Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10

Title: Life is Hard.

The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians about all the hardships he has endured but also glories in the fact that there is an "and yet" that he finds in Jesus. As we go through hard things, and as Ash Wednesday itself can be hard, let us remember the "and yet" that will sustain us through Lent and beyond.

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Scripture: Numbers 27:1-8, 11b

Rev. Nicole Anderson from Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center joined us for worship on Camp Sunday and introduced us to the summer 2025 Camp Curriculum "Another Way." Campers this summer are going to learn about the daughters of Zelophehad. After their father died, the women faced the reality that they were going to lose everything because inheritances went to sons or men in the family. But the people of Israel realized

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Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss the Loving Large series and how we celebrate love in our relationships. They both agree that Valentine's Day is a bit overrated but showing love in all relationships is important. Pastor Clay also shared an alternate opening to his sermon from Sunday making the point that we are not supposed to be a "one-hit-wonder" when it comes to showing God's love.

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Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Series: Loving Large

As we bring this series to a close, Pastor Clay draws our attention to Jesus' teaching on the impact that putting love into action can have. The difference between the sheep and the goats that Jesus discusses in Matthew 25 is the difference between who showed love and kindness and who did not. How is it that we desire to live?

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Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Series: Loving Large

We all like our stuff, and that's not a bad thing. But when our stuff - and our pursuit of more and better stuff - gets in the way of our call to love God and love neighbor, we run into issues regarding our faithfulness. Our pursuit for "more" can cost us more than its worth, but what is the alternative? It may be "less," but the real solution is generosity, using what we already have - time, talent, and treasure - to serve those around us. How can you give up "more" so that you can love God and others fully?

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Scripture: Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Series: Loving Large

It's not too often that we read from the Song of Solomon during worship, but it's message about love is too important for us to miss. The author of the Song of Solomon wants us to know that this type of love is possible, and the reason why we know it's possible is because God loves us like this. God's love lifts us up to see ourselves and our world in a different way.

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Eric and Pastor Clay met up to discuss last week's message about putting our love into action and also dove one more time into United Methodist history. How did we get here and how does it help us know where to go from here?

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Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12

Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist

As we reach the end of this message series, we circle back almost to the start. Jesus said that the two greatest commands were to love God and love others. We explored our love of God, and out of that love grows our love for others. Showing God's love is the best way to tell others about who God is. 

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Pastor Clay and Eric are back after sick kids and weird work schedules to dig into our sermon series on the Five Marks of United Methodism. During their conversation, they cover prayer - which was the topic of last week's sermon - as well as the rationale behind this series. They also discuss some of the distinctives of the United Methodist church. What do you love about your church denomination?

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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Series: The 5 Marks of a United Methodist

When we hear the call to "pray without ceasing," we can end up confused or so sure that such a task is impossible that we simply lay it aside. But we can't afford to do that. Prayer matters simply too much. Drawing on the teaching of John Wesley, Pastor Clay helps us think about what it means to have our hearts lifted to God and why it matters for us today.

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