A Reading from Scripture John 21:1-19 Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in Read more »
Sermons
Really? No Way!
Opening Reflection Lord of Resurrection surprises, open our hearts this day to the presence of Jesus Christ. Erase our excuses for unbelief and exchange them for strong witness to the power of your mercy and love. Give us courage and challenge us to walk the path of discipleship, knowing that Jesus goes before us, leading Read more »
Made Known in the Breaking of the Bread
A Reading from Scripture Luke 24:13-16 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from Read more »
At this Table
A Reading from Scripture Luke 22:14-20 NIV 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the Read more »
Jesus Eating with a “Sinner” (Again!)
Breaking Bread with Jesus Sunday April 4th Easter Sunday In-Person worship at 10:30 — must be registered by Friday April 2nd – email to pleasantgroveumcmd@gmail.com or speak to Pastor Dick. Opening Reflection God desires for us to live humbly — every single day. God does not approve of the haughty, arrogant approach that is often Read more »
Breaking Bread and Kingdom Values
A Reading from Scripture Luke 14: 1-14 NIV 14One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Read more »
Choosing the Better Part
Opening Reflection Go back and read the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Look where Jesus invested his life: it was in the lives of others. You will not read about Jesus’ bank account, or his home, or his clothing. You will read about people whose lives became intertwined with his. People like blind Bartimaeus, Read more »
5,000 Dinner Guests and Not Enough Food
Opening Reflection Our calling is to respond in love and service to the needs of our communities. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers around the world who hold us in prayer as we hold them. We should not be afraid “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power Read more »
A Love that Never Ends!
A Reading from Scripture Colossians 3:12-17 Common English Bible 12 Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. 14 And over all these things put Read more »
Finding Hope in the Gospels and the Epistles
Where do we find hope when our world is turned upside down? What do we hold on to when we are worried about our health, our families, our jobs? What can we count on in the face of uncertainty, isolation, fear and even death? For the next several weeks we will explore HOPE as found Read more »