Sermons by Lori Leopold (Page 15)
What Will You Receive?
As we celebrate Epiphany, we encounter the curiosity, wonder, and mystery surrounding the Magi’s trip to Bethlehem. What does God give? What will you receive?
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve special service and lighting the Christ candle!
Impossible
It’s the fourth and final Sunday in Advent. Today, we light the candle of Love and prepare for Love Incarnate to enter into our lives once again.
Preparations
Our scripture passages during Advent remind us of important and meaningful preparations during this season…the preparation of our hearts and spirits, our individual lives and our world to receive God once again, incarnate – in the flesh – in the person of Jesus.
The Advent Journey
Advent is about anticipation. Our gospel reading from Mark encourages us to “keep awake,” to pay attention because God is about to do a remarkable thing.
Royal Living
It’s Christ the King Sunday, but this king and this kingdom are marked by values that are altogether different.
Entrusted
Our scripture reading today is from the Parable of the Talents. What is it we’ve been given and what is the end result if all we do is keep it safe?
Being Prepared
We’re always waiting on something. What does it mean to be prepared? How might Jesus’ words from this quirky and unsettling parable give us guidance, inspiration…perhaps light?
Blessed in the Not Yet
Today is a special day in the life of the Church as we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday! The United Methodist Church understands “saints” in the New Testament sense of the word which includes Christians of all places and times. We remember and honor the saints of our lives, specifically those who have died in this last year. We share the names of beloved church members, family members and friends whom we have lost. We give thanks for all they have shared with us and among us, remembering them with the refrain, “Absent from our midst…present with the Lord.”
Generous Discipleship: Relationships
Our scripture passage for today is the account of the widow’s mite. Jesus was with the disciples outside of the Temple as people were making their donations to the Temple treasury. Many rich people put in a large sum of money, possibly drawing the attention, head nods and approval of others. The widow, placing two small coins in the treasury, was noticed by no one but Jesus. Jesus pointed her out and said that her gift was greater than any other because she gave it out of her poverty rather than out of abundance.