The Sterling Sermons

In her first sermon at Sterling United Methodist Church, Pastor Jenny Day draws on the story of Esther to remind the congregation that God's plans are always greater than our own. Just as Esther was placed in her royal position "for just such a time as this," God has orchestrated this new chapter in the life of the church with purpose and intention. Rather than clinging to our own ca...

Pastor Bert explores the mystery of the Trinity on Trinity Sunday, acknowledging that while no metaphor fully captures the nature of God, the dynamic of three is woven throughout creation and human relationship. Using the contrast between destructive triangulation and life-giving triangles, he invites the congregation to see their relationships with one another and with God as a reflection of the...

On Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Bert draws a vivid parallel between the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts and the surprising moment in Numbers when God's Spirit fell not just on the elders gathered with Moses, but on Eldad and Medad right there in the camp. Just as Moses declared, "Would that all the Lord's people were prophets," the Spirit refuses to be contained by our expectations...

This Sunday was Confirmation Sunday as well as Youth Sunday at Sterling UMC. Drawing from Jeremiah 29, Pastor Bert reminds the congregation that even in the middle of life's messes — personal, communal, or generational — God's word remains the same: "I know the plans I have for you, plans for peace, not disaster." Whether you're a newly confirmed young person stepping into an...

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect in worship this Sunday at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert reminds us that while life is full of trouble and heartache, God is not a distant clockmaker who winds up the world and walks away — He is a compassionate Father who enters intimately into our suffering. Drawing from 2 Corinthians, Pastor Bert highlights that God comforts us in all our trouble so that we, in turn, can comfort others. We are called to practice true empathy — feeling  wi...

Pastor Bert uses the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus to explore the theme of astonishment — those disorienting "what the heck just happened" moments in life. Even in their confusion, Jesus walked alongside the disciples, opening their hearts and minds to a deeper truth than they had yet grasped. Pastor Bert invites the congregation to do the same — to bring their own cha...

Pastor Bert shares a brief reflection on what to expect in worship this Sunday! We also feature a special interview with our incoming pastor, Rev. Jenny Day, as she introduces herself!

Pastor Bert explores the story of Thomas doubting Jesus's resurrection, arguing that Thomas gets an unfair reputation as "doubting Thomas" when doubt is actually a necessary and helpful part of faith. He emphasizes that the opposite of doubt isn't faith but certainty, and that faith can coexist with doubt as we navigate life's uncertainties. Pastor Bert challenges the congreg...

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect in worship this week at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert explores Jesus's Great Commission given to his disciples despite their natural doubts and uncertainty. Jesus commands his followers to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Trinity, and teach them to follow his commandments, promising that he will be with them always. Pastor Bert emphasizes that this same calling continues for Christians today - to...

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect this Sunday in worship at Sterling United Methodist Church

Pastor Bert begins this Easter sermon with a joke about a resurrected rabbit, following the ancient tradition of Easter laughter, before exploring the paradox of resurrection joy found in the Gospel of John. The central message focuses on how true Easter joy isn't simple happiness that erases life's struggles, but rather a profound paradox where grief and gratitude, pain and beauty can coe...

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect at Sterling UMC this Easter weekend!

Pastor Bert explores the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11, emphasizing that while Lazarus had his life handed back to him as a gift from God, this miracle points to something greater. He challenges the congregation to consider how Jesus offers to hand our lives back to us right now through resurrection power that begins in this life, not just after death.

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect this Sunday at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert explores the healing of the man born blind in John chapter 9, focusing on how the question "who sinned?" gets turned upside down by Jesus. While the religious authorities become spiritually blind by rejecting Jesus' miraculous work because it happened on the Sabbath, the formerly blind man gains both physical sight and spiritual insight, ultimately worshiping Jesus even a...

Pastor Bert shares his preview of what you can expect this Sunday at Sterling United Methodist Church

Pastor Bert explores Jesus walking on water from the Gospel of John, emphasizing how Jesus comes to us in the midst of life's storms rather than waiting for us on the other side. Using personal anecdotes from a recent trip to Cape May and his own struggles with rowing, Pastor Bert connects the disciples' fear and exhaustion to our modern anxieties about political, social, and personal turm...

Pastor Bert shares his weekly preview of what you can expect this Sunday at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert uses childhood memories of indestructible lunchboxes from the 60s and 70s to introduce the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 from the Gospel of John. He emphasizes that God can take our small offerings—like the boy's bread and fish—and do the impossible, challenging us to trust God with what we have and asking, "What's in your lunchbox?"

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect in worship this week at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert continues the Lent series on "zoe" (abundant life) by examining Jesus's healing of a man who couldn't walk for 38 years at a pool in the Gospel of John. Jesus initiates this miracle without conditions, telling the man to pick up his mat despite it being the Sabbath, demonstrating that God's healing goes beyond social and religious expectations. The sermon's ce...

Pastor Bert shares his forecast for what you can expect in worship this week!

Pastor Bert explores the second miracle in John's Gospel, where Jesus heals a royal official's son from a distance, demonstrating both the power of faith and Jesus's ability to restore life. This miracle follows a pattern of context, need, miraculous response, and faith that will repeat throughout John's Gospel, showing us that Jesus is already in the business of giving life back t...