"Hope After Christmas"
Rev. Oden R. Warman

Following our Christmas celebrations we have a hard time facing the harsh realities of life. Isaiah reminds us that it is God's presence we should seek out and rely upon.   Matthew recounts Herod trying to rid the world of its redeemer by slaughtering the innocent.  Our hope lies in understanding that God is working to redeem even the harshest events and that nothing can separate us from the love we have discovered in Christ Jesus.

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"God is Near: Welcome!"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

A special Christmas Eve message

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"God is Near: Obey"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we hear the prophet foretell of Emmanuel, and we hear Joseph's dream of Emmanuel. On this Sunday before Christmas, we speak of God with us. We yearn for our savior to fulfill the promises of the Gospel in ways the world will recognize. Let us remain open to the surprises and promise this season brings.

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"God is Near: Accept"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

It is Advent. Christmas is 13 days away.  Each passing day we are closer to the miracle of the incarnation — God with us.  When we accept that God is present with us and that God has prepared a future for us, our eyes are opened to new realities.  Luke presents us Mary's vision of a world turned upside down where justice and mercy are supreme. When we accept God’s will our lives receive meaning.

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"God is Near: Believe"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

On the second Sunday of Advent we remember how the Hebrew people longed for a savior and how their prophets and teachers kept hope alive by sharing their memories of God’s power and goodness.  John the Baptist raised the call that Jesus continued, "Repent and believe the good news!"

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"Being Thankful"

Rev. Oden R. Warman.

Rejoice and give thanks! This is a season to trust in God’s care and to rest assured that Christ is King.  We are held in Christ’s gentle arms of love. In those arms, we have everything we need. In a world that instills fear and worry that nothing we have will ever be enough, we discover in Christ’s care that we have everything we need, and indeed it is enough.

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"Generous Living"

Rev. Oden R. Warman.

The eighth chapter of 2 Corinthians provides a compelling portrayal of giving. One of the most confusing topics we have to face as Christians is giving and generosity. There’s probably no area where the Christian life is more counter cultural than in generosity.  Today we explore the call to live generously even in frugal times. 

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"A Cloud of Witnesses"

Rev. Oden R. Warman.

All Saints Sunday is a day of remembrance for the saints, with the New Testament meaning of all Christian people of every time and place. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead, both of the Church universal and of our local congregation.  For this reason we read the names of our congregation who have died since our last All Saints’ Sunday.

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"We fall, we forget, God restores"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: John 8:31-36 -- The truth will make you free.

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"Heading for a Fall"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 18:9-14 — Those who humble themselves will be exalted

Jesus chastises those who build themselves up, but offers forgiveness to those who humble themselves before God. Even in the worst of times, God never abandons us. This is good news indeed.

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"Rescued"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: 2 Luke 19:1-10 — Jesus offers salvation to Zacchaeus, a sinner

Jesus invites Zacchaeus to experience new life and to turn away from sin and corruption.  If we know God's word and have faith in Christ we can be rescued from our sin and guilt and receive new life.  God's Spirit can be with us in the deepest mine or farthest battlefront.  We can know the peace that God offers in all the circumstances
of life.    

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"Changing Lives for God's Sake"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Texts: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 4; Luke 17:11-19

Paul reminds Timothy and us to be workers for Christ.  Jesus found that those receiving God's grace were rarely grateful and did not always respond with faith, but Jesus served out of obedience to God, not for the gratitude of others.  When we serve the kingdom it is not for the gratitude of others or worldly "success" but out of obedience and love for God and God's children.    

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"Absorb, Embrace and Create Something Beautiful"

Bishop George W. Bashore, guest speaker

Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

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"How Long Can You Tread Water?"

Dr. Brian K. Bauknight, guest speaker

Text: Genesis 6:5-17 — The ark preserves creation.

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"Called to Account"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 16:1-13 – You cannot serve God and wealth

Stewardship runs through today’s reading. How we manage our time, talents, gifts, and service matters.  All that we have and enjoy in this life are gifts from God.  We can find meaning in following God's will and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Have you managed to be useful to God's kingdom?

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"Welcome Back"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 15:1-10 – God seeks out the lost

In Luke Jesus promises rejoicing in heaven for forgiven sinners. As a sweep through salvation history, these scriptures remind us that the journey of faith is one of failure and forgiveness — a journey involving both judgment and mercy.

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"Shaped for a Purpose"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 14:25-33  -- The cost of discipleship

Today’s lessons put the challenge of submitting to God and following God’s plan for your life in the harshest possible terms.   Putting God first is the key to a meaningful life.  Only then can you find the SHAPE God wants to give your life.  Your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Ability, Personality, and Experience are the elements which God uses to shape your life for service.

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"Open the Doors and See All the People"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14 — Show hospitality to the sick and the poor.

In Luke, Jesus reminds us that the invitation to accept God's gift of salvation and forgiveness is extended to all.  We must view others through the eyes of Jesus and open our hearts and doors to all those whom God has called by the Spirit.

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"A New Point of View"

Rev. Beth Nelson, guest speaker

Text: Luke 13:10-17 — Jesus heals a woman on the sabbath.

In Luke, Jesus rescues a woman from an infirmity she has suffered with for eighteen years. In a world full of peril, rebellion, and decay, God is present to rescue us and offer us a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 

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"Set Ablaze By God's Word"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 12:49-56 — The kingdom brings conflict.

The gospel reminds us that God’s Word brings spiritual fire: the fire of God's Word and God's Kingdom interacting with each person's identity.  We are inspired and set ablaze and we fan the flames for one another to keep God's love burning in our hearts. By baptism with water and fire we leave the past and welcome Christ’s future for us. 

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"Where is Your Heart?"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 12:32-40— Where you invest your life reveals your heart.

We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  We demonstrate the sincerity of our faith through how we serve God with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.  Where you treasure is, there is your heart also.

Also this week: Laura Meengs, a field coordinator for Imagine No Malaria. Imagine No Malaria is a ministry of The United Methodist Church to heal the children of Africa and to live out our calling as Christians and as Methodists — to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 

Click the Sermon Podcasts icon at right to stream the sermon to your computer.(You will need to have some type of mp3 player installed on your computer. We recommend iTunes, available from Apple at no charge.)

"Don't Be Greedy"

Rev. Oden R. Warman

Text: Luke 12:13-21 — Do not rely on wealth, but on God

Christ warns us: “Be on guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Therefore, let us store up for ourselves treasures in heaven as we share our earthly treasures with a world in need.

Click the Sermon Podcasts icon at right to stream the sermon to your computer.(You will need to have some type of mp3 player installed on your computer. We recommend iTunes, available from Apple at no charge.)