Sunday Sermons from Trinity UMC Lincoln, Nebraska

Join us as we celebrate Confirmation and re-affirm our own commitment to walk this faith journey hand in hand!

The last Old Testament prophet. That’s what some people call John the Baptist. He arrived on the scene telling folks that something BIG was about to happen. God’s kingdom was about to come in a new way. Just one thing: you have to check your pride at the door.

Ever seen something wrong? What did you do about it? Opportunities to do the right thing abound. If we’re honest, sometimes we make the right decision, sometimes we don’t. But there’s an ancient story that gives us hope.

The worst thing is neve the last thing. If there’s one truth we see over and over in the Bible and in each other, it’s that. And yet, from time to time, each of us finds ourselves in “pity party mode.” Join us as we renew our sense of God’s goodness and commitment to see us through even the most difficult of times— and as we remember that our first job is to PROCLAIM hope!

Have you ever met a truly generous person? What did their face look like? Often, when we talk about giving, we talk about the good it does. But generosity changes the giver more than the receiver. I’m guessing the generous person you pictured had a face full of joy. Join us as we receive the wisdom of one of the Bible’s Proverbs and discuss the steps— literal steps— to living such a full life ours...

This is a special Sunday: All Saints’ Sunday. Today we remember those who have gone before us— family, friends, teachers, even animals. We lift them up, remember what they gave us, and give thanks to God. As we do, we have a sense that they are never as far away as it seems. Join us as we light candles, share in Communion, and celebrate that part of them which lives on in us.

Everything worth having takes work— especially relationships and peace. Today we read a story from the Bible where neglected relationships lead to division, even among God’s people. But a look at the wider story shows that God is always working to restore us. Join us as we wrestle with the hard work it takes to keep our relationships and community healthy— and look to God for help!

What does it mean to be “great?” Careful… God’s answer may be different than your’s! Join us this as we read the story that led to the Old Testament’s greatest king. It totally upends everyone’s expectations and helps us see the world through God’s eyes, too.

Sometimes we need reminding just how rich a life we can have. Today we hear the story of Ruth in the Bible. On the surface, it’s a touching story of loyalty and friendship between generations. But dig deeper, and it reveals one of the secrets to a truly full life.

Ever notice the best things in life change over time? Fresh produce, flowers in the garden, trees in the Fall… Their beauty changes over time. Today, we’re going to look at a single Bible verse whose meaning has changed over centuries— it’s an example of how God is always speaking to us in new ways. Join us to discover what new thing God will say to YOU today!

Have you ever been afraid to do something really big, even though you know it’s a good thing? Today we read the story of Moses and the Burning Bush. Come hear one of the greatest leaders of all time hem, haw, and make excuses for all the reasons he’s not right for the job. And… come hear God tell you that God will lift YOU up, too!

What limits you? Is it your body— an old injury? Your mind? Your impulses? Join us as we explore an interesting idea: Our limits are precisely where we meet God. Our weakness is where we find strength. Come give the limits of who you are to God, and watch how God transforms them— and you— into something beautiful!

Are you dreaming big enough? Join us as we study the story of Abraham and Sarah, two people who laughed at God's promise, thinking it was impossible. We’ll learn that God promises a future with hope, and while we might grow impatient, God never backs down from a promise.

This is a special Sunday at Trinity: Suicide Prevention Week. Join us as we learn about suicide prevention and how we can be a source of support to those around us. We’ll hear stories from the Bible of people who struggled themselves, and see how God helped them. We’ll end in a profoundly HOPEFUL place!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever been through? Guess what? God was with you. This is the deepest meaning of one of the best-known Bible stories: Noah’s Ark. Join us this morning at 9 and 10:30 as we dive deep in the meaning of it, including the animals two by two, yes, but real hope comes from the rainbow at the end. 

Shame and broken relationships. They go together, don’t they? Sometimes shame breaks relationships, other times broken relationships cause shame. The good news is that God provides a surprising cure: HEALTHY relationships have the power to transform our shame into new life!

Who are you really? Have you ever been treated like someone you’re not? This morning we’ll sing, pray, and consider the untrue stories we collect about ourselves. The good news is that the only fully true story about us is the one that’s comes from God— a story of redemption and goodness.

We all have baggage we carry. But is there anything in your past that makes you hang your head whenever you remember it? Shame is a part of life, but God helps us not only move past it, but to transform it into something that gives you life. Join us as we start a new series that aims to trade in our shame for something better!

Have you ever wanted to throw a video game controller across the room? (Ok, ok……. ever actually done it?) This Faith at the Movies week! We’re talking about The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Pastor Jeff is singling out an experience we’ve all had: failure. And more failure. And more failure. Until we finally catch on. It’s a concept for which there may be no better teacher than Peter in the Bible.

Fully alive. We say it every week, but what does it mean? We often sense that Trinity is a special place, but why? Join us as Pastor Jeff shares a special sermon on what makes Trinity unique. We’ll study the scriptures that guide our leadership and we’ll be inspired to live it out more fully. It’s not complete unless you’re part of it!

Doesn’t it feel good to get outside sometimes? Good, as in, “right?” Join us for the final week of the Sabbath series as God reminds us who we are, and just how connected we are to the earth. But it goes beyond trees and grass… come be reminded of how God is making YOU into a NEW creation!

Do you ever feel like you’re just plugging a dam with your fingers? There’s so much that needs done in our broken world, not to mention our broken lives, and it can feel like we have two choices: ignore it or despair about it. Sometimes we try to help and it feels like not even a drop in a very large bucket. There’s an answer for that: Sabbath. Join us this morning for the third— and perhaps most...

Why are you here? Yeah, I mean that in the biggest sense possible. Why are you here on this earth, in this life? There is a way to be reminded of your purpose that is so simple we take it for granted: Sabbath. Join us as we continue our series exploring why it matters and how we can better practice it!

How good are you at resting? REALLY resting? Be honest… do you know how to truly enjoy a moment with those you love and world around you? Or do you reach for your phone or some other distraction to fill the “gap?” This week we start a new series, simply called “Sabbath,” exploring the art of true rest. Prepare yourself to appreciate life more deeply!

Join Pastor Tom for Sunday Worship in this last week of June.