SERMON TITLE: “Give Thanks for Blessings”
SERMON TEXT: Ezekiel 34:25-31 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: November 20, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION Every Thanksgiving I like to recall the story of the Pilgrims and their experience at Plymouth Rock. You may remember that the English people who held that famous first Thanksgiving were refugees who were seeking religious freedom in the New World. Not finding liberty in England to worship as they wished, they had first moved to the Netherlands. But the situation wasn’t ideal there either, so, in the year 1620, those English Separatists decided to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, they got a late start and didn’t arrive in Plymouth Harbor until November 11th. Up against harsh winter weather, the immigrants still had to construct shelters from the cold. The work was greatly hindered by sickness. Over the winter, nearly half of the 102 Pilgrims died. The 53 Pilgrims who survived the winter made treaties with the Native Americans and learned from them some planting techniques that helped the Pilgrims grow sufficient food in the coming summer. So, by the time of the fall harvest in 1621, the Pilgrim survivors were able to hold a three-day celebration of Thanksgiving that included their Native American friends. Their feast consisted of various types of wild birds, deer, and fish—as well as the fruits and vegetables grown in their gardens and harvested in the forests. Historians tell us that some details we associate with that First Thanksgiving are more folklore than certain history. But what was absolutely for sure was that, after an extremely difficult year, the Pilgrims’ life was looking much more hopeful. Those early immigrants to the New World were eager to give thanks to God for their blessings. Today’s scripture reading from Ezekiel 34 takes us back more than 2000 years before the American Pilgrims. Many of the Hebrew people had been forced out of Jerusalem and taken into exile in Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel was one of them. At first, Ezekiel told his Jewish brothers and sisters that they were getting what they deserved. He said that God was punishing them for their sins. But later, after Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and the Hebrew people had suffered enough, Ezekiel began to give them hope that they would someday return home. At some point in the future, God would again establish them in Israel and shower blessings upon them. As a way to stimulate gratitude in our minds and hearts today, I invite you this morning to look with me at this hopeful vision in Ezekiel chapter 34. Let’s join the prophet in counting out the blessings for which we can give thanks. Continue reading
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SERMON TITLE: “Give Thanks for Family”
SERMON TEXT: Genesis 45:1-15 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: November 13, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION At this time of year, it’s natural for most Americans to be talking with our families about Thanksgiving plans. Who’s going to host the big dinner? Who will be traveling from far away? Who has to negotiate around a work schedule or eating with the in-laws? Who will bring the traditional favorite foods, and who will bring a new friend, a new fiancé, or a new baby? Even those of us who won’t be getting together with blood relatives may be planning a for a Thanksgiving meal with friends who are like family or who will substitute for family. Maybe we will enjoy the company of some of our church family. Even those of us who might spend the holiday alone probably will be thinking about family, missing those who have passed away, and maybe reaching out by phone, Skype, or Zoom, to those who are distant in miles but near and dear in heart. During this month of November, we’re talking about giving thanks. Last Sunday, we talked about giving thanks for Jesus. Today, as we anticipate our holiday gatherings, I’d like us to look at the story in Genesis 45 and consider some ways we can give thanks for family. Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Give Thanks for Jesus”
SERMON TEXT: Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: November 6, 2022, at Ogden FUMC INTRODUCTION As I begin this sermon, I want to say “Thank you!” to those of you who have participated in our church’s ministries in this past week. One of the things we did was volunteer at the Western Jurisdictional Conference, which was held at Christ UMC in Salt Lake City. I know Austin Barron volunteered some time there yesterday. On Friday, David Barron, Karen Lee, Tim Conrad, and Jennie Sambamurthi went to staff the refreshment table and keep the coffee pots and water jugs full. Thanks to all of you who brought cookies, fruit, and other snacks for that. The delegates and observers were very appreciative of the quantity and variety of refreshments that we had available. Your contributions helped keep them alert and functioning through long hours of important decision-making, as they voted ballot after ballot until three new bishops were elected. I’m also grateful to Steven Loy, Marty Smith, Paul Kriekard, Ray Christian, and the other volunteers who organized and assisted in yesterday’s Veterans Tribute Run. The proceeds from that 5K fundraiser and the Mission Emphasis donations that many of you have made will go to the Residents Activities Fund at the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home. Those men and women who have served our country will now enjoy some fun activities, thanks to all of you. I also want to say “thank you” to those of you who have cared for our new Cuban immigrant friends Yanier and Yusimi. Our congregation provided them shelter for a week and a half, so they had time to find a little studio apartment. You have also helped with transportation and other supplies. Our congregation’s assistance has been a miracle to Yanier and Yusimi, for which they are very grateful. Here at First UMC, where we have many people doing many good things, there are always many reasons to be thankful. And that’s good, right? Gratitude is one of the basic ways we express our Christian faith. So, during this month of November, we are going to focus our attention on this subject. Today, to get us started, I’d like us to consider our scripture reading from Hebrews and find some reasons that we can give thanks for Jesus. Continue Reading SERMON TITLE: “Journey Together with Purpose”
