Sermons
How do we give thanks in times of uncertainty and struggle – those situations that prompt us to ask “What now?”
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What does it mean to invest in the things that have real meaning and purpose? How can we as Christians participate in the work of God to bring life and love to the people around us?
Some people get uncomfortable when pastors talk about giving money to the local church. They do not believe the church should ask for money. Some people see giving to the local church as an obligation of Christians that funds the budget. And when it comes to giving to the local church, it’s hard to measure the immediate impact of your giving. So what is the importance of giving to the local church?
Over the past two weeks, we have looked at how to invest our money so that we would find more joy and less stress in our lives. Based on advice from scripture, we learned that in order to live the life Jesus calls us to live, we must align our spending with our priorities. When we do that, we find the life that truly is life. But there is another type of investment in life, besides money, that will either give us a life of purpose or one that is joyless and stressful.
Two thousand years ago, a gathering of people in a middle-eastern city began a movement that would circle the globe and leave its mark on individuals and cultures on every continent. This movement would eventually become known as The Church. The church is a movement. And it’s still moving.
When we think of church, why is a building the first thing that comes to mind? Is church a place full of robes and pews? Bands and banners? Or is church meant to be something different? Church is much more than a building or a place. Church is more than pews, hymnals, lights, and music. In fact, on opening day, the church had no buildings or rituals, no bands or robed choirs. What it did have was a gathering of people intent on one thing: creating followers of Jesus Christ. The church was a movement that continues today: A multiplying, multicultural gathering of people who believe that Jesus is the Savior and whose lives reflect his teaching.
A few short years after the church began the movement was stalling out. The mission to be Jesus’ witnesses to the ends of the earth was not happening. But that was all about to change. And Christianity would begin to spread up and down the Mediterranean due to the ministry of the most unlikely of candidates.
Five hundred and five years ago this month, Martin Luther changed history forever. His hammer, nail and list of 95 beliefs rocked the most powerful empire of his day. What did he believe that was so explosive? How did Martin Luther ultimately change the way we think about God?
The 1700’s were a time when society was polarized, when rationalism had led people to believe they no longer needed God, when the rich struggled with materialism and the poor with lack of necessities. Sound familiar?
Into this world a priest and Oxford professor named John Wesley came to trust in Christ and then began preaching a faith that would bring a revival of Christianity throughout the British Isles and across America. Wesley’s message and his faith continue to speak to 21st Century Christians – calling for a revival of our hearts and souls so that our lives and our world might be changed.
Today Asbury celebrates its 100th anniversary. A lot has changed since 1922, but our mission and vision remain clear. Join us to celebrate this milestone in the life of our church, remembering who we are and what God has called us to do.
The Rev. Dr. David DeRemer is the recently retired Director of Supervised Ministry and Director of Enrollment at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem PA. In 2014 he concluded more than 18 years as Senior Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Nazareth PA. In 1985, DeRemer was the founding director of New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem. Created by the Episcopal Diocese, this ecumenical, social ministry organization grew from one program to a continuum of housing services in his ten-year leadership. He served as pastor of First UCC Bethlehem from 1979 to 1985.
Recently, DeRemer been providing consulting services through Penn Northeast Conference UCC to congregations in transition.
He is married to Kathy. They live in Macungie PA.
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We work alongside, go to school with, and live next door to people of other religions, yet most of us understand little about their faith. In this series we explore where there is common ground between Christianity and other religions, as well as where they differ from one another.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Today, with about 900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India. Join us as we discuss the core beliefs of Hinduism, its common ground with Christianity, and how they are different.
Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana. Join us as we discuss the core beliefs of Buddhism, its common ground with Christianity and how they are different.
Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets. The history of Judaism is essential to understanding the Jewish faith, which has a rich heritage of law, culture and tradition. Join us as we discuss the core beliefs of Judaism, its common ground with Christianity and how they are different.
