Sermon – November 6, 2016

BPUMC_Podcast_LogoFrom Now On We Must Remember, by Rev. Tom Duley

Leap of Faith Weekly Prayer

Prayer for the Communion of Saints

Almighty God, we thank you for those who have gone on before us. They are the pioneers in faith and ministry and we thank you for their example. Help us all as we run this race of life to know that we have a communion of saints that stand by us, who cheer us on and who pray for us. In the strong name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

The Word

Luke 22:14-20

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Sermon – May 24, 2015

BPUMC_Podcast_LogoThe Power of Memory and Hope“, by Rev. Mike Holly

Paul, the author of Romans, says that hope that is seen is not hope. Now what does he mean by this? He is trying to coney to us all that the hope we have in God is a hope we cannot test, measure or observe. Our hope is what lies in a future that we cannot see. We are told about it and we long for it, but we cannot see it just yet. Trust is required.

As Christians, we know there is power in hope. The hope of what God will do has energized the people of God to serve others for 2,000 years, even with periodic persecutions. However, there is also power in memory. The Bible reminds us time and time again of how God did act for his people, such as when be liberated Israel from captivity in Egypt. Christians live in that powerful space between memory and hope by the grace of the Spirit.

This Memorial Day weekend, let us be thankful for the brave and courageous ones who gave their lives in love and service to the people of our nation. May their witness be an empowering memory for us all as we lean into a future with hope.

~Mike Holly

The Word

Romans 8:22-27

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.