God’s Power Unleashed
June 5, 2022 ……….. Pentecost Sunday ……….Rev. Patrick Mecham Acts 2: 1-21; John 14: 8-17, 25-27 The toddler was calling out from the bedroom, “Mommy! Where my socks?” The mother patiently directed her toddler, “Right there, on the end of your bed.” “Where?!” “I put them right at the foot of your bed.” “I don’ see dem!” “Oh, for heaven’s sake, I’ll come and show you where they are!” “Oh. I didn’ see dem.” Have you ever experienced the frustration…
The Power of Belief
The Power of Belief 7th Sunday of Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Acts 16: 16-34 May 29, 2022 John 17: 20-26 In the Harry Potter stories, Harry comes into possession of a small vial of Felix Felices—otherwise known as “liquid luck.” It is said that anyone who takes a swallow of this potion will find themselves successful in whatever they endeavor to do. Harry’s friend, Ron, is needing a boost of confidence before the big game. Harry appears to pour something into…
The Power of Vision
The Power of Vision 6th Sunday of Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Acts 16: 9-15 May 22, 2022 John 14: 23-29 Isn’t VISION a funny word? I have an insurance card in my wallet that shows that I have “Vision Insurance.” In other words, I can get my eyes examined and receive eye care without it costing me a fortune. We use the word “vision” to talk about seeing physical things with our eyes, then we turn around and say that someone…
Hearing God’s Call–Away
Hearing God’s Call–Away 5th Sunday of Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Acts 11: 1-18 May 15, 2022 John 13: 31-35 There once was a farmer who loved God and wanted to serve God. One day, while looking up at the sky, the farmer saw some clouds that clearly formed two letters: P and C. He just knew God was telling him to Preach Christ. He abandoned his farming and began going from place to place, talking to anyone who would listen, sharing…
The Valley of the Shadow
The Valley of the Shadow 4th Sunday of Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Mothers’ Day Psalm 23 May 8, 2022 Acts 9: 36-43 Well, it’s Mothers’ Day, and preachers around the country have had to figure out what to preach about today. Those of us who preach from the common lectionary have to decide: Do I focus on Mothers’ Day and Motherhood, or do I simply go where today’s texts lead me? In 42 years of ministry, I have often wished that…
Opportunity Nearly Missed
Opportunity Nearly Missed 3rd Sunday of Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Acts 9: 1-20 May 1, 2022 John 21: 1-19 Our flight from Paducah, KY to Minneapolis had been delayed, so we got to the gate for our next flight just in time to see it pulling away from the terminal. Rats! I found myself wishing that I had spoken to the flight attendant, requesting that she radio ahead and ask the folks to hold the plane for us. But she was…
To Whom Will You Listen?
To Whom Will You Listen? 2nd Easter Pastor Pat Mecham Acts 5:23-32 April 24, 2022 John 20:19-31 Forty-something years ago, I began reading The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I used to read them through every year, starting on my birthday, but these days I only pick them up every now and then. They are very entertaining, and I am still blessed with new insights as I read these tales. The “Christ Figure” in these stories is a…
If for This Life Only
If for This Life Only —– Easter Day —– April 17, 2022 Acts 10: 34-43 ———- John 20: 1-18 ———– Pastor Pat Mecham Many of you know the name of William Paul Young, or you’re at least familiar with his book, The Shack, which was a runaway best-seller back in 2008. It’s a story of a man who has suffered some pretty severe ordeals, and then gets to know God in a very personal manner. What you might not know…
What Kind of King?!
April 14, 2022……….Maundy Thursday……….Pastor Pat Mecham On Palm Sunday, we explored what it means that “The King Is Coming!” Tonight, I want to focus on the question, “What kind of king?” To begin to answer that question, I would like you to help me out. I want you to imagine that you have a disgusting task to do, like cleaning out the cat box, or whatever it is that makes you make a face like this. Imagine that task, then…
The King Is Coming!
April 10, 2022……….Palm Sunday……….Pastor Pat Mecham Philippians 2: 5-11; Luke 19; 28-40 When I was a kid, two of my very favorite people were my Uncle Ozzie and Aunt Deede. I have a very vivid memory of anticipation–being excited about their arrival for a visit. I climbed up into the big willow tree in our front yard so that I could look ‘way down the street, keeping my eyes peeled for their little Volkswagen Beetle. I was so eager for…
Don’t Be Denied
April 3, 2022………..5th Sunday in Lent………….Pastor Pat Mecham Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14; John 12: 1-8 Hello. My name is Lazarus. You probably remember me because Jesus brought me back from the dead. Now, that was pretty spectacular, but I want to share with you the tremendous impact that Jesus had on my whole family—especially my sisters, Mary and Martha. I guess I ought to start with Mary, because she’s the one who introduced us to Jesus in the first…
Reconciled
March 27, 2022———-4th Sunday in Lent Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21; Luke 15: 1-32 Dale was a proud man, a man who was glad that his grown kids had settled in the same area, a man who was happiest when his whole (large) family gathered around the table for a meal. But Dale had a problem. His teenaged grandson had acted in a way that he considered to be extremely disrespectful, and he had called him on it. The…