Geyers United Methodist Church

Sunday, May 9 message from Pastor Steve

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Sunday, April 18 sermon by Pastor Steve

April 11 sermon from Pastor Steve

Easter message by Pastor Steve.

Palm Sunday message from Pastor Steve

January 10, 2021 Sermon

Thoughts from Pastor Steve Scripture reading: But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for seeI am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people’ [Luke 2:10 N.R.S.V] Merry Christmas. I hope that your Christmas was richly blessed. I suspect we all long for the perfect Christmas, however, life is not always like that. For many Christmas can be a time of sorrow and unfulfilled hopes and expectations. ... A friend of mine told me he is spending Christmas alone because his wife is very ill and hospitalized. He has not been able to go and see her and is in no mood to celebrate. He feels empty. As a pastor, I often see the other side of life. I think of the homeless, the incarcerated, the addicts, and those in broken or abusive relationships. Others are grieving lost loved ones and empty places at the table. Such folks find it hard to even listen to Andy Williams’ song, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I get it. But the good news is that Christmas speaks to all people, especially the lonely and hurting. God is with us no matter what we face. I suggest reading Romans 8: 31-38 and you will see that nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Our scripture reading today tells us that this promise and good news is for ALL people. May you claim these promises on this Christmas Day. Prayer: Dear God, I cannot even begin to grasp the depth of your love in Jesus Christ. Help me to remember that I am never alone or forsaken. Amen.

Thoughts from Pastor Steve Scripture reading: Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, ‘I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.’ [John 8:12 LB] Sometimes, on a dark or dreary night I like to drive up the streets of our community and see the various Christmas lights how they transform the dark and dreary nights of winter. But electric Christmas lights can only do so... much. Life’s problems remain. It does not take a headline to know that that this has been a year of darkness for many. Businesses slowed down or closed, church buildings have been empty, and financial fear and uncertainty shroud us. This has led many to the feeling of being surrounded by darkness. What no Christmas light display can do, Jesus does. He shines in all places, especially in darkness. Jesus spoke of the light that cuts through darkness, the light that he alone can provide. It is Jesus who guides, protects, and sustains us through all times and places. On this Christmas Eve, may we place our trust and hope in Jesus, the Light of the World. His light will break through our darkness if we choose to follow it. Prayer: God of pure light, grant us the wisdom to live in your light. May your hope, peace, love, and joy fill our hearts, homes, and all the earth. Amen.

Thoughts from Pastor Steve Scripture reading: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [John 3:16 N.I.V.] Of all the 31,373 verses in the Bible, John 3:16 is often referred to as one of the most concise declarations of the gospel. Martin Luther called it the Bible in miniature. This verse reminds us that God first loved us greatly and then he gave us the gift of his one and only son.... Please note that God FIRST loved and THEN gave us the gift of his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Christmas has been called the season of giving. As I write this, we are two days away from Christmas and many people are still searching for the perfect gift to show their loved ones how much they are loved. But no material gift can ever equal the gift that comes from giving of ourselves. This is what God does. It is that love that shows us what Christmas is all about. As Christmas draws ever so near, let us keep our focus on the true gift of God’s love shown to us in Jesus. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your great love that you so freely give to us, your children. May we receive your love with gratitude and pass it on to others. Amen.