When you look at people, neighborhoods, the world around you...what do you see first?

When Samuel was looking for the one he was to anoint as King...what did he see first? What does God see first? Why does it matter?

Does what we see first say something about who we are?

Sermon from this morning on Samuel and Eli

most of the time we see this story from Samuels side, but what about Eli? Within the story is heard a commentary on what we do with the power we have and how we respond when we hear a tough word. What kind of implications does this have socially, politically, religiously? What kind of difference does this make at home or with those we engage with on a daily basis? Eli's example is a tough one to follow.

Sermon from this morning.

The Hebrew word for Ruth means "friendship." How important are friendships in the community of faith? Why bother? What does "friendship" have to do with "doing church" and "being church?" Many thanks to my 3-year old niece Laney who inspired the sermon!

Sermon from this morning on one of the 10 Commandments: What does it mean to take the Lord's Name in vain?

What does The Fumble have to do with this scripture? (Yes, Browns fans I brought it up)

Is the commandment about refraining from saying OMG? Or is it like my Hiram Professor said when he claimed we couldn't even take the Lord's name even if we wanted to!

What does it mean to "take the Lord's Name in vain?

What does Liberation look like? The Exodus story shows beautifully and deeply that liberation is so very often not a smooth and beautiful process, but filled with difficulty, pain, and demands a great amount of courage.

Who in the world today is looking for liberation but between the Red Sea and the Chariots of Egypt?

Moses first says, "Here I am" then once he finds out its God speaking to him through the Burning Bush he says, "Who am I?" But...for what reason?

Perhaps it's feelings of worthiness...but perhaps he wonders if it's his fight to fight. If it doesn't directly affect us, do we feel like we have to get involved? This is an important question in our day and time as the church wonders about getting involved or not meddling in other people's affairs. So church...what's it going to be?

This morning sermon about Baby Moses and the extraordinary women of God who helped in the redemption of God's people.

2 different stories about babies floating down river?

What does it mean for the church to go upstream?

What is the difference between charity and justice?

In this sermon, Mary Taylor reminds us that this Sunday is a transition Sunday in the liturgical calendar, we also have many transitions in our lives. She reminds us that God is with us through all of it

Have you ever had something amazing...but didn't know what you had? For many of us the Holy Spirit is a nebulous "other", but the Spirit is still at work today in you and in me and in the church. What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you for ministry today?

Melissa is one of our Xplor Residents this year and brought her home church worship style to Mantua Center Christian Church. She is from San Benito, TX and goes to FCC Raymondville where her mom Rosie is the pastor. Here worship songs, prayers, and poetry as we celebrate moms and experience a new way to worship.