St. Stephen United Methodist Church: Sunday Sermons

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In this All Saints Day message, Pastor Ken helps us explore what it means to be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and how the faith we have today was passed down to us through generations of faithful believers. We’re reminded that none of us arrived where we are alone. Someone prayed for us, taught us, and exemplified what following Jesus looks like. 
We reflect on Psalm 78 and Hebrews 12, which invite us to remember and give thanks for those who invested in our faith — and to recognize that we have responsibility to do the same for the next generation. 
Who is in your cloud of witnesses? Who are you passing your faith to?
Sermon Reflections:
Psalm 78 emphasizes the importance of passing down stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation. What story of God's work in your life could you share with someone younger?
Who is in your personal “cloud of witnesses”? Take time to name specific people who shaped your faith, encouraged you, or showed you what following Jesus looks like.
Is there someone in your cloud of witnesses you've never properly thanked? What's one practical step you could take this week to express gratitude to them?
Pastor Ken mentions various ways people invested in others: reading Bible stories, teaching Sunday school, leading youth groups, visiting the sick, welcoming strangers. Which of these feels most natural to you as a way to pour into others?
You don't have to be a parent or teacher to influence the next generation. What's one way you could invest in someone else's faith journey, even in a small way?

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We all think we want to live the "rich" life, but what does it really mean to be rich? This Sunday, we wrap up our annual stewardship worship series and explore Jesus' words in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing treasures in heaven instead of on earth. We take a look at the inspiring legacy of generosity in our own church community. We discover together that true abundance isn't about accumulating more, but rather about investing in what lasts. Jesus didn't outright condemn all possessions, but he did ask us to consider the difference between what we accumulate and what we invest in. Culture tells us rich means more stuff. Scripture tells us rich means changed lives. In this message, we learn about tangible ways our generosity has created lasting impact in the lives of our church members and community members — Habitat homes to Room in the Inn, disaster relief and feeding ministries, supporting women in transition and nurturing our children. Every act of generosity represents a person who matters to God. 
Sermon Reflections:
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What does your calendar or your bank statement reveal about where your treasure currently is?
When you think about your life legacy, what do you hope people will remember? How does that align with how you're currently investing your time, resources, and energy?
In 1 Timothy, we're told to be "rich in good deeds." What is one specific way you could invest in someone's life this week, whether through your time, encouragement, resources, or presence?
Pastor Ken highlighted several ways our church has made tangible impact over decades. Which examples resonated most with you, and why? How might God be inviting you to participate in kingdom work?
Scripture says the one who blesses others is abundantly blessed. Have you experienced this principle in your own life? Reflect on a time when giving resulted in an unexpected blessing. 

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In this message, Pastor Ken guides us through an exploration of the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and how the powerful contrast between them can teach us about generous, open-handed living. The Sea of Galilee receives water and gives water. Life flourishes there. The Dead Sea only receives water. Nothing lives there. God never intended us to be spiritual reservoirs; we’re meant to be channels of God’s grace. Our stewardship is not just about money. Our time, talents, attention, compassion, and presence work together as a spiritual discipline that reflects the generous character of God and makes us more like Jesus. This message challenges us: Are we living more like the Sea of Galilee or the Dead Sea? Are we channels or reservoirs? How abundantly are we living our lives and making the lives others more abundant by sharing God’s blessings.
Sermon Reflections:
Pastor Ken described generosity as a spiritual discipline rather than a financial strategy. What’s the difference and why does it matter?
Beyond financial giving, what are some other ways we can practice generosity with our time, attention, talents, and presence?
How does understanding ourselves as stewards or managers rather than owners change the way we view our resources and gifts?
Jesus lived his entire life with open hands. He gave of his time, attention, compassion, and ultimately his life. Which aspect of Jesus’ generosity do you find most challenging to imitate?
Can you think of a time when you planted a seed of generosity and later saw God growing something from it, even if it took time to see the results?
All of us are stewards of something. Time, abilities and gifts, resources. Which of these is hardest for you to hold with an open hand? Why?

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On this World Communion Sunday, Dr. John Blizzard invites use to consider how our every breath we take is a direct gift from God. We explore the biblical significance of breath — from God breathing life into Adam, to Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto his disciples, and to the psalmist’s call for everything that has breath to praise the Lord. 
Sermon Reflections:
Genesis 2:7 tells us that God breathed life into humanity. How does understanding breath as God’s direct gift change the way you think about your everyday life?
The Hebrew word for breath/spirit/wind appears almost 400 times in the Old Testament. Why do you think Scripture emphasizes breath and spirit so frequently?
Psalm 46 was likely written during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, a time of overwhelming fear and tension. Have you ever experienced an anxious season when you could barely breathe? How did God meet you in that moment?
Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones coming to life through God’s breath represents spiritual resurrection and revival. What areas of your life feel like dry bones right now? How might you invite God’s breath into those places?
John 20:22 describes Jesus breathing on the disciples and imparting the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Spirit doesn’t always have to be as dramatic as Pentecost. Sometimes it can be a quiet inhale of God’s presence. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in both dramatic and quiet ways?
Dr. Blizzard reminds us of the experiences of people with COPD or other respiratory conditions who must consciously think about every breath. How can their struggle remind us not to take our own breath for granted? How might this inspire us to pray for those facing chronic illness?

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A lot of us Christians know how to “look the part.” We know what to say. We know how to present ourselves and look like we’ve got it all together. But that’s not always reflective of reality. We all have stuff going on in our lives. Frustrations. Setbacks. Failures. Really, aren’t Christians just as messed up as everyone else? 
In short, yes we are, but that’s the whole story is it? In this message, we explore what makes Christians different, not through perfection but through authenticity and the choice to reflect Jesus’ light in a broken world. From the Garden of Eden to the early church in Antioch, Scripture shows us that the struggle between self and God has always been real. But God doesn’t walk away; God comes towards us through Jesus. There is a gap between who we are and who we want to be, and Jesus helps fill that gap. 
Sermon Reflections:
Pastor Ken suggests that we often put on a “church face” on Sunday mornings. What does he mean by that? Why do you think we do this, and what would it look like to be more authentic in church?
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had a choice between two trees. What are some modern-day “trees” we face that represent choosing our own way over God’s way?
Early Christians in Antioch were first called Christians because of how they lived, not what they said. What evidence would someone find in your life that you follow Jesus?
Authenticity is owning the gap between who we are and who we want to be, instead of hiding that gap or ignoring it. What does it look like to authentically acknowledge this gap in your own life?
What’s one specific area where you feel this gap between who you are and who you want to be? What resources or support do you need in helping you close that gap? Can your small groups or Sunday School classes pray for you or help you in other ways? How are you leaning on the support of fellow believers and how are you, in turn, offering your support to others?

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