Mt Lebanon United Methodist Church's Podcast

Waiting can be hard.  Jeremiah the prophet knew this all too well while suffering through the Bablyonian exile.  God's mercies are new every morning, but that may be small comfort to people waiting during a difficult situation.  We'll talk about some things that the Word says can help us while we wait for deliverance.  Scripture reading:  Lamentations 3:19-26Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

This is a live recording of the service of Evensong on Aldersgate Day, recorded at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church on 24 May 2021. This special worship offering was presented by the Ministry of Music and features a reflection upon the occasion delivered by Pastor Tom Strandburg. The order of worship for this service can be downloaded at the link below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18pu85hkbcemPFVTwNcq14aFhNUPBIP6y/view?usp=sharing Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

On that first Christian Pentecost, Peter was the interpreter who answered the crowd’s question about the meaning of the translation. He addressed the people and told them about Jesus and about salvation.In other words, the communication miracle of Pentecost happened because the Holy Spirit translated and Peter interpreted. Has it ever occurred to you that both translation and interpretation are still necessary to the spread of Christianity?Scripture reading:  Acts 2:1-20Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.------------The special music in today's podcast is "Der Heilig Geist vom Himmel kam" by Johannes Eccard (1553–1611), sung by members of the MLUMC choir. The German text and an English translation are given below.Der heilig Geist vom Himmel kam, mit Brausen das ganz Haus einnahm, darin die Jünger sassen; Gott wollt sie nicht verlassen. O welch ein selig Fest ist der Pfingesttag gewest! Gott sende noch jetzt undin unser Herz und Mund sein heil'gen Geist! Das sei ja, das sei ja, so singen wir H

Material things don't eliminate worry - they often enhance the worry.  So Jesus tells us not to worry. But why is He so passionate about not worrying?  We'll discuss three reasons why.  Scripture reading:  Matthew 6:25-34Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Today, we continue our theme of “abiding in Christ,” who is the Vine to whom all of the branches are connected. Modesty might discourage us from even entertaining this important biblical truth – You are God’s chosen one! “You did not choose me," Jesus said, "but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit . . ." (John 15:16a)Scripture reading: John 15:9-17Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.  Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

What does God want from us as Christians?  Fruit!  What kind of fruit are we called to produce?  And how do we produce it?  Here's a hint:  abiding!Scripture reading: John 15:1-8Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

When we speak of being "totally committed" we often use the terminology "all in." Coaches, teachers, and preachers are known for calling upon their proteges to be "all in." Are you "all in" for the Gospel, and for the lifestyle that it represents?Scripture reading: John 3:16-24Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.  Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Doing the right thing can be hard, frustrating, and annoying sometimes.  But as children of God, we're expected to show the world exactly what that means - including by our behavior!Scripture reading: 1 John 3:1-7Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

First-century Christians of Jerusalem worked together to help those in need. “There was not a needy person among them,” because they distributed aid “to each as any had need” (vv. 34-35). Having been rescued by Jesus and given new life by his resurrection, we — like those Christians of Jerusalem — can best reach out to those in need when we work together.Scripture reading: Acts 4:32-35Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.  Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

The Risen Lord not only draws us back to His love when we have fallen away from it; He also sends us out to bear witness to that love, to the love which offers hope wherever people, or even whole communities, are divided from one another.Scripture reading: Mark 16:1-7Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.  Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

When Jesus rode into town on a small donkey, he did so on a day that was a work day for the people. Sunday was not a day off. It was like our Monday. It was the first day of the work week for them. So, far from being a humdrum, unexciting Monday, on this particular day, something huge was happening. Scripture reading: Luke 19:28-40Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.   Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Seeing Jesus isn’t a spectator sport. It’s a way to be followed, it’s a truth to be embodied, it’s a life to be lived. It’s being a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies so that it might bear much fruit. Scripture reading: John 12:20-33Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

The New Testament leader Paul talks about moving toward a heaven-inspired perspective and making it a regular practice. We might assume that seeking and doing God’s will gets easier as we go through life. But, when the voice of God seems inexplicably silent, it doesn’t mean we’ve somehow failed. It means God wants us to walk by faith.Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:1-10Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved.  Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

How passionate are we for true corporate worship? Is it something we do when nothing better is going on? Are we excited to worship the Father in spirit and in truth or are we simply going through the motions?  Scripture reading: John 2:13-22Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

We often speak about "control issues" in human relationships, and the troubles they can cause. Jesus makes it clear throughout his ministry that when it comes to our relationship with God, our attitude must be one of surrender to the Divine Will.Scripture reading: Mark 8:31-38"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."  (Mk. 8:34b)Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Like Jesus, sometimes we need long stints in the wilderness to learn what it really means to be God’s children. Because the unnerving truth is this: we can be loved and uncomfortable at the same time. We can be loved and vulnerable at the same time.Scripture reading: Mark 1:9-15Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Postlude: "Gavotte en Rondeau" from Joseph Bodin de Boismorteir's Sonata In Bb, recorded by MLUMC member Lydia Slater & friendsMusic permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

A fever leaves us with no energy, no connections to anything but our bed - it leaves us horizontal and disconnected.  Sometimes in the busyness of life, we also get disconnected from God.  But when Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, He showed how a connection to Him can restore that vertical connection - the connection to God. Scripture reading: Mark 1:29-39Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Based upon Paul's cautionary words, "Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." We are encouraged to make our own prideful knowledge subserviant to the needs of "the other," for the sake of our work of winning others for Christ.Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13Pastor Tom Strandburg, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)

Sometimes life is routine - lived on autopilot. That's how it was for Simon and Andrew before Jesus called them to be fishers of men. “Follow me” is the invitation to new life. So what are the nets that entangle us? What do we need to leave behind to follow Jesus?Scripture reading: Mark 1:14-20Pastor Scott Miller, preacher.Music permission obtained from ONELICENSE: A-700887. All rights reserved. Support the show (https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=112595&f=107)