August 1, 2021 – Diane Rehfield, “Tell Me More”
Sermon: sermon
While we watch the Olympics we are focused on the incredible gifts of athleticism given to some people who work hard to develop those gifts, in order to become the best in the world at their sport. Meanwhile, the letter to the Ephesians calls us to another type of gifts. These gifts are the ones that can be used for the betterment of the world, even if sometimes they are costly to the giver. With all of the discord in our world today, this letter offers helpful advice on how to minister to one another, so that we may together find peace in the world we live in. The scripture is Ephesians 4:1-16, and Diane’s sermon is entitled “Tell Me More.”
Scripture: scripture
August 8, 2021 – April Herron, “Rules But No Referee”
Sermon: sermon
If you are ever searching for instruction on how to live as followers of Jesus, the fourth chapter of Ephesians is a good place to look. We can find there a clear awareness of how easy it is to be angry, argumentative, critical, and self-centered. We also find reason and motivation to model ourselves after the example of Christ by being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another. The scripture text for Sunday is Ephesians 4:25-5:3. April’s sermon title is, “Rules But No Referee.”
Scripture: scripture
August 15, 2021 – Kristin Reksc, “At the Center”
Sermon: sermon
An important summer mission tradition for RHUMC is the sending of youth from our community to participate in the Sierra Service Project. This year SSP was offered via Zoom, so our congregation hosted a local “Week of Service” with in-person service opportunities supported by SSP’s online spiritual program. Fifteen youth volunteers, two young adult volunteers, and ten adult volunteers came together to build a beautiful labyrinth on RHUMC’s campus. Youth also learned how to use power tools while building yard games to be donated for Relay For Life’s silent auction and step stools for Kidzone, our preschool, and for Sunday school children to use in the kitchen during cooking lessons. This week we will be led in worship by some of the Week of Service youth participants, along with Jonathan. The theme for our worship will be taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, “For everything there is a season.” Kristin’s sermon is “At the Center.”
Scripture: scripture
August 22, 2021 – Jonathan Chute, “Personal Protective Equipment”
Sermon: sermon
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians encourages believers to be strong in the Lord. The Roman Empire was built on one kind of strength – that of armies and weapons. The evidence of its power was visible across the land. Paul makes clear to the early Christians that our strength comes from a different place. He takes images familiar to the culture around him, but uses them to make a rather different point about our faith. Ephesians 6:10-20 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Personal Protective Equipment.”
Scripture: scripture
August 29, 2021 – Jonathan Chute, “Inside, Out”
Sermon: sermon
In this week’s gospel Jesus responds to criticism by some leaders in the religious community. They notice that his disciples are not following the rules for washing hands before eating, and want to know why. Jesus says that it is not what goes into our bodies that makes us unclean, but what comes out of us. He accuses the critics of focusing on the wrong end of the problem. While it is easy to judge the cleanliness of our hands, the intentions of the heart are harder to see and know. Mark 7, verses 1-8, and 14-15 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Inside, Out.”
Scripture: scripture
