Participating in Christ Jesus October 5, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Galatians 3:15-29 Psalm 43 Thirty five years ago I was in spiritual turmoil. In my religious context dos and don’ts – mostly don’ts – pointed the way. Hedges of shame kept one from wandering too far off the path. My well developed conscience told me I had walked too far into the world of don’ts. Lest you start speculating about the don’ts, let me assure…
“Old Paul, New Paul” — Introduction to the Preaching Series on Paul October 5, 2008 Doug Johnson Hatlem & Tim Schmucker Tim: Today the Preaching Team begins a seven-Sunday series on Paul. Doug: The Apostle Paul. Tim: Yes, that’s how many of us learned his name in Sunday School. Doug: Well, other than Jesus, no Biblical figure is larger in our faith story than Paul. Tim: Paul has shaped post-Jesus Christianity…
From There to Here September 28, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Exodus 17:1-7 Exodus 3 How do we get from there to here and from here to there? In many respects, that’s the question we have been asking in the last months as we have reconsidered TUMC’s identity and purpose. Another aspect of the question is, “By whose strength do we get from there to here, and from here to there?” The obvious answer is, “By…
Light for Life’s Path September 14, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Psalm 119:105-112 Matthew 5:13-16 In preparation for this sermon I pondered some of the earliest influences that shone a light of faith my life path. Of course there was my mother. She was just always there providing nurture much as I understand God even to this day. My dad was a role model for life and encouraged my developing technical skills. In his own quiet way…
Faith on the Off-Beat August 24, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Exodus 1:8-2:10 Romans 12:1-8 Introduction: I have always liked things to work. As a young boy I remember struggling with a gate on my grandfather’s farm. The gate dragged on the ground because a major support piece was broken. Things like that frustrate me. Talk about frustration! As I was getting ready to work on this sermon, I was having difficulty with our computer.…
At the Crossroads July 6, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-6 Mark 10:46-52 Introduction: I was clearly of being at a crossroad in my life. Early that Sunday morning we gathered on the north east side of the Sea of Galilee for biblical reflection. Our Bat Kol study group (the same program with which Michele Rizoli and Marilyn Zehr are currently studying) gathered at the top of the cliff where a herd of pigs is believed…
That’s the Life? June 29, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Introduction: With this being a long weekend I image people sitting at their campsites, cottages or decks saying, “Ah, this is the life.” Even Jesus had encouraged his disciples to take a well deserved break after a busy stretch of ministry. We live in increasingly stressful times and our bodies need rest to be engaged in the activities to which God…
Faith Outside the Box June 8, 2008 David Brubacher Text: Matthew 9:9-13 Genesis 12:1-9 Introduction: I like boxes. My Myers-Briggs personality type would tell you why. I like things in order. Boxes are excellent organizational and storage tools. When piles of paper get too high I can put them in a box and still know where they are. I can also store things of sentimental value. Boxes also come in handy when moving. They are a…