For the first sermon in a new 'Virtual Vacations' series, Pastor Cara Scriven offers a new look at a fishing story in the Bible (John 21:1-14). After Jesus' death and resurrection, his disciples were tempted to go back to the familiar. Just as the disciples discover, after big change, sometimes what we 'know' is different than what we 'need'.
Celebrating Summit UMC
This week, we celebrate Summit United Methodist Church's 117 years of ministry which now becomes part of the heritage and story of Puyallup UMC. Summit members will have an opportunity to remember and reflect while we all can learn from their story of faithfulness.
The Practice of Lament
In the first of a two-part sermon, Pastor Melinda Giese explores Psalm 13, the rich practice of lament in Scripture, considering what each means for us today.
In the second of a two-part sermon, Pastor Melinda Giese explores the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians and his good encouragement to "rejoice in the Lord always." Misunderstood, this advice can be a burden to those suffering through hard times.
We Are Stronger Together
In this week's lesson from the Gospel of John (15:1-11), Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches, a metaphor to explain our reliance on Christ. On this Independence Day weekend, Pastor Cara Scriven helps us to pause and hear the message of interdependence woven into Jesus' words. She asks us to question our culture's elevation of the individual and the confusion of self-reliance with strength.
Sermon: The Work Ethic of Moses
In our scripture reading today from the book of Exodus (18:1-27) Moses' father-in-law Jethro notices an unhealthy leadership practice in his son-in-law, offering a bit of advice. In her message, Pastor Cara Scriven notes that the same advice is helpful for us today. How pastors and staff lead in a church—and the way members contribute—are critical to our shared success and sustainability.
Crossing Through the Storm
In today's reading from Mark's Gospel (4:35-41), we encounter the story of Jesus sleeping in a boat with his panicking disciples as a storm begins to rage around them.
The Brave Act of Not Looking Back
This week, we take a look back at God's people as they are led to the edge of the Promised Land by Moses but hesitate for fear of the hard work ahead (Numbers 13:25-28a, 30-32; 14:1-4). They are rewarded with years spent wandering in the desert. In her message, Pastor Cara Scriven asks us to consider how this message is reflected in our lives as we too can turn away from obstacles in front of us. For our two churches committed to moving forward together as one starting July 1, will we embrace the challenges ahead to love, learn, and serve to our fullest?
In today's reading from Mark's Gospel (4:35-41), we encounter the story of Jesus sleeping in a boat with his panicking disciples as a storm begins to wage around them.
Let Justice Roll
For Peace with Justice Sunday, Rev. Melinda Giese considers what the church can learn today from the Prophet Amos (5:18-24) and contemporary prophets we find on the streets demanding justice for black lives lost.