2009 TRADITIONAL WORSHIP THEMES (click on title to hear audio)
To see the listing of contemporary services, click here
To see the listing of 2008 traditional services, click here
Sunday, January 4, 2009: Second Sunday after Christmas (Communion Sunday)
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon: “Sacred Rhythms”
The author of Ecclesiastes seeks to remind us that life is all about timing. There is a time for every purpose under heaven. We live in a culture that so often times struggles with time. There never seems to be enough of it to suit our needs. Time is sacred and time has a certain rhythm to it. Placing our lives in the sacred rhythm and moving and living according to its beat can make all the difference in the shape our lives take. As we begin this New Year may we give ourselves to the sacred rhythms of God’s activity among us in this incredible and holy movement of time.
Sunday, January 11, 2009:
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5
Sermon: "The Spirit Of God Is Moving!"
Sunday, January 18, 2009: Discipleship-Now Weekend
Scripture: Luke 9:18-25
Sermon: “But What About You?”
Sunday, January 25, 2009:
Scripture: John 1:43-51
Sermon: “Seeing In A Way We Never Have Before!”
Phillip offers the invitation to Nathaniel to come and see Jesus. Nathaniel responds and goes to see Jesus. His decision to go and see changes his life and perspective forever. An intimate, daily relationship with our living Lord changes how we see. It transforms our perspective as we now see and interpret anything and everything from the Kingdom of God in our midst. Such seeing changes not only our lives but the way in which we see everything and everybody.
Sunday, February 1, 2009: Communion Sunday
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: “The Time Has Come” (only the first half of the sermon is available)
It becomes easy in a world like ours to settle for less than we really are. Left to ourselves we can convince ourselves we are really happy, fulfilled with who we are and what we have. We discover we follow routines that no longer offer much direction, meaning, or purpose. Day in and day out we go through the motions. Jesus came to men in such a life. He came saying to them the time has come for God to do something new and different. And then, without warning he issued a call for them to come and join God in such work. Such an invitation changed their lives as they accepted. Such an invitation can change ours too!
Sunday, February 8, 2009:
Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31
Sermon: “Do You Not Know?”
Sunday, February 15, 2009:
Scripture: I Corinthians 9:24:27
Sermon: “Training Like Your Life Depended On It”
Sometimes in our life of faith we make the mistake of thinking and believing that all we must do is to accept the grace of God in Christ Jesus and everything else will work itself out. Nothing could be further from the truth. Accepting the gift of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ is only the beginning. The real issue that each of us must work out is what we do in response to such a gift. Paul believes that like an athlete preparing for an athletic event we too must train and discipline our faith. Through such training and discipline we prepare ourselves to sense and respond to the work of the Holy Spirit among us.
Sunday, February 22, 2009:
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-25
Sermon: “Where in the World is God?”
We live in tough times by the way our culture measures life. Uncertainty seems to fill the air as we watch more layoffs and closings. Who is God and where is God is such times as these? Isaiah dares to boldly answer such a question for those who are honestly and desperately asking it. God is in the midst of it all doing what God does. It seems God isn’t finished with creation yet and God is present and at work loving, restoring, redeeming, helping, caring, and leading. If we are not careful we can become so distracted by what we’ve lost that we fail to sense and see all that God is doing.
Lenten Sermon Series - “Growing On The Journey”
Sunday, March 1, 2009:
Scripture: Luke 8:4-8
Sermon: “Are You Ready To Grow?”
Sunday, March 8, 2009:
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Sermon: “Growing in God’s Word”
Sunday, March 15, 2009:
Scripture: Mark 1:35-39
Sermon: “Growing In Prayer”
Sunday, March 22, 2009:
Scripture: Acts 2:42-27
Sermon: “Growing In Community” (no audio available)
Sunday, March 29, 2009:
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16
Sermon: “Growing Together In Maturity” (no audio available)
Sunday, April 5, 2009: Palm Sunday!!
8:30 am and 10:50 am Chancel Choir - Easter Cantata
11:00 am Contemporary—Rev. Brady Johnston preaching
Sunday, April 12, 2009: Easter Sunday!!
Scripture: Luke 24:1-12
Sermon: “Too Good To Be True”
Sunday, April 19, 2009:
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Sermon: “God's Grace Will Not Be Denied!”
