Listen to the April 26, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Most of us don't stop until we have no choice. We push through, we give more, we tell ourselves the right moment to rest is just around the corner. And then one day we end up under the broom tree — exhausted, depleted, and wondering what went wrong. This message draws on one of the Bible's most surprisingly human stories: the prophet Elijah, who pulled off one of the greatest spiritual victories in the Old Testament and then immediately fell apart. God's response wasn't a pep talk or a to-do list. It was a meal, a nap, and a still small voice. Using Elijah's story as a backdrop for a pastoral sabbatical sendoff, this message asks a question worth sitting with — are you living an obedient, listening life, or an absurd, noisy one? And what would it actually take to slow down enough to hear God again?

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Listen to the April 19, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Most of us don't stop until we have to. We let the calendar fill up, let the noise crowd in, and somewhere along the way we lose touch with the things that actually feed us — genuine worship, real connection with others, and that wide-eyed sense of wonder that reminds us the world is bigger than our to-do list. This week Pastor Dave shares about an upcoming three-month sabbatical and the three words at the heart of it: worship, welcome, and wonder. But this isn't really a message about one pastor's travel plans. It's an honest reflection on what happens when good people in demanding roles don't tend to their own souls — and what it looks like to choose replenishment before you hit empty. If you've been feeling weary, stretched thin, or just disconnected from the things that matter most, this message has something for you too.

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Listen to the April 12, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

We know the story of Doubting Thomas — but we've probably missed what it's really about. It's not just a story about one man's skepticism. It's a story about a room full of frightened, grieving people who had heard the best news in human history and still couldn't bring themselves to believe it. Sound familiar? This week's message, delivered by Indiana Conference United Methodist Bishop Tracy S. Malone, takes a close look at what happened in that locked room — and what it means that Jesus walked right through the door anyway. Not to confront anyone's failure. Not to demand more faith. Just to offer peace. If you've been in a season where fear feels louder than hope, where you're going through the motions but the doors are still locked on the inside, this message was preached for you.

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Listen to the April 5, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Most of us know the Easter story. But knowing a story and being moved by it are two different things. This message takes a fresh angle on the resurrection by working through three of the most familiar words in the Bible — faith, hope, and love — and showing how the events of that first Easter weekend give each one its weight and meaning. It starts with the cross, where love went further than anyone thought possible. It moves to the empty tomb, where hope was handed back to people who had completely given up on it. And it ends with an unfinished story — an angel pointing toward Galilee and an invitation to believe, even when you can't yet see. Whether you're a longtime believer or someone who showed up today not quite sure what you think, this is an honest conversation about what it looks like to trust when the fog hasn't lifted yet.

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Listen to the March 29, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Courtroom dramas fascinate us because they're where truth and justice are supposed to win. But what happens when the court itself is corrupt? This week we walk through one of history's most unjust trials — Jesus before the Sanhedrin — where rules were broken, witnesses contradicted each other, and an innocent man was condemned anyway. But the deeper story isn't really about them. It's about us. Because the same impulses that drove that courtroom — self-protection, the twisting of truth, the silencing of the innocent — are ones we recognize if we're honest with ourselves. And yet the most remarkable part of the story is what happened next: the one person who had every right to condemn us chose instead to absorb the punishment himself. This is a message about guilt, grace, and what it means to have someone go to bat for you when you have no defense of your own.

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Listen to the March 22, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

We live in a world full of protests, counter-protests, and constant conflict — and most of us are somewhere between deeply compelled to act and completely exhausted by it all. This week we look at one of history's most famous acts of defiance: Jesus walking into the temple and flipping over the money changers' tables. It wasn't random anger. It was a response to real exploitation — the religious system was preying on the poor, marking up offerings tenfold and squeezing people who had the least. What drove him to act? And what can his example teach us about how and when to take a stand in our own lives? We explore three things that have to work together — a heart that breaks for others, a clear sense of what's right, and the willingness to absorb the cost of standing up. If you've ever wrestled with whether to speak up or stay quiet, this one's worth your time.

https://www.zumc.org/sermons

Listen to the March 15, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Why do people compete for honor, influence, and recognition?

