In this sermon, Pastor Wayne reflects on the true meaning of Advent/Christmas amidst the bustling holiday activities. While society celebrates with lights, decorations, and gift shopping, the church is reminded that Advent/Christmas is also a season of shadows, where darkness and struggles intensify. Drawing from Mark 13, Pastor Wayne emphasizes Jesus’ preparation of his disciples for difficult…

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Today, on Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Wayne takes us through a profound reflection on the final judgment from Matthew’s Gospel. As we wrap up the church year, we’re reminded of the last moments Jesus spent teaching before his crucifixion. In the past weeks, the scriptures used in worship emphasized the need for preparation, echoing the parable of the bridesmaids and the parable of the talents.

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The sermon revolves around the movie “Shenandoah,” where Pastor Wayne describes the protagonist, Charlie Anderson, as initially indifferent to church and religion. Despite his reluctance, he fulfills his late wife’s wish by taking the family to church, mostly out of duty. The central theme emerges when tragedy strikes, and Charlie questions the purpose of giving thanks to a seemingly distant God.

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What if we stopped considering the “greatest commandment” as prescriptive? What if we considered it as prescriptive of a lifestyle that draws us closer to each other and to our God who longs to engage with us face to face? Join us as we consider Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; and Matthew 22:34-46.

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The game is afoot. The Pharisees and Herodians are tag teaming to try and get Jesus to trip up and be discredited. They ask a question about taxes. Jesus responds by asking for a coin. He then he asks who is depicted on the coin. The reply, “the emperor.” Jesus responds, “then give to the emperor the things that are the emporer’s, and give to God what is God’s.” That begs the question…

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God has had it with “stiff necked” people. When God sees the people convincing Aaron to created a golden calf so that they can worship it, God goes into a rage. But Moses stops God and reminds God of his desire for a relationship with God’s people. He asks, why would you want to destroy your people after you have brought them out of Egypt with “great power and a mighty hand?” And God changed God’s…

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Today’s text combines a look at the 10 Commandments with the parable of the wicked tenants. It examines the question of what is God wanting from us and how do we respond? Our lessons today are: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33…

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Today, we welcome the Reverend Keith Moore to bring the message in worship. Keith is the director of the Wesley Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Keith is addressing the tendency of the older generations throughout time to pass along the “sour grapes” that place the younger generations teeth on edge. His message is a challenge for all of us to commit to God’s call on our lives.

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The landowner engages workers for his vineyard at the beginning of the workday. They agree to a wage for the work. Then, at several different times in the day, he engages more workers. When the end of the day comes, the workers line up to receive their wages. All of the workers receive the same wage regardless of the number of hours worked. Is this fair? Is it fair that someone who acknowledges…

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We welcome Michael Feely, executive director of Mountain Top as our guest speaker this morning. Who do we say Jesus is? Do we show it in our life?

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