Sermon Series: April 12-May 24
“Power and Pentecost”
In the weeks between Easter and Pentecost, the theme of these weeks will be “Power and Pentecost.” We are people who seek to do and be more but consistently find ourselves facing our limitations. Like Thomas we doubt. Even so, Jesus says we will do even greater things. Before he ascended, Jesus reminds us that we “will receive power.” In the end, we don’t have what it takes to do what Christ has called us to do. But that is the meaning of the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost. The Spirit comes and gives us the power to do that which we cannot do on our own.
April 12 – Second Sunday of Easter
Sermon Title: “What’s So Great About Doubting?”
Lay Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Preacher Reading: John 20:19-31
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Weekly Scripture Guide | Watch the Service
Many of us have endured the classic pattern. We celebrate the wonder of Easter, we boldly proclaim that Jesus is risen, that he is alive, and then the following week we run into doubting Thomas. There, in thousands of pulpits, we will proclaim the goodness of doubting. Doubting is a good thing, and acceptable thing. It is ok to have doubts and questions. But Jesus in the story didn’t see it that way. Sure, he showed himself to Thomas, but he didn’t celebrate the doubt and seeking. He rebuked it and said we are blessed when we don’t do it his way. The sermon will remind us that doubts are not something to be celebrated. Belief and faith are to be lifted up. They offer confidence and movement. Doubt leaves us in stagnation.
April 19 – Third Sunday of Easter – United Women in Faith Sunday
Sermon Title: “Recognizing Jesus in the Work and the Welcome”
Lay Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Preacher Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Rev. Katie B. Gooch
We will welcome Katie Gooch as our preacher on this UWF Sunday. Two moments of recognition happen in this resurrection story: 1 – Women showing up to do sacred, difficult work, and 2 – Disciples sitting down at a table in welcome and relationship. Not in debate. Not in explanation. But in presence. God is revealed in these same spaces today—in the quiet faithfulness of those who serve and in the intentional creation of community. United Women in Faith are living witnesses to this truth, modeling a faith that is less about talking about Jesus and more about making space to encounter him.
April 26 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sermon Title: TBA
Lay Reading: Psalm 23
Preacher Reading: John 10:1-10
Rev. Bayo Ogungbade
Bayo will be preaching on the theme of The Good Shepherd and how he gives us life and life to the fullest!
May 3 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Children’s Sunday and the Musical Oh, Jonah! at 11:00 am
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon at 8:30 and 9:30 am
Sermon Title: “Is This As Good as it Gets?”
Lay Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Preacher Reading: John 14:1-14
The sermon will speak to the way there is “something more.” This life is not all that there is. Jesus tells us the way there when he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
May 10 – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Mother’s Day
Sermon Title: “Who Is the Holy Spirit?”
Lay Reading: Acts 17:22-31
Preacher Reading: John 14:15-21
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to his disciples in this passage. It is a different image than that of Pentecost, which we shall celebrate in two weeks. Jesus describes the Spirit as the “advocate.” With the Spirit, we are not orphans. With the Spirit, we are to obey. The images are not of coming flames but of abiding everyday power to do what we are called to do. Most of us are not as familiar with the Third Person of the Trinity. The sermon will remind us of the priority and presence of the Spirit to empower our everyday lives.
May 17 – Seventh Sunday of Easter – Ascension Sunday
Sermon Title: TBA
Lay Reading: Psalm 47
Preacher Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Rev. Stephen Coleman
May 24 – Pentecost Sunday
Sermon Title: What’s Missing in This Picture?
Lay Reading: Acts 2:1-13
Preacher Reading: Acts 2:14-21
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Every day, we come face to face with our limitations. We want to do something, but when push comes to shove, we don’t have the power to do it. We want to do what is right, but need a push to do that right thing and keep doing the right thing. This is one of the images of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit comes upon the believers and the church to equip them and us to do what we cannot do on our own. Peter’s sermon is the perfect example. The sermon will help us realize that the power we need to live this life of discipleship and faith is there. Jesus promised that power would come to us. Somehow, we have to become Pentecost people.
May 31 – Trinity Sunday
Sermon Title: Living the Trinity
Lay Reading: Genesis 1:1-8, 24-28
Preacher Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
The Trinity is foundational to what we believe. What does it look like to live it out? What do we look like when we are people of the Trinity? The sermon will review the priority of the Trinity in the Christian faith and what it means for us as a community of faith.