Sunday Sermons from Trinity UMC Lincoln, Nebraska

Merry Christmas! Christmas being on a Sunday gives us all the more reason to worship! We’ll sing a few carols and hear a Christmas story from Pastor Jeff.

Tonight we remember Jesus’ birth, the night God said, “My place is here, with you, in the muck and the mess, even in the cold and the snow.”

How many days until Christmas? Are we there yet? Slow down! Take a deep breath and pause for a minute! The simple truth is that God works on a different time horizon than you and I. But don't fall into the trap of thinking God isn't at work. And don't get lazy, either— Christmas is a reminder not only that God is in the world, but that it's our hands that help make the difference.

Listen to hear of the Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah in the Bible, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, but that comes alive now that we know. Among other things, it shows us what really matters most, even today!

Isn't it funny how sometimes we think that things are fine, even when they are obviously NOT? Join us as we hear one of the foundational stories of the Old Testament. Everything was NOT fine, but God's response was one of great hope— a sense that God will get us through, no matter what.

While voting is vital, at no other time are divisions more raw than when we put the words "win" and "lose" next to names. I don't think anyone feels 100% great about anything. But our faith teaches us a better way to be, a way that heals a broken world— and, dare I say it, makes the "civic soil" more healthy.

God gave us a voice. Join us as we simply tell the story of Esther and ask what it means to use OUR voice in such a time as this.

I need you. And you need me. Oh, and you know THAT person— the one who makes your blood boil when you think about some of the things they say? You need them, too. And so do I. This week we continue our series looking for a better way to be Christian in politics. This week we "tend the civic soil" by learning the importance of interdependence. We need each other more than we know— it's how God made...

We've all seen examples where church and politics corrupt one another, and it is never pretty. But how should a person of faith hold themselves during election season? There must be a better way to follow Jesus in our civic life! This week we start a new series looking at that very issue. Here's the basic idea: our votes and our candidates can only be as good as the soil in which they are planted....

Peace and kindness. Who could disagree with that? (So long as we get our morning coffee, anyway!) But where do peace and kindness come from? And what can we do to encourage them, both in ourselves and in others? Join us as we look at these Fruits of the Spirit and strengthen them in ourselves.

Having God in your heart bears fruit. But what happens when your garden's full of weeds? Turns out there's a "fruit" for that, too!

Is there joy in your life? Notice I didn't ask if you are "happy;" happiness always comes and goes. But deep joy is a sign of God in your life.

How do you know you're doing it right? With a car, you can check your speedometer. A doctor can help tell you if you're healthy. But how do you know if you're following Jesus well? This week we start a new series, letting the Bible take the lead. We'll look at the "Fruits of the Spirit" and ask where we see good "fruit" growing in our life. Want to be MORE faithful? That starts with fruit, too.

Patience. That may be the hardest lesson to learn, but it's also the truest. This week we wrap up our series on parenting by letting it teach us about hope. God, the Great Parent, isn't done with us yet. It's worth waiting for!

How's your village? Village Gardens? Village People? No… I mean, "It takes a village," and it pays to ask how yours is doing. This Sunday, we continue our parenting series (that's not just for parents) by talking about mental health and how none of us can go it alone. Listen in— you may discover just the person you need to make YOU a better person!

Ever said something and realized you sounded just like YOUR parents? We continue our sermon series on parenting (that's really for all of us) with "Generational… Stuff." Pastor Jeff will talk about the ways we become like those who formed us, both good and not-so-good, and how God is in it all!

What makes you lose your cool? This week we're talking about anger. In the Bible, God gets angry. Jesus gets angry. It's a natural emotion when something crosses the line, so long as your anger doesn't cross a line itself. But don't overlook what happens after: in parenting, as in life, as in faith: forgiveness is what makes all the difference.

Do you ever run from one thing to the next, wondering if any of it really matters? This week we start a new series. It's about "parenting in a hectic world," but believe me, it'll speak to more than just parents. We ALL need centering, grounding, and reminding of what really matters as a barrage of information and calendar items swirl around us. Everything comes down to this: you are loved, j...

It's Faith At the Movies week! Join us as we sing, pray, and watch a clip from Encanto! It's a colorful movie full of great songs. And its message about large, colorful families teaches us to appreciate the burdens we each carry. Oh, and we'll DEFINITELY be talking singing about Bruno. 😁

How much does fear control your thoughts? It's uncomfortable to consider how our minds are guided by fear of things from economy and world events to the health of ourselves and our loved ones. Yet Jesus says, "Don't be afraid, little flock." Clearly Jesus knows something we don't— let's take a step together in learning WHY we don't need to be afraid!

Do you care about the right things? We all get off track sometimes, losing sight of what's really important in life, what really matters, what lasts when everything else falls away. Join us and get inspired to care about the BEST things!

What's your favorite meal? Who are your favorite dinner companions? We'll be hearing this morning about a meal in an unusual place, with Jesus as the guest of honor.

We have heard, "it's not about the destination, it's about the journey".  Come along with us today as we explore the concept of "Prophet Margins", where prophets like Amos take us to the edge of our comfort zones and into the uncomfortable as uncomfortable truths are spoken.  Can being uncomfortable bring you comfort?

What were you made to do? I don't mean your job, or even your role in your family. Rather, what traits do you have that naturally bring life? Are you an encourager? Do you lean toward wisdom? Do you help people heal or learn? This week we wrap up our series on the Holy Spirit by looking at how the "wind" blows THROUGH us to help others. Your gifts that bring life— those are gifts from the Spirit!

Look around— what's the most ordinary thing you see? A curtain? A wall? A chair? Now, look around again— what's the most holy thing you see? Is it possible the answer is one in the same?  Too often we get caught up looking for God in the extraordinary. And it's true, God IS in the extraordinary! But God is just as present in the simple things.