Weekly Sermons, Announcements and Events
First Mennonite Church June 5, 2022 Responding to God’s Call Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10 When we read what God tells Jeremiah about the time he was still in gestation, we wonder if Jeremiah’s mom had any inkling of what God was doing with her unborn child. As for you, what do you know about your birth, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church May 29, 2022 Imitating the Cloud of Faithful Witnesses Text: Hebrews 11:1-7 Today, I want to conclude this series in the Letter to the Hebrews. As I have said time and time again, the author of this letter compares the Christian faith journey to Israel’s wilderness journey to the Promised Land. This … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church May 22, 2022 Greater Promises Come with Greater Cost In the last two Sundays, I have been saying that the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews compares the Christian life to Israel’s wilderness journey. Two main points in this comparison are the difficulty there was in the wilderness journey and the … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church May 15, 2022 Introductory Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4 Jesus, Greater than Moses Let us, once again, remember the vivid comparison the writer to the Hebrews makes as he writes his “brief word of exhortation.” The writer sees a striking parallel between Israel’s wilderness journey and the Christian life, following Jesus. Therefore, in his … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church May 8, 2022 A Brief Word of Exhortation Introductory Text: Hebrews 2:1-9 Today, we will begin a new series in the Letter to the Hebrews. But, before we get into it, let me make a clarification, so we will understand my approach to this series. Hebrews, is not so much a letter, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church May 1, 2022 Called and Commissioned Yet Again Text: John 21:1-19 Last Sunday, we saw the restoration of Thomas, the one who demanded to touch Jesus in order to believe he was alive. Today, we will be looking at Peter’s restoration. Throughout Peter’s time with Jesus, he had been rash and brash, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church April 24, 2022 Behind Closed Doors Text: John 20:19-29 You have heard the saying in one version or another, “Who knows what happens behind closed doors.” Most often, this statement is used to express suspicion about what people might be hiding or that something bad happening is being kept a secret. Theologian … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church April 17, 2022 “I Have Seen the Lord” Text: John 20:1-18 Today, throughout the world, Christians are celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Thus, I greet you with the anthem: “The Lord is Risen!” On that first Easter Sunday, the prospect of humankind was forever changed. Until then, the … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church April 10, 2022 Jesus: The Living Bread Text: John 6:35-59 As we continue with our series in the Gospel of John and are celebrating the Lord’s Supper today, we will consider Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life” found here in chapter six. You may have noticed that John does not … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church April 3, 2022 Jesus Knows Our Heart Text: John 13:1-30 Biblical scholars call John 13-17, The Farewell Meal and Discourse of Jesus. Chapter 13 marks the decisive moment in the timeline of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus’ “hour” has now arrived. Every previous mention of this hour had either been as not-yet or … [Read more…]