First Mennonite Church January 3, 2016 Knowing Christ Jesus: The Ultimate Resolution Philippians 3:1-11; Micah 6:6-8 In our Old Testament passage the prophet Micah challenged Ancient Israel with this soul-searching question: “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high”? The reason Micah asked this question was to lead … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 20, 2015 What Child Is This? Text: John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6, 7 Today, I want us to reflect on John 1, verses 1-18 and two verses in Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 6 and 7. Today is our Christmas worship service. Christmas means the Christ Festival or the celebration of the Christ, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 13, 2015 Where is the King? Text: Matthew 2:1-12 Christmas plays have made of this passage a familiar one, at least the most obvious part of the story. Every Christmas we have, with much delight, enjoyed watching our children bringing to life an integrated version of the birth story of Jesus. … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 6, 2015 Christmas: A Difficult Calling for Mary Luke 2:26-38 Mary, a girl living in shadows anonymity suddenly came under the spotlight of world history. For you see, since the people of Israel settled in the Land of Canaan, young men and young women had engaged, gotten married and have had … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 29, 2015 Do Not Be Afraid Text: Luke 2:1-20 Advent begins today, according to the church year or liturgical calendar. Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent recalls the time of waiting and expectation before the birth of Jesus Christ. Although we all know that Jesus has been born so … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 22, 2015 Gratitude: Fruit of Inner Contentment Text: Philippians 2:12-18 Today, the church where I grew up in in Belize is having their “Thanksgiving” worship service this afternoon. It is a version Thanksgiving Day celebration that missionaries took down there, I suspect. This type of worship service is only held in … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 15, 2015 “I Have Something to Tell You” Text: Luke 7:36-50 As we begin to prepare ourselves for the festivities and everything that comes with Thanksgiving Day, I want for us to start by meditating on this passage. To express gratitude is what is intended on Thanksgiving Day. Luke 7, verses … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 8, 2015 Working Together (Congregational Meeting) Devotional: Acts 6:1-7 Sometimes Christians would like to believe that the Early Church was a perfect church besides having the advantage of operating in a unique manner under the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out healings and to do marvelous miracles. But the … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 1, 2015 To “Pull the Plug” or Bet on the Future Texts: Jeremiah 32:36-44; Mark 10:17-31 When the future seems hopeless “pulling the plug” sometimes is the best alternative. In the medical field there is something called “DNR,” Do Not Resuscitate. It’s a legal document that patients or (more often) their … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church October 25, 2015 Autographed on the Heart Text: Jeremiah 31:27-34 Finally, the moment of God’s promise to plant and to build up (Jer. 1:10) was coming in sight. So far most of Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry and message had been those of destruction, uprooting, and judgment. But chapter 31 ushers a new beginning. … [Read more…]