2004 Sermons

12/26/04 Not Long a Baby (Luke 4:16-21) The baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. But this baby will not remain a baby for long. There is a temptation to become so engaged with the infant in the manger, that we forget why this one was sent into the world.

12/24/04 Singing the Songs: "Sing a Song of Love" (John 1:1-14) "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" the Gospel of John says. Tex Sample says it this way: "God came down and pitched tent with the people." What does that mean for us this Christmas?

12/19/04 Singing the Songs: A musical celebration of lessons and carols presented by our choirs.

12/12/04 Singing the Songs: "Sing a Song of Joy" (Luke 2:8-10 & Psalm 30:4-5) Joy--something so familiar to us when we were say, 3 years old. Why is it that as adults, we seem to experience less and less joy? How do we find it? Or, are we simply resigned to wait until joy happens?

12/05/04 Singing the Songs: "Sing a Song of Peace" (Isaiah 11:1-10) Is peace possible? Really possible? Isaiah paints a beautiful image of the peaceable kingdom, led by a little child. It is only a dream? Can peace really be led by a single individual?

11/28/04 Singing the Songs: "Sing a Song of Hope" (Romans 15:7-13) It's not Christmas yet, despite the songs on the radio, the decorations in our homes, the stores, even the church. The church enters a time of waiting, watching, that we call Advent. And we enter this new season, in hope.

11/21/04 Living Water: “Opportunities for Thanksgiving" (Lamentations 3:19-26) Abundance does not often lead to Thanksgiving. I wonder why? Seems that opportunities for Thanksgiving are often born out of difficult times. Even the story of the first Thanksgiving is a story of struggle and suffering which leads to Thanksgiving.

11/14/04 Living Water: “Just a Trickle” (Ezekiel 47:1-12) “Dewdrops of mercy falling on me,” the old hymn reminds us. It all began for me with a trickle of water running over my scalp and behind my ears. That trickle of water has become a river of life-giving mercy, flowing deep and wide from the throne of God’s grace.

11/07/04 Living Water:“ Dam Christians or Channels of Grace” (Luke 12:13-21) God is good to provide all that is needed for the earth and its people. The resources are plentiful, but as God’s stewards, the distribution of those resources is put into our hands.

10/31/04 Living Water: “A Really Scary Story!” (Acts 5:1-11) Many of us love to be scared out of our wits on Halloween. Well, do you want to hear something really scary? Often we invite people to “come as you are.” and worship with us at First UMC. Today, it’s “come if you dare!”

10/24/04 "Up a Tree” (Luke 19:1-10) After a career of deceit, exploitation and corroborating with the enemy, Zacchaeus finds himself “up a tree.” Coming down from his perch, he is embraced by the warm grace of God through Jesus. Needless to say, Zacchaeus is transformed, reaching new heights as a follower of Christ.

10/17/04 “Thank God I’m Not Like Those Others” (Luke 18:9-14) The Pharisee, a good religious man of his day is in worship. His eyes however, are not on the Lord. No, he seems to be watching another man who has entered the Synagogue to worship.

10/10/04 “A Tithe of Lepers” (Luke 17:11-19) Ten are healed. Only one returns to thank Jesus for his healing. We hear this story and think, “only one? After all that Jesus has done for them?” Interesting isn’t it how one tenth seems like such a small return in this story. One out of ten is almost offensive, wouldn’t you think?

10/03/04 "Friends and Brothers" ( Proverbs 17:17) Rev. John Ruiz of Evangelica United Methodist Church of Garden City preached and shared with our congregation in a celebration of World Communion Sunday.

09/26/04 “A Sign for My Brothers!” (Luke 16:19-31) An unnamed rich man and Lazarus find themselves, after death, on either side of a great chasm that separates heaven from hell. The rich man begs Abraham to send a warning to his brothers. “If someone goes to them from the dead,” he says, “surely they will listen!” I wonder…

09/19/04 “Bent Out of Shape” ( Luke 13:10-17) A woman, crippled and bent is touched by Jesus and healed. However, a religious leader of the day objects to Jesus' Sabbath activity. Rules are important, help us shape our life in community. A rule is a straight line against which something can be measured. But sometimes keeping the rule bends and distorts true compassion.

09/12/04 “Lost and Found” ( Luke 15:1-10, I Timothy 2:1-7) We know God seeks out and finds the lost. But we should never forget just how broad and deep is the search, nor how grand is the party when the lost has been recovered!

09/05/04 “Drinking, Remembering” ( I Corinthians 11:23-26) As Labor Day rolls around, I am reminded that once upon a time, I knew how to work. Sitting on the hot and dusty tractor on our Western Kansas dry land wheat farm, nothing tasted sweeter than a long, cool pull from my old "rag jug." As we come to the Lord's Table, we eat, drink, and remember, calling to heart and mind once again who we are and whose we are.

08/29/04 “Functional Art” ( Jeremiah 18:1-11) The memorable biblical image of the potter and the clay reminds us that some creations of art not only reflect great craftsmanship, beautiful to behold, but are made for a purpose!

08/22/04 “The Good Portion" (Luke 10:38-41.) "Mary and Martha were sisters. I believe Martha was apparently my own mother's ancestor -- and mine as well. Striving for hospitality, I often settle for the appearance of busy-ness. Mary gets it right -- and receives the good portion!"