Archived sermons
2019
ADVENT SERMON SERIES 2019
Who Prayed For Patience? Finding joy and growth in the waiting
The season of Advent brings with it pleasing rituals of happy anticipation. Open a door on the Advent calendar and find a piece of chocolate. Light a candle in the Advent wreath and know that you are one week closer to Christmas. Make your lists and check them twice as you look forward to giving, receiving, and feasting. The waiting that comes with Advent is fun because it’s finite. But much of the waiting that occupies us is open ended and the hardest thing about waiting is not knowing when it’s going to end, if it is going to end. Waiting brings questions without easy answers. Advent is about more than waiting for Christmas. The word “advent” means “coming.” During Advent, we not only remember that Jesus came to earth as a man; we prepare our hearts and our lives for his second coming.
Sunday, December 1 “The Default Gift Card”
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Sunday, December 8 “Covered Dish Koinonia”
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Sunday, December 15 “Foreign Contaminant”
Sunday, December 23 “Bought, Wrapped and Given”
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Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Communion Service “When the Gift is Opened”
Sunday, December 29 "So What Did You Get For Christmas?
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ADVENT SERMON SERIES 2019
Who Prayed For Patience? Finding joy and growth in the waiting
The season of Advent brings with it pleasing rituals of happy anticipation. Open a door on the Advent calendar and find a piece of chocolate. Light a candle in the Advent wreath and know that you are one week closer to Christmas. Make your lists and check them twice as you look forward to giving, receiving, and feasting. The waiting that comes with Advent is fun because it’s finite. But much of the waiting that occupies us is open ended and the hardest thing about waiting is not knowing when it’s going to end, if it is going to end. Waiting brings questions without easy answers. Advent is about more than waiting for Christmas. The word “advent” means “coming.” During Advent, we not only remember that Jesus came to earth as a man; we prepare our hearts and our lives for his second coming.
Sunday, December 1 “The Default Gift Card”
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Sunday, December 8 “Covered Dish Koinonia”
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Sunday, December 15 “Foreign Contaminant”
Sunday, December 23 “Bought, Wrapped and Given”
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Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Communion Service “When the Gift is Opened”
Sunday, December 29 "So What Did You Get For Christmas?
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THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 2019
Sunday, November 24- In Need of a Border Collie
THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 2019
Sunday, November 24- In Need of a Border Collie
IT'S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY 2019
Radical Preparations for a Truly Holy ChristmasSomehow we’ve gotten Christmas all wrong. When did it become about how much we could buy, or get or even what we could give? When did the celebration of the birth of the Messiah become all about us? If we are going to take Jesus’ birthday seriously, we really have to ask what does HE want? As we enter November and begin making plans for the Advent season, this new sermon series will take a little time to answer that important question and see how God has answered it in the scriptures. Then we’ll take the really risky step of challenging ourselves to radically rethink how we will celebrate Christmas this year as individuals and as the church. After all, who’s party is it?Sunday, October 27- Wheelin' and Dealin'Sunday, November 3- Fair's Fair
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Sunday, November 10 - Broad, Wet Shoulders
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Sunday, November 17- Put Your Feet In My Footprints
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IT'S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY 2019
Radical Preparations for a Truly Holy ChristmasSomehow we’ve gotten Christmas all wrong. When did it become about how much we could buy, or get or even what we could give? When did the celebration of the birth of the Messiah become all about us? If we are going to take Jesus’ birthday seriously, we really have to ask what does HE want? As we enter November and begin making plans for the Advent season, this new sermon series will take a little time to answer that important question and see how God has answered it in the scriptures. Then we’ll take the really risky step of challenging ourselves to radically rethink how we will celebrate Christmas this year as individuals and as the church. After all, who’s party is it?Sunday, October 27- Wheelin' and Dealin'Sunday, November 3- Fair's Fair
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Sunday, November 10 - Broad, Wet Shoulders
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Sunday, November 17- Put Your Feet In My Footprints
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ENOUGH: LIVING A SIMPLE GENEROUS FAITH 2019
We live in a culture that defines us by how much we have and by how much we consume. In many ways this is completely contrary to the Gospel that Jesus brought and, truth be told, it creates more problems than it solves. Based on a book by the same name by Adam Hamilton, this series will explore the Biblical call to live simply and generously, challenge our notions of success and set out some ways to live as Godly stewards of our lives and resources. “Enough” is a call to seriously consider exactly what that means!
Sunday, September 29 “K.I.S.S.” -Desperately seeking a false sense of security
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Sunday, October 6 “A Fool and His Money” – Avoiding a life ruled by the love of money
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Sunday, October 13 “Enough is Enough” – Making a big change for real commitment
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Sunday, October 20 “The U-Haul and the Hearse”- What it all comes down to
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ENOUGH: LIVING A SIMPLE GENEROUS FAITH 2019
We live in a culture that defines us by how much we have and by how much we consume. In many ways this is completely contrary to the Gospel that Jesus brought and, truth be told, it creates more problems than it solves. Based on a book by the same name by Adam Hamilton, this series will explore the Biblical call to live simply and generously, challenge our notions of success and set out some ways to live as Godly stewards of our lives and resources. “Enough” is a call to seriously consider exactly what that means!
Sunday, September 29 “K.I.S.S.” -Desperately seeking a false sense of security
Click Here For This Week's Study Guide
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Sunday, October 6 “A Fool and His Money” – Avoiding a life ruled by the love of money
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Sunday, October 13 “Enough is Enough” – Making a big change for real commitment
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Sunday, October 20 “The U-Haul and the Hearse”- What it all comes down to
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STAND ALONE SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2019
For the last two Sundays in September, we'll take a break from our series to celebrate two special days. On September 15 we will be celebrating Heritage Sunday and all the wonderful people, histories and backgrounds that make up Cordele First United Methodist Church. On September 22, Rev. Wayne Racz from Epworth by the Sea will be our special guest preacher.
