Acts 2 Umc

After all the disruptions of recent weeks, now is the time to remember who the church really is. We are much more than people who gather in a building once a week. We are the people of God on mission with Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. In this message, Dr. Mark Foster shares about the birth of the church and what it means for us today. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/June-14-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/S7lZWiODO4E) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/eo2SzmQAPvE) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Even in Jesus' day, racism was an issue. Jesus' teaching challenged his hearers to go beyond loving people who were easy for them to love. He taught them even to love their enemies—like Samaritans. And when we love God and love neighbor, unity happens. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/June-7-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/9PoRUUoAbEY) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/L1v8zFvI2Cs) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

When we go through events like a global pandemic, we desperately want things to be different than they are. Yet if we don’t learn to take life as it comes, we will always be waiting for our real lives to begin, and God’s desires for the world through us will go unrealized. In the stories of the Babylonian Exile and the early church, the Bible teaches us how to take life as it comes so that we can experience the abundant life that Jesus offers to all. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/May-31-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/Zb195x3c1gs?t=1538) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/Zb195x3c1gs) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

In the midst of a global pandemic, problems abound, and we often want out of those problems as quickly as possible. But God is not as concerned about getting us out of problems as in getting us through them. Problems bring us to the end of ourselves, and they teach us to rely on God, who uses those problems to help us grow. While it's uncomfortable, when life is disrupted, we can learn to embrace problems as gifts. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/May-24-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/w2t3v6-g_7k?t=1590) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/w2t3v6-g_7k) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Blame feels good at first, but ruins us over time. It keeps us stuck in shame. But when we learn to own our stuff, Jesus helps us create a new life of freedom and joy. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/May-17-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/5ix5ndIAX58?t=1626) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/5ix5ndIAX58) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

If we don't leave our baggage behind, our past will become our present. But baggage we carry around does not go away until we deal with it. In week 4 of the Disrupted sermon series, Dr. Mark Foster shares how acknowledging, grieving, and forgiving can set us free to enjoy the freedom God has for us. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/May-10-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/OtHg7sgD-W8) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/9iz7pAJSqdg) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

When we don't know what to do, we need wisdom—skill and knowledge applied to living. The Bible promises that if we lack knowledge, we can ask God. And Jesus promises that if we seek, we will find him. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/May-3-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/x2XKezQiWn4?t=1397) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/x2XKezQiWn4) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

The happiest people regularly surround themselves with spiritually mature, well-grounded people. God is sending supportive people into our lives to help us get to the next step. In this sermon, Dr. Mark Foster shares how to find and become the kind of friends who can help us find the way God is creating. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/April-26-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/cKQaQFnJNqY?t=1369) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/cKQaQFnJNqY) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

We need someone greater than ourselves to tell us what to do when we don’t know what to do. God made us, so God knows what we need. When we ask God for help, everything changes. Most of the time, God helps us through other people. God can be trusted to take care of us. God’s power and resources are not just for special people; they are for all people like you and me. The first step in God making a way for you is for you to say yes to God. God promises when you say yes to God first, everything else you need will be provided for you. When we say yes to God, a whole new world can open up. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/April-19-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/_MKCMyIYoEs?t=2439) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/_MKCMyIYoEs) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ)

At Easter, we point to the cross and say, not even a blood-stained murder scene is beyond the love and power of God to turn evil to good. In this Easter sermon, Dr. Mark Foster shares about the hope Jesus' resurrection brings. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/April-12-2020-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/yFnfj2iPeuU?t=1589) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/yFnfj2iPeuU) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

On his journey toward the cross, Jesus' words and actions revealed who he truly is, and they exemplify for us the essential practices at the core of following him: prayer, reading scripture, serving others, giving, and sharing. Dr. Mark Foster shares what the final days of Jesus' life teach us about who he is and what it means to follow him. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020.04.05-Sermon-Notes.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/GAZ3rlMYsLQ?t=1939) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/GAZ3rlMYsLQ) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

