First United
Methodist Church

5th Sunday after Epiphany and Holy Communion Sunday.  Communion Meditation: 
“ ‘Are Ye Weary?’ Asks the Master”  (Isaiah 40.21-31).   Life can wear us down, but the
Bible tells us that “waiting on the Lord,” while not supplying boundless vigor, can give
us the energy to carry on.

6th Sunday after Epiphany. Sermon: “ElishaCare” (2 Kings 5.1-14 Mark 1.40-45). Dare
we approach the subject of health care?  The story of Naaman gives us a good spring-board from which to jump into the topic, but not so much from a political, contemporary perspective; rather, from a spiritual perspective that reminds us how easy it really is to find wholeness.

7th Sunday after Epiphany and Transfiguration Sunday.  Sermon: “Up, Up, and Away”  (2 Kings 2.1-12).  Moses and Elijah share much in common, almost as if they were twins separated at birth (except for the 500-year span between their lives).  As great as these biblical figures are, we can find some flaws and fears within them before they take their final flight.

Ash Wednesday.  Meditation: “God: ‘Seriously??’ ” (Joel 2.1-2, 12-17).  We are all – no
exceptions – flawed.  We somehow understand that, but all too often try to excuse our
behaviors or even ask God to understand and accept them (to which God says,
“Seriously??”)  As Wednesday gives us another opportunity to put our sins to death
(symbolized in the ashes) and to anticipate the resurrection of new life as Lent begins.

1st Sunday in Lent.  Sermon: “The Apostles’ Creed: That Missing Phrase”  (Psalm 25.1-10; 1 Peter 3.18-22).  Just about every Christian denomination includes in their recitation of the Apostles’ Creed the words, “He descended into hell.”  United Methodists are among the few who do not.  Why not?  What does that phrase mean?  And what can we learn from it that will enhance our daily living?

For Sun., March 4, 2nd Sunday in Lent and Holy Communion Sunday.  Communion Meditation.