Categories
Bible Christian living faith sermon spiritual growth united methodist church

From Darkness to Light: Embracing Honest Questions

There’s a particular kind of question that only surfaces after dark. During the day, you’re busy. Distracted. Managing the image you present to the world. But somewhere around 2 AM, when sleep won’t come and the house is quiet, the questions you’ve been outrunning finally catch up. Is this really what I believe, or just […]

Categories
justice sermon spiritual growth Uncategorized

Clearing Clutter: Making Space for What Matters

Many of us started January with ambitious plans. We were going to organize that garage, finally tackle the closet stuffed with clothes we haven’t worn in years, or create a filing system for all those papers scattered across the kitchen counter. Maybe we even bought storage containers and labels, feeling virtuous about our commitment to […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

Finding God in Everyday Moments of Life

Many of us start the new year with grand expectations. We imagine dramatic transformations—losing fifty pounds, landing the dream job, finally getting organized. But here’s what actually happens: We make it three days into our new exercise routine before the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM and we decide sleep is also a form of […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

How Community and Connection Foster Lasting Change

Many of us spent the last week of 2025 making resolutions. We promised ourselves we’d finally organize that closet, start that exercise routine, or learn to cook something beyond frozen pizza. By now, four days into 2026, some of those resolutions are already feeling… optimistic. There’s something both hopeful and humbling about fresh starts—we genuinely […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

Finding Light in the Christmas Chaos

Many of us experience a strange phenomenon this time of year. We spend December rushing toward Christmas—shopping, decorating, baking, attending parties, coordinating schedules. The to-do lists multiply. The calendar fills. We move faster and faster, trying to get everything done before the big day arrives. Then suddenly, it’s Christmas Eve. We sit down in church, […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

Winter Solstice Reflection: Embracing the Return of Light

Sermon – Version 1 Today is the winter solstice—the longest night of the year. Here in McPherson, the sun didn’t rise until 7:44 AM, and it will set by 5:14 PM. Nine hours and thirty minutes of daylight. For those of us who struggle through the dark of Kansas winters, this is the hardest day. […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth stewardship

The Gift of Generosity: Transforming Scarcity into Abundance

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your phone late at night, searching for something—anything—that might fill that restless feeling inside? Maybe you add items to your online cart, scroll through social media, or binge another episode of that show you’re not even enjoying anymore. We keep consuming, keep searching, keep spending time and money […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth Uncategorized

Finding Hope in Life’s Dark Valleys

Anyone who’s driven Kansas roads at night knows the feeling. You’re cruising along, and suddenly the road drops into a valley. The darkness seems to swallow your headlights. No streetlights, no house lights, just you and the black road ahead. Even familiar roads feel foreign in those valleys. You grip the wheel tighter, slow down, […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

Standing When Everyone Else Bows

Picture this scene: A store checkout line during holiday shopping season. A customer loudly yells at a young cashier over a coupon that won’t scan, questioning her competence, her intelligence, even her right to have this job. The line grows longer. People shift uncomfortably. Everyone sees what’s happening, everyone knows it’s wrong, but nobody speaks […]

Categories
sermon spiritual growth

What the Babylonian Exiles Teach Us About Justice Today

We just heard Brad and Diane share incredible news: $420,328 in First Fruits giving toward Tomorrow First. Take that in for a moment. That number represents more than money—it demonstrates faith in action. You’re investing in future generations you may never meet, trusting that God transforms present resources into lasting blessings. This is what happens […]

Categories
sermon worship

Finding Light in Dark Times: Isaiah’s Hope for Today

Anyone else already putting up Christmas lights? I’ve seen several houses with full displays already. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet! We may shake our heads at neighbors who string lights in November, but honestly, I get it. I’m actually thinking about doing the same while the weather’s still decent – better now than wrestling with […]

Categories
justice sermon spiritual growth Uncategorized

Amos and the Call to Justice in Modern Times

Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone knew something was wrong, but nobody wanted to say it? The project was failing. The budget wasn’t realistic. The elephant in the room grew bigger with each passing minute. Yet everyone smiled, nodded, and moved to the next agenda item. We’ve all been there—that uncomfortable moment […]