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Rachel preaching July 15, 2018

An Advent Story – Dec. 23, 2018

Rachel tells the story of William Kamkwamba, a boy in Malawi whose family faced starvation due to extreme drought. Ultimately a story of resilience and hope, along with creativity and ingenuity, what makes this an Advent story is because of the faithfulness and trust in the midst of incredible adversity. We may be longing for food, for shelter, or for clarity or friendship, or for justice or a sense of God’s nearness. The Magnificat is a prophetic word for God’s hungry people. Luke 1:46b-55, Micah 5:2-5a.

An Advent Story – Dec. 23, 2018

 
 
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Melissa preaching on October 21, 2018

Stand Up! – Dec. 2, 2018

Melissa spoke from Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21-25-36. Look around; the time is now. Stand up! Raise your heads. Don’t hide, don’t run away, don’t weep and gnash your teeth. Don’t numb yourself against this world, shutting it out with whatever distractions you can find. During this time of Advent, take hope. Hope is a posture of your body; the way your body acts in the world. Hope is unraveling itself among us as Jesus continues to come into the world.

 

Stand Up! – Dec. 2, 2018

 
 

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Melissa preaching Nov. 25, 2018

The Kin-dom of Christ – Nov. 25, 2018

In the 37 times that Jesus describes the reign of God in the Gospels, not once is the kingdom of God like a kingdom of earth. Each time, Jesus tells them stories. Over and over again he roots the liberation of God in ordinary life, in what happens around us, not in throne rooms with princes and crowns but in baking bread and sowing seeds.

Melissa’s sermon was based on John 18:33-37.  She also has a version of it online at https://sojo.net/articles/kin-dom-christ

 

The Kin-dom of Christ – Nov. 25, 2018

 
 

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Doug Luginbill preaching at RMC on Nov. 18, 2018

Poeting the Word – Nov. 18, 2018

Doug Luginbill, Central District Conference minister, joined us this Sunday to ordain Melissa and install Rachel. This recording includes the ordination and installation, as well as Doug’s sermon from the lectionary reading of Isaiah 36:14; 13-20; 37:1-7; 2:1-4. Together pastors and congregations clarify the vision to which God is calling them. They discern the gifts of the congregation, identify where God is at work, and join the journey.

This service was also webcast and is available on YouTube.

Blessing Melissa at her ordination on Nov. 18, 2018

Prayer of installation for Rachel on Nov. 18. 2018

Poeting the Word – Nov. 18, 2018

 
 

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Mennonite Saints – November 4, 2018

Mennonites do not have a canon of Saints. If they did it might include St. Francis of Assisi, Edna Ruth Byler (founder of Ten Thousand Villages), Rowena Lark (Black Mennonite church planter) and our own Zinith Barbee.  Craig, Brenda, Hans, Rachel and Red introduce us to these Mennonite “Saints.”

Mennonite Saints – November 4, 2018

 
 

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Melissa preaching on October 21, 2018

Confessions – Oct. 21, 2018

Melissa spoke from 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27, 12:1-9 and Psalm 51.  David makes a tragic and terrible decision and the results are heinous. When we see or hear of acts like this, we seek a confession from the wrongdoer, though David doesn’t come clean until he’s confronted by Nathan.

Once we let the truth out, it’s no longer ours alone. When we confess publicly, it makes us dependent upon one another. What kind of a community do we need to be that we are able to confess into it, where we can nurture a truth about our lives instead of pretending and walking around like everyone’s okay?

Confessions – Oct. 21, 2018

 
 

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Melissa preaching at RMC June 10, 2018

Living in the Empire – Sept. 23, 2018

Today’s lesson from Genesis 39:1-23 about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife was particularly salient given the week’s current events. Melissa asks, “How is the empire we can’t help but be a part of controlling our lives? Where is our allegiance?” As Ta-Nehisi Coates has said, “You are called to struggle, not because it assures you victory but because it assures you an honorable and sane life.”

The service was also live-streamed and the video is available on RMC’s YouTube channel.

Living in the Empire – Sept. 23, 2018

 
 

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Gifted, Called & Blessed – Sept. 16, 2018

As a result of some last minute storm-related changes, Melissa and Hans provided a Bible study for today’s message based on Genesis 12:1-9 and Hebrews 11:8-16. Their interactive review, including a discussion of Abram’s blessings, was followed by Sri Mayasandra who shared about his life and current ministry as the Asia regional peace resource coordinator with Mennonite Central Committee.

The service was also live-streamed and the video is available on RMC’s YouTube channel.

Gifted, Called & Blessed – Sept. 16, 2018

 
 

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Donna Battle preaching Sept. 9, 2018

The Cost of Covenant – Sept. 9, 2018

Donna Coltrane Battle joined us this Sunday and provided a riveting message based on the story of Noah from Genesis 6-9.  Covenants are birthed out of pain. Recovery, or salvation, requires sacrifice. On this side of the covenant, we must press for ongoing justice.

Dr. Battle currently serves as the chaplain at Meredith College.

The Cost of Covenant – Sept. 9, 2018

 
 

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Melissa preaching May 6, 2018

God’s Gift of Grandeur – Sept. 2, 2018

This Sunday marks the beginning of a new study of Genesis. Prior to Melissa’s message from Genesis 1, Pam read a poem, “God’s Grandeur” by Gerald Manly Hopkins.

There is mystery in the creation story. Everything in the world is a pure gift, an unmerited pure act of God’s love that somehow has intersected with time. You are a sign of God’s love enfleshed.

God’s Gift of Grandeur – Sept. 2, 2018

 
 

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