Spring of Life Messages

We are able to love others because God loves us.  Jesus loved people who were often excluded.  This call from God to start with embracing people is connected to our mission statement here.  We embrace others trusting in God’s live changing love. 

Why and how to read the Bible are hotly contested questions.  A Wesleyan reading of scripture understands God inspired the authors of the Bible and us when we read it.  Daily reading of the bible is a methodist spiritual practice that God uses to shape our minds.  What is it that you fill the bucket of your brain up with every day?  Are you allowing scripture to shape you? 

Join Rev. Mike Luzinski and Dr. Jennifer Holloran as they discuss the history and composition of the Bible.

Join Rev. Mike Luzinski and Dr. Jennifer Holloran as they discuss the Inspiration of the Bible and how it inspires us today.

Love is a verb and the life of Jesus embodies what true love is even more than the word agape.  Love made real includes acts of mercy and justice.  Jesus responds to church leaders who are trying to tame love by reminding them love of God and neighbor is the foundation for everything Christian.  We are wary of people and communities who disconnect love from actions.  

We are called as people of faith to be rooted and grounded in love.  This requires spiritual practices to with the goal of growing deeply.  John Wesley and the early Methodist movement provide many examples of this, even their name, Methodist. 

Everyone can relate to cleanliness.  We'll discover how "spiritual hygiene" helps keep our hearts pure and is just as important as washing our hands. And we will see how our words and actions show the world the love we have for Jesus. 

God can use simples acts of generosity to transform lives and build community in ways that make a kingdom impact.  

Did you know that MLK Jr. believed there were three main evils in this world? As United Methodists, understanding this is crucial because we have vowed to resist evil in all its forms. On Sunday we will connect these topics to the story of Lazarus in the Bible, where a rich man learns the moral imperative to confront the three evils.

What does love require? children model to us what it means to be a people known for how we love and build one another up? Today we celebrate and honor those who answer the call to love and build up our children. And in doing taking this time to bless and send forth, we as God's people are invited to learn from the children amongst us. 

Jesus contests preconceived judgements and barriers.  She focused on the crowd as an obstacle between him and Jesus.  Connect to our mission statement, embracing all to become vessels of God’s overflowing grace. What are the obstacles between us and Jesus?  Are there times when we are an obstacle between someone else and Jesus? 

We as humans have limitations, many things beyond our control.  What do we do in these moments? How do we respond with trust in God? With faith like a mustard seed and identity in Christ we allow God to use our small actions in ways far beyond. 

Woody is wrestling with a question, “why would Andy want me?”  Sometimes we ask the same question of God.  Paul wrestles with that question in Ephesians 1.  God chooses us, everyone, we are not an inconvenience, embarrassment, we are made in God’s image, worthy of grace.

Will I be loved if I’m not the best? What if a cooler and newer toy is gifted to Andy?  Will we be replaced?  We all ask that question in one way or another.  Will God love us if we aren’t enough?  Yes is the resounding answer. Draw on Courage chapter 3 by Berlin. 

Nehemiah was a leader who accomplished incredible work for the people of God by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  We can learn a lot about being a leader today by carefully examining his story of faithfulness to God’s call.  

God has called us to work together for the healing of the world and the people around us.  Each character had a different role in the miracle, idea, ladder, strength, engineer, encourager.  Only together were they all healed. 

God has made each of us uniquely and there is nothing we can do to change that.  Even when we struggle or make mistakes.  We are formed by you going all the way back to Adam and Eve. 

Jesus is baptized and this offers the most dramatic appearance of the trinity in the gospels.  The three persons of the trinity are foundational to understanding faith. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit resurrection is possible even when it looks like we should give up. The prophet Ezekiel offers an inspiring vision of the dry bones and challenges us to see God’s power in places that look dead.  

We’ll tell the story of Pentecost by breaking up the scripture into pieces.  A group of people are transformed from anxiously waiting around to becoming empowered to be the body of Christ.  

Tower of babel reveals things about human beings and it is a confusing story.  The motivation of the people who built the tower and the challenges around diversity are not merely ancient problems.  

Statistics clearly show Americans are more lonely and unhappy then they have ever been.  It also seems we are more afraid of people who are different than ever before.  The church is an antidote to loneliness because we embody the welcoming arms of Christ.