United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

The crowd is always wrong, thronging to the leader who promises quick fixes, big earthly rewards, and glory. The crowd turned from Jesus because he proclaimed instead a challenging message. But we are called to hear that message, break from the crowd, and follow as Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15) Christ is “lifted up” both on the cross and his ascension into glory (the same Greek word is used in both cases). When we look up to Christ in faith we find healing that is eternal.

Christ gives us a peace, not as the world gives. Outward circumstances cannot kill the inner peace that comes from Christ.

Lamentations says “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.”  (Lam. 3:40-41) These words were written when the people of Judah were in desperate circumstances, which had resulted from their own sin. Lamentations would guide us out of the depths into genuine repentance, in which we do far more than simply go through t...

St. Paddy’s Day is often a frivolous “holiday” or just an ode to all things Irish. But the real life of St. Patrick is an inspiring example of trusting in Christ and following His call to serve those who are far beyond our own circle.

Here are the scriptures and messages from our Youth Sunday service. This annual service of worship is organized and presented by the teens in our church with oversight from our Christian Education Director Rick Stout. The theme of this year’s service was “Outreach”. In order of appearance, we have Jaden Lepp, Brooke Harvey, Arijana Kooijman, and Ryan Dean.

Are we using the test in the book of Acts as the basis for church membership? How did the earliest Christians approach the idea of inclusiveness?

The New Testament confronts us with our inclination to judge others and moves us to see that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace.

The creation story says that we are all created in God’s image and that what God creates is good. It also indicates that “it is not good to be alone” and that we are created for one another. This can relate both to marriage and to the church community.

This episode is from our United Methodist Women Sunday. This annual event involves scores of women from our church in planning and presenting that Sunday’s service. In this sermon, Laurel Stiller speaks about the importance of boldness when called by God.

This episode examines the call to Philip to evangelize and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch, a sexually altered foreigner.

A discussion of the apparent condemnation of homosexual practice in Leviticus, and how the central issue in the Leviticus laws is actually resisting the idolatry of the surrounding culture.

The real sin of Sodom and Gomorrah according to the Scriptures – Ezekiel 16:49 “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.”

This sermon introduces the United Methodist debate on homosexuality and the need to rightly understand the Scripture. It also focuses on the Biblical call for respectful dialogue and spiritual unity.

The wise men rightly perceive what – and who – is worthy of our utmost allegiance, not the tyrants of this world, but the One who embodies the grace of God.

Our youth pastor, Rick Stout, delivers a message putting the Covenant Renewal service in context.

From where does the true meaning of Christmas come? Whose responsibility is the preservation of that story?

God’s Kingdom is near when believers are “salt” and “light” for the world.

We must stay alert to God, ready for the Lord to be at work in and through our lives.

We must stay alert to God, ready for the Lord to be at work in and through our lives.

What does it mean to be pursued by God’s love?

God gives His grace in abundance.

God nourishes us with grace and help, even in the face of distress and trouble.

God, through Jesus Christ, has made it possible for us to see what others may not see…to see God at work where others might not see God.

We find comfort in the presence, care, and guidance of God; but this is not just so we can be comfortable, but so that we can be instruments of comfort for others.