Here for Good: Podcast of Valencia United Methodist Church

Growing our discipleship shapes our lives to be in line with what Jesus taught, and how Jesus calls us to live. Jesus’ core teachings instruct us how to be in relationship with God and with each other, and how to live our lives. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole preaches about living a life of FOLLOWING Jesus, based on Romans 10:9. She will share that obedience is about hearing and trusting what God says, and then doing what God calls us to do.

Living a life of being open to Jesus changes us and allows us to live the full and complete life that God intends. Jesus connects us to God’s forgiveness and grace, and to the Holy Spirit which sustains and empowers us. Being open to Jesus means that we are never alone. It means we always have help. Today, Rev. Nicole will bring a message based on Mark 2:1-12 about how we can live in ways that help us to be more open to Jesus and grow our faith.

Christian hospitality is about welcoming and making space for people who are different from us. It is a way to help them to know that they matter. A foundation of our faith is the understanding that God loves us – just as we are. Out of the love that God gives us, we are called to love others. Extending hospitality helps others know that God loves them too. Today, Rev. Nicole brings a message from 1 John 4:17-21 and helps us better understand why hospitality is a key to discipleship

Would you like to take your faith to the next level this year? We begin a new series today “Explore Your Faith – Keys to Discipleship” and over the coming weeks Rev. Nicole will be talking about how we can grow to be more like Jesus. Today’s message is based on Jeremiah 18:1-6 and helps us better understand the ways that God shapes us into disciples of Jesus. We are called to live a life of worship as a response to God’s love. Join us today in learning about what next step you might take to become a stronger disciple through worship.

Is there a cost to Christmas? Not, the cost we see on our Visa card, but a cost to God, a cost to Mary, and a cost to those named in Matthew 2:13-23?

Join Rev. Nicole as she reflects on the cost of Christmas and why knowing the cost makes Christmas that much more meaningful to us all.

How was your Christmas? Today, Pastor Michelle will preach on Luke 2:25-32, as we reflect on the season through the eyes of Simeon and are reminded that Christmas needs eyes of FAITH.

Joy points us beyond ourselves and helps us remember what we believe even in the midst of dark times. Joy is an important part of our faith as we trust God in times when so much is unknown and uncertain. Today, Rev. Nicole will preach on Luke 2:1-7, and the joy we can have as we believe that through Jesus God is always with us.

Christmas is the fulfillment of the promise that God would send a Savior for all people. Through Jesus, we receive the gift of God’s love in a way that gives us a richer and more meaningful life. It surrounds and covers us with assurance, safety, and hope. On this 5th Sunday of Advent, Rev. Nicole preaches on Matthew 1:18-23.

Today, in the fourth week of our Advent series, The Heart of Christmas, Rev. Nicole will explore the promise of peace for each of us. Peace in our relationships with God, others, and even ourselves is possible because of what God has done for us through Jesus. This message based on Luke 1:26-38 offers you an invitation to know and experience God’s peace in your life.

The theme for this third week of our Advent series, The Heart of Christmas, is kindness. How do you feel when someone shows you kindness? Does it make you feel like you matter to them? The gift of Jesus to the world was one way that God showed kindness to us. It was a sign of God’s promise that we are loved and cared for beyond what we can understand. Today, Pastor Michelle has a message about kindness based on Isaiah 40:1-9.