MVP Message

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Join us this week, as our series, "A Faith Worth Living: What We Believe as United Methodists and Why" continues with a powerful story about how Peter was led to change his mind after an encounter with God and how, we, too, might employ scripture, tradition, reason, and experience when thinking theologically.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: John 10:7-30



Join us this week as our series, "A Faith Worth Living: What We Believe as United Methodists and Why" continues with an exploration of the concept of salvation and what it means to be made whole.

Preacher: Min. Lee Schriber Aber, Minister of Engagement & Discipleship

Scripture: John 21:1-19

According to John Wesley, The Means of Grace are ordinary ways God imparts God’s grace into individuals. At the beginning of the Methodist movement, Wesley established two groups for the means of grace. Instituted means of grace are the traditionally understood works of piety or personal holiness while prudential means of grace are the outward works of mercy or expressions of social holiness. Join us this morning as we explore the many means of grace while seeking to accept the invitation Jesus offers to Simon Peter after another miraculous catch. 

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard & Mary Martin Ministry Intern

Scripture: John 20:19-31 and Acts 5:27-32

The disciples were paralyzed by fear and gathered behind a closed door on the evening of that first day when Jesus came and stood amongst them, offering peace through his presence. From the beginning, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, understood how Christ’s presence and peace can be experienced whenever people gather to practice their faith together.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

When Sunday comes, the women go to the tomb expecting to find death. They show up in the dark with hearts full of sorrow. But the darkness is splintered by two men dressed in dazzling clothes who ask why they are looking for the living among the dead. “He is not here, but has risen!” they proclaim. A new day is ours to receive—not because of our faith or lack thereof, but because of the faithfulness of God who always keeps God’s promises.

Preacher: Lee Scriber Aber, Minister of Engagement & Discipleship

Scripture: Luke 23:32-49

Good Friday takes us to the cross where we believe Jesus was crucified. For our evening worship we will reflect on the space between acceptance and resistance, pondering how the acceptance of truth is vital to our ability to resist oppression.

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard & Mary Martin Ministry Intern

Scripture: Luke 22:1-27  

Holy Week continues with Maundy Thursday. In his final hours, Jesus redefines power through acts of humility, including sharing a final meal with his closest friends and those who will soon betray him. After breaking bread, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tells them that the greatest must be the least and the leader must be the servant, turning their hierarchy on its head. According to Jesus, humility is powerful, and real power is shown through humility. 

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor

Scripture: Luke 19:29-40

Holy Week begins this Sunday with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. His presence inspires a multitude of people to shout out and praise God. But the religious leaders don't join their voices in praise. They instead try to silence the crowd.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Are you lost or are you found?

I suspect our answer depends upon the circumstances surrounding us. Many of us could describe a time when we were lost and had to rely upon our cell phone's map app or a kind person standing on the corner to help us be found. Others of us might be able to describe a time when someone found us.

What about when it comes to our faith? Are you lost or are you found? Stop and ponder the question for a moment. What makes you feel lost? How do you know you are found? Perhaps, if the truth were told, we are all somewhere in the middle—with a real opportunity to grow from either place.

Join us this week as we ponder one of three stories found in Luke 15 about what was lost being found—and discover something about who we are and who God is in ways that can provide life to us and those around us.

Preacher: Rev. Alan Storey, Gospel Storyteller

Scripture: Luke 20:9-19

Alan served as a minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa for 33 years, most recently as the pastor of the Central Methodist Mission in Cape Town, and is now exploring silence, stillness and solitude…while writing. His lifelong work remains the experimental practice with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. His deepest hope is to contribute to “heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights” as is written in the preamble of the South African Constitution.