Weekly Sermons, Announcements and Events
First Mennonite Church December 18, 2022 Christmas: A Beautiful Love-Story Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew’s narrative tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. That means Joseph was a God-fearing and law-abiding man. He was humble, honest and simple. Zechariah and Elizabeth are also described as Joseph is, according to Luke, chapter one, verse six. Joseph’s … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 11, 2022 How Can This Be? Text: Luke 1:26-38 As we follow Luke’s account leading to the birth of Jesus, there are noteworthy features, both about the way he tells his stories and about the characters in them. First, let us remember that Luke was a physician by profession. Therefore, despite … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 7, 2014 Zechariah and Elizabeth: Models of Sturdy Faith Text: Luke 1: 5-25 In the opening verses of Luke’s Gospel we find the reasons and the process Luke considered to gather his material to write the book. Luke knew that others have attempted to write the story of Jesus. Luke, therefore, … [Read more…]
On this Sunday, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of First Mennonite Church. (November 27, 1897-2022) We also welcomed to new members after their baptism and we all renewed our baptismal vows to the Lord. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper and after the service we had a meal together. The following is the brief biblical reflection … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 20, 2022 Contentment and Thanksgiving Text: Philippians 4:10-20 Besides other themes that can be found in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, one that stands out holds a tension between joy and suffering. Paul was suffering in a Roman prison at the time he wrote the letter. The Philippians were suffering for … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 13, 2022 A Testimony of God’s Salvation Text: Titus 3: 3-8 Let me begin by saying that there are many people who do good things in the world. There are many who make sacrifices to serve the needy around them or those in faraway places. There are many who are passionate … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 6, 2022 A Different Kind of Fear Text: Mark 4:35-41 Last Wednesday night, Hurricane Lisa made landfall on the coast of Belize. Although it was a category-1 hurricane, there was extensive damage to property and lots of rain. In Belize City, the sea surge reached up to eight feet high in … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church October 30, 2022 A Prayer Offered on Our Behalf Text: John Chapter 17:1-3; 20-23 Mary was Lilian’s English teacher when we lived in Elkhart, IN. Lilian and Mary kept in touch even after we moved back to Belize. Shortly after we arrived here in Paso Robles in the fall of 2005, Lilian … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church October 23, 2022 Living the Resurrected Life Text: Colossians 1:1-5, 9-13; 2:6-14; 3:1-4 Just once again to refresh our memory: regardless of how beautiful, meaningful, or theologically laden a passage might be, it can be better understood in light of the whole book, especially when the passage is from one of the … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church October 16, 2022 When Grace Touches the Heart Text: Luke 19:1-10 When God appeared in the world or to people, both the world and those to whom he appeared never were the same again. In Genesis, where we find God’s first appearances, the world came into being; it teemed with life, beauty, … [Read more…]