Welcome the (Pyroclastic) Flow

Guest preacher Nathan Hollifield offered insights today from his work as an innovator and church planter of Create Commons in the Hilltop Neighborhood of Tacoma.

Reflecting on the story of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4-10; 7:1-11), he shares that the work of prophecy is both creative and destructive comparing it to a pyroclastic flow, uprooting, burning, and ultimately leaving fertile soil, and new life, in its wake.

Guest preacher Nathan Hollifield offered insights today from his work as an innovator and church planter of Create...

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 25, 2018

Take a Step Up: Rejecting Fear, Choosing Love

“What looks like foolishness to the world is what brings blessings to our lives,” shares Pastor Cara Scriven in a sermon finding meaning in the prophet Isaiah’s response to fear-mongering from a foreign power (Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7).

According to Pastor Cara, fear continues to be the world’s favorite motivator, but as Christians we are called to trust in God’s vision of a better world and work to make it visible for the betterment of all.

“What looks like foolishness to the world is what brings blessings to our lives,” shares Pastor Cara Scriven in a sermon...

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Monday, November 19, 2018

Take a Step Up: What does the Lord require?

This week's sermon explores an alternative interpretation of the Jewish King Hezekiah's revolt against the Assyrians, provided by the Prophet Micah (Micah 5:2-5a, 6:6-8). 

Pastor Cara Scriven shares how Micah's insights, delivered from the perspective of those most beleaguered by war, can speak to us today as we consider how God would have us respond to those in need.

This week's sermon explores an alternative interpretation of the Jewish King Hezekiah's revolt against the Assyrians,...

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Monday, November 12, 2018

Take a Step Up: All the Small Things...

Continuing our current sermon series, Take a Step Up, that looks holistically at how we are called to use our gifts, we arrive at an unusual story of a warrior who is cured of the wicked disease of leprosy by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:5-15a).

Pastor Cara Scriven encourages us to look past the dramatic parts of this story so that we don't miss the essential roles played by the unnamed faithful. Without their actions, and the gifts of everyday people like you and me, change rarely happens.

Take a Step Up: All the Small Things...

Continuing our current sermon series, Take a Step Up, that looks holistically at how we are called to use our gifts, we arrive at an unusual story of a warrior who is cured of the wicked disease of leprosy by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:5-15a). Pastor Cara Scriven encourages us to look past the dramatic parts of this story so that we don't miss the essential roles played by the unnamed faithful. Without their actions, and the gifts of everyday people like you and me, change rarely happens.

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 4, 2018

Take a Step Up: Holy Wisdom

In our Scripture reading today (1 Kings 3:4-15), we find Solomon receiving a test of sorts from God as he is offered the sky, the moon and the stars, and asks instead for a "wise and discerning heart."

In her sermon, Pastor Cara Scriven considers this story, and the trevails of some lottery winners, as she challenges us to imagine how we might (and should) respond both personally, and as a church, upon receiving such an offer.

Take a Step Up: Holy Wisdom

In our Scripture reading today (1 Kings 3:4-15), we find Solomon receiving a test of sorts from God as he is offered the sky, the moon and the stars, and asks instead for a "wise and discerning heart." In her sermon, Pastor Cara Scriven considers this story, and the trevails of some lottery winners, as she challenges us to imagine how we might (and should) respond both personally, and as a church, upon receiving such an offer.

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 28, 2018

The Adventure Begins: David & Bathsheba

As a king of ancient Israel, David is often looked to as a model of faith for Jews and Christians alike. Despite this, Pastor Cara Scriven cautions us to do more than just pause as we encounter the illicit tale of David and Bathsheba.

What does David's clear abuse of his authority, his power over others, have to tell us about our own use of the power we have?

The Adventure Begins: David & Bathsheba

As a king of ancient Israel, David is often looked to as a model of faith for Jews and Christians alike. Despite this, Pastor Cara Scriven cautions us to do more than just pause as we encounter the illicit tale of David and Bathsheba. What does David's clear abuse of his authority, his power over others, have to tell us about our own use of the power we have?

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 21, 2018

The Adventure Begins: Joshua and the Decision

“It’s not enough for you to come to church on Sunday Morning. You have to choose to live the values that Jesus teaches us."

In the scripture text this week (Joshua 24:1-8,13-15), we find Joshua asking the Israelites, “Whom shall you serve?” As we continue our current sermon series studying some of the foundational faith stories from the Hebrew Bible, Pastor Cara Scriven finds a parallel in the movie “The Way”, and relevance in Joshua's question for our personal and communal lives.

The Adventure Begins: Joshua and the Decision

“It’s not enough for you to come to church on Sunday Morning. You have to choose to live the values that Jesus teaches us." In the scripture text this week (Joshua 24:1-8,13-15), we find Joshua asking the Israelites, “Whom shall you serve?” As we continue our current sermon series studying some of these foundational faith stories, Pastor Cara Scriven finds a parallel in the movie “The Way”, and relevance in Joshua's question for our personal and communal lives.

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 14, 2018

The Adventure Begins: The Ten Commandments

On Sunday, Pastor Cara Scriven continued our current sermon series, "The Adventure Begins" with an exploration of the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17.

Instead of understanding them as a way for an individual to get right with God, Pastor Cara shares how they are best understood as a means to develop healthy, holistic, community for us all.

The Adventure Begins: The Ten Commandments

On Sunday, Pastor Cara Scriven continued our current sermon series, "The Adventure Begins" with an exploration of the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17. Instead of understanding them as a way for an individual to get right with God, she shares how they are best understood as a means to develop healthy, holistic, community for us all.

Posted by Puyallup United Methodist Church on Monday, October 8, 2018