Canton United Methodist Church

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11 Series: Emerge Anew On Ascension Sunday, Jesus gave the disciples a challenge to dare new heights and to embrace new adventures. We know that they did. Yet we acknowledge sometimes we are stuck in our ruts and think some of the things Jesus calls us to do are beyond our abilities. But what happens when we are brave and dare new heights like the disciples did? To what new hei...

Pastor Clay and Eric met up for one final episode of the Cut for Time Podcast before Pastor Clay moves to Grand Forks to serve Zion UMC. Together they discuss how this Emerge sermon series has taken on a bigger meaning and how Sunday's sermon in particular spoke to our transitional moments. Thank you for listening over the past four years! Both Pastor Clay and Eric have had so much fun recording t...

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 Series: Emerge Anew The metamorphosis that Simon underwent in his life is the perfect example of the difference that Jesus can make in someone's life. He was hesitant but faithful and claimed every new opportunity Jesus had for him. Even if others did not see his potential, even if he did not see his own potential, Jesus did. The same is true for you and for me. Who do...

Scripture: John 11:17-25; 38-44 Series: Emerge Anew Today Pastor Clay talked about longshots and not giving up hope. Our chrysalises do not look like much right now; they look like little brown pods that could easily be mistaken as dead. Yet they are teeming with life. Lazarus' story reminds us the power of not giving up hope for new life, even if things seem finished. What do you still hope is po...

Scripture: Luke 24:28-35 Series: Emerge Anew Despite the darkness of their grief, two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus see the light of the resurrection when Jesus enters their conversations, reveals a bit of light, and then obliterates their darkness in the breaking of bread. As we go through life and experience our own darkness, Jesus also meets us and challenges us to shed light on ot...

Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss Sunday's message from our Emerge series. They talked about the timing of this message coinciding with Graduate Recognition Sunday and also some of the history of the Canton UMC and its ability to find God in what comes next. Connect with the Canton UMC!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3 Series: Emerge Anew Last week, we talked about embracing dark spaces to learn lessons God can only teach in the stillness and quiet of the dark. But we cannot simply remain in the dark because we are called to be light. As we live this delicate tension, may we put our faith in God to remain with us when we emerge forth. Connect with the Canton UMC!

Eric and Pastor Clay are back after a long break to check in about Lent, some developments in the life of the Canton UMC, and to discuss our new message series. Eric also asks about the details of the resurrection stories, and we all learn that there is no way to plot out and logic our way through the differences among the gospels. Connect with the Canton UMC!

Scripture: John 20:1-18 Series: Emerge Anew When we find ourselves in the midst of dark and tight spaces, our natural inclination may be to get ourselves free as soon as possible. But perhaps there is something God wants us to learn or see while we are in the dark. As we emerge forth from the season of Lent into a new season of life, what might God be up to while we are in the dark? Connect with t...

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 As Lent gives way to Easter, so too do Jesus' final words give way to his first words of new life. On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus greets the Marys who had gone to the tomb with two invitations: to rejoice and to tell. As we live in the light of Jesus' resurrection, may we take these invitations upon ourselves.  Connect with the Canton UMC!

On Easter Sunday morning, one of our 8th graders named Grayson V. preached an excellent message about the difference that the resurrection makes for us. We hope you are as encouraged by his words as we were!

Scripture: Luke 23:44-48 & John 19:30 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross In the final message from this series, Pastor Clay helps us explore the last two statements Jesus makes from the cross. With a resolute trust in God, Jesus surrenders his life for us. As we go through the dark valleys of life, we can trust God as Jesus did and put our own spirits in God's hands. Connect with the Cant...

Scripture: John 19:28-29 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross As the horrors of the crucifixion wore on Jesus' physical body, he cried out that he was thirsty. It is easy to assume why he would be thirsty, but could that the thirst he was experiencing was more about his spirit longing for God's presence? As we feel our spirits feeling parched during this Lenten season, may we drink deep from th...

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross So far, we have seen Jesus care so much for so many people. But today, as we find him nearing the end of his life, he cannot ignore his own suffering for much longer. Something changes, and he cannot feel the sense of God's presence that was familiar to him. He feels cut off, alone, and forsaken. The truth is that we know how Jesu...

While Eric is on a work trip, Pastor Clay met up with Rev. Stephanie Schneider to discuss last week's podcast, Sunday's message, and how the Church operates best when it is a family. Connect with the Canton UMC!

Scripture: John 19:25-27 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross Jesus' concern could rightly be on the predicament he is in while on the cross. But when he sees his mother and beloved disciple at the foot of the cross, his concern turns to taking care of these two important people. He makes them into a family. By his grace, this work of "family-making" goes on for us today. How has the Church bee...

Pastor Clay and Eric sat down together to discuss Sunday's message and our progress in this series so far. Last week started with Jesus asking God to forgive "them" because they did not know what they were doing, and this week shows us what that forgiveness looks like in action. A penitent thief on the cross cries to Jesus to be remembered, and Jesus answers, "Surely you will be with me." How does...

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross It does seem like there are things we get too old to do, but this scripture does help us "never say never." The penitent thief on the cross probably thought it was too late to confess his sins and experience the forgiveness of Christ, yet Jesus extended grace and forgiveness to him. What do you think it is "too late"  to do? This wee...

Eric and Pastor Clay met up to talk about the beginning of the Lenten season and the first message in our series about Jesus' Seven Statements from the Cross. The first statement, "Father, forgive them" gave them much to discuss. What do you love about the season of Lent? Connect with the Canton UMC!

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22 & Luke 23:32-34 Series: Seven Statements from the Cross During the season of Lent, we are exploring Jesus' final words, words that reveal Jesus' heart for all humanity. In his first statement from the cross, Jesus prays for forgiveness on behalf of the soldiers, the religious leaders, the crowds, and us. What do we learn from Jesus' forgiveness? Connect with the Can...

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 Title: Life is Hard. The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians about all the hardships he has endured but also glories in the fact that there is an "and yet" that he finds in Jesus. As we go through hard things, and as Ash Wednesday itself can be hard, let us remember the "and yet" that will sustain us through Lent and beyond. Connect with the Canton UMC!

Scripture: Numbers 27:1-8, 11b Rev. Nicole Anderson from Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center joined us for worship on Camp Sunday and introduced us to the summer 2025 Camp Curriculum "Another Way." Campers this summer are going to learn about the daughters of Zelophehad. After their father died, the women faced the reality that they were going to lose everything because inheritan...

Eric and Pastor Clay sat down to discuss the Loving Large series and how we celebrate love in our relationships. They both agree that Valentine's Day is a bit overrated but showing love in all relationships is important. Pastor Clay also shared an alternate opening to his sermon from Sunday making the point that we are not supposed to be a "one-hit-wonder" when it comes to showing God's love. Conn...

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40 Series: Loving Large As we bring this series to a close, Pastor Clay draws our attention to Jesus' teaching on the impact that putting love into action can have. The difference between the sheep and the goats that Jesus discusses in Matthew 25 is the difference between who showed love and kindness and who did not. How is it that we desire to live? Connect with the Canto...

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24 Series: Loving Large We all like our stuff, and that's not a bad thing. But when our stuff - and our pursuit of more and better stuff - gets in the way of our call to love God and love neighbor, we run into issues regarding our faithfulness. Our pursuit for "more" can cost us more than its worth, but what is the alternative? It may be "less," but the real solution is gen...