SERMON TEXT: Matthew 4:12-25 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: October 30, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION As some of you know, I’ve been very involved this week trying to provide some compassionate care for a couple who came to our church on Tuesday afternoon. Using my less-than-fluent Spanish, I learned that Yanier and Yusimi are refugees from Cuba. Because life in Cuba has become extremely difficult, thousands and thousands of Cubans have left their island nation and have done everything in their power to make their way to the United States. Like me, you’ve probably heard multiple news stories about Cubans who tried to go 90 miles by boat to Florida, only to capsize in a storm. Thousands of other Cubans, like Yanier and Yusimi, have taken a much, much longer route, by flying to the South American countries of Surinam or Guyana, and then making their way by bus and by foot to Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and then Mexico. Twenty-one days ago, Yanier and Yusimi then crossed the Rio Grande into Texas, and turned themselves in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, as you may have heard them called. After processing them, ICE then put Yanier and Yusimi on a plane to Salt Lake City. From the Salt Lake airport, Yanier and Yusimi were bussed to Ogden. On Friday, when I was helping Yanier and Yusimi, we encountered a family of three from Venezuela. Their story was very similar. They too had turned themselves in to Immigration and had been flown to SLC and bussed to Ogden. Can you imagine how hard life must be in their home country to cause persons to work so hard to migrate so far and through such difficulties to another country, with different customs and language and climate? This week was the first time for all of them to see snow and to feel so cold. But these two families certainly aren’t alone. News articles and helping agencies here in Utah tell of thousands and thousands of people who are traveling the same routes with similar struggles. Out of desperation and faith in God, they spend all the money they have and put forth this strenuous effort because they hold out hope that life can be better in their future. The sad reality is that, once these immigrants arrive in the U.S., it’s still nearly impossible for them to get legal permission to work. They bump up against roadblocks at every turn. If I’ve learned anything in this week dedicated to helping Yanier and Yusimi, it’s that our American immigration system is in serious need of improvement. But the migrants keep coming because they are driven by the dream and motivated by the vision that there could be a place where they could work to provide for their families and where they could live in safety. All over the world there are migrants who journey together with such a determination and purpose. Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Journey Together with Rejoicing”
SERMON TEXT: Isaiah 35:1-10 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: October 23, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION Wow! Wasn’t our Craft Fair a big and exciting event?! Thank you to Linda Gates for coordinating the Fair. And thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and talents for the success of this annual fundraiser. By serving together in this way, we’ll now be able to give nice donations to five local human service agencies, in addition to keeping half for use by our own church. I remember that last year’s Craft Fair was the first big event we’d had since COVID began, and it was such a happy celebration of life returning to something like normal. We still had to wear masks at the Craft Fair last year, but—even then—it was such a wonderful thing to be able to assemble together. This year, without having to cover our faces or feel so concerned about COVID, coming together with lots of vendors, volunteers, and customers was an even greater cause for rejoicing. During this month of our stewardship drive, we’re focusing our attention on our journey together. On October 9, we talked about Abram and Sarai’s journey together with their people, and we thought about the spiritual journey we take together with our people in the church. On October 16, we talked about the 40-year journey together of Moses and the Hebrews, and how—like them—we can journey together with God’s guidance. On October 30, when we bring our pledge cards back to church and dedicate them to God, we’ll hear about the journey together of Jesus and the disciples, and how we might journey together with purpose. Today, though, our scripture text is Isaiah 35. Using poetic imagery, the prophet Isaiah described what it would feel like when the Jews would be released from their Babylonian exile and allowed to return back home to Jerusalem. So very different from the horrific march of death, slavery, and sadness that was forced upon them decades before, this time they would journey together with rejoicing. Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Journey Together with God’s Direction”
SERMON TEXT: Exodus 13:17-22 and 40:34-38 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: October 16, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION In early September, my husband, my mother, and I went on a trip to Oregon. Because we had many places to go and many people to see, I had spent a lot of time carefully planning our route, coordinating with relatives, and making reservations where we were going to stay. Most of our trip went well, and we had a really nice vacation. But our journey together got off to a rocky start. On the afternoon of our first day, we had just barely passed Ontario, Oregon, on our way to Pendleton, when all traffic was diverted off Interstate 84 due to a wildfire that had just started along the freeway. With no alternate highway to Pendleton, we had to make some major changes to our driving route and rearrange our hotel reservations. Thank goodness for cell phones and Google Maps! Forced off our familiar roadways, we would have been pretty lost without that internet guidance and digital direction. In this month of our stewardship drive, we’re talking about our “Journey Together.” Last Sunday, with the help of Abram and Sarai, we talked about our “journey together with our people.” Next Sunday, we’re going to see what Isaiah can tell us about our “journey together with rejoicing.” On October 30, when we bring our pledge cards back to church, Jesus and the disciples will inform us about our “journey together with purpose.” Today, though, with the help of Moses and the newly-liberated Hebrew people, I invite you to consider with me our “journey together with God’s direction.” Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Journey Together with Your People”
