Honest, down-to-earth messages that help us find meaning for our daily lives!
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Discipulado
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hi My name is Efrain and I will be joined by walter and we will talking about random things
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INFORMA y noticias ,música Cover art photo provided by Callum Wale on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@callumlwale
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“To survive does not mean one is living,” theologian Dorothee Soelle explains in her book “Death by Bread Alone.” She makes the distinction between our existence in the world and the depth of life we find in God. We can be so busy with life and our busy schedules that we can neglect our relationship with God and our neighbor. Yet, our souls, not ju…
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The beginning of Methodism was not marked by a “Systematic” Theology. John Wesley did not write all-encompassing theological treatises. Rather, he was primarily concerned with addressing real-life issues in a practical way. He wanted regular people to experience happiness and joy in this life. He dedicated his life to this. So, what does it look li…
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Have you ever celebrated Aldersgate Sunday? I have to admit, in my 50-plus-year involvement with the United Methodist Church, I can't remember that I ever have. It is an exciting opportunity to remember our specific heritage as United Methodists under the guidance of founder John Wesley, who had a particularly meaningful spiritual experience in Ald…
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I like telling people I am a Pentecostal. I grew up in a very charismatic church: people danced, spoke in tongues, and were slain in the Spirit. While I have not attended that kind of service in some time, I still love being surprised by the Spirit’s movement. In Acts I read about the Spirit being poured “upon all flesh.” The Spirit moves in all pe…
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When I try to get somewhere, I use the GPS on my phone. How did I even get places before this technology was available? Just like our GPS helps us go in the right direction, so is the Holy Spirit constantly guiding us, moving us. Let's call the Spirit our GPS (God Positioning System). Where is the Spirit taking you today?…
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As I think about the way God protects us, I think about my daughter. Every day, I try to protect her as much as I can. I would like to shield her from pain, suffering, heartbreak, and difficult situations. Unlike God, I am not omnipresent. I cannot be there physically by her side every hour of the day. So, I have to guide her and trust in her. I ha…
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Sermon for February 4, 2024 by Michelle Olivares.Michelle Olivares
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Prayers of the People for February 4, 2024 by Debbie Pallack.Debbie Pallack
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Special music for January 28, 2024 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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Prophets seem to be appreciated the most when their work is appreciated in retrospect. I imagine they could have been polarizing figures at the time of their important ministry. Even today, speaking truth to power can make your life very difficult. Yet, these voices are necessary. Churches need to be receptive to them. We need to embrace them and n…
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Prayers of the People for January 28, 2024 by Susan Gleason.Susan Gleason
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I really appreciate this passage because it reminds me that change is possible. Even God has a change of mind! It seems the best thing we can do is keep an open mind and let the Spirit guide us.Pastor Efraín
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Special music for January 21, 2024 by the chancel choir.Chancel Choir
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Prayers of the People for January 21, 2024 by John Dumermuth.John Dumermuth
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God speaks to us in different ways, but God does it all the time. But we have to do our part: Are we listening? Will we respond? Samuel responded, and it made all the difference in his life!Pastor Efraín
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Special music for January 14, 2024 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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Sermon for January 7, 2024 by guest preacher Rev. David Harriss, based on Mark 1:4-11.Rev. David Harriss
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Prayers of the People for January 7, 2024 by Brandon Coz.Brandon Coz
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Special music for January 7, 2024 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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I love listening to people talk about their faith journeys. They are so personal and so powerful. I believe, that, as a community, we need to hear these stories. They can inform our own faith and build us up. Faith can be contagious, so let’s not be silent. Let’s speak of the things God is doing in our lives.…
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Prayers of the People for December 31, 2023 by Fred Hancewicz.Fred Hancewicz
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Special music for December 31, 2023 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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Special music for December 24. 2023 by the chancel choir.Chancel Choir
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Prayers of the People for December 24, 2023 by Debbie Pallack.Debbie Pallack
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Sermon for December 24, 2023 by Rev. Efraín Zavala.Pastor Efraín
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A New and Glorious Morn! Chancel choir cantata from December 17, 2023. Written by Lloyd Larson; directed by Brandon Coz.Chancel choir
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Special music for December 10, 2023 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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Many preparations need to be made before Christmas: There are presents to buy, cards to send, food to prepare. Yet, how are we preparing our hearts for the big day? How can we make way for the Good News of Jesus in our lives?Pastor Efraín
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Prayers of the People for December 10, 2023 by John Dumermuth.John Dumermuth
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Special music for December 3, 2023 by the chancel choir.Chancel Choir
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Christmas is getting closer. Stores in town are making sure to remind me of this fact: I need to get some shopping done! But wait. As Christians, we need some time to get ready. It's not just a time to consume. Advent is so much more: It is a time of introspection and connection. Let us be patient and prepare our hearts for the Lord.…
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Prayers of the People for December 3, 2023 by Dave Cridland.Dave Cridland
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Prayers of the People for November 26, 2023 by Jim Essinger.Jim Essinger
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Special music from the chancel choir for Sunday, November 26, 2023.Chancel choir
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This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, and I have to say, it’s hard for me to imagine the kind of power kings had at the time of Jesus. I have never lived in a Kingdom. I don’t quite understand power like that. Yet, I understand there are power dynamics involved in any human interaction. So, what is the kind of power that Christ demonstrates? I bel…
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To be a witness to Christ is to demonstrate by our words, actions, and attitude the Good News of Jesus Christ. In order to be good witnesses, we have to be good storytellers. What are some of the things that we as a church need to consider as we aim to share the Greatest Story Ever Told?Pastor Efraín
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Prayers of the People for Sunday, November 5, 2023 by Michelle Olivares.Michelle Olivares
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Special music for Sunday, November 5, 2023 by Sheryl Clifton.Sheryl Clifton
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Prayers of the People for October 29, 2023 by Rev. Katie Fuchs.Katie Fuchs
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Sometimes people are reluctant to discuss finances in the church. Yet, giving is one of many ways in which we demonstrate our love for God and neighbor. Where do we begin this conversation? As always, we begin with grace.Pastor Efraín
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Special music for October 29, 2023 by John Dumermuth.John Dumermuth
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Special music by the chancel choir for October 15, 2023.Chancel choir
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Prayers of the People for Sunday, October 15, 2023 by Pastor Efraín.Pastor Efraín
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The church needs you. Yes, you! Each one of us has different gifts, and the church needs all of us in order to be healthy and grow. Are we willing to do our part?Pastor Efraín
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We begin our sermon series by exploring the concept of prayer. Specifically, we look at the Lord’s Prayer. We will consider prayer as an opportunity to connect with God and with other people.Pastor Efraín
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One of the problems that people can have with churches is the disconnect between the things we say and the things we do. We constantly preach about love and justice but are we really living the message? Ministry requires integrity. Perhaps, as Francis of Assisi is thought to have said, we should "preach the Gospel at all times and use words only if…
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Special music for October 1, 2023 by the chancel choir.Chancel choir
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Prayers of the People for October 1, 2023 by Brandon Coz.Brandon Coz
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Prayers of the People for September 25, 2023 by Terri Strome.Terri Strome
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God calls people to serve from different contexts. Service and ministry do not always look the same, but we are all called by one God... and are sustained by the same grace.Pastor Efraín
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