Here for Good: Podcast of Valencia United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church offers a way to understand God and life – it invites us to use both our mind and our heart as we seek to deepen our faith and spirituality. Grace is a foundational piece of our faith as it allows us to accept the completeness of God’s love given to us. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s grace – God loves us just as we are. As we better understand God’s grace, we become better able to share love with others. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole teaches from Titus 3:4-8 and Hebrews4:14-16. Join us to learn more about how God’s love is a powerful and active movement in the world.

The story of creation, found in Genesis 1:26-31, is a story of generosity and responsibility. God spoke creation into being, and when all that humans would need existed, God created humankind in his image. God then gave us the responsibility to be faithful stewards and good tenants of all of creation. Luke 12:22-34 reminds us that we have all that we need – it has been given to us from our generous God. Instead of worrying about having what we need, we should spend our time and energy searching for the Kingdom of God for that is where our true treasure can be found. Join us for today’s sermon by our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett.

Jesus’ resurrection ushered in the promise of new life – a life that is free from the chains of sin, old habits, and an old way of living. We are given, instead, new life in Jesus – a life that is filled with all of God’s goodness. In today’s message, based on Colossians 3:1-4, 12-14, Pastor Michelle reminds us that when our eyes are focused on Jesus, our lives will be shaped by what he taught and how he lived. Where are your eyes focused today?

Life is difficult sometimes, but having deeply plants roots of faith allow us to stay connected to God who is the source of life, hope, and strength. A growing relationship with Jesus allows our faith to be firmly rooted in all that God offers us. Today, Pastor Michelle shares a message based on Colossians 2:1-7 that will help you find nourishment, wisdom, and connection to nurture your soul.

In today’s message from Luke 16:19-31, Rev. Nicole brings a message reminding us that often, the times when we struggle are also times of great growth. It may be more appealing for things to always come easily for us, but that does not help us learn perseverance or the importance of helping others in their times of need. We all have something we can give to ease the burden of another – Jesus calls us to do just that as we show compassion and care for those who are suffering in some way.

Parables – the stories that Jesus told – deliver hard truths to us in ways that we can better hear and understand them. Today we will hear a message on The Great Banquet, found in Luke 14:15-24, by our guest preacher Rev. Craig Brown. Just as a healthy body holds a rhythm of inhaling and exhaling, a healthy church holds a rhythm of drawing people in to know God and then sending them out to share God with others. How will you be a part of the drawing and sending to do the work of building God’s Kingdom?

Jesus modeled for us a life of prayer. He understood that God desired to have a relationship with us, and that prayer is a part of how we can know God’s love and care. Today, Rev. Nicole preaches on Luke 11:5-8 and reminds us that God invites us, through prayer, to ask for what we need. We can trust that God hears us when we pray.

Parables, the stories that Jesus told, help us see things in a different way and help us find new understanding in how we are called to live. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole preaches on parables of love, and forgiveness from Luke 10:30-37 and Luke 7:41-42. Love and forgiveness, both offered and received, can be difficult for us. In today’s parables, you’ll hear a message about what Jesus taught and modeled, and how to open your heart to offer care to others.

Jesus taught that all people are welcome in the kingdom of God. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole preaches on the parable of the lost son, from Luke 15:11-32, and helps us understand and believe that we are never truly lost from God. In the times when we may feel spiritually lost, we can be sure that God looks for us and will not stop looking until we have been found.

Jesus told stories – they are called parables – to get our attention and help us better understand what God wants to do in our lives. The parables use common items (seeds, bread, coins, etc.) as a way to demonstrate what God wants to do in our lives. In the first sermon of “Summer Stories” Rev Nicole uses the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-10) as a way for us to assess how receptive we are to allowing God to work in our lives.