University UMC Sermons

Our Sermon Series for Advent this year is “Ancestral Knowledge.” Throughout the Advent and Christmas season, we recall the stories and traditions handed down through the generations that shape who we are. We will hear lessons about some of the less familiar characters in the Advent story including the genealogy of Jesus, Joseph, and Elizabeth and Zechariah. We will remember God still calls imperfe...

This Sunday Megan Otto shares a message about being thankful in the midst of all the things happening in the world. Paul tells us to rejoice and not be anxious about anything but that’s easier said than done.  

We are excited to welcome Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey as our guest preacher this Sunday. Her sermon title is “A Matthew 25 Church!” and the scripture reading comes from Matthew 25:34-40. In this passage Jesus reminds the disciples, “I was hungry and you gave me food” and we look forward to the inspiring and challenging word Bishop Harvey brings to us.

Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “Living the Dream” and she will be sharing highlights from the last year made possible because of UUMC’s generosity.

This Sunday we continue our Sermon Series for Stewardship Season “Dare to Dream.” The scripture reading is Genesis 15:1-6 and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “Star Gazing.”

As we continue Stewardship Season with our theme “Dare to Dream!” Pastor Teresa will be preaching and the sermon text is the story of Pentecost from Acts 2:14-21.

The sermon text is Matthew 8:23-27 of Jesus calming the storm and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “When Little Faith is Enough.” This Sunday begins our Stewardship/Commitment to Giving season and our theme this year is “Dare To Dream” - an invitation and challenge to strengthen our multigenerational community, dream of finding new ways to serve be in service to our neighbors, and dream of being...

We conclude our sermon series “Created for Community.” The sermon text is Romans 12:1-8 and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is “Better Together.”

We continue our sermon series, Created for Community. Pastor Earl’s message, “Birds of One Spirit Flock Together,” will reflect on Paul’s famous metaphor of the body and its members (1 Corinthians 12:12–26), exploring what it means to be a Christian community and what makes it special in today’s world.

Pastor Teresa’s sermon title “This is My Thing!” is inspired by a program by the same name on KUT News where community members share the hobbies and talents that bring them joy. The sermon text is the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30 and will be shared in a creative way by Melissa Wiginton.

Join us for worship as we begin our September Sermon Series “Created for Community.” The scripture lesson is Acts 2:42-47 and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “A Place at the Table.”

This Sunday marks the final week of our sermon series, “Jesus Never Said That.” Pastor Earl will be preaching on the phrase “Live Your Best Life Now” and inviting us to reflect on the contrasting images of God presented by the prosperity gospel and by Jesus in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16).

This Sunday we continue our Sermon Series “Jesus Never Said That” and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “Good Vibes Only.” The scripture lesson is Romans 12:9-18 and the Sanctuary Choir will be singing, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.”

We continue our sermon series “Jesus Never Said That!” and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “We’re number 1!: Jesus Never Said That.” At a time when Christian Nationalism is on the rise, we’ll take a look at the teachings of Jesus and the compassion of children who remind us of the call to humble service.

This Sunday, we continue the new sermon series that examines common—but incorrect—assumptions about Jesus' sayings, while also exploring related sayings that are more accurate and, perhaps, even more challenging. This week, Pastor Earl’s sermon will take on the Christian cliché, “God never closes a door without opening a window.” Our scripture reading will be the well-known story of “Doubting Thom...

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series inspired by one of our favorite new stickers that depicts Jesus saying, “Y’all, I Never Said That.” The sermons will take a look at common but incorrect assumptions about the sayings of Jesus while also exploring related sayings that are more accurate and perhaps even more challenging. This Sunday Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “Forgive and Forget: Jesu...

This Sunday we conclude the sermon series on world religions and the scripture passage is John 14:1-6. In Pastor Teresa’s sermon she will share about some of her encounters with Hinduism

This Sunday, we continue our sermon series, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. Pastor Earl’s message will explore the shared ground between Buddhism and Christianity—especially, their mutual commitment to compassion and the freedom of humanity.

We continue our sermon series on “Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others” and Pastor Teresa’s sermon will take a look at Islam and the gift of diversity. The scripture reading is Nan Merrill’s translation of Psalm 107 .

We begin a new sermon series on world religions. This Sunday, the scripture text is Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Pastor Teresa will introduce the series. The series was inspired in part by Barbara Brown Taylor’s book entitled “Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others.” Teresa will share some of what she has learned about Judaism including how her learning has influenced her own faith journey.

University UMC is thrilled to welcome Texas State Representative James Talarico as the guest preacher. His sermon is entitled “On Earth as it is in Heaven: A Christian Commitment to Democracy” and the scripture reading is Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

This Sunday in worship the scripture lesson is the Lord’s Prayer and Pastor Teresa’s sermon focuses on what it means to be people of prayer in the midst of political turmoil and concerns that seem overwhelming and beyond our control.

Join us this Sunday worship as Megan Otto takes to the pulpit. She’ll talk about boasting and enduring hope in our lifelong experience of faith. 

On Ascension Sunday, we recall Jesus’ ascension to heaven before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The scripture passage is Acts 1:1-14.

Join us as we celebrate God’s gift of music in our lives. The scripture reading is John 14:18-29 and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is entitled “A Song for Troubled Hearts.”