What will you share in this crisis, faith or fear? When the story is told about how you led your family through this time, will it be a story you want told? Will it be a story where you shared your faith, or shrank in fear? We have the opportunity to share hope in the midst of crisis. In this sermon, Dr. Mark Foster shares how. Download the Sermon Notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/03/2020.03.29-Sermon-Notes-Web.pdf) Watch the Sermon (https://youtu.be/1ez8thDmklg?t=1827) Watch the Full Worship Service (https://youtu.be/1ez8thDmklg) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

As Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." We know that possessions do not make us happy, but it's still difficult to live out. How can we shift our focus from making a living to making a life? In this sermon, Natalie Wood shares what the Bible teaches about living generously. Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/LOH_OlfkB-U?t=1680) Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/LOH_OlfkB-U) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Following Jesus is more than just not doing anything wrong. Following Jesus is more than your individual salvation. Following Jesus includes action like providing food, clothing, health care, and education for those who need it. This is what it means to love our neighbors as ourself. This may be both inconvenient and costly. It was for Jesus. Dr. Mark Foster shares “How to Help” through sharing the words of Jesus and the witness of the church. Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/03/2020-Mar-15-A2.pdf) Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/7WetDGKpIQ0?t=1330) Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/7WetDGKpIQ0) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Americans are fond of the Bible, but most rarely read it. We lead busy lives, and the Bible can be a difficult book to understand. But when we read the Bible, we encounter the living Word of God--Jesus Christ--and we learn to walk with him. In this sermon, Rev. Brandon Blacksten shares practical ways you can approach the Bible to encounter God in its pages. Download the sermon notes (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-Mar-8-A2.pdf) Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/A8vsfzDWaSo?t=1806) Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/A8vsfzDWaSo) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Worship is not something we watch or attend. Worship is something we do! Worship is our response to God’s invitation. In this sermon Dr. Mark Foster shows us how worship and prayer are foundational practices of the Christian faith. Learn a simple hand prayer you can share with your children or grandchildren. This message is one you can put into practice today. Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/03/2020-Mar-1-A2.pdf) Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/l2MHlwsFisw?t=1617) Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/l2MHlwsFisw) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc

The #1 thing you can do for the health of your marriage is to become healthy yourself. So, how can we help one another become emotionally healthy? Dr. Mark Foster shares three questions to consider before getting married and biblical guidance for loving well. Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/02/2020-Feb-21-23-1C-A2.pdf) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

The Bible is full of real people with real relationship challenges we can all learn from if we are willing to see ourselves in the stories of the people of God. Dr. Mark Foster explains the four relationship challenges from Judges 16 as we learn what NOT to do from Samson and Delilah Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/02/2020-Feb-16-A2.pdf) [Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/SCH2i0yRtzo?t=1600)] [Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/SCH2i0yRtzo?t=120)] Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

The beginning of marriage is exciting, but it's also challenging--particularly when you realize your spouse's habits, expectations, and dreams are much different than your own. And when children enter the picture, everything else goes out the window as we just try to get by. But when we clothe ourselves with the character of Jesus, we can learn to navigate difference and conflict so that we're able "to love and to cherish" one another for a lifetime. Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/02/2020-Feb-9-A2-.pdf) Watch the sermon (https://youtu.be/HeT8VlNqL6U?t=2042) Watch the full worship service (https://youtu.be/HeT8VlNqL6U) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/acts2umc)

Over the years, dating has changed drastically! What does dating look like today? Even more important, what role does faith in God have with dating and singleness? In this sermon, we explore contemporary dating, Scriptures pertaining to singleness, and what the church can do to equip single people. Download the sermon notes. (https://acts2umc.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2020/02/2020-Feb-2-A2.pdf) Watch the sermon. (https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZmPorAf26p0?start=1865) Watch the full worship service. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmPorAf26p0) Follow Acts 2: Website (https://acts2umc.org) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/acts2umc) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjMQ3C5r50E8PGLwMvwuGQ) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acts2umc)