The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.” Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah. Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. Join us as we discuss the core beliefs of Islam, its common ground with Christianity and how they are different.
Many people believe that “all religions are the same.” After examining four of the world’s most popular religions, today we turn our attention toward Christianity. So what is it that separates Christianity from the other four world religions?
“At The Movies” is a fun summer series where we show movie clips from popular current films of this past year along with a message that connects the popular movies with scripture. You probably don’t usually look to movies for life lessons, but take our word for it—sit back, relax, and hear a different perspective on how popular films can point us toward the gospel.
An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. So, where does it point us toward the Bible?
With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. So where does this movie point toward the gospel?
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal… every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on the neglected tennis courts of Compton, California – rain or shine – the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them.
Red or Blue. Left or Right. For or Against. It sometimes feels like the United States isn’t very united. There’s something we can do about that, and it has less to do with our rights and more to do with our responsibility.
Wars have started… Companies have gone out of business… Families have stopped talking to each other… Marriages have broken up… because of miscommunication. And for Christians, the stakes are even higher. Knowing the messes our mouths can make, the apostle Paul gives us an impossibly high standard for our words. In this message, we will look at Kathleen Edelman’s framework – the four temperaments – that will change the words you use in every conflict and conversation for the rest of your life.
Rev. Mindy McKonly served as Senior Pastor of Asbury Church from 2000-2010. She is currently enjoying her retirement after more than thirty years in full-time in ministry. Born and raised in Lancaster County, she graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1978 and served churches in Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery and Berks counties — as well as eight years as Superintendent of what is now the Northeast District of UMC.
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Someone once said “the only thing constant is change.” Change is hard, but we all go through it in various seasons of life. So how do we get through times of change? In seasons of change, it’s good to remind ourselves who God is and who we are.
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Rev. Dr. Sarah Fernsler was a pediatrician for 25 years before attending seminary and becoming an ordained elder. She served White Haven UMC from 2012 to 2017. In 2018, she was commissioned a United Methodist EarthKeeper where she serves as a retired elder in Extension Ministry. She also serves as a member of the EPA Committee on Native American Ministry.
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The story of the first Pentecost is a marvelous story that many Christians find hard to understand. The Holy Spirit breaks onto the scene with the sound of a rushing wind, hovers like tongues of fire, and a diverse group of people are able to hear and understand each other, despite speaking different languages. Through the local church, God has given us a family. Despite our many differences, we are to be a family marked by unity, generosity, and joy. As we connect with other believers, we find people who will love and encourage us as we seek to become more like Jesus and fulfill His plan to make disciples.
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The unofficial start of summer begins this weekend and people will soon be on the road traveling for their vacations. We all want to arrive safely at our intended destination whether that relates to traveling or our own lives. We all want to get the future right. Follow these rules and you will get there on time and on purpose.
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The Bible was written in an era of patriarchal society. While the women found in its stories have hidden roles, they have much to teach us. This sermon series will uncover the stories of these extraordinary female characters of the Bible, revealing their faith and faithfulness even in the midst of great hardship and disappointment.
In the history of Christianity and our denomination we have seen many women stand up for justice, compassion, and the proclaiming of the word. Were it not for the women leading the way over the years the church would not be all that it is today. We need men who are going to lead the way in the 21st century. But, we can’t do it without the women. So let’s be that kind of church that treasures its Jeremiahs and its Huldahs. Rise up O women of God.
In this series, we are looking at the stories of women in scripture in order to learn a little bit about our own stories. These Biblical stories teach us something about who we are and who God is. Today we turn our attention to the story of Sarah and Hagar which is found in the book of Genesis. But what does that tell us about our story and who God is?
With instructions from God, Joshua prepares God’s people for the battle of Jericho. He tells them over and over “to be strong and courageous.” To prepare for battle, Joshua sends two spies into the city to size up the situation. They wind up at the home of Rahab, who becomes an unlikely hero. Rahab is one of the Bible’s most fascinating and unique characters. Although not an Israelite, she makes daring decisions to follow God, based on the little information she had. Ultimately, she becomes a key figure in God’s redemption story, and is listed as part of Jesus’ family tree.
