Sermons by Lori Leopold
Bearing the Light
Today we spend time with Matthew’s version of Jesus’ move to Galilee, where he called his first disciples to “follow him.” What does Jesus mean by “Repent”? Why and how did those fisherfolks respond so quickly and decisively to Jesus’ invitation and how are we to understand Christ’s invitation to a new way of life in this day and age?
Come and See
Today we have the joy of celebrating the baptism of baby Julian! We’ll ponder Jesus’ invitation to discipleship, “come and see,” reflecting on what that means for Julian’s life as well as for each of our own.
What Do You Fear? – Good News Is Louder than Fear
Come and join in the joy of the season as we gather to welcome the Christ Child on Christmas Eve!
What Do You Fear? – When You’re Afraid, Give Me Your Hand
On this fourth Sunday in Advent, we come alongside Joseph, who is pivotal to the story of Jesus, God made flesh, but rarely centered. What does the story of Joseph teach us about the divine as it comes in the midst of our hopes and fears? What does it mean to extend and receive a hand?
What Do You Fear? – Even in our Fear, We are Called Forward
Today is the third Sunday of Advent and we continue to explore the intersections of our fear and hope. Our passages for this Sunday invite us to come alongside two young people to wrestle with questions that might be familiar. Can I do this? Do I have what it takes? Will I be all alone? Am I enough?
What Do You Fear? – When We’re Running Out of Hope, God is at Work
As is our practice on the first Sunday of the month, today’s sermon is a first-person narrative. This week we enter into the world of John the Baptist… so certain at times in his life, and full of doubt and questions at others. What struggles companion John the Baptist in his ministry? And how did Jesus offer guidance and reassurance when John seemed to be running low on hope?
What Do You Fear? – In the Time of Herod, We Long for God to Break In
Our Advent theme this year is “What Do You Fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent.” We’ll be exploring themes of fear and hope, examining our relationship with fear as well as the ways our faith invites us, in the midst of all things, to insist on hope.
With Thanksgiving
Today we focus on living a life with thanksgiving…in and through all things. With deep thanksgiving, we bring our gifts together, trusting that God will bless and use our combined resources to energize and extend our mission and ministry at PB UMC and to the community around us.
Keep On Keeping On
Today we ponder words from 2 Thessalonians that encourage us, among other things, to keep on keeping on in a life of following Christ… on the days when it’s easy and on the days when it’s hard.
A Whole New World
Today’s passage will surely make many of us say, “Hmmmmm.” It begins with an antagonistic question from some of the religious leaders about Jewish customs related to marriage and the resurrection. Seemingly far from the realm of our lives, Jesus’ answer opens a place and space to ponder this life in relation to the nature of the next.