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From Another Place

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John 18:33-36 September 13, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC As we were reminded in our opening video, this past Friday was the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11. Twenty-five years. That does not seem possible. In many ways, it seems like just yesterday and then in other ways it seems like the changes that came because of that day have always been part of the fabric of our culture. An email from a friend of mine reminded me that on that day twenty-five years ago, I was part of a group of pastors meeting for prayer as the second plane hit the twin towers. Someone broke into our meeting to tell us what was happening, so we watched the news and then contacted the mayor to see if we could have a prayer meeting on the town square. By that evening, about a hundred people had gathered and we, as a wide-ranging group of clergy who didn’t always agree on everything, led the community together in praying for our nation and for our world. As I thought about that day, I tried to imagine that same scen...
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From Another Place (Study Guide)

“From Another Place” Sermon Study Guide for September 13, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: John 18:33-36 Twenty-five years… 1. Pilate and Jesus Are you the king of the Jews? 2. Power Pilate: “I have the power to crucify you…” Kingdom… from another place… “thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10) two kinds of power the power of suffering love Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Where were you on 9/11? What memories does this anniversary bring to mind? What kind of man was Pilate? Why was power so important to him? Why does power remain important to us today? In what ways do you see power being corrupted in today’s world? What is the difference between having power and providing leadership? Why do the disciples constantly expect Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom? What does it mean that Jesus’ kingdom is not from this world but is for this world? How would you describe each of the “two kinds of power” in this passage? What does “suffering love” look like to you? Scripture for ...
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Vine and Branch

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John 15:1-8 September 6, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC My career as a viticulturist was short-lived. I bet you didn’t know I had such a career! Maybe you don’t even know what a viticulturist is, so let me explain. Professor Google tells me that a viticulturist is someone who focuses on growing and studying grapes, mainly for the purpose of making wine. Their primary job, the professor goes on, is to check the vine health and the soil, to make sure water is provided and to choose the best day to pick the fruit. So, basically, according to the good professor, as a viticulturist I was a failure across the board. When we moved into the parsonage in Portage, the previous pastor told me she had just planted a grapevine in the backyard. Obviously, she hadn’t planned to move but the Bishop had other ideas, and so she blessed me with a grapevine. And I was kind of excited. I had never had a grapevine. So I began to have visions of making grape juice for communion at the church. I was told it wo...
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Vine and Branch (Study Guide)

“Vine and Branch” Sermon Study Guide for September 6, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: John 15:1-8 Viticulture… 1. Spirituality “spiritual but not religious” today’s favorite: worship of ______________ 2. A Long Final Walk Kidron Valley near the Temple cutting off branches that ___________________ pruning branches that _____________________ staying connected to ______________________ friends if… 3. Producing Fruit Galatians 5:22-23 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: From what you know of ancient Israel’s history, why would a grapevine be a good symbol for that nation? Why do we tend to react negatively to the word “spirituality”? What things (or people) do you find being worshipped in our world today? How is worshipping those things (or people) dangerous to our soul? What does the image of pruning say to you? Can you recall a time when you felt like you were being pruned? Share as you feel comfortable. When you think of someone “abiding,” what comes to mind? Where do y...
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