sermons – Eastman First United Methodist Church

Don’t put a glass over the flame | Sermon from Senior Sunday, 5/20/18

20 May 201820 May 2018

Based on Jeremiah 1:4-8 Don't put a glass over the flame. I get enthusiastic about an idea, an enthusiasm that sometimes gets me carried away. When I was in my…

The witness of mothers | Sermon from May 13, 2018

Based on Acts 1:1-11 | Ascension Sunday scripture And old monk once told this story about life in the desert with just a few fellow monks. For any of us…

Head and Solimões: The Life of Faith | Sermon from 5/6/18

6 May 20186 May 2018

John 4:7-11 Back one August, I entered chapel services at Emory University for opening convocation: the official beginning of the semester for the Candler School of Theology, where I went…

Neighborhood Eunuchs | Sermon on belonging from April 29, 2018

29 Apr 201829 Apr 2018

Religion makes meaning out of life. We all derive meaning, in part or in whole, from our relationship with God. Our faith offers answers to the big questions of life.…

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry | Sermon from April 22, 2018

On a beautiful, sunny, afternoon on a beach vacation a few years ago, I noticed some kids, about twelve, skim boarding. That’s where you throw a small surf board looking…

Who are you? | Sermon from 4/15/18

Who are you? Seems like a simple enough question. Until you get asked it. Consider the last time you interviewed. Almost certainly, the opening question was, “tell us a little…

Mary and the quiet Sunday morning | Easter sermon | 4/1/18

Scripture: John 20:1-18 Mary Magdalene was something of a celebrity among Christians in the first years after the resurrection. As the first person to have encountered the risen Christ, everyone…

Beginning Holy Week | Reflection from the Cross

As we begin Holy Week, I offer this reflection, based on John 19:25-27. May we all be "dear women" to Christ. Dear woman, I have chosen the weak to shame…

Join the Revolution | Sermon from 3/25/17

25 Mar 20183 Apr 2018

Based on Mark 11:1-11 Quite often, I can tell what time it is by visiting Wal-Mart. Currently, the time is Easter. You can tell by all the bunnies and eggs…

Come Home | Sermon from March 18, 2018

Have you ever had the experience that you think the preacher, somehow, wrote his or her sermon that week just for you? That the preacher, somehow, is preaching to you…

Dealing with our complaints

Based on Numbers 21:4-9 On twitter not too long ago, a customer wrote to Dominos complaining. His complaint: “Yoooo I ordered a pizza and came with no toppings on it…

The rainbow, Noah, and relationships

18 Feb 201818 Feb 2018

My old neighborhood in Cartersville was one of those covenant neighborhoods. We owed $400 per year to the neighborhood association. For those dues, we received access to three pools, a…

Ash Wednesday Sermon & Invitation to Holy Lent | February 14, 2018

14 Feb 201814 Feb 2018

Based on 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 My first Ash Wednesday service as a pastor was an unmitigated disaster. I had the greatest of intentions, all the right ideas, and enthusiasm for…

Mountains and Valleys | Sermon from 2-11-18

Based on Mark 9:2-9 There are two ways to the Berry College reservoir, a beautiful, manmade, lake in the middle of the 26,000 acres of mountainous property the college owns.…

Fake News | Sermon from 2/4/18

4 Feb 20184 Feb 2018

Based on 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Around the bottom of the dome at the United States Capital, there’s a grayscale mural. It runs the entire circumference, telling the story of American…

Why do bad things happen to good people? | Sermon from 1/28/18

28 Jan 201828 Jan 2018

Based on Psalm 111 The night was cool and clear. A beautiful evening for being outside, enjoying the fresh air. I’d been cooped up for long enough and so I…

Why do we sing? | Remarks from Magnolia Music & Medicine Show

Why do we sing? There’s this image I love from scripture. When the Israelites first built their temple, up on Mount Zion, they would gather at the bottom of the…

What time is it? | Sermon from 1/21/18

Based on 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 What time is it? When we ask that question, we think of the exact time, demonstrated by the several of you who looked at your…