The story begins by describing Jesus’ followers behind locked doors filled with fear. The story continues with Thomas not believing the eye witness accounts of his friends that Jesus is alive! In both instances Jesus witnesses to the power of the presence of God’s abiding grace. The presence of that grace as experienced through the witness of Christ transforms all who are there. Regardless of who we are or where we are in our relationship with God in Christ, God’s grace will not ever be denied. It will find expression and revelation in spite of the situation or people involved.
Sunday, April 26, 2009: High School Senior Sunday
Travis: 8:30am service; Brady: combined 10:50am and 11:00am services
Scripture: Luke 24:36-48
Sermon: "Do You Have A Testimony? (Travis)"
This story is a post-resurrection story where Jesus once again surprises his followers by appearing before them. As he is with them he shares with them who he is and he opens them up to the scriptures and his work among them. He then empowers them to be a witness to all that he has shared with them. Have we experienced the presence of Christ in our lives to the point that we have a testimony as to who he is and as to what he has done, is doing, and will do?
Scripture: Joshua 1:5-9
Sermon: “Words For The Journey (Brady)”
Sunday, May 3, 2009: Communion Sunday and Mission Sunday
Scripture: Psalm 121
Sermon: “From Where Does Our Help Come?”
Sunday, May 10, 2009: Mother’s Day
Scripture: I John 4:7-21
Sermon: “A Love That Makes All The Difference!”
This passage reminds us that the essential nature of God is love. God invites us to join in that loving nature as we seek to love one another. In following that invitation to love we come to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. God’s love must come to define all of who we are. When we dare to love in such a way our lives are never the same again.
Sunday, May 17, 2009: Confirmation Sunday
Travis will preach the combined 10:50am and 11:00am services at 10:50am.
Scripture: Phillipians 2:12-18
Sermon: “Living On Purpose”
Sunday, May 24:
Scripture: John 12:20-28
Sermon: “Obedience Without Reservation”
Obedience is not a very popular word in our culture today! We are taught to be suspicious of authority and to question everything. The story from John describes a Jesus who seeks to be obedient to the will of God. We struggle at best to realize that life with God is all about surrender and obedience. It is difficult at best for us to give anyone, let alone God that kind of control of our lives. As I ponder our defiance of being obedient I can’t help but wonder this memorial day weekend where we would be without those who were bravely obedient!
Sunday, May 31: Pentecost Sunday!
Scripture: Acts 2:1-13
Sermon: “Suddenly!”
The story says, “suddenly a sound like a blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2) Isn’t that just like God! God comes to us so many times suddenly in the midst of the everyday and ordinary. God comes in the midst of our fears and brokenness. The power of the story is that God comes to where they are as they are. This is the love of God! God meets us where we are as we are and gives us the power and capability to face and move beyond whatever life brings us. Suddenly, indeed!
Sunday, June 7: Communion Sunday
Scripture: Exodus 17:1-8
Sermon: “Is the Lord Among Us or Not?”
Now here is an honest question in the face of tough circumstances. You have left your home and everything you own only to find yourself in the wilderness with no water to drink. Who wouldn’t be upset. Such adversity always reveals us for who we really are. Obviously the Jews of Moses day had a little more learning they needed to do in order to trust this God who dared to love them and lead them. As we think about where we are today in life the honest question some of us are asking is, is the Lord among us?
Sunday, June 14:
Scripture: Romans 12:1-9
Sermon: “Sacrificial Living in a World of Artificial Life!” (audio not available)
Paul urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in response the love of God that claims us. Sacrifice is not a very popular word in a world that measures itself in proportion to how much it can consume. What’s in it for me has become the question on most of our lips. Most organizations are trying to make what they offer attractive or appealing to such a world. Even the church has to be careful of sacrificing who we are called to be in selling our souls so that we can be appealing. Paul dares to remind us that the only response appropriate in light of God’s love in Christ is one of sacrifice and surrender!
