Journey of Hope UMC's Weekly Sermons

In this powerful exploration of Psalm 23, we're invited to rediscover the profound comfort and guidance offered by 'The Lord is my shepherd.' As we journey through Lent, this familiar passage takes on new depth, revealing Jesus as our Good Shepherd. We're challenged to reflect on how we recognize God's voice in our lives, and whether we're truly following His lead. The sermon draws fascinating par...

In this powerful exploration of Psalm 16, we're reminded that God is our ultimate refuge in times of trouble. The central message resonates deeply: 'The worst thing is never the last thing.' This truth echoes through David's words and our own lives, offering hope in the face of adversity. We're encouraged to trust in God's goodness, even when circumstances seem dire. The psalm points us toward Jes...

As we embark on our Lenten journey, we're invited to find Jesus in the Psalms, starting with Psalm 2. This powerful scripture challenges us to consider why nations rage and people plot in vain against God's anointed. It reminds us that true refuge is found not in earthly powers, but in Christ alone. As we navigate the complexities of our world, this Psalm encourages us to seek wisdom, serve the Lo...

Pastor Jason begins our Lent series of Finding Jesus in the Psalms, focusing on Psalm 2 and how we can see references of Jesus throughout the Psalms.

Pastor Jarrod shares some reflections on a special Ash Wednesday service at Journey of Hope.

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the transformative story of Jesus' Transfiguration. As we journey through Luke 9:28-36, we witness how Peter, James, and John were awakened to Christ's glory on the mountaintop. This narrative challenges us to examine our own spiritual alertness. Are we, like the disciples, spiritually 'sleepy,' missing the glory of God around us? The sermon encou...

In this powerful message, we're reminded of God's eternal comfort and strength, as beautifully expressed in Isaiah 40. The passage speaks to those feeling exiled, anxious, or abandoned, offering hope that transcends our temporary earthly struggles. We're encouraged to find peace not just in solitary moments, but in the embrace of a supportive community. The sermon draws an intriguing parallel betw...

In this powerful message, we explore the complex emotion of anxiety and its intersection with faith. The central scripture comes from Philippians 4:6-7, reminding us to 'not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.' This passage beautifully illustrates how we can find peace amidst our anxieties through prayer and tr...

In this powerful message, we explore the concept of 'ennui' - a state of listlessness and dissatisfaction that can creep into our spiritual lives. Drawing from Revelation 3:15-16, we're challenged to examine whether we've become 'lukewarm' in our faith. The church in Laodicea serves as a stark warning: despite their material wealth, they were spiritually poor, blind, and naked. This prompts us to...

Pastor Jason shares about the emotion of ennui as we continue our mental health and faith series based on the Disney/Pixar movie, Inside Out 2. 

In our exploration of emotions through the lens of faith, we delve into the powerful feeling of embarrassment. We're reminded of the liberating truth found in Romans 8:1 - 'There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' This profound statement invites us to release our shame and embrace God's unconditional love. We see examples of embarrassment in Scripture, from Adam and Eve hiding...

In this powerful exploration of envy, we're challenged to confront one of the most pervasive yet often overlooked emotions in our spiritual lives. Drawing from Proverbs 14:30 and James 3:13-18, we're reminded that a heart at peace gives life, while envy rots the bones. The message delves into the roots of envy, revealing how it often stems from feelings of inadequacy, fear of scarcity, and unreali...

In this powerful message, we're reminded of our divine origin and purpose. The scripture from Genesis emphasizes that we are created in God's image - not physically, but in the image of love. This fundamental truth shapes our identity and calls us to both receive and exude love. However, we're also confronted with the reality of living in an imperfect world, as reflected in Ecclesiastes. The messa...

Today, we dive into the powerful symbolism of baptism and its profound significance in our spiritual journey. The scripture from Acts 8 and Luke 3 reminds us of Jesus' own baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful moment isn't just a historical event; it's a call for us to remember our own baptisms and the transformative power they hold. We're challenged to consider: How are we li...

Today, we dive into the powerful symbolism of baptism and its profound significance in our spiritual journey. The scripture from Acts 8 and Luke 3 reminds us of Jesus' own baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful moment isn't just a historical event; it's a call for us to remember our own baptisms and the transformative power they hold. We're challenged to consider: How are we li...

The story of the Magi visiting Jesus offers profound insights into God's inclusive love. These mysterious visitors from the East, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolize God's invitation extending beyond Israel to all nations. Their journey reminds us that God's plan of salvation is universal, crossing cultural and ethnic boundaries. As we reflect on this, we're challenged to ex...

Pastor Jason shares a brief reflection during our "Lessons and Carol" service following Christmas.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the extraordinary ways God shows up in our ordinary lives. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 takes center stage, highlighting how God chose to reveal the greatest news of all time to some of the most overlooked people in society. This narrative challenges us to look for God's presence in unexpected places and mundane moments. Are we too distracte...

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. This unlikely Advent narrative challenges our perceptions of who belongs in God's story. The Magi, foreigners from the East, were guided by a star to worship the newborn King Jesus. Their journey reminds us that God's invitation extends far beyond our expectations. The gifts they brought - gold,...

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. This unlikely Advent narrative challenges our perceptions of who belongs in God's story. The Magi, foreigners from the East, were guided by a star to worship the newborn King Jesus. Their journey reminds us that God's invitation extends far beyond our expectations. The gifts they brought - gold,...

In this powerful Advent message, we're invited to confront the unlikely heroes and villains in the Christmas story, particularly focusing on Herod the Great. The scripture from Matthew 2 unveils the dark side of the Nativity, reminding us that even in times of great joy, evil can lurk. But more importantly, it challenges us to examine the 'little Herod' within ourselves. We're encouraged to reflec...

Pastor Jarrod begins our Advent worship series called "An Unlikely Advent" with a story of timing and reflection during this Advent season.