Jan 26, 2020
"Those in darkness have seen a great light."
This Sunday's message imagines the magnificent ways in which light changes our view of the world around us. And how the light of Christ in our lives can dramatically change how we see ourselves, others, creation, and God.
Are you living in the "shadow of death?" Are you yearning to experience the dawning of the light of Christ in your life? By God's grace, that light is available to you and all who are living in darkness.
I look forward to opening God's Word with you as we gather to worship this Sunday.
Blessings in His name!
Pastor Bob
Matthew 4:12-23
- Jan 26, 2020Light That Brings Life
Light That Brings Life
Jan 26, 2020
"Those in darkness have seen a great light."
This Sunday's message imagines the magnificent ways in which light changes our view of the world around us. And how the light of Christ in our lives can dramatically change how we see ourselves, others, creation, and God.
Are you living in the "shadow of death?" Are you yearning to experience the dawning of the light of Christ in your life? By God's grace, that light is available to you and all who are living in darkness.
I look forward to opening God's Word with you as we gather to worship this Sunday.
Blessings in His name!
Pastor Bob
Matthew 4:12-23
- Jan 19, 2020Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Jan 19, 2020
We have so much to celebrate in this first month of 2020. By our human standards, our congregation is healthy. Our finances are solid, our second site (Aisle 7 Fellowship) has experienced solid growth. Our church staff works well together. Our church council leadership is committed and hard-working. Our members love and care for each other.
The list could go on and on.
So when I sit back and take stock of where we are as a church, it's tempting to be satisfied.
But if the Scriptures tell us anything, it is that human standards are not God's standards. The prophet Micah shares with us this timeless truth: "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
So in this new year, let us measure our church with these three standards:
Are we acting with justice in every facet of our lives?
Do we love mercy and offer it to friends and foes alike?
Are we walking humbly with our God?
Those are the standards our Lord calls us to fulfill.
Grace, peace and love to all in this new year!
Pastor Bob
- Jan 12, 2020Holy Obediance
Holy Obediance
Jan 12, 2020
The story of Jesus' life in the Gospels moves rapidly from birth to adulthood. Just a couple of weeks past Christmas, we are already reading in Matthew of the baptism of Jesus as he enters into his ministry in his late 20's.
One statement by Jesus in Matthew 3 has always challenged me. In reply to John the Baptist's protestation that it is Jesus who should baptize John, Jesus replies: Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” How do we know what is right and wrong? What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness? These are the questions we'll address in this Sunday's message as we ask ourselves, "Are we doing all we can to live God's way?"
Grace, peace and love to all in this new year!
Pastor Bob
Matthew 3:13-16
- Jan 5, 2020Of Dreams and Kings and Sordid Things
Of Dreams and Kings and Sordid Things
Jan 5, 2020
This Sunday - the first in 2020 - is a special day in the life of our church each year. As we share the bread and cup of Holy Communion, we also begin the new year by joining in John Wesley's Covenant Prayer and committing our lives anew to our Lord. The prayer begins with these powerful words: "I am no longer my own, but thine."
Grace, peace and love in the new year!
Pastor Bob
Matthew 2:1-12
- Dec 29, 2019No Longer A Slave
No Longer A Slave
December 29, 2019 No Longer A Slave
OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP ON DECEMBER 29TH.... This coming Sunday our worship will include songs by Fritz and Peggy Horwitz as well as a "Hymn Sing" of favorite songs of the Christmas season. I will share a short devotion so that we have plenty of time to worship our Lord God in song. Come and enjoy the fellowship and worship on this last Sunday of 2019!
Grace, peace and love at Christmas and always!
Pastor Bob
Luke 2:1-20
Galatians 4:4-7
- Dec 22, 2019God With Us
God With Us
December 22, 2019 God With Us
I want to thank ever member and friend of Verona UMC and Aisle 7 Fellowship who have given of their time and energies in so many ways as we approach Christimas and the birth of our Lord.....
The folks who serve local families each week at our food pantry.... the volunteers who serve as hosts at the Verona Community Center, making everyone feel welcome and helping those in need....the adult and children's choirs for a truly spectacular Christmas concert last Sunday.... the people who participate in preparing for and leading our worship services.... every teacher and student in Sunday School.... everyone who warmly greets a first-time guest.... all those who faithfully pray each day.... and those whose generous hearts lead them to give generously so that others may find grace, healing, and the good news of Jesus Christ through our church.
What an exciting time it is to be in ministry together!
Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:1-14
- Dec 15, 2019What did you expect?
What did you expect?
December 15, 2019 What did you expect?
"What did you go out to see." (Matthew 11:8)
What do we expect to see as we approach Christmas Day? We often say that Advent is a season of expectation leading us to the birth of Christ. What are you expecting this Christmas? Presents under a tree? Stress? Family gatherings? Singing carols at church?
All of those experiences are part of most of our Christmases. But the one expectation that supercedes them all is the expectation of Christ's presence in our midst. May the words "Unto us a Savior is born!" echo through every day of the Advent and Christmas seasons and beyond!
Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Matthew 11:2-11
Luke 17:20-33
- Dec 8, 2019The Power in the Manger
The Power in the Manger
December 8, 2019 The Power in the Manger
"Sustaining all things by the power of His Word." (Hebrews 1:3a)
All of humanity is starved for truth. But not all realize they are starving.
On a mission trip some 40 years ago, I remember seeing Haitian mothers baking mud pies on the sun-heated tin roofs of their homes. The pies were for their children to eat, not play with. Pies whose only real value was that they could fill a child's empty stomach and stop the hunger pains and crying for a few hours.
What those mud pies couldn't do is place life-preserving, health-sustaining nutrients into their baby's bellies. They might temporarily satisfy their hunger but they weren't real food.
All of humanity is starved for truth. Real truth, not mud pies.
In this season celebrating the Truth born in Bethlehem, may we all come to know the One who "sustains all things by the power of His Word."
And may we turn up our noses at the mud pies the world offers in place of the Good News of God's truth in the flesh - Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Hebrews 1:1-4
- Dec 1, 2019Stay Awake
Stay Awake
December 1, 2019 Stay Awake
This Sunday is the first Sunday in the Advent Season, a month long season of preparation for the coming of Jesus into the world - and of expectation of his Second Coming. Let's come together each Sunday to remember the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Matthew 24:36-44
- Nov 24, 2019A Heart for Thanks & Giving
A Heart for Thanks & Giving
November 24, 2019 A Heart for Thanks & Giving
We have so much to be thankful for! Please set aside time during this season of thanksgiving to raise your voice with others in grateful praise!
Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 100