Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #109

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we have assurance that all the promises of God through Jesus Christ are true, and we can rely upon the faith of God in order to grow our own faith in Him.  Because of the resurrection we are offered new life, not just in the life to come but in this life.  When we die to self, we are born again and raised in the resurrection of Christ, and that is how the transformation happens, that takes someone who was opposed to God and turns them into a faithful proclaimer of the good news.  And just as Jesus left the empty tomb, we who are born again in Christ leave behind those things that lead to death.

Mark 16:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on April 5, 2015 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.

Sermon #275

It's easy for us to forget that the disciples and the women were not expecting an encounter with the risen Christ that first Easter Sunday.  After all, we know the rest of the story.  We know how it ends.  But for the women on the first day of the week who went to anoint the body of Jesus for burial, it was not a time of celebration but a time of mourning, and their mourning soon turned to fear.

Mark 16:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on April 1, 2018. (Originally published April 7, 2018)

S.D.G.

Sermon #274

One of my favorite services of the year is the Easter Sunrise service, where we gather in front of the Hudson UMC Cemetery and proclaim "He is Risen!" as the sun comes up.  This year it was overcast and dreary, a perfect metaphor for the emotions clouding Mary Magdalene's heart that first Easter morning.  She didn't come to see the risen Lord, but rather to prepare the body of her fallen master.

John 20:1-18

Recorded at Hudson UMC Cemetery on April 1, 2018.

S.D.G.

Tenebrae is a Latin word that means "Darkness."  The Tenebrae service is a reading of the Passion account from John's Gospel, broken down into 16 readings, and after each of the first fourteen readings a candle is extinguished until the entire sanctuary is clothed in darkness.  This represents the light of Christ being extinguised on the cross, and it also represents the three hours of darkness that the people experienced as He hung on the cross.  After the 15th reading, a loud noise is made, symbolizing the earthquake that occurred at the death of Jesus.  It is a somber and solemn service of contemplation.  We have attempted to recreate the service in its entirety here, and hope that you will be blessed in its re-enactment.

Entrance - Gathering

The Call to Worship:

Hymn:

Opening prayer:

The Passion of Jesus Christ

Sending Forth

Hymn:

Dismissal with Blessing

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 4, 2020

Watch the entire service on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #106

The Palm Sunday narrative is a very familiar one that even non-Christians know.  More than the fact that the crowds welcomed Jesus one day and a week later condemned him, we today can learn from this text that sometimes the change we desire is not the change that God has planned.  But rather than lament the fact that our will is not done, we need to counter our human nature and trust in Him completely. So grab your Bible, turn it to Mark chapter 11, and prepare your heart and mind as we join the crowds singing Hosanna!

Mark 11:1-11

Recorded at Hudson UMC on March 29, 2015 (Originally published May 13, 2015)

S.D.G.