October 1, 2023 – April Herron, “A Chance to Change”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s scripture reading finds Jesus being confronted by chief priests and community leaders. They want to know the source of his authority. Just the day before, Jesus had caused chaos in the temple by driving out the merchants and shoppers and turning over the tables of the money changers. “How dare you?” is the question that now comes to him. Jesus will not be intimidated. After causing his interrogators to acknowledge their own fear and uncertainty, Jesus invites them to listen to a story, which he introduces to them by asking, “What do you think?” The question opens a door to self-assessment. Matthew 21:23-32 is our text. April’s sermon title is, “A Chance to Change.”
Scripture: scripture
October 8, 2023 – Jonathan Chute, “Month to Month”
Sermon: sermon
n our gospel for Sunday Jesus tells a story of treachery and violence. A man leases his vineyard to tenants, but when his servants come to collect the rent, they are beaten and killed. Eventually he sends his son to the vineyard, who is treated exactly as those who went before him. It seems like an expensive way to run a vineyard.Matthew 21:33-46 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Month to Month.”
Scripture: scripture
October 15, 2023 – Suellen Fung, “Who? Me?”
Sermon: sermon
This week is Laity Sunday in the United Methodist Church, when our appointed pastors step away from the pulpit and we are led in worship by members of our congregation. This year’s Laity Sunday preacher is Suellen Fung. Suellen grew up in Singapore, where the Methodist Church has been part of the city’s life since the late 1800s. Suellen attended a Methodist Girls School in the early years after the end of World War II. She brings a unique and moving perspective to what it means for us to be people of faith in and around the world.
Near the end of Paul’s letter to the first Christians in Philippi, he expresses profound appreciation for the people who have worked alongside him in sharing the gospel. They are beloved friends and he is confident that their names are in the book of life. He describes an approach to living and serving that rests upon an awareness of God’s nearness. He urges his companions in Christ, whether near at hand or far away, to keep their minds fixed on praiseworthy examples of perseverance in hope and love. He affirms that the teachings he has passed on to them are a gift from the God of peace. Philippians 4:1-9 is the text for the day. Suellen’s sermon is “Who? Me?”
Scripture: scripture
October 22, 2023 – John Woodall, “There Is Enough”
Sermon: sermon
This Sunday we welcome a pair of guest preachers, one for the morning services and another for the evening. The Rev. John Woodall was ordained with April and Jonathan and served Santa Monica First, Pasadena First, and Westwood First UMC before becoming President of the California Pacific United Methodist Foundation in 2019. He will bring a warm and encouraging spirit to the day. He will be preaching on the feeding of the multitude as told in Mark, which follows the return of the disciples after their first missionary journeys. Jesus hears their reports and then leads them away from the demands of the crowds. They get on board a boat and head off for a brief retreat. It turns out to be even briefer than they had planned. When they get to their destination they find that the crowd is waiting for them. Jesus has awakened a sense of hope that has been lying dormant, and the people of the area cannot wait to see him. In the midst of the desert he attends both to their spiritual and physical hunger. The text for John’s sermon is Mark 6:30-44, and his title is “There Is Enough.”
Scripture: scripture
October 29, 2023 – Jonathan Chute, “Rules for the Road”
Sermon: sermon
Our gospel for this Sunday tells of another encounter with someone who wants to test Jesus. A lawyer asks him, “What is the greatest commandment?” It is a fairly straight question and Jesus gives him a fairly straight answer. But Jesus wants him to see that how we treat God and how we treat each other are actually two sides of the same coin. We cannot love God and ignore the needs of our neighbors. But you knew that already. Matthew 22:34-40 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Rules for the Road.”
Scripture: scripture