The story of Esther focuses on the Jewish community that remained living in the Persian capital of Susa after the Babylonian exile was over. The most powerful man in the world at that time was King Xerxes, who was a shallow man who lived his life for his own pleasure and wealth. After an orphan named Esther wins a beauty contest, she becomes the new queen and saves the Jewish people from a genocide ordered by her husband the king. So what do we learn about ourselves from this story?
To be true Easter people, we need to train our hearts to experience life as a gift. Living a life of gratitude liberates us from our tendency to self-absorption, opens us to wonder, and fills us with hope.
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The death of Christ wasn’t an ending. It was just the beginning…
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In a recent survey, 80 percent of Americans say they have prayed at one time. Yet, we struggle with prayer. Does God hear us? Is God tired of our pleas? Do our words seem superficial? Does prayer matter? How do we pray?
Many Christians throughout the world pray the Lord’s Prayer at least once a week in worship. But too often, this prayer is said from memory as a worship ritual without knowing what the prayer really means. In this series, we are examining the Lord’s Prayer to get a better understanding of its meaning so that when we pray it we will connect with God like never before. So what does the phrase “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” actually mean?
In this series, we are examining the Lord’s Prayer to get a better understanding of its meaning so that when we pray it, we will connect with God like never before. So what does the phrase “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” mean for us?
“Give us this day, our daily bread,” is often where we want to jump first in prayer—our personal needs can feel so pressing and urgent. Jesus teaches us to pray first with the perspective of God’s Heavenly Kingdom, and then pray with confidence for what we need to sustain us each day. As we pray, we discover ways to partner with God to ensure others have their physical and spiritual needs met as well.
In this series, we are examining the Lord’s Prayer to get a better understanding of its meaning so that when we pray it, we will connect with God like never before. So what does the phrase “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” actually mean?
We have been exploring the Lord’s Prayer and come now to the line that asks God to lead us “not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” which has led to to some confusion. Is God in the habit of leading us into testing and temptation? We know that Jesus understood the lure of the evil one, who sought to derail his ministry. And Jesus knew that we, as his followers, would struggle personally with temptation and evil. Jesus also knew, as a society, we would be enticed by evil. We need this prayer, for ourselves and for our church, as we seek to follow the guidance of the Spirit and avoid the whispers of the Deceiver.
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever,” the closing line to the Lord’s Prayer, most likely was not originally part of the prayer that Jesus taught, but was added and recited by Christians by the end of the first century. With this shout of praise, we pledge to truly own this prayer and allow it to govern the way we think and the way we live, and ultimately how we follow Jesus into the world today.
When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, he was speaking of the world as it should be. Included in his teachings are his expectations for us as his followers. In this series we will look at how to close the gap between where we are spiritually and where Jesus has called us to be. Each week we will look at specific practices that will provide a roadmap to deepen the spiritual vitality of all Asbury members so we are more fully engaged and flourishing in the Christian life.
Since the beginning of time, humans have offered their crops, their animals, even their children as sacrifices to God. Until…Two thousand years ago—in a shocking reversal—God offered a sacrifice to us. Understanding the magnitude of what God did for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus should elicit a response. But what should that response be and what does it mean for our spiritual growth?
We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don’t always head to the gym or go on a run. But to get in shape we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And, isn’t it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith; we can only get so far on our own.
Nothing causes us to depend on God more than pushing through our inadequacies to help other people. When we serve in a ministry we take personally, we experience God’s power and faithfulness.
When Jesus’ earliest followers invited people to come and see him, they weren’t trying to explain something. They were inviting others to experience someone. A living example is better than a lengthy explanation. If people don’t like what they see in us, they won’t come and see with us. But how do we know who, when, and why to offer an invitation?
