Jun 3, 2012
Most Likely to Succeed
By: Rev. Bob Weeks
Series: Life 101
PDF of Sermon PowerPoint Slides for 6/3/12: "Most Likely to Succeed" It's Graduation Sunday and we'll look at "Senior Superlatives" through the lens of the Bible. Senior superlatives are those titles awarded in high school to "The Most Likely to Succeed," or "The Cutest Couple," or "The Class Clown".... If superlatives were handed out to Bible characters, who would win what? And, most importantly, who would be awarded that most sought-after superlative:  "The Most Likely to Succeed." While the message may have light moments, there will certainly be some serious questions addressed:  What is success? When do I know I've reached that pinnacle of success? Does success really matter?
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  • Jun 3, 2012Most Likely to Succeed
    Jun 3, 2012
    Most Likely to Succeed
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    PDF of Sermon PowerPoint Slides for 6/3/12: "Most Likely to Succeed" It's Graduation Sunday and we'll look at "Senior Superlatives" through the lens of the Bible. Senior superlatives are those titles awarded in high school to "The Most Likely to Succeed," or "The Cutest Couple," or "The Class Clown".... If superlatives were handed out to Bible characters, who would win what? And, most importantly, who would be awarded that most sought-after superlative:  "The Most Likely to Succeed." While the message may have light moments, there will certainly be some serious questions addressed:  What is success? When do I know I've reached that pinnacle of success? Does success really matter?
  • May 27, 2012It’s So Easy to Forget
    May 27, 2012
    It’s So Easy to Forget
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    It's so easy to forget. We are a nation and a church that loves celebrations. As a nation we celebrate July Fourth and an endless number of "special" days. As a church we "celebrate" Christmas, Easter and The Day of Pentecost and more. There are some important days we don't associate with "celebration." All-Saints Day in the Church for one. Memorial Day as a nation is another. There's a more serious, even somber, tone to these days. Yet the truth is that without these days of remembering the important sacrifices of martyrs and heroes and everyday people who gave their all to church and nation, there would be no celebrations. This Sunday is both The Day of Pentecost and Memorial Day Sunday. One is a celebration of the "birthday" of the church - the other a remembrance of ultimate sacrifice. Whether traveling for the holiday weekend or worshiping in your home church, I hope you'll take time to both remember and celebrate. I would especially encourage you to attend the 7:00 a.m. memorial service at the VUMC cemetery across from our church building on Rt. 11.
  • May 20, 2012The Anger Trap
    May 20, 2012
    The Anger Trap
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    A look at Jesus' teachings on murder, anger, and reconciliation from Matthew 5:21-26.
  • May 13, 2012It’s Not Easy Being Mom
    May 13, 2012
    It’s Not Easy Being Mom
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    PowerPoint Slides for "It's Not Easy Being Mom" This Sunday we look at five moms from the Bible - all challenged by circumstances, most struggling to find their way in God's will. Matthew 12:46-50 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49 Pointing to his disciples, he said,"Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." John 19:25-27
    25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
  • May 6, 2012Law and Life
    May 6, 2012
    Law and Life
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    SERMON TEXT:  MATTHEW 5:17-20
    We live in an age of confusion when it comes to the commandments of God. While the Ten Commandments are held up as the foundation of many nations' legal codes, most of us would have a hard time naming all ten. We tend to fly by the seat of our pants when it comes to God's will, basing our ethics on the situation at hand, and excusing ourselves from the highest demands of the law while holding others to the most rigorous standards.
           This Sunday is a Communion Sunday and we'll meditate on the relationship of love, grace, faith, and law. Rather than proclaiming them at odds and mutually exclusive, Jesus weaves grace and law, forgiveness and holiness together in a way that leads to true righteousness. Come and join us a s we continue on our journey through The Sermon on the Mount and learn the basics of life in the Kingdom.
  • Apr 29, 2012Salt and Light
    Apr 29, 2012
    Salt and Light
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101
    PDF of Sermon for 4-29-2012_Salt and Light
    The greatest threat to authentic discipleship in today's world may be the brick walls of our churches. Rather than shining as lights on a stand (Matthew 5:15), we often take on the nature of secret societies, huddling together in scarcely filled sanctuaries fearing for our future.
           In this week's portion of The Sermon on The Mount, Jesus paints a contrasting portrait of a people whose actions glorify God as they serve as agents of change shining in the darkness - an image strikingly different from the "escapism" of our culture that encourages us to create "safe spaces" away from the injustice and pain of the world; spaces that keep us away from the very people we are called to serve.
             I'm excited about this sermon series and the challenge of this passage of Holy Scripture. May we live out Jesus' vision for his church not only in Verona but as we go out into the world with the Gospel!
           Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
  • Apr 22, 2012This is Bliss
    Apr 22, 2012
    This is Bliss
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101

    PDF of Sermon Slides: April 22, 2012 - This is Bliss - The Beatitudes

                            A look at Matthew 5:3-12 and Jesus' beatitudes. These beatitudes ("blessed" or "happy") give us a glimpse into the true nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. You may be surprised at their meanings, their connection to Old Testament prophecies, and how revolutionary these blessings remain in today's world.

    Matthew 5:3-10

    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
    6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Apr 15, 2012The Importance of Focus
    Apr 15, 2012
    The Importance of Focus
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Life 101

    PDF Slides of "Life 101 - The Importance of Focus"

           When the basic ethical teaching of Jesus comes in contact with the saving grace of the cross AND the glory of the resurrection, we witness the Christian life in all its grace and glory. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus moves us from the letter of the law to the spirit and intent of the law. It is a series of teachings that no human being can fulfill by mortal power - it is only when we surrender to God's grace and power that the words of Jesus come alive in our lives. This Sunday we'll begin a several-month sermon series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with a message on "The Importance of Focus." We hope you'll join us for this series of messages on "Life 101: Foundations and directions for life from Jesus."

    This Sunday's Sermon Text
    Matthew 4:23-5:2 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[a] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.Matthew 5Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
     
  • Apr 8, 2012Death – Giving It Up
    Apr 8, 2012
    Death – Giving It Up
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Giving It Up

    Death - Giving It Up

    Sermon Text:  Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18  Jesus' rising on Easter morning was more than a showy miracle to shock and awe his attackers and followers. When Jesus rose, he turned the entire order of the universe on its head. The Resurrection shows us that Death does not have the last word. God has the last word, and that word is Life. Suffering and Death end, but God's Kingdom lasts forever.  
  • Apr 1, 2012Popularity – Giving It Up
    Apr 1, 2012
    Popularity – Giving It Up
    By: Rev. Bob Weeks
    Series: Giving It Up
    What a welcome Jesus got as he entered Jerusalem. "Hosanna!" the people cried, hailing him as an honored king. The crowds loved Jesus on Palm Sunday, but just a few days later a different crowd was calling for his death and the release of a murderer. Popularity and acclaim in the eyes of others is fleeting, and if we put all our faith in it we will be very disappointed. Instead, God calls us to put our faith in God's unending love and grace- something that will never go away, and will sustain us through the times when others have abandoned us.
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