MVP Message

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol Scripture: Luke 9:51-62 The Gospel of Luke will continue to guide our steps during Lent, the 40 days (not counting Sundays) that lead to Easter. Jesus responds by naming the real commitment he seeks—people who are willing to be rejected or persecuted while embodying hope, compassion, and peace. This Ash Wednesday we begin our Lenten journey with worship and...

Preacher: Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Luke 9:28-45 This week, Luke takes us to a mountaintop where Peter, James, and John witness a sight that fills them with awe and wonder as Jesus's appearance is completely changed before he is joined by Moses and Elijah. The disciples then hear God beckoning them to listen to Jesus. It's an awe-filled story that beckons us to ponder how...

Preacher: Rev. Laura Kigweba || Director of Grassroots Organizing at the General Board of Church and Society Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 People resist change because they are afraid of what it will cost them. This winter, we are exploring passages in which switches in posture, understanding, proximity, and power produce transformation that fills some people with fear and others with delight. This week...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Luke 7:18-35 This week's Gospel lesson highlights questions around Jesus' identity. Is he the long-awaited Messiah? Or should people continue to wait for one who is more powerful to come? The questions demand more than a simple "yes" or "no" response; these questions beckon us to ponder who Jesus is, and what ou...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Luke 7:1-17 This week's Gospel lesson includes two miracle stories: the healing of a centurion's slave and the raising of a widow's only son. While the two stories highlight Jesus' power to heal, they also reveal the limited power of the Empire and the unlimited power of compassion in ways that can bring abundant hope for t...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol , Pastor Scripture: Luke 6:1-16 The scribes and Pharisees read the same religious text, pray to the same God, and gather in the same synagogue. But when a real need is placed before them, they get tripped up over the established norms or beliefs and fail to embody the compassion demanded by the law and the prophets. How might we avoid their mistake, choosing...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Psalm 90:14-17 & Luke 5:1-11 Can you think of a time when fear prevented you from switching from where you are to where you want to be? When has fear held you back? When have you moved past your fear and discovered that whatever costs were involved in making a change were more than worth the investment? You’re invited to join us as we...

Preaacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Luke 4:14-21 In Luke 4, Jesus returns to his hometown synagogue and stands to read from the prophet Isaiah before proclaiming how the scripture has been fulfilled in their midst--today. It is a powerful proclamation of people being set free. In this message, Pastor Donna explores what an embodiment of this text might look like, alongside...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scriptures: Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 3:10-17, 21-22 How might we fully claim our belovedness, standing firm on the belief that we are the source of God’s joy? How might this truth impact how we treat all of creation? And how might this central aspect of our identity be the reason we can rejoice--no matter what? Join us on this week as we ponder these...

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard and Mary Martin Ministry Intern Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6 & Matthew 2:1-12 This week we speak on the story of those three magi that were there the day Jesus was born in that manger, and the faith they had to stay the course and follow faith. Hoping and believing that there is something better, more promising, more real, just by faith alone. This is something we sh...

Preacher: Carie Dupree, Candidate for Ordained Ministry Scripture: Luke 2:21-38 As new parents to Jesus, Mary and Joseph could feel weary for what lies ahead, but perhaps these sacred rituals—and those who bear witness to them—bolster them and give them courage for the journey. How do our sacred rituals root us and help us live into new chapters with courage?

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Luke’s Gospel tells us that when Mary gives birth to Jesus, she lays him in a manger, for there was no place for them in the guest room. Scholars argue about where, exactly, the birth occurs—and why. Was it in an inn or the living room of a simple peasant home? Was Bethlehem teeming with visitors who were also there to be count...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scriptuers: Luke 1:46-55, 67-80 When Zechariah’s voice returns after John is named, he sings a story of praise for God’s protection and promise. After Elizabeth exclaims blessings upon Mary, Mary also sings a song about a God of liberation who pulls the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. Both songs are songs of hope in which justice...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Psalm 126 & Luke 1:57-66 Our journey with Zechariah and Elizabeth continues this week with a passage in which Elizabeth gives birth to her promised son before her neighbors and family celebrate with her. She follows through on the instructions shared with her and names her child John. And when Zechariah affirms the name given by the an...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scriptures: Isaiah 40:1-11 & Luke 1:24-45 While we may not always be able to rejoice, we can always seek to carry each other's joy which is what Elizabeth and Mary do for each other in Luke's Gospel. Elizabeth has finally received the news that she is pregnant. But rather than rejoicing, she remains in seclusion for five months. She is all alone...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 & Luke 1:1-23 As Advent begins, we start by acknowledging the weariness, grief, rage, and hopelessness we carry—and we also affirm that we are made for joy. We start our worship series with Zechariah and Elizabeth who have battled infertility and have lived many years. Perhaps they feel the weight of hopes and dream...

Preacher: Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33 As we finish up our Sermon series on Fearless Discipleship, this week we touch on the topic of trusting in God, and worrying about less. In the reading Jesus addresses the stress that we cause when we consider too much to focus on. When we truly trust in God, and put our focus on him, our lives become less stressed and chaotic.

preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 How can we rest in the promises of God despite what is happening within or around us? These are some of the many questions we will ponder this week as we read the story of Hannah, a barren woman who refuses to accept what appears to be God's will for her life. Please make plans to join us as we allow her story to remind us...

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Mark 12:38-44 What would it look like for you to trust God....completely? These are the questions posed by a familiar story in which many people give from their abundance while one woman "gives all she has, all she has to live on." Join us on this week as we gather in community, sing the songs of our faith, place our hope in God, and ponde...

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills, Asbury UMC Scripture: Micah 6:6-8 Dr. Ianther Mills addresses the blessings that are bestowed upon us, as we work to be more like Jesus. When asked "What does the lord require", it understood, to be more like he who has never sinned. Although we are all full of sin, God wants us to aim to be more prophetic, and mindful of our ways, so we can express the goodness an...

Preacher: Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 Our text for worship on this week is Mark 12:28-34, a passage in which a scribe approaches Jesus to ask “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus responds by telling the scribe that one is to love God with the whole self—one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind—and love one’s neighbor as one loves oneself. Join us as we...

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard & Mary Martin Ministry Intern Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 Rather than giving into our fears, how might we lean into faith and community in a way that transforms our fear into trust and moves us from a place of scarcity to one of abundance, from a place of stasis to one of transformation? Join us this week as we study Jesus’ last actions before his entrance into Jeru...

Preacher: Lee J. Schriber, Minister of Engagement and Discipleship Scriptures: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c & Mark 10:35-45 Rather than giving into our fears, how might we lean into faith and community in a way that transforms our fear into trust and moves us from a place of scarcity to one of abundance, from a place of stasis to one of transformation? Join us this week as we our series, "Fearless D...

Preacher: Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Mark 10:17-31 Continuing with our series, "Awakened to the Ways of Jesus" this week with Jesus, Pastor Donna touches on the importance of letting go. We learn how it is sometimes needed to relinquish certain actions, objects, and even people in order to gain a better relationship with God. Understanding the need to gain love by letting go off thing...

Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Mark 10: 1-16 Our series, "Awakened to the Ways of Jesus" continues this week with Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem with the disciples. We learn how it is Goldy to given to the love and protection that is God. Being comfortable with vulnerable and open with God is nothing less then what we are expected to do.