Sermons and Devotionals

Today’s sermon is “The Folks Back Home,” from Mark 4:21-30, which tells more of the story of Jesus returning home to Nazareth and being run out of town after speaking at his hometown synagogue. We also look briefly at 1 Corinthians 13. Have a blessed day and week,  Pastor Jim
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The Mid-Week Devotional from Weyers Cave UMC was recorded two weeks ago, thus you will see me all bundled up for cold weather.

Good Morning, Wow! How about this weather? First it’s warm, then it snows, then it’s warm, and now rain, lots of rain. I prefer rain to below freezing temps. I hope you are staying warm and being safe. Here is the link to today’s service:

Today’s sermon is “The Year of the Lord’s Favor,” from Luke 4:14-21, which tells the story of Jesus returning home to Nazareth and speaking at the synagogue.

Blessings, Pastor Jim

Ps – Tomorrow is March 1^st, this year seems to be flying by!

Have a good week and stay safe. Blessings,  Pastor Jim

Today’s sermon is “The Frontispiece of the Gospel,” from John 2:1-11, which tells the story of Jesus’ first miracle, which John calls the first of his “sign”. Blessings, Pastor Jim

This week’s Mid-Week Devotional from Weyers Cave UMC – is also our Ash Wednesday observation. Thank you for your prayers for John Hartman, he was able to come home yesterday. Have a good week and stay safe. Blessings,  Pastor Jim

Today’s sermon is “A New View for You,” from Mark 9:1-13, which tells the story of three disciples seeing something they had never seen before: the transfiguration of Christ.

Please be in prayer for our member, John Hartman. John recently had hand surgery following an accident at his home, after the surgery he became very ill due to an allergic reaction to the pain meds. He was taken to the ER yesterday and then admitted and is dealing with some serious issues and possible surgery. Please take a moment right now and throughout the day to pray for John as well as for his wife, Beulah, affectionately known as Snuffy”.

This is the second Sunday in a row that we have been greeted by heavy snow. We are blessed to not be meeting in person yet as we would not be able to have church at all. We recorded this service on Wednesday.

Today’s sermon is “It’s All About the Heart,” and it is based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13, when the prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel.

We are using a green screen most of our mid-week devotionals, so be sure to watch for little “extras” that Stephen Van Vickle places in the scene.

Today’s sermon is “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” and it is based on 2 Kings 7,  a wonderful story of a miracle in Samaria in which God opens the “windows of heaven” to meet the needs of his desperate people.

This week’s devotional was recorded using a “green screen” which allows Stephen Van Vickle to place photos behind me as I give the devotional. We would love to hear your comments about this. I am very grateful to Stephen for all the wonderful work he does in recording, editing, and presenting these Mid-Week Devotionals as well our Sunday Morning Service.

Today’s sermon is “The 5 Keys,” from James 4:1-10, and about five things that are important for praying effectively. May the week ahead be full of blessings and may each of you stay safe.

Last Monday I received the first of two COVID vaccines. I pray each of you will be vaccinated soon if you have not been already.

I am relieved and grateful that the inauguration was held without incident. Please continue to stay safe. Blessings, Jim

Today’s sermon is “The Pay Back,” based on Matthew 5:38-48. This Scripture comes near the end of Jesus’ Sermon in the Mount, where he calls his followers to deal with discord in their interpersonal relationships in new and different ways.

Have a good week, and please do all you can to stay safe. If you have not yet received the COVID vaccine, as I have not, I pray that we will each be able to receive it soon.

Please continue to stay safe and to pray for our nation.

This week’s service was recorded Wednesday morning before there was a mob attack on the U.S. Capital building and our democracy was threatened. The divisions in our great nation have reached a dangerous boiling point which calls for our fervent prayers. We do not have to agree on everything, but we should agree to pray and seek God’s answers and healing. Since the recording was already done, on Friday Steve Van Vickle recorded me leading a brief prayer for our nation. It is at the start of the recorded service.

The sermon is “Let’s Talk About Baptism,” based on Mark 1:4–11.

This passage is about Jesus coming to be baptized by John the Baptist. In my many years as a pastor I have discovered that baptized church members know surprisingly little about baptism, so this is a review. Have a good week, and please do all you can to stay safe.

Blessings, Pastor Jim

Devotion January 6, 2021
Today is the Epiphany, and the start of the season of Epiphany. But, What is Epiphany? Watch and learn. Stay safe and have a blessed week! Happy New Year!