Sermon Central BrecksvilleUMC

Today we begin a new worship series that’s simply called, “I trust in God…” It’s based on our Vacation Bible School theme for this year, that follows a new camp counselor (who just so happens to be a firefly) through his nervous-excitement of his first few days of camp.
They spend each day at VBS, hearing about ordinary people in both the Old and New Testament who trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. And throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared.

This isn’t just a lesson for children, though. We each need this reminder—no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God.

There’s something meaningful about repeating that affirmation, “I trust in God…” “I trust in God…” “I trust in God…”

This week, we’re reminded that we can trust in God… to go with us.

Today we conclude our short series, “Faith In Action,” where we’re looking at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world.

The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live not just saying we’re Christian, but living it out in our actions—a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor.

Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better.

This is work we’re all called to do in different ways, given our unique personality, strengths, and God-given gifts.

We’ve talked about how putting our faith in action can look like caring for God’s creation and making sure everyone has a place in God’s church.

Today, we have Jonathan Gray, from Trials for Hope to share how his faith has inspired him to help others in God-sized ways in greater Cleveland. Trials for Hope is a non-profit that focuses on delivering dignity and hope to those in need through wholesome food, personal care items, and warmth to those in Greater Cleveland.

Today we continue with our short series, “Faith In Action,” where we’re looking at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world.
The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live not just saying we’re Christian, but living it out in our actions—a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor.

Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better.

This is work we’re all called to do in different ways, given our unique personality, strengths, and God-given gifts.

Last week, Melanie shared how her faith was transformed this past year when she went to a training called EarthKeepers. Through that training, she was able to understand how God is calling her to personally live out God’s command to love God and love neighbor.
Today, we want to name why declaring we are a reconciling congregation is an act of faith.

The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor. Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better.

In this series, we’re going to look at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world. Today, Melanie is going to share how her faith was transformed this past year, when she went to a training called EarthKeepers. Melanie is our Director of Communications & Connections here at BUMC. She’s been working with our church community for over 15 years, and in that time, she’s grown in a multitude of ways. She has a passion for God’s creation and creating a welcoming environment for all.

Today’s she leaping out of her comfort zone and bringing God’s message for us. So let us pray for God to speak through her.

Each gospel has a main theme when telling the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. In the gospel of John, the theme is choice— we have the choice whether to receive God’s love or not. To acknowledge Jesus as God enfleshed.

We also have a choice whether to live out that unconditional, extravagant love in the world like God— “for God so loved the world…”

What would it be like if we chose to live that love?

Today we continue our worship series, “Climate + Faith.” Our goal in this series is to look past partisan politics to recognize why valuing and caring for God’s creation is fundamentally an issue of faith.

We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and enjoy the same forests and lakes and rivers and creatures. We all suffer in extreme weather, social instability, and mass migration.

A livable world is not a politically partisan goal. It’s a human goal. And at its core, it’s a spiritual goal.

If we look back, in virtually every transformative movement in human history, people of faith have been at the center of the action. We’ve been the catalysts… laborers… visionaries.

And now, as we confront what is perhaps the greatest challenge in human history, God is calling us to step up once more—to live into our original calling of being responsible for all of God’s creation.