The Paralympic Games begin on Wednesday in Paris. Athletes will take their marks, set their stance, and launch into action. Today, we find the disciples in a similar position at the beginning of the book of Acts – poised on the starting blocks of a world-changing mission. But unlike those Olympians who relied on years […]
Have you ever walked into a room full of strangers, feeling your heart race and your palms sweat? Perhaps you’ve moved to a new city, joined a new club, or attended a gathering where you didn’t know a soul. That feeling of being an outsider, a stranger in an unfamiliar place, is a universal human […]
Today, as we come together on Mother’s Day, everyone here may feel different things. For some, it’s a happy day to celebrate the love of a mother. But for others, it might bring up feelings of sadness or hurt. No matter what, we can all find hope and comfort in the incredible power of Jesus’ […]
Friends, it’s good to be back with you after an intense and transformative couple of weeks at the General Conference in Charlotte, NC. Our United Methodist Church has made significant decisions that will shape our future. Amid these changes, I remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13. In a world that often feels driven by […]
Last night, Nicole, our kids John and Anne, and I had the incredible opportunity to see the transformative power of storytelling and music at the opening night of Godspell at Music Theater Heritage in Kansas City. Godspell is a beloved musical that brings the gospel to life through a series of parables and lessons from […]
Imagine the buzz in Jerusalem the week after that first Easter. The crucifixion, the empty tomb, the appearances of the risen Jesus – the city must have been electric with wonder, confusion, and anticipation. Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions experienced by the disciples? And now, we find yet another twist: Jesus’ ascension […]
Imagine being one of the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb on that first Easter morning. Whether you’re here out of habit or curiosity, the message of the resurrection is just as powerful today as it was back then. The empty tomb reminds us that hope wins over fear and doubt. It promises that new […]
Picture this: the streets of Jerusalem, filled with palpable excitement as Jesus enters the city on a donkey. The crowds wave palm branches, their voices echoing with shouts of “Hosanna!” It’s a scene of celebration and worship that we remember and reenact each Palm Sunday. But a more profound message speaks to our lives today […]
Picture a moment in your life when everything seemed uncertain, and you longed for a sense of direction. Perhaps you’ve faced challenges that overwhelmed you or doubts that shook your faith. In times like these, we all need a source of guidance and hope. Today, as we explore the words of Jesus in Mark 13, […]
As we gather for worship today, most of us probably have one less hour of sleep than we’re used to, thanks to Daylight Saving Time. It’s a little curious. We change our clocks, hoping to capture more daylight to maximize our time. This act of shifting time forward is a powerful metaphor for our journey […]
Today, we gather as spectators and as participants in a story that stretches back centuries yet speaks directly into the here and now. We stand on the shoulders of those who walked the dusty roads of Judea with Jesus, those who wrestled with questions of authority, stewardship, and faith. As we delve into Mark 12:1-17, […]
Imagine standing at a crossroads, the horizon stretched before you, painted with the bright colors of dawn. This moment, right now, feels like that—a pivotal point in our journey together. As I share the news of my upcoming appointment to McPherson First United Methodist Church, we stand together on the edge of change, between the […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 