SERMON TEXT: Genesis 12:1-11 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: October 9, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION As you’ve hopefully figured out by now, today is the beginning of our annual stewardship drive. Lucki did a great job getting us started. In coming weeks, we’ll also hear from Lori Maki and Bill Wade. Our hope is that their heartfelt talks about why they support our church’s ministry will inspire all of us to commit our financial support too. We plan to mail information and pledge cards later in the month. We will ask all of you, with prayer and careful thought, to fill out your 2023 commitment cards and return them here to worship on October 30, when we will consecrate those pledges to God’s ministry. Every year we have a theme for our stewardship drive. This year’s theme is “Journey Together.” After all, the ministry of our church is a big project, and it takes all of us contributing our time, talents, and treasures in order to accomplish God’s work. To help us get into this “Journey Together” theme, I’ve selected four Bible stories that we’re going to look at. In upcoming weeks, we’ll consider Moses’ journey together with the Hebrews rescued from slavery in Egypt. We’ll read Isaiah’s account of the Israelites’ journey together as they returned home from their Babylonian exile. And we’ll ponder Jesus’ journey together with his disciples. Today, though, we begin with Abraham, or Abram, as he was called in Genesis 12. Let’s see who his traveling companions were and why it’s important to journey together with your people. Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Christian Devotion to Prayers”
SERMON TEXTS: Acts 2:41-42; James 5:13-18 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: October 2, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION A few days ago, a woman came here to the church. She came to pay for a booth in our upcoming Craft Fair, but we also got to talking about church and faith. The woman told me that she didn’t grow up as a Christian, but a couple years ago, something changed in her life. She decided she wanted to know about Jesus and the Bible. So, with the help of audio recordings, she’s been listening to and reading the Bible ever since. She told me that she had just recently finished the Old Testament and is now part-way into the Gospel of Matthew. She told me what church she’s been attending, and that she was going to be baptized there this morning. The woman and I talked on and on for at least an hour because she had so many thoughts and questions. Since everything about Christian faith is pretty new to her, she’s excited to see what each new chapter of the Bible offers, and what she can learn at each new worship service and educational opportunity. My guess is that the earliest Christians had a similar eagerness to learn about Jesus and how to put their new faith into practice. Acts 2 tells us that, after they were baptized, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Those practices of faith are essential not only for new Christians, but also for us long-time believers. So, over the past three weeks, we’ve already talked about breaking bread, the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship. Today, let’s focus our attention on the last one. Using James chapter five, let’s see if we can figure out what it means for us to have a Christian devotion to prayers. Continue reading SERMON TITLE: “Christian Devotion to Fellowship”
SERMON TEXT: Acts 2:37-47 PREACHER: Rev. Kim James OCCASION: September 25, 2022, at First UMC INTRODUCTION What do you think of when you hear the word fellowship? When I asked my husband that question this week, he said, “Food.” We United Methodists are kind of trained that way, aren’t we? When we think about getting together with other Christians, we think of coffee and snacks after church, or a potluck dinner like we had two weeks ago. Food certainly can be a focal point that draws us together around a shared table, where conversation is more likely to happen. But, of course, fellowship isn’t only about food. One of our members who can no longer drive to church mentioned this week that she misses the “fellowship” of coming to worship and being with us here in the sanctuary. Some of our more energetic members get together every Sunday afternoon or evening for Pickleball games. They value not only the physical exercise but also the time to fellowship with Christian friends. Those of us who participate in Bell Tones and Chancel Choir on Wednesday evenings would attest to the fellowship we enjoy when we gather together for music rehearsals. Likewise, the Adult Sunday School Class and Friday Study offer opportunities for Christian fellowship. The various committees of the church bring people together to make decisions and perform ministry tasks, but they also include time for fellowship. No matter whether the official agenda is about Children’s Sunday school curriculum, the next mission project, or the lawn mowing schedule, those meetings usually include some time for sharing the joys and concerns of our lives. During this month of September, we’ve been focusing our attention on what the earliest Christian believers did after they repented, received forgiveness of their sins, and were baptized. With Acts 2:42 as our key verse, we began with the Christian devotion to breaking bread. Then we talked about the Christian devotion to the apostles’ teaching. Next Sunday we’ll talk about the Christian devotion to prayers. Today, I invite you to think with me about our Christian devotion to fellowship. Continue reading |
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