Sunday, June 21:
8:30am Service
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:1-3,12-13
Sermon: "Roaring Lions and Evening Wolves" (Joe Bentley)
10:50am Service
Scripture: Luke 5:1-8
Sermon: "Gone Fishing" (Steve Nance, Director of Glen Lake Camp)
Sunday, June 28:
8:30am Service
Scripture: Luke 15:25-32
Sermon: "No Need For Grace" (Brady Johnston)
10:50am Service
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Sermon: "In the process of becoming..." (Trey Oakley, Methodist Children's Home)
Sunday, July 5:
Scripture: Romans 8:1-11
Sermon: “Free at Last!”
Paul reminds us in this powerful and lucid passage we are free from the law. Through work of Christ in his death and resurrection we are no longer under condemnation but we are now free to live according to the Spirit. God seeks now to live in and through us and it is in such living that we discover authentically who we are the purpose behind this marvelous gift of life we have been given. No longer bound by sin and the law we are free at last to be God’s person in the world! There is no life like that life!
Sunday, July 12: Vacation Bible School Celebration
Scripture: Acts 3:1-10
Sermon: “A Limited Request, An Unlimited Response”
Peter and John encountered a cripple as they entered the Temple in Jerusalem. He was begging for money. He asked Peter and John for money as they entered. Broke they gave him what they had which had nothing to do with the limited wants of a cripple. They gave him healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. So oftentimes we are like the cripple. We only seem to ask for what we think is obvious related to our need. As such we limit ourselves. Peter and John offered the man so much more than what he asked. God offers us an abundant life and we keep settling for so much less. God just seems to be unlimited in what God seeks to share and give to us as God’s children.
Sunday, July 19: Youth Trip Sunday (10:50am and 11:00am services combined, at 10:50am, in the Sanctuary)
8:30am Service
Scripture: John 21:15-18
Sermon: "Courage Transparency" (Travis Franklin)
10:50am Service
Scripture: Galatians 5:1
Sermon: “Set Free!” (Brady Johnston)
Sunday, July 26: Kenya Trip Celebration (10:50am and 11:00am services combined, at 10:50am, in the Sanctuary)
Scripture: Luke 4:14-21
Sermon: “Today!”
In this powerful passage Jesus identifies what the heart and soul of God’s ministry in and through him will be. God’s ministry will be all about reaching out in compassion to those in need. Jesus and the life he dares to lead embodies this truth. As followers of the Christ we too are called beyond ourselves to the life God has for each of us. The power of such compassionate living is discovered in each moment we dare to give ourselves to its truth and its revelation in the midst of a hurting world. That truth, power, and love is present today and everyday!
______________________________________________
August Theme: "New Beginnings"
Sunday, August 2: Communion Sunday
Scripture: Acts 9:1-19
Sermon: “God Has Plans For Us”
The story from Acts is the story of Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road. Before this experience Saul was one person. After this experience Saul became someone entirely different. What is obvious throughout the story is that Saul learns like so many of us do that our plans and God’s plans for our lives are not necessarily the same. God disrupts Saul’s plans in order to use Saul to carry out God’s plans. This story begs the question when will we learn life is not about us. Life is all about God.
Sunday, August 9:
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20
Sermon: “Opportunity Knocks!”
We must come to a place in our living whereby we come to sense and trust the work of the Holy Spirit of God in the everyday and mundane reality of our living. It is so easy in a world like ours to become distracted by so much to the point that God and what God is doing becomes an afterthought in life. A life of faith is an expectant living. A life rooted in faith is aware of the possibilities that with God are endless. A life of faith is all about hope. It is about knowing that regardless of how things may appear God is there and God is working. Opportunity then, is always knocking when it comes to God and what God is doing!
Sunday, August 16:
Scripture: Numbers 22:20,35,38
Sermon: “No Way To Treat A Donkey” (Joe Bentley)
Sunday, August 23:
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7
Sermon: “Living With the Grace You Have!”
God told Paul on one occasion that God’s grace was sufficient. The passage today reminds us that to each one of us grace has been given according to how Christ apportioned it. Living by such grace is a powerful way to live. It means that we dare to live from a place whereby we need nothing more. Content with our portion of the grace God has given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord we begin to focus on what we do have instead of on what we don’t. Living with the grace we have can make all the difference!
Sunday, August 30: Fifth Sunday Fellowship Meal (10:50am and 11:00am services combined, at 11:00am)
Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15
Sermon: “It’s Your Serve!”
