St. Stephen United Methodist Church: Sunday Sermons

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Pastor Ken leads us in exploring our sacred calling to be stewards of the earth. Drawing from Genesis, he helps us clarify what it means to have "dominion" over creation—shifting our perspective from ownership to accountability. Whether it's through the "Overview Effect" experienced by astronauts or the simple of act of planting a tomato seed, learn how we can rediscover the wonder of God's world and commit to practical habits that protect it for future generations.
Sermon Reflections:

Pastor Ken mentions that "dominion" is often misinterpreted as a right to do whatever we want. How does viewing yourself as a "steward" rather than an "owner" change your daily interaction with nature?
How can we cultivate the "Overview Effect" in our own lives without traveling to space? What local "miracles" in creation have you overlooked lately?
Pastor Ken notes that we treat gifts from loved ones with more care than items we buy for ourselves. How would your habits change if you viewed every natural resource as a personal gift from God?
Ellie Cypert perspective on climate change and the desire for a "regenerative and thriving" future. How can older generations better support the environmental concerns of younger generations?
What is one "unintentional" habit in your household (like throwing recyclables in the trash) that you can consciously change this week?
Genesis 1 states that God saw everything God made and called it "very good." What are some specific ways we can "bear God’s image" by reflecting God's care for the environment?

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St. Stephen Minister of Music Dr. John Blizzard offers a moving exploration of what it truly means to live with courage. Drawing from the profound words of John 15:9-17, this sermon challenges us to see courage not just as an act of bravery, but as an extension of the sacrificial love Jesus calls us to share with one another. John weaves together biblical teaching, historical reflections, and personal stories to illustrate how love provides the strength to face our greatest fears. Discover how "abiding in love" transforms our perspective and empowers us to stand firm in our faith. 
Sermon Reflections:

Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. How does this Jesus' definition of love require more courage than our standard definition of love?
John discusses the concept of "abiding." What does it look like practically to "abide in love" when you are currently facing a situation that makes you feel afraid?
The scripture mentions that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for friends. In what small, daily ways can we "lay down our lives" for others to show Christ-like courage?
John references Profiles in Courage. Who is a historical or contemporary figure that you believe embodies the type of courage described in this sermon, and why?
Looking at the personal stories shared in the sermon, how does the legacy of those who came before us give us the courage to face our own modern-day challenges?
Is courage something we must generate from within ourselves, or is it a gift we receive through our relationship with God?

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In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Ken brings to a close our Lenten worship and study series, "A Place at the Table." Together, we explore the unexpected reality of the first Resurrection morning. We look on at the women at the tomb and the disciples on the road to Emmaus who were met not with immediate victory, but with confusion and emptiness. We learn why an empty place is not evidence of God's absence, but the first sign of something new. The empty tomb gives us a new meting to our seasons of loss, helping us understand how God works not just through addition, but by removing what doesn't give life to make room for the miraculous power of Resurrection.
Sermon Reflections:

Pastor Ken suggests that an "empty place" is often the first sign of a new work from God. How does this perspective change how you view a current "empty" or difficult season in your life?
We often tell the Easter story from the ending (victory), but the first Easter felt like confusion. How can you find hope when you are still in the "middle" of a confusing situation?
Why do you think it is sometimes necessary for God to "prune" or remove things from our lives that do not give us life, rather than just adding more to them?
The disciples on the road to Emmaus were walking away from Jerusalem — away from the site of the miracle. Are there areas where you are walking away from hope because of unmet expectations?
Jesus walked with the disciples even when they were in a "fog" and couldn't recognize him. Where might Christ be present in your life right now, even if he feels hidden?
If the Resurrection means everyone is welcome at the table, how can you practice radical inclusion and grace in your community this week?

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What happens when your expectations don’t match reality? Pastor Ken Curtis opens this final installment of our Lenten series, "A Place at the Table," with a humorous story about a dinner invitation gone wrong to illustrate a profound spiritual truth.
In this sermon, "A New Meaning," we journey to the Upper Room where the disciples gathered for a traditional Passover meal. While they expected a familiar ritual of remembrance, Jesus gave the bread and the cup a transformative new meaning — shifting the focus from the historical deliverance of Israel to the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through His own body and blood.
Discover why this table is not just for the "perfect," but a place where even betrayers find a seat. Whether you are seeking forgiveness, strength, or a sense of belonging, there is a place for you here.
Sermon Reflections:

Pastor Ken shares a story about expecting a simple dinner but finding himself in an awkward "blind date" setup. When has God met you in a way that was completely different from what you expected?
How does understanding the Passover's history of deliverance from Egypt deepen your appreciation for the "new meaning" Jesus gives to Communion?
Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, yet He still shared the bread and cup with him. How does this radical inclusion challenge your own views on who "belongs" at the Lord’s table?
Reflect on the lyrics of the song shared during the sermon: "At this table, everyone is welcome... at this table, mercy is seen." Which of these promises do you need to hear most today?
Pastor Ken describes the table as a place of transformation where the weary find strength and the broken find healing. In what area of your life are you currently seeking Jesus’ transforming grace?
If we are changed at the table, we are called to leave and "make room" for others. Who in your life needs an invitation to experience the grace and inclusion of Christ?

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In this powerful message for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Jesse Enniss explores the story of Zacchaeus — a man whose height forced him into a tree but whose reputation kept him at a distance from his community. While the crowds saw a "sinner" and a "traitor," Jesus saw a son of Abraham.
Pastor Jesse dives into the Methodist understanding of grace — prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying — and challenges us to consider how our own "grumbling" might become a stumbling block for others. We are also reminded that sometimes we must get close to someone to see the good fruit God is producing in their lives.
Are we keeping a seat open at the table for the ones Jesus is redeeming? Join us as we learn to move from judgment to proximity.
Sermon Reflections:

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, risking his dignity as an adult and a high-status official. What "trees" do we need to climb today to get a better view of what God is doing in our lives?
The crowd judged Zacchaeus from a distance, but Jesus drew near. Who in your community are you judging from a distance, and how might your perspective change if you "got close enough to see the fruit"?
Pastor Jesse outlines three types of grace: Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying. Can you identify a time in your life when God’s "prevenient grace" was working before you even realized it?
When Jesus went to Zacchaeus’s house, the crowd grumbled. Why is it so difficult for us to celebrate the redemption of those we consider "unlovable" or "unsavable"?
Zacchaeus’s change was visible through his actions (giving to the poor and repaying fourfold). In what ways is the "sanctifying grace" of God producing visible fruit in your own life today?
Christianity is "not a solo sport." How can your small group or our church as a whole more intentionally create "a seat at the table" for those with lower social status or those who have been hurt by the church?

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