In Mark’s Gospel, two disciples ask Jesus for the highest places of honor in his kingdom. Their request reveals a deep human drive, the need to be seen, valued, and favored. Yet Jesus responds by turning the entire idea of greatness upside down.

In God’s kingdom, greatness is not measured by status or privilege. It is measured by humility, sacrifice, and service. Jesus points to the overlooked and the vulnerable and calls his followers to welcome them, serve them, and restore their dignity.

This message explores how our desire for honor can fuel comparison, competition, and conflict. But when we follow the example of Christ, who emptied himself and became a servant, we begin to see another way forward. Instead of fighting for favor, we learn to extend God’s favor to others, especially those who feel unseen or forgotten.

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Listen to the March 8, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

"What’s eating you?" It’s a question we often ask when someone seems conflicted, but it points to a deeper spiritual reality: the things we consume can end up consuming us.

In this week’s message, we look at the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders over the "Cleanliness Code." While the Pharisees focused on external rituals and outward appearances, Jesus redirected the conversation to the heart. We explore how our internal appetites—what we feed through our attention and habits—shape our character and our responses to conflict.

Today we discuss:

Ritual vs. Moral Purity: Understanding why Jesus prioritized the "clean heart" over external washing.

The "Beast at the Door": Insights from the story of Cain and Abel on how anger and sin seek to master us.

The Power of "Thou Mayest": The profound freedom we have to choose a different path, even when we feel overwhelmed by negative emotions.

The Path of Surrender: Why owning our struggles is the first step toward God’s healing and renewal.

Whether you are struggling with outrage, anxiety, or a persistent "mad face," this service offers a way to move toward the peace and clarity that only a clean heart can provide.

https://www.zumc.org/sermons

Listen to the March 1, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Conflict is an unavoidable part of being human, but it doesn't have to be destructive. In this special Confirmation Sunday service, Youth Director Zach Cheeseman and our pastoral team explore a "Practical Theology" framework for resolving conflict.

By examining the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath in Mark 3, we look at how to move beyond "gridlock" and into a deeper understanding of God’s will. We discuss why Jesus prioritized restoration over rigid rules and how his "upside-down kingdom" calls us to put relationships first.

In this video, we cover:

The Four Phases of Practical Theology: Descriptive, Interpretive, Theological, and Practical steps for resolving disagreements.

The Conflict in the Synagogue: Why healing on the Sabbath was such a flashpoint between Jesus and the Pharisees.

Love as the Fulfillment of the Law: Understanding the core principle that guides Christian behavior.

The Reality of the Church: Acknowledging that while no church is perfect, working through conflict leads to true community.

Confirmation Vows: A look at the commitment to resist evil and trust in God’s grace.

Whether you are dealing with tension in your family, your workplace, or your church, this message offers a realistic and hopeful way to find a path forward together.

https://www.zumc.org/sermons

Listen to the February 22, 2026 Sunday worship service from Zionsville United Methodist Church in Zionsville, IN.

Conflict is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to lead to gridlock. As we begin our Lenten series on the conflicts found in the Gospel of Mark, we look at the tension between the "old ways" of legalism and the "new wine" of Jesus’ grace.

Using the research of John Gottman alongside the parables of Jesus, we explore why we often "clench our fists" to protect what we value, and how that defensiveness can prevent us from seeing what God is doing right in front of us.

In this service, we discuss:

Conflict vs. Gridlock: Understanding why 69% of relationship conflicts are perpetual and how to move past the "Four Horsemen" of criticism and defensiveness.

The Calling of Levi: Why Jesus chose a tax collector—a social outcast—to be a disciple and what that says about God's priorities.

The Parable of the Wineskins: A breakdown of why new wine requires flexibility and why the "old dog, new tricks" mentality can hinder our spiritual growth.

The Power of Confession: How admitting we might be wrong opens the door for peace and restoration.

Join us as we learn to open our hands and hearts to the transformative power of grace, even in the midst of our most difficult disagreements.

https://www.zumc.org/sermons