Sermon – September 27, 2015

BPUMC_Podcast_LogoThe Platinum Rule“, by Rev. Mike Holly

Seek God, Lose Yourself, Find Life

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Bluff Park United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world around us. We seek to guide, develop and nurture persons to deepen their faith and service to God through vibrant worship and dynamic opportunities for learning, growth and life-giving mission.

VISION STATEMENT

Bluff Park United Methodist Church seeks to be a community creating relational experiences to help all people find life and know through a relationship with God: who they are, why they matter, and how they can serve the world in love.

The Word

John 13:1-17

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Sermon – September 20, 2015

BPUMC_Podcast_LogoIf You Can’t Believe Anything Else, Believe This“, by Rev. Tom Duley

Seek God, Lose Yourself, Find Life

In April of 1996 I hiked into and out of the Grand Canyon in one day. I don’t advise that you try this. It wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done but it wasn’t the dumbest thing I’ve ever done either. I learned a great many things that day. Among the things I learned was that I matter. In the vastness of that canyon while my muscles, joints and whatever else I’m made of ached I knew the presence of God; knew that I was loved even in the midst of my struggle. That day I knew that I mattered to God.

I also learned that I mattered to another person. We encountered a park Ranger that day that was instrumental in helping us to get out of the canyon. His name was Ranger Wisher. In some quarters he is looked upon as an angel. Suffice it to say that we mattered enough to him that he stuck with us until he knew we were out of the canyon. This morning we will think about God’s love and how much we matter to God. We’ll also hear more about Ranger Wisher and how he showed his concern for us as we walked out of the canyon.

If you can’t believe anything else believe this… you matter because God says you matter.

~Tom Duley

The Word

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Sermon – September 13, 2015

BPUMC_Podcast_LogoWho We Are“, by Rev. Mike Holly

Seek God, Lose Yourself, Find Life

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Bluff Park United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world around us. We seek to guide, develop and nurture persons to deepen their faith and service to God through vibrant worship and dynamic opportunities for learning, growth and life-giving mission.

VISION STATEMENT

Bluff Park United Methodist Church seeks to be a community creating relational experiences to help all people find life and know through a relationship with God: who they are, why they matter, and how they can serve the world in love.

The Word

1 John 3:1-10

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.