Posts

As You Go

Image
Matthew 10:1-8 February 15, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC One of my favorite classes when I was in seminary was called the “worship practicum.” That’s a fancy seminary name for “you get to practice doing stuff.” Professor Don Boyd would tell us to meet him somewhere for that week’s class and we would practice communion, weddings, even a funeral. Now, he didn’t do it for our class, but I’m told he occasionally would be in the casket laying there when the class arrived. But the day I remember the most was when we practiced baptism. Because most Methodist churches don’t have a baptismal for immersions, we went to a Baptist church. Professor Boyd gave us instruction and then paired us up, and I don’t remember the name of the student I was paired with but I do remember that he was over 6 feet tall. A lot taller than me. Now, to do a successful immersion baptism when you’re standing up means the person who is being baptized needs to bend their knees; then they can help you by pushing back ...
Post a Comment
Read more

As You Go (Study Guide)

“As You Go” Sermon Study Guide for February 15, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 10:1-8 Jesus calls the disciples/apostles 1. Proclaim This Message the kingdom of heaven… has come near… 2. Heal The Broken “the stuff” brokenness Romans 12:17-21 WWJDIHWM Freely given, freely receive… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Who is someone in your life that you have always wanted to or tried to be like? What about them makes you want that? Why is it significant that Jesus calls those he called “apostles”? Why do we prefer to be called a disciple? How do you respond to Jesus telling the twelve not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans? What is your understanding of the message Jesus told the twelve (and us) to proclaim? What difference could this message make in someone’s life? Why, do you think, we are uncomfortable with “the stuff” that Jesus did? Where are the places in our world most in need of healing today? What is one way you can “freely give” mercy, grace and/or forg...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Mystery

Image
Colossians 1:24-29 February 8, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC I love a good mystery. I grew up reading the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown books and watching mystery shows on television. The best mysteries are the “who-done-it” kind, where you are trying to figure it out right along with the characters in the story. Along the way, you pick up clues and try to put them together like a jigsaw puzzle so you can see the picture clearly. And bonus points if you figure it out before the reveal. The word “mystery” comes from a Greek word that means “to be shut,” referring to someone’s eyes. A “mystery” is something concealed, something you can’t see until your eyes are opened. And the original idea of a mystery didn’t have to do with who killed the executive or who stole the treasure. It had to do with faith. In the Roman Empire, there were these so-called “mystery religions” that had secrets you could only learn by becoming a part of the group, going through the initiation and being tra...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Mystery (Study Guide)

“The Mystery” Sermon Study Guide for February 8, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29 “mystery religions” 1. The Mystery Colossae… John 1:14 - “word made flesh” Christ in you… 2. Becoming Like Him “the process of being formed…” Jeremiah 18:6 “…into people of love in Christ…” Mark 12:30-31; 1 John 4:20 a. practices b. community Acts 2:1 c. suffering John 15:18-20 James 1:2-3 Romans 5:3-5 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why do mysteries continue to intrigue people? What do you like about a good mystery? How does Paul being in prison shape his thinking about his faith? What part of the definition of becoming like him do you most struggle with? Why? Why do we not become “accidental saints”? What kind of practice/training is most helpful for you in your faith walk? What community are you a part of? How do other people help you become more like Jesus? In what way have you found difficulties shaping you to becoming more like Jesus? Wh...
Post a Comment
Read more