Oconee Street UMC Online Service
July 26, 2020
Prelude
Welcome
Invocation
Opening Hymn
Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 45-52
Sermon: “Kingdom Change”
by Joel Siebentritt
Mark 4: 1-9 (NRSV), The Parable of the Sower: Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, … Read the rest
For most of us, we can sympathize with the frustration of the workers in The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20: 1-16). Our American and Protestant work ethic tell us that if you work longer hours, if you work harder, then you should get more pay. It’s not fair that someone who shows up later than us gets the … Read the rest
In the parable of the two sons, Jesus tells the story of two brothers and their interactions with their father, who asked them both to work in the vineyard. One son said “no,” but later changed his mind and did the work. The other son said, “yes,” but never did the work.
Jesus said it is the son that did … Read the rest
In the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids (Matthew 25: 1-13), Jesus tells the story of five bridesmaids who did not bring extra oil for their lamps, and five bridesmaids who came prepared with extra oil. With the groom running late, by the time he appeared for the celebration, the five bridesmaids without extra oil needed to get more, and they … Read the rest
The events of Charlottesville and political aftermath have been difficult for us. Perhaps most difficult for us as a church is to determine how we talk about racism.
Jesus began his ministry by talking with moralism, but as his crowds grew and opposition increased, he changed the method of his preaching by talking in parables. The beauty of parables is … Read the rest
Ever felt like God isn’t listening? You pray and pray, and even act, but sometimes it feels like our prayers are left unanswered.
It’s easy to lose hope, and to stop praying. However, the mystery of prayer is the beauty of prayer. God is with us, every step of the way.
Sermon
The Word in Song: “Standing in the Need … Read the rest
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is one of the more confusing parables in the Bible. On the surface, it seems strange that Jesus would praise the manager who wasted his possessions. But this parable is really about not accumulating our worldly possessions. We live in two worlds — this world and the world of Jesus. May God help us … Read the rest
The parable of the lost sheep makes no sense to many of us. Why would the shepherd put so much effort into that one sheep, when he has 99 sheep to account for? In God’s eyes, everyone is important. And God seeks every single person. And like the joy the shepherd had when he found the lost sheep, God is … Read the rest
“New Year, New You: Home by Another Road”
Sermon by The Rev. Lisa Caine
Matthew 2:1-12
Jan. 3, 2016
The Word in Song
Sermon