Mount Olivet UMC

In this message, we hear the story of the Prodigal Son from a new perspective.

We are sinful and deserve what...sinners deserve. But Jesus is in the business of gathering us into His grace and mercy, cultivating us into people who bear fruit.

What does our scripture passage have to do with mother hens and her chicks? Rev. Paige Ann Miller helps us see the lengths God goes to in order to gather his children for our protection and hope.

Sometimes Christians are known more for saying "no" than we are for saying "yes".

The resurrection is not a moment when we die, but a movement while we live. It is transformative, changing us now, here.

Voids? Matter? Gaps? In this message, Pastor Jeff explains "Gapology" and what it means for those loved by God (hint: You).

The weight of sin can be overwhelming, and so is the urge to "fix" ourselves. But God provides an environment for us to struggle with our faith — to ebb and flow and to ponder. But it's this struggle that brings us to a saving Grace.

Many of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 - a famous passage about love. It can seem impossible to live up to this standard of love (especially when sitting in 5 o'clock traffic). But there is a more excellent way, and we don't have to navigate alone.

In pandemic times the question has been asked a lot - who is essential? In the Body of Christ we often ask the same question.

Regardless of what gifts the Spirit has given you, regardless of whether you think you are worthy of such a gift, and regardless of the priority others might place on those gifts God is going to use you to further God’s kingdom.

Epiphany is about the revealing of the light to the world. Not all see it, of course; this is why Jesus frequently said, “let those who have ears to hear, hear.” Even we have moments where we aren’t so sure that we have seen that light. Yet, we who gather for worship have caught a glimpse of something, and we come to celebrate and to lean into that hope.

Jesus understands what it is like to be human and his life shows us what hospitality and acceptance of others looks like. Let us ensure that the church remains a place where young adults and children feel at home to be themselves, ask questions, and grow in love.

If Jesus were coming over for Christmas dinner would you clean things up? Shine the silver? Traditionally, Advent was a time of peaceful reflection where our shortcomings become obvious in the light of pure love. In this message, Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert encourages us to create space this Advent season, to see God in all that we do.

Corporate sins? Prophets? In this message, Pastor Ed unpacks the scripture passage from Zephaniah, showing how we can be witnesses, ordinary saints, living our lives as examples of Jesus.

Jesus was born into a world where the sword achieved the peace of an empire. Peace by the pointy end of a sword, gun, or any instrument of violence exemplifies how well we do not understand the very thing we all want for ourselves generations to come. Humanity was and continues to be unable to save itself or secure its own peace, so much so that God broke into human history in a manger in Bethlehe...

As we live into another Advent under the weight of a pandemic, we're reminded that God is asking us to wait, anticipate, and trust. The redemption that began in a manger is coming.

Who is our King? Who is invited to his banquet table?

Knowing God will get the last word, our acts of mercy and justice, along with our communal acts of faithfulness, become signs of the God Kingdom – Queendom, Kin-dom – that is yet to come.

Dying to an old identity and being born into a new one takes time - even a lifetime. But Jesus invites us to this journey of finding true joy.

So, what does the truth of God revealed in Jesus Christ have to do with freedom? I am glad you asked.

Julie Chung, member of Mount Olivet, tells about her experiences with generosity growing up as a Korean immigrant, working for the State Department, and serving within her community.

Life as a disciple of Jesus Christ is about having your attitude about money, along with everything else, shaped by the good news that Christ has already accomplished all that was required for you to inherit eternal life. Nothing competes for your love of God and neighbor more than money.

Every good thing we have is because of God's generosity, and because we are created in God's image, that same generosity is in our DNA.

How do we get into heaven? What do we have to do? Well, oddly enough, we don't know. But maybe there's a better question to be asking.

COVID gave us a choice: adapt in how we make disciples, or don't. We chose to adapt.