The Sterling Sermons

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new.  Christ’s bi...

Faith led Zaccheus to Jesus...and Jesus changed everything.

What will God reveal through your prayers if you are willing to listen?

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack...to all that God has given.

We are created in God's image. A generous creator who gave freely, out of love. In each of us is a spark of that same generosity. We are born to love. Born to give. Born to be generous.

God shows up for us, even in the messiest places of our lives.

The root of the word “human” is the same as the word humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.” From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human. This week we remember to look first at our neighbor as a person, not a position. Beginning conversatio...

Sterling UMC's annual Bluegrass Sunday, featuring the music of King Street Bluegrass!

This Sunday we were observing Suicide Prevention Sunday. The content of the message addresses sensitive issues that could be challenging for some individuals. We want to acknowledge that everyone processes these topics differently, and we encourage you to make the best decision for yourself about whether you listen to this episode.

As this series draws to a close, we may feel more or less resolved in our openness to each other. Loving our neighbors–including relatives, coworkers, acquaintances, strangers–as ourselves is no simple task. We need God. We need the love of God to show us mercy and strength to love as God loves. We need the story of Jesus–the one who loved across the lines that had been drawn in the society of his...

“R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to me,” so sang Aretha Franklin. And she convinced us that it means a lot. Sometimes we think having respect means to agree or be the same. But that is not actually the depth of what respect is about. It comes from the Latin respectus which means “the act of looking at one often, to consider, to observe.” We are called to respect by tending to one another–re...

Because we are complex beings living in a complex world, we sometimes deal with conflict within us in addition to the conflict between us. Research tells us that because we humans are desperate for a sense of cohesion and belonging in these confusing times, we are hanging onto ideological generalities instead of treating ourselves and each other with the compassion required to alleviate despair. C...

Did you know that over 99% of our DNA is the same from one human to another? This surely makes us kin. The word kindness originally developed from a root word that meant “family” or “with the feeling of relatives for each other.” We begin this series considering the implications of spending so much of our time feeling estranged from, and resentful toward, those whose less than 1% moves them in a d...

Knowing God: The Spirit Is the Truth

Knowing God: Love

The 4th installment of a sermon series exploring the book of 1 John.

The 3rd installment of a sermon series based on 1 John

The Lord's Prayer (Luke's version) - Our Needs.   In this 4 week series, Pastor Bert leads us in a study of the Lord's prayer as it is found in Luke's Gospel.

The Lord's Prayer (Luke's version) - The Kingdom.   In this 4 week series, Pastor Bert leads us in a study of the Lord's prayer as it is found in Luke's Gospel.

The Lord's Prayer (Luke's version) - The Holiness. In this 4 week series, Pastor Bert leads us in a study of the Lord's prayer as it is found in Luke's Gospel.

The Lord's Prayer (Luke's version) - The Father. In this 4 week series, Pastor Bert leads us in a study of the Lord's prayer as it is found in Luke's Gospel.

The Trinity is a holy mystery.

Pentecost Sunday!

This Sunday, Sterling United Methodist observed Bells Across America Sunday. Check out www.firehero.org for more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Association and the significance of this memorial weekend.

Psalm 46 (NRSV)