Sunday, September 15- Who Are Your People
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Sunday, September 22- Presence (Rev. Wayne Racz)
STAND ALONE SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2019
For the last two Sundays in September, we'll take a break from our series to celebrate two special days. On September 15 we will be celebrating Heritage Sunday and all the wonderful people, histories and backgrounds that make up Cordele First United Methodist Church. On September 22, Rev. Wayne Racz from Epworth by the Sea will be our special guest preacher.
Sunday, September 15- Who Are Your People
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Sunday, September 22- Presence (Rev. Wayne Racz)
COMMON GROUND 2019
It’s pretty obvious that the world is no longer as accepting of, or indeed friendly to, Christianity as it was not so long ago. In this sermon series we’ll address five critiques of Christianity offered in the writings of leading spokespersons for atheism and critics of the church. There are points at which atheists have something important to say to Christians today, but as disciples charged with sharing Christ’s Good News, we need to be able to offer a loving Christian’s response to atheism’s challenges. Whether you are an atheist, an agnostic, or a Christian believer, these messages will challenge and inspire you.
Sunday, August 11- God in a Petri Dish
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Sunday, August 18- Does Soap Exist?
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Sunday, August 25- Deus Volt...and Other Lies
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Sunday, September 1- Onion Cake
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Sunday, September 8- How Could God Let That Happen
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COMMON GROUND 2019
It’s pretty obvious that the world is no longer as accepting of, or indeed friendly to, Christianity as it was not so long ago. In this sermon series we’ll address five critiques of Christianity offered in the writings of leading spokespersons for atheism and critics of the church. There are points at which atheists have something important to say to Christians today, but as disciples charged with sharing Christ’s Good News, we need to be able to offer a loving Christian’s response to atheism’s challenges. Whether you are an atheist, an agnostic, or a Christian believer, these messages will challenge and inspire you.
Sunday, August 11- God in a Petri Dish
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Sunday, August 18- Does Soap Exist?
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Sunday, August 25- Deus Volt...and Other Lies
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Sunday, September 1- Onion Cake
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Sunday, September 8- How Could God Let That Happen
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P.U.S.H. - PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS 2019
We All Need a P.U.S.H.!- Prayer is not just something we do once in a while. It’s a life style and attitude; it’s a connection with God and an invitation to experience His miraculous power. P.U.S.H. or Pray Until Something Happens, is both an invitation to a deeper prayer life and a reminder that without prayer, we will miss the abundance God has for us. This series explores how and why we pray.
Sunday, April 28- Is Anybody Out There?
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Sunday, May 5- What If The Hokey Pokey Is What It Is All About?
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Sunday, May 12- Transcendental Exhibitionism!
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Sunday, May 19- ...So I'll Know Them By Their Limp
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Sunday, May 26- Yes, No, and You've Got To Be Kidding
Sunday, June 2- Pray Until Something Happens
Sunday, June 9- Not What I Do But Who I Am
P.U.S.H. - PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS 2019
We All Need a P.U.S.H.!- Prayer is not just something we do once in a while. It’s a life style and attitude; it’s a connection with God and an invitation to experience His miraculous power. P.U.S.H. or Pray Until Something Happens, is both an invitation to a deeper prayer life and a reminder that without prayer, we will miss the abundance God has for us. This series explores how and why we pray.
Sunday, April 28- Is Anybody Out There?
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Sunday, May 5- What If The Hokey Pokey Is What It Is All About?
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Sunday, May 12- Transcendental Exhibitionism!
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Sunday, May 19- ...So I'll Know Them By Their Limp
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Sunday, May 26- Yes, No, and You've Got To Be Kidding
Sunday, June 2- Pray Until Something Happens
Sunday, June 9- Not What I Do But Who I Am
EASTER SUNDAY 2019
Through Easter, we are reborn in Christ, known, loved, and empowered. (In spite of our fears and failings.)
Sunday, April 21- No Nametag Required
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EASTER SUNDAY 2019
Through Easter, we are reborn in Christ, known, loved, and empowered. (In spite of our fears and failings.)
Sunday, April 21- No Nametag Required
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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED 2019
The season of Lent is about two journeys. One is the progress of Jesus and his disciples towards Jerusalem and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and gift. The second is a spiritual journey of personal growth and divine discovery. As we walk together through this season, we’ll ask some important questions: what does it mean to choose Jesus? How can we stay faithful when the world pulls us in so many other directions? What’s different about the path of discipleship? We’ll explore the answers to these and other questions as we take up Jesus’ challenge to “pick up our cross and follow.
Sunday, March 10- Irritating the GPS
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Sunday, March 17- What Did you think you were here for?
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Sunday, March 24- The Jeopardy Theme Song
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Sunday, March 31- I'm not lost... Mom Is!
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Sunday, April 7- The Practical Thieves
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Sunday, April 14- But I'm Only A Rock!
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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED 2019
The season of Lent is about two journeys. One is the progress of Jesus and his disciples towards Jerusalem and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and gift. The second is a spiritual journey of personal growth and divine discovery. As we walk together through this season, we’ll ask some important questions: what does it mean to choose Jesus? How can we stay faithful when the world pulls us in so many other directions? What’s different about the path of discipleship? We’ll explore the answers to these and other questions as we take up Jesus’ challenge to “pick up our cross and follow.
Sunday, March 10- Irritating the GPS
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Sunday, March 17- What Did you think you were here for?
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Sunday, March 24- The Jeopardy Theme Song
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Sunday, March 31- I'm not lost... Mom Is!
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Sunday, April 7- The Practical Thieves
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Sunday, April 14- But I'm Only A Rock!
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