Weekly Sermons, Announcements and Events
First Mennonite Church February 21 “Two Kinds of Wisdom” Text: James 3:13-18 Who does not want to be wise? Nobody wants to be a fool! Nobody wants to be perceived as a fool, or, as we say, “I do not want to make a fool of myself.” And so, when we speak we try to … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church February 14, 2016 Faith Reflected in Consistent Love: The Problem with Partiality and Discrimination Text: James 2:1-13 My brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church February 7, 2016 Blessed Who Endures Temptation Text: James 1:12-18 Blessed is the one who endures temptation. We would think that the one who has no troubles, trials or temptations is the blessed one. James calls blessed, happy, or favored by God, not those who have no trials and not even those … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church January 31, 2016 Jesus and Temptation Text: Matthew 4:1-11 In James 1, verse 12 we are given some insight about nature of trials and temptations. No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. We will … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church January 24, 2016 The Tongue, Small But Dangerous Text: James 3:1-12 Someone said it could be about 90 percent of butchers only have 90 percent of their fingers. That is because butchers work in a hazardous environment. Every tool they use is razor-sharp, but butchers cannot do otherwise without their sharp knives, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church January 17, 2016 Consider It Pure Joy Text: James: 1:1-5 Beginning today and for the next couple of Sundays, I will take the Letter of James for a new series of Bible study. As we will see, James presents a wide range of topics on practical aspect of the Christian faith. But … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church January 10, 2016 On Being Ambassadors for Christ Texts: Matthew 28:16-20; Isaiah 52:7 At the end of the gospel according to Matthew we find, what is called, “The Great Commission.” This passage is at the heart of the church’s mission to spread the good news of salvation. This text inspires, guides, and … [Read more…]
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…]