Posts by Tara Limbaugh

Introduction This week we begin our new worship series “The Power of Words.” This Sunday we will discuss the importance of clear definitions as the foundation of any successful conversation, and the importance of curiosity in the pursuit of true connection and belonging. Illustration Video 1 Here is a video by Dr. Donald Hoffman, Professor of Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine. In this video he tells us why clear definitions are so important to conversations – especially…

Introduction We continue our Lenten sermon series based on the book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, journeying day by day through Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. This week we move to Wednesday, commonly called “Spy Wednesday” in the Christian liturgical calendar. On this day of Jesus’ final week, two of Jesus’ followers make important decisions that set the plot in motion for Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. The writer of the Gospel of Mark contrasts…

We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. The worship series “Our Money Story” invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series will encourage us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe. Three weeks ago, we Remembered many things! We remembered the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples on World Communion Sunday.…

We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. The worship series “Our Money Story” invites us to discover and tell our money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and justice. This series will encourage us to transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe. Two weeks ago, we Remembered many things! We remembered the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples on World Communion Sunday.…

This week we will read from the book of Exodus, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. These texts wrestle with many things, but we will focus on the concept of “freedom” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Exodus 12:1-4, 12-14 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month will be the first month; it will be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole…

Throughout August we have followed the Revised Common Lectionary. Every week our readings wrestle with a particular theme. This week we are still in the Book of Genesis, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. These texts wrestle with many things, but we will focus on the concept of “pride” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Genesis 45: 1-15  Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared,…

Over the next two months (Aug 6 – Sept 24) we will follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Although we will not observe an “official” worship series, all of our readings will wrestle with a particular theme. We will follow the Book of Genesis, the letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew. This week we will wrestle with the concept of “legacy” in both the ancient world and our modern lives: Genesis 32:23-31  23 (Jacob) took them and everything that…

This week we continue our 6-week series called Unity in Diversity: The Beauty of The United Methodist Church. For four weeks we have explored the rich history and theology that we share as United Methodists. Whether you are new to this congregation or have been a part since the beginning, you know that we are diverse in our history, our background, our education and socio-economic status, our theology, our age, and so much more! Enriched by this diversity, we are…

This week our church will celebrate two special Sundays in one: Trinity Sunday, as celebrated by all mainline churches, and Peace with Justice Sunday, a special event the United Methodist Church. On Trinity Sunday we recognize the triune nature of God. On Peace with Justice Sunday we emphasize our “social holiness,” the practice of loving God and our neighbor through peacemaking efforts and justice-seeking activities. United Methodists relate to this special Sunday by seeking peaceful solutions, creating and supporting peace-related…

We continue the series “1/2 Truths” where every week we will explore and analyze a common Christian phrase. Last week we considered the phrase “God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle” and this week we move on to the phrase “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It.” How many times have you heard this statement? This exclamation is typically employed at the end of a discussion or argument. I have rarely heard this phrase used any…

We continue the series “1/2 Truths” where every week we will explore and analyze a common Christian phrase. Last week we considered the phrase “Everything Happens for a Reason” and this week we move on to the phrase “God Won’t give You More Than You Can Handle.” This week we explore a phrase that seems so comforting at first! When we are at the depths of misery and pain, this might suggest that there are limits and that God is…