MVP Message

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-18

Our series begins this week with a familiar story of God providing manna in the wilderness with specific instructions to take enough for each day. What is enough? How do you discern how much you need? Are you able to faithfully name when you have too much or too little?

Please make plans to join us as we ponder these questions and begin to uncover how our money stories are spiritual stories—opportunities for God to rewrite the narrative.

Preacher:Thornton Muncher, Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church

Scripture:Luke 16:19-31

“The Rich Man and Lazarus” is a complex story with themes of systemic injustice, classism, and eschatological consequences–but also, good news. As people of the crucified-and-resurrected Christ, we find hope in this parable that we are able to cross the “great chasm” in this life now, and we are invited to be co-creators of transformative justice with the Holy Spirit through our relationship both with God and with neighbor.

Join us this week as we reflect together on this challenging text and discover what a “faith in action” might mean for us today, especially as Christians living in this current socio-political moment in our nation’s capital.

Preacher: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling

Scripture: Luke 4:16-2

This week we had the privilege of welcoming Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Resident Bishop of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conferences, as our guest preacher. On this week's episode of the MVP Message, Bishop Easterling used her powerful and prophetic voice to lead us through Luke 4:16-21 and the holy truth to be found in Jesus’ proclamation from the Scroll of Isaiah.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Our series concludes this week with reminders of how Jesus regularly defies human expectations—in life, in death, and in life beyond death. Indeed, God's ways are not our ways—a truth we might be quick to accept with our lips while struggle to embody with our lives.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

This week, the gospel writer of Luke beckons us to ponder the question "Does Jesus Expect That Much?" as Jesus tells a large crowd of people following him that they must hate their parents, spouses, siblings, children and life itself; carry their cross, and give up all their possessions. It's a high bar for discipleship—one we often struggle to meet. What, then, is actually expected from us? Can we waver a bit and still be a faithful disciple? Join us on this week as we struggle with this text and the expectations of discipleship.

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard & Mary Martin Ministry Intern

Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-14

This week, Jesus invites us to ponder the question "Why Do I Always Want the Best Seat?" as he literally turns the tables on societal expectations of hierarchy and power. We are invited to explore how true honor is found through a lens of abundance over scarcity and hospitality over exclusion. Join us in worship as we discover what it means to be exalted in humility.

Preacher:Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture:Luke 13:10-17

While it might be easy to shake our heads at his response, Luke invites us to take a closer look at ourselves. Are there moments when our loyalty to rules, traditions, political affiliation, or preferences blinds us to the liberating work of God in our midst? Could it be that, sometimes, we, too, are standing in the way of the freedom God wants to bring?

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Our series continues this week with Jesus inviting the disciples to be ready to receive the Kingdom of God as a present and future reality. What is the Kingdom of God? How do we get ready for such a place—now and in God's reign that is to come? Join us as we ponder these questions and more on Sunday. We'll also celebrate the sacrament of baptism and embrace the sweet gift of authentic, inclusive community.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Luke 12:22-31

Our series continues this week with Jesus building upon the parable in which Jesus called a rich man a fool for wanting to build a bigger barn to store his grain instead of sharing it with others by asking the disciples not to worry about what they are to eat or drink but to seek God's kingdom.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture:Luke 12:13-21

Our series begins this week with a parable in which Jesus calls a rich man a fool. It is a story in which some of us may be able to see ourselves and/or our nation, one that begs the question, "When is enough, enough?"