Lakeside United Methodist Church

Sermon Title: Alternative New Years Resolutions Scripture: Luke 2:25-38 There are two interesting people who don't show up in our Nativity scenes and yet have pivotal encounters with the newborn Jesus. Simeon and Anna's stories point us to four hopes that we can carry into the new year. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: Car Scissors and the Gift of Jesus Scripture: John 1:1-14 The best gifts aren't always the most expensive or even the ones most appreciated at the time it was given. The best gifts are those that prove to be exactly what we needed. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: The Gift of Bearing With Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 Peace is not a static state of nothing happening. It is a state of "something good happening," and peace is built and amplified when we bear with one another. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: The Gift of Making Space Scripture: Luke 2:1–7 Preacher: Amanda Stallard Everyone has come a long way. Everyone needs a place to rest. Making space for others is a blessing that brings joy. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: The Gift of Presence Scripture: Romans 12:9-18 Love is about seeing other people for who they are and showing up in ways that will bless them. When we actively seek the best for others, that is love. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: The Gift of Naming Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5 Giving something a name has the power to bring clarity. Having a clearer view of ourselves and our situation makes us more compassionate and better able to help others. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: Be Still Scripture: Psalm 46 There is so little we actually have control over. And while we are certainly called to an active faith that responds to the real world we live in, perhaps the first step in the action plan is to be still. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title: The Best Is Yet to Come Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25 When the central events of our faith, and arguably of human history, happened 2,000 years ago, shouldn't things be better by now? How do we live a life of faith that keeps the spark of anticipation alive? LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title I Am With You Scripture Haggai 2:1-9 Nostalgia can be a comforting feeling, but it can also plant seeds of bitterness. When the past seems so much better than the present, and the future seems to offer little hope, how do we go on in faith? LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title The Faith to Stand Watch Scripture Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4   As Habakkuk the prophet looks around at the world, all he sees is violence and injustice—even from God's own chosen people and leaders. His struggle leads him not to scold the nation but to question God, but the way he does it is actually an act of great faith. LakesideUMC.net

Sermon Title - I Have Indeed Arrived Scripture- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Willingly giving away a portion of our finances, time, attention, and more will always be an act of sacrifice. But if we only see giving to God through the Church as a sacrifice, we have missed the bigger picture that God wants to paint for us.

Sermon Title - And While You're At It…Love Yourself Scripture - Mark 12: 28-31 Someone asked, "but what is the most important commandment?" Jesus responded in a way that informs and challenges our relationship with God, others, and ourselves. We'll explore his answer and its implications for the life of faith together.

Sermon Title - A Meal That Moves Us Scripture - Luke 22:14-20 The taste of a family recipe, the smell of a dish that you enjoyed on vacation, the feeling that comes when sharing a meal with friends you haven't seen in a while—there is something about food that can transport us to another time or place. On World Communion Sunday, we join our siblings in faith all around the world, united in asking...

Sermon Title - Deciding What Matters Scripture - Luke 16:1-14 What do we do when we are confronted with the fact that everything is changing? When we are in a time of transition, when uncertainty is rising, when the familiar seems to have fallen away, it is time to step back and decide what really matters.

Sermon Title - The Biggest Sinner of All Scripture - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 What happens when we feel inspired by the Holy Spirit but unqualified or unworthy to do anything about it? The self-proclaimed "biggest sinner of all" has some thoughts.    

Commit to Community Acts 2:42-47  We invest ourselves in both the life of our church and our local community because together we can better grow as individuals and families while more effectively serving the community in which we are rooted.

Sermon Title -See the Good Scripture - 2 Kings 5:1-3, 14-19a When we "See the Good," we focus on looking for God's presence and activity in all people and situations. This not only reminds us of the goodness of God, but it helps us discern how we are called to respond in love.

John 4:4-10, 25-29 Values help to define how we live out our purpose, mission, and vision, and our first value is "Welcome Home." More than just the greeting, this is meant to embody the verb—the action of welcoming. Like Jesus, we both engage those we meet and go out of our way to invite others to experience the grace and love of God.

Sermon Title - Where Faith Feels Like Home Scripture - Ephesians 2:17-22 As we kick off Fall 2025, we unveil Lakeside's new vision: Where Faith Feels Like Home. We believe God has uniquely shaped our church into a place where people experience the warmth and welcome of God, while also being called to grow in love for and service to our community.

Sermon Title - You Are Not a Burden to God Scripture - Luke 12:29-34 "I don't want to be a burden." This is a common refrain from people who are entering a season of needing help. And while our "earthly" support networks will have limits to energy and resources, the God of eternal abundance delights in giving us what we need.

Sermon Title - It's Not About the Money Scripture - Luke 12:13-21   While Jesus was ministering to a crowd, a man shouted out a question about money. Jesus responded with a story about money. Spoiler alert: it's not about the money.   https://lakesideumc.net

Series - Movies That Made Us Sermon - A Charlie Brown Christmas Scripture - Isaiah 1:11-18   It is the Christmas season, and yet Charlie Brown feels a deep discomfort. As he looks around at all the decorations, parties, and even the annual pageant, it doesn't feel right. He ends up playing the role of prophet, calling everyone back to the true meaning of Christmas.

Sermon Title - Dead Poet's Society Scripture - Hebrews 12:1-2   On the first day of class at a stuffy New England prep school, English teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) shocks his students with unorthodox methods and ideas. The most radical of which might be the simple phrase "Carpe Diem." He shows them that by listening to the voices of the past, we can gain true appreciation for th...

Sermon ~ The Fellowship of the Ring Scripture ~ Psalm 73: 21-28   When the Fellowship of nine tasked with destroying a Ring possessing the powers of evil find themselves at what feels like a dead end, Frodo descends into despair. He lashes out and then laments that he finds himself in the midst of such danger. The wise wizard Gandalf reminds the little Hobbit that we cannot choose what happens aro...

Sermon Title - October Sky  Scripture - Jeremiah 1:4-10, 17-19 Homer Hickam is destined to be a coal miner—like his father, his friends, and every other boy in Coalwood, West Virginia. But after watching Sputnik pass overhead in the October sky, Homer decides to set his sights on the stars.