Faithwestwood Umc

08-13-2023 - This & That - Submitting & Resisting by FaithWestwood UMC

08-06-2023 - This & That - Horses & Ships by FaithWestwood UMC

07-30-2023 - This & That - Faith & Deeds by FaithWestwood UMC

07-23-2023 - this & that - Speaking & Acting by FaithWestwood UMC

07-16-2023 - This And That - Listening & Doing by FaithWestwood UMC

James 1:1-18 Trials & Temptations How do we respond to the trials & temptations that we face in our lives? James challenges believers to persevere, to be humble, and to choose joy.

Galatians 5:1-15 In Galatians Paul talks about freedom from the Christian perspective. He says that, for the follower of Jesus, we are free from something and that we are free to do something. Freedom is being released from the bondage of sin as well as the opportunity to serve others in love. Freedom is as much spiritual as it is political.

06-25-2023 - The Mantle Is Passed by FaithWestwood UMC

Acts 20:17-24 Just as Paul gave his farewell address to the sisters and brothers from Ephesus, on this day Pastor Steve will give his farewell message to us as he enters retirement and the next stage of life for him and Tricia. We remember what Paul said, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28).

Acts 19:1-10 It’s easy to assume that if things get ugly, it’s because we’re not following the Holy Spirit well. But that may not be the case. When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he was greeted with both receptivity and resistance. One day he even found himself at the center of a riot. When God is powerfully at work, we may face powerful opposition. That’s why the best adventures require courage.

Acts 18:1-1 Expect transition in every adventure. Things change. We move to a new phase – or a new place. But we must not let the winds of circumstances dictate those moves. We must listen to the Lord and let him set the agenda. We’ve already seen Paul listen to the Lord about moving to Macedonia. Now we see the Lord telling him to remain in Corinth. The adventure there has just begun.

Acts 17:16-31 Everyone longs to be respected. And when we represent Jesus, we must respect where each person is in their beliefs. Paul respected the philosophers in Athens, even complimenting them on how religious they were. Yet he also boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus, whom he said will “judge the world with justice.” Are you ready to balance boldness and respect in the adventure?

Acts 16:6-15 One of the most exciting parts of the Christian adventure is seeing someone put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It might be a person we’ve just met or an individual we’ve been praying for many years. But when the Lord opens someone’s heart to respond to the gospel, that’s part of the adventure we never get tired of.

Acts 15:1-13 Jesus’s people have always dealt with differences of opinion. As long as we continue to love each other, we don’t have to agree on everything. But sometimes disputes must be resolved. The first big issue the early church faced was whether circumcision would be required for Gentile Christians. What did they decide? And how did they go about deciding it? We must never let disputes derail us from the mission.

Acts 14:19-28 Today we get to hear from our 13 confirmands at both services as they share about their life in Jesus. Then Pastor Steve will encourage them--and all of us--to stay true to Jesus as his deep, daring daily disciples, though we will face many hardships along the way.

Acts 14:1-10 When you belong to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit direct your path, don’t be surprised if strange “coincidences” begin to happen. You might even witness a miracle. Early Christians prayed that God would work signs and wonders among them to confirm the gospel. It’s all part of the great adventure of faith.

Acts 13:1-12 Do you ever feel suddenly prompted to phone someone “out of the blue”? Or to give money to a project? Or to fix food for a neighbor? Could this be the Holy Spirit, guiding your thoughts? Get used to it. This is normal for Jesus’s people. In the Bible, Paul and Barnabas were spoken to, sent by, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you ready for a life of Spirit-led adventure?

Luke 24:36-53 The first reaction of Jesus’s disciples to seeing him alive again was not joy but shock and fear. He asks, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? After they examined his crucifixion wounds, he opened their minds to what the scriptures said about him. Then he lifted his arms to bless them as he was taken up into the sky. Fix your eyes on the risen and reigning Jesus.

Luke 19:37-42 Jesus was riding a wave of popularity on his way to Judaism’s biggest stage. Cheering crowds created a carpet of coats and an aisle of waving branches as he approached Jerusalem, joyfully acclaiming Jesus as their king. Yet amid this exuberance, those who looked closely may have noticed something unusual as Jesus was riding the donkey toward the city. He was crying. Fix your eyes on the weeping Jesus.

Matthew 28:16-20  If you want to take a road trip, you’ll need to prepare. Pack your clothes. Fill your tank. Book your reservations. Those who don’t prepare aren’t going anywhere. And it’s in our daily quiet times that God prepares us so he can send us. Only through time alone with God, we will be able to sustain the motivation to be a witness for Christ.