Rev. Mitchell Boone sat down with Rev. Phil Dieke back in the sanctuary, rather than the studio, to discuss our big news: worship will be returning to the Sanctuary on Sunday June 13. This return means our online worship will change... it will continue, but will change. Mitchell and Phil spend time breaking down what this means for our in-person worship, but especially what it means for all who have been worshiping with us online and plan to remain online worshipers (for whatever reason). They discuss what the hybrid worship experience will be like, other discipleship opportunities that will be hybrid, and new opportunities that will be virtual only or "digital first" experiences. 

Let us know what questions you have regarding our hybrid and/or digital first experiences. You can email us at [email protected]. You can also find more info regarding our reopening plan at:

If you prefer to watch this episode, you can find it our our YouTube Channel here:

This year's Pentecost sermon again come from Acts 2 and Rev. Mitchell Boone interpreted it through the lens of the Holy Spirit as a Catalyst. We often associate Pentecost with the birth of the church, and rightfully so. However, as we all learned at some point in life, fire often comes with danger. It is a challenge to contain fire. And, as Mitchell states, "fire always leaves something changed." 

Mitchell also invited us to consider the stories we tell. How are our stories are evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the world? What story are you telling? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

If you prefer to watch this sermon, you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

Rebecca, Mitchell, and Phil reflect on Pentecost Sunday, the role of fire in scripture, and the celebration of our graduates. They also get into a conversation on how the Spirit may be moving the church in digital spaces!

If you prefer to watch this episode (which had some moments worthy of watching) you can find it on our YouTube Channel:

Today we celebrate Pentecost. Many aren't totally sure what Pentecost really is, thus Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford sat down with Rev. Phil Dieke to have a deeper conversation on the history of Pentecost in the Jewish and Christian traditions. They also spend some time discussing why we celebrate Pentecost each year, what it means for the church and for you as an individual, and what we are invited to through this often under celebrated holiday.

You can follow Melissa on Twitter (@MelissaGepford). And, if you prefer to watch this episode of the Sunday Sit Down, you can find it on our podcast channel here:

If you have any questions about Pentecost, our series Third Person, or in general you can email us at [email protected].

Phil preached the third sermon in our series "Third Person." This week we focused on the Holy Spirit as Re-Creator. We read the first creation narrative in Genesis 1, the liberation of the Hebrew people from Egypt in Exodus 14, and the Valley of the Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37. Throughout these three passages the Holy Spirit act in generative ways: creating, liberating, re-creating. We, as human-beings, are invited to co-create with the Holy Spirit in these generative ways as well. 

Phil shares some of the ways he is seeing these incredible partnerships of re-creation, scenarios that seem unimaginable. The Valley of the Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37 is filled with incredible imagery, tells a hopeful story of new life following great tragedy, and invites us to dream of the same. There is much pain, suffering, and tragedy in the world... can you imagine a better world?

Let us know ways you are seeing the Holy Spirit as Re-Creator. Email us at [email protected]

If you prefer to watch this sermon, you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

This week Rev. Phil Dieke was joined by Sarah Cruz, Policy Specialist at Texas Impact, and Sid Earnheart, Executive Director for Justice for Our Neighbors DFW and Legal Fellow at Texas Impact. They discuss their recent trip to the border, specifically their time in Brownsville and Matamoros. They share stories they heard, hope they saw, and the many things still causing frustration. 

Before the pandemic, Texas Impact was hosting Courts and Ports trips to the Texas/Mexico border, specially in the Rio Grande Valley. This trip was the first step to getting Courts and Ports started again.

If you are interested in a Courts and Ports trip email us at [email protected]

Continue in our series "Third Person," Rev. Mitchell Boone preached from John 14 and the role of the Holy Spirit as paraclete. This term is translated many different ways, including "friend" and "counselor." Mitchell shared why he loves the translation of counselor and the how the Holy Spirit as counselor may just be the Good News we need to hear today.

You can watch this sermon on our YouTube Channel here:

Rebecca, Mitchell, and Phil reflect on week two of our series Third Person: A Series on the Holy Spirit. They discuss the word Paraclete, and how the Holy Spirit acts as our counselor/comforter. Friend of the pod, Rev. Joshua Manning as a perplexing question regarding the conundrum of "and" over "but." Check out his question and know your questions are always welcome as well.

If you prefer to watch this episode, you can find the video version on our YouTube Channel:

Jack returns to continue the conversation regarding the Holy Spirit, specifically focusing on cultivating the experience of the Holy Spirit. He and Phil share how they each cultivate the Spirit in their own lives, then Jack gives some scriptural advice regarding ways you too can cultivate the Holy Spirit in your own life.  

Jack is a wealth of knowledge. You can find out more about him and his work at: jacklevison.com

If you prefer to watch this episode of the Sunday Sit Down, you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

Rev. Mitchell Boone kicks off our new series "Third Person: A Series on the Holy Spirit." Mitchell shares a general overview of the series that will lead us to Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is often a topic we don't fully dive into at White Rock United Methodist Church. We make mention here and there, but rarely do a deep dive. Mitchell begins by giving on overview of ruach (the Hebrew term translated as wind/breath/spirit). He references a variety of biblical texts, but primarily focuses on Matthew 3:13-4:1 - the baptism of Jesus. 

We are excited about this new series, about tuning ourselves to the work of the Spirit. We hope you'll join us for all four weeks.

You can watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel here: