Sermons Archive - Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC

Our scripture today continues in the Eastertide theme of life in relationship with God. Jesus talks about his love for the disciples and their love for one another using the language of friendship.  And, even as we read his words, we might find ourselves asking, “How do we, frail, fallible human beings even come close to fulfilling this commandment?” The post A Commandment to Love? appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

n today's scripture passage from Acts, the Ethiopian eunuch was reading precisely these words from Isaiah when the Spirit instructed Philip to approach his chariot and engage him in conversation. The full name of this book is The Acts of the Apostles but it contains so much more than just that! In fact, the Philip in this story is not Philip the apostle, but rather Philip the evangelist, one of seven Greek speaking Jewish Christians who were appointed to tend to the needs of others, especially to the widows in the Greek speaking portion of the Christian community. This wonderful, Spirit-driven encounter reminds us of the ever-widening circle of inclusion that has always been at the heart of the gospel, way back when and all the way up to our here and now. The post What Is to Prevent Me? appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Our lectionary readings for today include Psalm 23 along with a portion of John’s gospel that reminds us that Jesus is the good shepherd. What does it mean for us to be sheep? What does it mean to have a shepherd?  The post Known appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Into the midst of angst and struggle, Jesus comes to the disciples with a word of greeting, “Peace be with you.” How often are we, just like those early disciples, a mix of joy and disbelief and wonder? The post The Peace of Christ appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Today we share in a pre-recorded service by the California-Pacific Annual Conference. Rev. Kristie Grimaud reflects on God's power at work in the early church and its effect on the first believers. The post With Great Power appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Despite anything and everything that has come before, despite hardship and struggle, despite pain and suffering, despite plagues and pandemics, despite any and all circumstances that have felt as if they were too much to bear, morning comes…day breaks…Easter arrives. The post The Empty Tomb appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

If we check in only on Palm Sunday and Easter, we go straight from “Hosanna” to “Hallelujah” and miss so much of the critical journey in between. For that reason, our service will be slightly different today as we celebrate Palm/Passion Sunday. We’ll begin with a Palm Sunday text and conclude with the reading of the Passion or the crucifixion. The post Hosanna! appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Do you feel God calling you to respond to interruptions differently; and if so, in what way? Join us this morning as we reflect on John 12 and Jesus' heightening conflict with the Pharisees. The post Life Interrupted appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Our lectionary readings today bring us two fairly complex and curious passages with which to wrestle.  The first testament reading from Numbers may be totally unfamiliar.  If you suffer from Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), you might find it especially disturbing!  Our Gospel reading, on the other hand, is likely to be familiar to all.  It contains perhaps the best known and often repeated line of Christian scripture that’s out there…“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” What is the connection between these passages? The post Lifted Up appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

The account of Jesus “cleansing the temple” is told in all four Gospels but with several significant differences. Matthew, Mark and Luke place this account toward the end of Jesus’ life, while John places it much closer to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus enters the temple during Passover – a very active, busy time – and turns everything, literally and figuratively, upside down The post Holy Zeal appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.