McKendree UMC (Lawrenceville, GA)

Ephesians 3 teaches us how to pray for others. To pray for others in this way can expand our longings to conform to God’s desires. It’s one of many “birthday gifts” given to us through the ages, some in scripture and some from the saints who have gone before. Routinely praying a prayer, even when we don't feel like it, can be a way of opening ourselves to God's transformation.

Philippians 4:7 promises that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. But how do we open ourselves to God bringing about this peace within us? Pastor Cyndi McDonald reflects on what peace looks like, and then how the next two verses lead us into experiencing this peace.

Pastor Cyndi McDonald reflects Isaiah 30:15, in trusting God in times that seem out of control. In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

Pastor Cyndi McDonald 1 Peter 4:8-11

Pastor Cyndi McDonald reflects on two favorite scripture passages submitted by two people in the congregation: Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 6:34. She shares how these scriptures are helping her get through a current trial.

Pastor Paula Dallas. Let's be Easter people! A sermon about how we need and celebrate the Resurrection throughout the year. John 20:1-18

Pastor Paula Dallas.

Nobody gets the problem they can handle. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a problem. Sometimes life throws problems at us. And sometimes it's God! Take the case Ananias, sent by God to heal Saul (who comes breathing murderous threats to destroy Ananias and his church family.) What gives Ananias strength to follow God's will? How can we make similar choices, especially when it comes to bringing peace to t...

Can people change? Paul grew up saying the morning blessing, giving thanks for being a man and not a woman, free and not a slave, Jew and not a Gentile. Yet in Philippi, these are the very people who first respond to his message. Paul can be hot-headed and reactive, but in prison, he stops, prays and sings, and God works in a miraculous way.

The miracle of Pentecost is followed by a community of people who devote themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, shared meals, community, and prayer. It doesn’t take long, though, for tension in the community to express itself. Secrets, whether from God or one another, is a symptom that someone is wrong. It can be a symptom of idolatry, which is deadly.

The miracle of Pentecost is followed by a community of people who devote themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, shared meals, community, and prayer. It doesn’t take long, though, for tension in the community to express itself in a “triangle”. Unfortunately, triangles don't address the underlying issues. How will you respond when you find yourself in a triangle? You could (1) put on your superhero c...

Acts 2 describes the birth of the church. It’s a miracle for people to hear beyond the condemnation and the promise, “I will be your God and you will be my people”. They will still disagree with one another, but will stay together. Can you love someone with whom you disagree?

Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. How do you invite someone to be part of the discipleship process? We’ll look at how John the Baptist and Jesus did this (John 1) with a story, a question, and an invite.

Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. At McKendree UMC, we emphasize connections. So many people are hungering for relationships and wondering if they are welcome.

Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. It's confirmation and graduation Sunday, and we describe how at McKendree UMC we do this with an inviting “front porch” and a kitchen full of action

Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. Let’s be sure we do this in a way that isn’t weird.

Loving the neighbor seems easy…until it gets hard.

Matthew 22:34-40 What is the Greatest Commandment? Turns out God is most interested in a relationship of love. Seeing the law as a list of rules only gets in the way of the relationship God desires.

Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus could have started the Easter people by showing up for all Jerusalem to see. Instead, he sends them away to Galilee, where they spread the resurrection news through telling of their own encounters.

When a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus, he first offers forgiveness. What a scandal! What gives him the authority to forgive sins? Jesus' ministry as Messiah is a ministry of forgiveness. He will send his disciples with a similar ministry, and it can be a ministry of love as hard as nails.

Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount with a warning about judging others. When you find yourself labeling or judging, you should ask whether this is a warning about your condition. He ends his sermon by stating that we must listen to him and put his words into action. Anything else is like building a house in sinking sand.