The Sterling Sermons

Pastor Bert shares a preview of what you can expect in worship this Sunday, August 3rd.

Pastor Bert explores the painful disconnect between Jesus' teachings and the behavior of Christians throughout history and today. He acknowledges the hypocrisy that exists within churches and among believers, from institutional scandals to everyday gossip disguised as prayer concerns, while reminding us that the church is "more like a hospital than a museum" - a place where broken pe...

Pastor Bert offers a preview of this weekend's worship service!

Pastor Bert addresses the doubt "I like Jesus, but I'm not sure Jesus likes me" by examining Jesus' parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15. Using this story of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one lost sheep, Pastor Bert reminds us that Jesus actively seeks us out, carries us home, and celebrates our return—no matter how lost or unworthy we feel.

Pastor Bert shares some information about this Sunday and a new sermon series we are starting: "I like Jesus...but..."!

This morning we are joined in worship by a guest preacher, Rev. Katherine Malloy! Rev. Malloy uses her family's gardening experiences, particularly her brother Patrick's abundant tomato harvest, to illustrate that bearing spiritual fruit isn't about quantity but about displaying the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosit...

Pastor Bert Cloud offers a preview of this Sunday's service and more!

Pastor Bert explores how welcoming and belonging are fundamental to church communities, sharing his own journey of finding acceptance. Drawing from Paul's letters, he emphasizes that external Markers of belonging (like circumcision) are meaningless compared to the cross of Christ, declaring that everyone is welcome in God's church regardless of background, appearance, or belief, because &q...

Pastor Bert continues his sermon series on how Paul's letters might be received as text messages today, focusing on the question "What are we freed for?" Through Christ's work on the cross, we've been liberated from sin and death, but Paul challenges us to consider whether we're using that freedom to live by the flesh (characterized by things like anger, enmity, and jealo...

In this sermon on Galatians, the pastor explores how Paul's message that "now that faith has come" transforms our identity from sinners to children of God through Christ. Using a humorous story about a neighbor named Billy who tries to "baptize" deer steaks into catfish during Lent, the pastor illustrates that true transformation isn't about relabeling our old selves, b...

Pastor Bert Cloud shares what you can expect in worship this weekend!

Pastor Bert reflects on the Fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23, emphasizing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness. He explores how these qualities manifest in the church's 150-year history, addressing both its missional successes and challenges. He encourages listeners to consider how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives and community.

Pastor Bert offers his forecast for this Sunday - Pentecost!

Pastor Bert concludes a series on living with resilient faith in turbulent times, emphasizing our interconnectedness and need for each other. He illustrates this through personal experiences and Biblical references, encouraging us to support one another in faith, especially during life's storms.

Pastor Bert Cloud shares his weekly preview of Sunday's worship service. This Sunday, June 1st, we will conclude our "Faithful Resilience" sermon series, as well as celebrate our graduates and bless our umbrellas! As part of this message, Pastor Bert includes a poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer called: The Welcoming

Pastor Bert explores the limits of human understanding and the mystery of God, drawing from Philippians 4. He encourages believers to find joy in the Lord, practice gentleness, and remember God's nearness. The sermon emphasizes the futility of worry and the power of prayer in accessing God's peace that surpasses understanding.

Pastor Bert gives his weekly message to preview what you can expect in worship this Sunday, May 25th.

Pastor Bert delivers a powerful message on endurance, drawing from Hebrews 12:1-2. He emphasizes that life's troubles produce endurance, which in turn builds character and hope. The sermon encourages believers to run the race of faith with patience and courage, reminding them that Jesus and a "great cloud of witnesses" are cheering them on.

Pastor Bert Cloud shares about the conditions you can expect for worship this Sunday, May 18th, at Sterling United Methodist Church!

Pastor Bert explores the concept of resilient faith in difficult times, drawing from Romans to illustrate how trouble produces endurance, character, and ultimately hope. He emphasizes that while we can't avoid life's challenges, we have the power of memory and God's spirit to guide us through, reminding us that our current circumstances don't define us.

Pastor Bert previews the upcoming Mother's Day service, which will include youth-led worship and a reflection on Romans 5:3-5. He then shares Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Umbrella," using it as a metaphor for the importance of maintaining our spiritual "umbrellas" - our faith, boundaries, and coping strategies - in the face of life's challenges.

Pastor Bert delivers a powerful sermon on faithful resilience in turbulent times, drawing from Paul's experiences in 2 Corinthians. He emphasizes how God's grace is sufficient in our weaknesses, illustrating this truth through his personal testimony of surviving multiple heart attacks. His vulnerable account demonstrates how God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Pastor Bert Cloud offers his weekly forecast for Sunday, May 4th.

Pastor Bert delivers a sermon on faithful resilience in troubled times, using the metaphor of an umbrella to represent emotional and spiritual boundaries. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation in faith, as Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27, and encourages listeners to develop coping strategies to weather life's storms.

Pastor Bert Cloud shares his forecast for Sunday, April 27th