Messiah" proved that. Join us this week as we prepare for the Coming King with these beloved words from the Prophet Isaiah. 

Pastor Laura Johnson - In this beloved Walk to Emmaus story, Jesus is recognised in the breaking of the bread.  It is in the church, the gathered Body of Christ, where the disciples learn to recognize Jesus in their midst.  This is the goal for our generosity - that people see the presence of Jesus in their lives and in their world. Join us this week as we celebrate the ways AUMC is experiencing this same story.  Again and again, we are getting to recognize Jesus in our midst through our church's mission and ministries.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - It is said that love is a verb, not a noun.  We are called to put our love into action.  Generosity shared with the church goes to do something - do something good, something healing, something transformative.  We, at AUMC, see that doing takes shape in the way we live into our membership vows - prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.  Join us this week as we learn together what our generosity does.

Pastor Laura Johnson - In this ancient text from Deuteronomy there are instructions for how the faithful are to live in the Promised Land. Specifically, in these verses, the Hebrew people are instructed to take "first fruits" - a token presentation of each agricultural crop into the sanctuary. Christian tradition builds on this Hebrew tradition, often describing our tithes and offering as "first fruits." Join us this week as we explore the nature of generosity, especially where it starts.

Laura Katherine Stern | John 11:32-44
On All Saints' Sunday, United Methodists publicly remember and honor those who have passed away. Celebrated on the first Sunday in November, many congregations light candles, ring bells of remembrance, and call the names of those lost in the previous year as a way of honoring the impact their lives have had on us.

Pastor Laura Johnson - Jesus says we are to love God and to love our neighbors.  It is the greatest of all of our tasks as followers of God.  And yet, in practice, we often ignore or downplay this divine instruction.  Join us this week as we discuss what it means to love our neighbors and commit anew to Jesus' command.

Laura Katherine Stern - We sometimes struggle with how to talk to neighbors of different faith backgrounds.  In this passage, Paul is preaching in Athens.  He is unapologetically Christian - inviting the Greeks to be followers of Jesus Christ.  But Paul's tone is respectful - he is complementary of the Greeks and knowledgeable about their culture.  Join us as we talk about what it means to respect our neighbors - especially when our neighbors' faith differs from our own. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - The prophet Jeremiah writes a letter to the exiles living in Babylonia. He instructs the exiles to live - really live - in the land which they are in. They are to build houses, plant gardens, have families, and seek the welfare of the city where they are living. Jeremiah takes his instructions one step further when he says, "pray to the Lord on its behalf." Here they are captives in a foreign land and they are still instructed to invest in their community. Join us as we commit anew to our neighbors, whoever they might be, and to praying on their behalf.

Pastor Laura Johnson - Jesus was journeying through Samaria, and he stopped in the city of Sychar. He was tired from his journey and went to the well to get a drink of water and rest. While there, he encountered a Samaritan woman and had a conversation with her. The conversation went quickly from surface level to deep and probing topics.  In that conversation, Jesus and the Samaritan woman got to know each other. The Samaritan woman was so moved by the experience that she invited others to come and meet Jesus.