St. Stephen United Methodist Church: Sunday Sermons

SpotifyApple PodcastsThis week, guest preacher Rev. Bailey Brislin joined us to deliver the message. Bailey grew up here at St. Stephen and was recently commissioned as a provisional deacon. In this message, Bailey asks us to consider the words of the prophet Amos as well as those in Psalm 146. “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” These words, famously quoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., call us to authentic worship that will transform our lives and our communities. Together, we explore how rivers and waters symbolize life, freedom, and power throughout scripture, what it means to be moved from holy grief and anger into active solidarity, how Psalm 146 shows us God’s heart for justice, and how authentic worship extends beyond our weekly gatherings into every space we encounter in our community. Sermon Reflections:Amos was an unexpected prophet. When has God used an unlikely person or unexpected situation to speak truth into your life?In Amos’ time, wealthy Israelites saw their prosperity as a sign of God’s favor while ignoring the suffering of the poor. Where do you see this or a similar dynamic playing out in our world today?What does it mean for grief or anger to be “holy” and how can these emotions become fuel for positive change rather than for destructive forces?Authentic worship is connected with transformation and action beyond Sunday morning. How does your weekly worship equip you to live differently Monday through Saturday?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsIn 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?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsWe 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. Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsIn 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?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsOn 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?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsA 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?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsFor centuries, people have felt caught between what they’ve learned in Sunday school and what they studied in science class. Many people feel like the Bible and science are in conflict, but is that really the case? In this “Asking for a Friend” series, we are exploring common questions about God and faith. This week, we explore how faith and science work together as complementary tools, both pointing us toward the Creator. We dive into the creation accounts in Genesis and explore Paul’s discussion of God’s nature as seen in creation.Sermon Reflections:Do you feel a tension between science and faith? When have you felt it? What caused it? How did you navigate it?How does a both/and approach that sees science and faith as complementary tools change the way you think about that tension?Reread the creation account in  Genesis 1:1-2:3 and try to think of it as ancient Hebrew poetry. Using this lens, what is the text trying to tell you about WHO created the world instead of HOW the world was created?We tend to create problems when we attempt to use the Bible as a science book. An historic example was the church's persecution of Galileo. Can you think of other examples when this has happened and what we can learn from those examples?Read Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1-4. How do these passages support the idea that creation itself points to god? What have you learned about God through observing the natural world?How can embracing both Scripture and science together strengthen your faith rather than weaken it? Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsHave you ever held back from asking a question about God or faith because you thought it might sound silly or foolish? This week, we've begun our new worship series, "Asking for a Friend." We're tackling some of the tough questions about faith or those we sometimes hesitate to ask. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus welcomed all kinds of questions because he understood that honest inquiry leads to a deeper faith.We begin with what is one of the most difficult questions many people have: Why do innocent people suffer? This is a particularly poignant and deeply personal questions as we marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend. In this message, we explore what Scripture reveals about suffering, human choice, and God's presence in our darkest moments. What we discover is that God isn't the author of evil, but God is fully present in the aftermath of suffering. From the beginning, Scripture shows us a God who doesn't abandon humanity but pursues us, redeems us, and makes a way forward.Sermon Reflections:Have you ever hesitated to ask a question about God or faith because you were afraid it might sound foolish? What held you back?Jesus welcomes all kinds of questions, even skeptical and challenging questions. How does this inform or change your view of faith?When God created us, God gave us the ability to make choices. How does human choice help explain some of the suffering in our world? Can you think of a time when you experienced the consequences of someone else's choices? Throughout Scripture, we see God picking up the pieces and providing comfort to the hurting. Where have you seen or felt God's presence in the aftermath of suffering?How do we reconcile natural disasters, diseases, and accidents with our belief in a good and loving God?Jesus commands us to love each other as he himself loves us. How can choosing love be a response to the suffering we see around us?Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsIn Acts 17, Paul stood before the religious and civil leaders of Athens sharing a message about our shared origin and connection. The Athenians didn’t share Paul’s Jewish heritage or culture, and they certainly didn’t profess belief in Jesus, but Paul was able to find common ground by recognizing their deep desire to know the truth about the divine. The Bible tells us that God made us all from one ancestor. If you go back far enough, we’re all connected. God arranged the times and places so that people would search and find God. We were created to seek understanding; it’s why children so often ask, “Why?” We explore and question because our hearts are restless until they rest in God. Paul wasn’t afraid to study different perspectives or find truth in unexpected places, because all truth ultimately leads us closer to knowing our Creator. Sermon Reflections:Paul says that “from one ancestor, God made all nations.” How does this truth challenge the boundaries and divisions we create between people today?Paul wasn’t afraid to find truth in unexpected places. He quotes Greek poets and philosophers when speaking to the Athenians. Where have you encountered truth about God outside of traditional Christian sources? How did you respond? How can we move from saying, “I don’t understand how people think that way,” to actually seeking understanding? What barriers prevent us from doing this? In what ways are we called to be “seekers of understanding” rather than settlers for assumptions and stereotypes? Before there was original sin, there was original blessing: God’s good creation. How does this perspective change the way we view creation and other people? Watch full traditional livestream

SpotifyApple PodcastsWe all love a good redemption story — until the wrong person gets redeemed. We explore the last chapter of Jonah and the confusion of his story in this last message of our series. We read together as we explore Jonah’s anger at God, for showing mercy to Nineveh, and we discover how all along this story was never really about a fish or a city — it’s about Jonah’s heart, and maybe ours, too. Grace is wonderful until someone else who we think doesn’t deserve it actually receives it. Jonah couldn’t celebrate the redemption of Nineveh because he was too busy caring about his own comfort. His heart was consumed with self, while God’s heart was consumed with compassion. We all have our own Nineveh — someone who has hurt us, betrayed us, or made our lives difficult. If we’re honest, there’s a part o fun that wants them to “get what they deserve.” But God’s grace is always greater than the boundaries we’d like to put around it. Sermon Reflections:Who is your Nineveh? Someone who struggle to see receive God’s grace? What makes it difficult to celebrate when God shows mercy to them?Can you think of a time when you wanted someone to “get what they deserve” instead of receiving grace? What was behind that feeling?Jonah cared more about a plant that gave him shade than about 120,000 people finding redemption. IN what ways do we sometimes prioritize our own comfort over people’s spiritual transformation?When anger sits in our hearts long enough, it can consume us from the inside out. How have you seen resentment steal joy or distort perspective in your own life or in others? God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry?” How do you typically respond when God challenges your anger or sense of justice? The book of Jonah ends without telling us if Jonah ever changed his heart. Why do you think the story ends this way? What is God inviting us to consider? Watch full traditional livestream