As the people prepare to become a more settled people now that all the land has been conquered their leader, Joshua, challenges them to remember who it is they seek to serve. God has not only delivered them from slavery in Egypt, God has now established them in the land God promised. Joshua hopes and dreams that in this new day of settlement and stability that the people will not forget God and all that God has done for them. The only fitting response to such loving by such a God is that of service.
Sunday, September 6: Communion Sunday
Scripture: Acts 16:11-15
Sermon: “The Importance of Just Showing Up”
The story from the scripture is about a lady named Lydia who decided one day to go out to the fringe of the city to a place where she worshipped. It just so happened that on that day the apostle Paul made a guest appearance and preached. What he said touched her and she was converted and baptized. It is amazing what God can do with us if we will just do our part and show up!
______________________________________________
September Theme: "Complaint Free Month"
Sunday, Sept. 13:
Scripture: Exodus 16:1-7
Sermon: "It All Depends On How You Look At It!"
Sunday, Sept. 20
Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon: "God Never Gives Up!"
Sunday, Sept. 27
Scripture: James 1:2-5
Sermon: "Dancing In The Rain" (Brady Johnston)
______________________________________________
October Theme: "Fear Free"
Sunday, October 2, 2009
Scripture: I Kings 19:1-11
Sermon: “A Place to Stand”
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon: “Do Not Be Afraid”
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Scripture: I John 4:16-19
Sermon: “Love Is Stronger Than Fear”
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Scripture: I Kings 17:7-16
Sermon: “God Is Providing” (no audio available)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
Sermon: “Souls For Sale”
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Scripture: Acts 4:32-35
Sermon: “Learning To Live With Much Grace”
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13
Sermon: “Shaped By God”
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Scripture: Acts 5:27-42
Sermon: “Is It of God”
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Scripture: Genesis 2:7
Sermon: “Living Soulfully”
Sunday, December 6, 2009 Communion Sunday
Scripture: I John 4:7-11
Sermon: “Giving More!”
Sunday, December 13, 2009 Christmas Cantata Sunday (no sermon)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon: "What Now?"
Sunday, January 3, 2010 Communion Sunday
Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17
Sermon: "What Will You Be Wearing In 2010?"
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Sermon: "Taking Our Place In Line"
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Scripture: I John 2:9-11
Sermon: "We Know Where We Are Going!"
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Scripture: Acts 16:25-34
Sermon: "When Earthquakes Come!"
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sermon: "Living Inside Out"
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Scripture: Romans 8:31-39
Sermon: "No!"
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32
Sermon: "When Faith Is Small"
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Scripture: Luke 4:14-21
Sermon: "Today"
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon: "If Not Us, Who?"
Sunday, March 7, 2010 Communion Sunday
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Sermon: "Undescribable!"
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Scripture: Mark 6:30-44
Sermon: "Now Is The Time And This Is The Place"
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Scripture: Luke 17:20-21
Sermon: "Thy Kingdom Come"
Sunday, March 28, 2010 Palm Sunday
Scripture: James 2:20-24
Sermon: "Faith and Dirty Windows (Brady)"
Sunday, April 4, 2010 Easter Sunday
Scripture: John 20:1-18
Sermon: "Who Are We Looking For?"
Sunday, June 13, 2010 Communion Sunday
Scripture: Luke 15:11-24
Sermon: "Looking For God In All The Wrong Places"
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Scripture: Luke 15:25-32
Sermon: "Meanwhile..."
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Scripture: Luke 18:18-30
Sermon: "The Freedom of Simplicity"
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15
Sermon: "Defining Moments"
Grace and Peace,
Travis
Notes:
- You must have mp3 player software (e.g. Windows Media Player, QuickTime, etc.) installed on your PC to listen online - allow 30-60 seconds for the audio to begin.
- Depending on your web browser security setting, you make get a security warning message. Click on the yellow information bar and select "Allow Blocked Content" and "Yes" to proceed.
- You can also download these audio files to your PC (if you want to load them onto an Ipod or other mp3 player), just right-click on the sermon title, and select "Save Target As...".
- If you experience difficulty listening to these online sermons, please contact JD at technology@saladoumc.org for assistance.