Unwrapping Christmas #61st Sunday After Christmas I. INTRODUCTION: The Christmas story can be told in so many different ways and in so many different languages and yet the message stays the same, even if the language is completely foreign to us. Watch this and you’ll see what I mean. WATCH The Digital Story of Christmas While… Read More »
Unwrapping Christmas #5Christmas Eve INTRODUCTION: I read a story about a little boy who was really mean and disobedient and extremely selfish. No matter what his parents tried, he continued to be self-centered, selfish and – well – mean. Christmas was coming soon, so the little boy, in his usual selfish way, made… Read More »
Unwrapping Christmas #4Advent INTRODUCTION: If you had to choose one Christmas present, and only one, which present would you pick? One wrapped in brightly colored paper with ribbons and bows or would you choose the one in The Plain Brown Wrapper? I think most people would go for the brightly colored paper with ribbons… Read More »
Unwrapping Christmas #3Advent INTRODUCTION: Did you know that in the year 1247, a hospital was built in London called St. Mary Of Bethlehem. Two centuries later it was turned into a hospital for the insane. After that it became known for its noise and confusion. Over time, the name was shortened by usage to… Read More »
Unwrapping Christmas #2Advent INTRODUCTION: According to Internet Movie Database, there are over 500 movies dealing with the life of Christ. In nearly every one of those movies, John the Baptizer plays an important role; but never in the scenes of the birth of Christ. That makes sense because John really didn’t come to the forefront… Read More »
Unwrapping Christmas #1Advent INTRODUCTION: How many of you remember playing hide and seek? Remember how you would cover your eyes and count? Then you would speak those immortal words: “Ready or not, here I come.” If you hadn’t found a good hiding place, there was a sense of panic. And if you were hiding… Read More »
Glen Rose 5-P: The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations #5 INTRODUCTION: The movie Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, is based on a true story of a basketball Coach who was more interested in the long term effects education would have in the lives of his players than he was in just winning games. He… Read More »
Glen Rose 5-P: The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations #4 INTRODUCTION: What comes to mind when I say the word “Extravagant?” Is it a Rolls Royce, Bugati or Bentley? Maybe it’s gold, diamonds and emeralds. Maybe it’s caviar and fine food and wine. What about a Yacht and your own… Read More »
Glen Rose 5-P: The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations #3 INTRODUCTION: Worship is the word we as Christians use to describe those times we, as God’s people, deliberately seek to encounter God in Christ. Worship can be individual or it can be corporate. People can worship on their own or in a group. Both… Read More »
Glen Rose 5-P: The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations #2 INTRODUCTION: How WILL they know? That’s a great question for every generation. How will they know? The mission and purpose of our church, of the United Methodist Church of every church is very simple, “To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the… Read More »