St. Stephen United Methodist Church: Sunday Sermons

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Most of us think we know the story of Jonah. We picture a man, a storm, and whale. But what if the whale isn't really the point? 
We begin a new worship series on the book of Jonah, discovering together that this story is actually about the surprising, unsettling, and life-changing grace of God. It's a grace that refuses to stay inside the lines we draw, reaches people we've written off, and pursues us even when we run the other way.
In this first message, we look at Jonah’s first chapter and the striking contrast between God’s call and Jonah’s response. God moves toward Nineveh — a place of brokenness and evil — while Jonah runs toward Tarshish — a place of comfort and escape. The contrast reveals something profound about God’s heart: God’s compassion flows toward the hurting, the overlooked, and the lost. 
Sermon Reflections:
When you think of the story of Jonah, what images or details usually come to mind first? How might focusing on those details cause us to miss the deeper meaning of the story?
Pastor Ken describes grace as "disruptive" because it ignores the categories we create for people. What categories or labels do you find yourself using to decide who deserves grace and who doesn't?
Jonah claimed to worship God while actively running from God. Can you identify times in your own life when you've said the right things about following Jesus but your actions went in a different direction?
Pastor Ken ended his sermon with this question: "Where is your heart?" If you honestly assess your life right now, are you moving toward the broken places God cares about, or are you running toward comfort and escape? What would it look like to change direction?

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Connect Four isn’t just a classic children’s game. It’s a picture of how God designed us to live. You can’t win with just one piece. Victory requires connection. In this message concluding our series, The Games We Played, we explore what Scripture teachers about meaningful relationships and community. From Genesis to Hebrews, the Bible shows us that we were created for isolation. Yet, despite living in the most digitally connected time in history, loneliness has reached epidemic levels. We’ve mastered digital connection but struggle with meaningful connection. Generation Z is perhaps the most digitally connected generation ever, but reports show they also have the highest rates of depression and social isolation. 
Sermon Reflections:
The first thing God declared "not good" was isolation, not sin. Why do you think God prioritized relationship and connection from the very beginning?
We live in the most digitally connected era in history, yet loneliness is at epidemic levels. What's the difference between digital connection and meaningful connection? Can you think of examples from your own life?
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. What specific benefits of connection and companionship does this passage describe? Which one resonates most with your current season of life?
Not every connection is healthy. The sermon says Paul warns us that "bad company ruins good morals." How do you discern which relationships are healthy and which might need boundaries?
Read Hebrews 10:24-25 together. What does it mean to "provoke one another to love and good deeds"? Can you share an example of someone who has done this for you?
What is one practical step you can take this week to build more meaningful connection with someone in your life-whether that's deepening an existing relationship or reaching out to someone who might be isolated?

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We’ve all played Operation — that classic tabletop game where the problems are obvious and the solutions are clear. If only real life were that simple. Pastor Ken continues our “The Games We Played” worship series in this message exploring Mark’s story of the paralytic and his four friends. When they can’t get through the crowd to reach Jesus, they tear open the roof and lower their friend down. Everyone expects Jesus to heal the obvious problem, the man’s paralysis. But Jesus does something unexpected: he addresses a deeper issue first. Jesus sees behind the visible to what’s hidden in our hearts, addressing not just the symptoms but the root issues that bring lasting transformation. 
Sermon Reflections:
 In this week's message, Pastor Ken used the game Operation as the metaphor. In that game, the problems are obvious and labeled, but in real life our deepest woulds are often hidden. What are some of the hidden wounds or struggles that people often carry beneath the surface?
Mark tells us that Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic's friends. How does this story challenge us to be better friends to those who are struggling?
Sometimes what we think we need the most isn't actually what we really need the most. Can you think of a time when God addressed something deeper in your life than what you initially asked God to fix?
David's prayer in Psalm 51 was, "Create in me a clean heart, O God", rather than asking God to fix his circumstances or reputation. Why is the condition of our heart more important than our external circumstances? 
A surgeon can't repair what she cannot access. What are some barriers we put up that prevent God from accessing the wounded areas of our hearts?
Jesus sees all of our hidden wounds, failures, and shame — and, yet, he still loves us. How does this truth change the way we approach him with our deepest needs?

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Just remember: the collapse never begins with the last block. In this second message of our summer worship series, “The Games We Played,” we explore Jesus’ powerful story from Matthew 7 about two builders and the foundations they chose. We use the game Jenga as an illustration, discovering how most collapses in life don’t happen overnight — they’re the result of small compromises and neglected disciplines. Both houses in Jesus’ story looked good on a sunny day. Both builders worked hard. But when the storm came, only one remained standing. The difference? The foundation. Storms don’t passover followers of Jesus, but rather reveal what’s holding them up — the prayers nobody see, the scripture nobody knows you’re reading, the daily acts of trust and obedience. The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians that no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Not a good foundation-the only foundation. When storms come, you may bend, but you won't break, because Christ is your rock.
Sermon Reflections:
Jesus said both houses experienced the same storm. Why do you think God allows storms in the lives of God’s people?
Pastor Ken compared spiritual foundations to the hidden root system of palm trees. What are some 'hidden' spiritual disciplines that have helped anchor your faith during difficult seasons?
In what areas of your life might you be removing “blocks” — making small compromises or neglecting important practices — that could lead to instability down the road?
The Statue of Liberty's beauty depends on an internal iron framework we can't see. How does this picture help us understand what it means to have Christ as our foundation?
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians that no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus Christ. What are some things people commonly try to build their lives on instead? Why do these fail to hold us up in storms?
What daily practice or discipline do you sense God calling you to establish or re-establish to strengthen your spiritual foundation?

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Welcome to our summer sermon series, “The Games We Played.” This week, we’re starting with Candy Land — a game that requires no strategy and no skill, just drawing cards and moving along. It’s a simple game of chance that teaches us a profound spiritual truth: control is largely an illusion. In John 14: 1-7, Jesus speaks to his anxious disciples who are facing uncertainty and fear. They want answers and directions, but Jesus offers them something better: himself. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus says. Faith isn’t about having a detailed roadmap; it’s about trusting the Person who sees the whole path.
Sermon Reflections:
When in your life have you most struggled with wanting control? How did that situation resolve, and what did you learn about trust?
Thomas wanted directions, but Jesus said 'I am the way.' What's the difference between following a set of directions or instructions and following Jesus?
What looks like chaos on our end is often preparation on God's. Can you think of a biblical example or personal experience where you saw this principle at work
In John 14:2, Jesus says He goes to prepare a place for us. How does focusing on what God is preparing (rather than what we're losing) change our perspective during uncertain seasons?
When have you experienced God giving you just enough light for the next step rather than showing you the whole path? How did that grow your faith?
Jesus says :No one comes to the Father except through me.” How do we hold the exclusivity of this truth alongside the invitation and love behind it?

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