Wesley Etowah UMC

Jesus tells a parable about a traveler who is stripped, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. After a priest and Levite pass by on the other side of the road, a Samaritan shows the man compassion and saves the traveler's life. Through this parable, Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is not just the people right next door - but anybody who is in need. Associated Scripture: Luke 10:...

On this Pentecost morning, we are concluding our sermon series on the Seven Churches of Revelation as we talk about the Church in Laodicea - a church that has become lukewarm. When we are lukewarm, Jesus will spit us out of his mouth! Associated Scripture: Revelation 314-22. Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC! Give today online at wesleymemorial-etowah.org/donate. Your su...

This morning we are continuing our sermon series on the Seven Churches of Revelation. So far, we have already talked about the Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. Next week we are going to be wrapping it up on Pentecost Sunday by talking about the Church in Laodicea. This morning, we are exploring the Church in Philadelphia – a church that has grown complacent. Associated...

This morning, in our series on the Seven Churches in Revelation, we look at the Sardis Church. This is a church that has a reputation for being alive, but they are in fact dead. Have you ever felt like church is boring? How might God be calling us to wake up and find excitement in what God is doing in our church and in our lives? How can we find ways to engage our faith inside and outside the chur...

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at Jesus’ message to the Seven Churches in Revelation - located in modern-day Turkey – the Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This letter, which is written by John, is being shared among each of these churches. It offers words of encouragement and praise, words of complaint and blame, and words of promise...

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at Jesus’ message to the Seven Churches in Revelation - located in modern-day Turkey – the Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This letter, which is written by John, is being shared among each of these churches. It offers words of encouragement and praise, words of complaint and blame, and words of promise...

This morning we are continuing our sermon series called “The Seven” as we look at the Seven Churches of Revelation. While the Apostle John, is living in exile on the island of Patmos, he shares a Revelation from Jesus to these Seven Churches located in modern-day Turkey – the Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This letter, which is being shared among...

This morning we are starting a new sermon series called “The Seven” as we look at the Seven Churches of Revelation. The Apostle John, who is living in exile on the island of Patmos, receives a “Revelation” from Jesus. And he shares this message with these Seven Churches located in modern-day Turkey – the Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This letter...

On this Easter morning, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. We celebrate that, because of Christ, there is life after death. We are wrapping up our sermon series on the Gospel of Mark called “Mark My Words” as we celebrate the Risen Christ. We celebrate that Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! Associated Scripture: Mark 16:1-8  Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC!...

This morning we are celebrating Palm Sunday. We welcome Jesus into our sanctuary just as he was welcomed into Jerusalem while riding in on a donkey. We wave our palm branches in praise and worship just like the crowd did when Jesus made his triumphal entry for the Passover Festival. This morning, Jesus shows up in our sanctuary as we continue our sermon series “Mark My Words” on the Gospel of Mark...

This morning, as we continue our exploration through Mark’s Gospel in our sermon series “Mark My Words,” we witness a moment of wastefulness. As an unnamed woman wastes a whole bottle of expensive perfume. She anoints Jesus as a king and simultaneously prepares him for his upcoming burial. Associated Scripture: Mark 14:3-9  Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC! Give today o...

This morning we are continuing our sermon series on the Gospel of Mark entitled, “Mark My Words.” And today, we find ourselves in an unusual place, as Jesus looks forward into the future – the end of the age. Associated Scripture: Mark 13:24-37  Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC! Give today online at wesleymemorial-etowah.org/donate. Your support makes a difference!

This morning, we are continuing our exploration through the Gospel of Mark in our sermon series “Mark My Words.” Today we are looking at the theme of gratitude and generosity as we explore the story of the widow who gave all she had as an offering to God. Associated Scripture: Mark 12:38-44  Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC! Give today online at wesleymemorial-etowah.or...

In all the healing stories in Mark’s Gospel, we are never given the name of the person being healed. They are all unnamed, anonymous. They are solely identified by their infirmities. That is, until we hear about the story of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. Which begs the question: Why him? Why Bartimaeus? Why are we told his name? What makes him so special? Find out in today's sermon! Associa...

This morning, as we continue our sermon series “Mark My Words” we are looking at a question that James and John ask Jesus, “When you enter your throne, can we sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and one on your left?” Jesus responds with yet another question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?” Associated Scripture: Mark 10:35-45  Your offering makes ministry possible a...

Over the past several weeks have been working through our sermon series “Mark My Words,” which follows the story of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. We are about at the halfway point through this Gospel and through this series. So, this morning we are looking at the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. Associated Scripture: Mark 9:2-9  Your offering makes ministry possible at Wesley Memorial UMC! Give tod...

Over the past several weeks we have been working our way through our sermon series entitled, “Mark My Words,” as we explore the life and ministry of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark – the oldest and the shortest of all four of the Gospels. In this Scripture, Jesus goes back to his hometown of Nazareth where he preaches in the synagogue. Jesus looks out among the congregation – people who have know...

We are continuing our sermon series, “Mark My Words,” as we explore the life and ministry of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark. Today’s Scripture has two healing stories wrapped up into one! This is something that happens a lot in the Gospel of Mark, and scholars call it a “Markan Sandwich.” Like pastrami on rye, or peanut butter and jelly, or ham and cheese. These flavors complement each other and...

We are continuing our sermon series, “Mark My Words,” as we explore the life and ministry of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark. Our scripture lesson this morning also involves pigs from hell. Jesus heals the Gerasene Demoniac! How can the church share in the healing power of Christ with those afflicted by the legion of demons in the world today? Associated Scripture: Mark 5:1-20 Your offering makes...

This morning, we are continuing our sermon series called, “Mark My Words.” Throughout this series, we are exploring the life and ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark. Today Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who throws handfuls of seed in every direction! Some of the seed falls on the path, some of the seed falls on the rocky ground, and some of the seed falls among the thorns, and...

This morning, we are continuing our sermon series called, “Mark My Words.” Throughout this series, we are exploring the life and ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark. This is the oldest and shortest of the four Gospels. The narrative moves very quickly and abruptly. A lot happens in just a few short verses. This morning, we are continuing our series by looking at the story of the para...

This morning, Rev. Austin Byerly kicks off our new sermon series called, “Mark My Words" as we look at Jesus’ baptism. Throughout this series, we are going to be exploring the life and ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark. This is the oldest and shortest of the four Gospels. It moves very quickly and abruptly. Mark wastes no time getting to the point. Associated Scripture: Mark 1...

At the very beginning of the Gospel of John, we see this image of Jesus being the light. Jesus is the Word of God, he existed before time, and he was present during creation. In him is life and the life is the light of all people. And so, this morning, we are continuing our sermon series “Preparing for Christmas,” as we explore how John the Baptist acts as a witness testifying to Jesus as the Ligh...

Through this sermon series: “Preparing for Christmas” we are looking at the life and ministry of John the Baptist. It is my hope that through this series we will find ways to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Christmas. This morning we are continuing our series as we explore John the Baptist’s sermon in the wilderness. Associated Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 Your offering makes ministr...

On the Second Sunday of Advent, we are continuing our sermon series entitled, “Preparing for Christmas” as we look at the life and ministry of John the Baptist. My hope is that through this series, with the help of John the Baptist, we will be able to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas and for his second coming. Our series continues with the birth of John the Baptist. Associa...