Eric Markinson, Pastor of Community Care, offers a message about the spiritual gifts God bestows to us as we find our spiritual ‘home’ in the presence of Christ - through our unique individual and communal gifts.
Scripture: Mark 10:46-52
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On this Laity Sunday, Grace member Carolyn Childress, offers an impactful message about how God claims and names each one of us as beloved sisters and brothers.
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1 & Hebrews 5:1-10
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Senior Pastor, Reverend Judith Reedy, preaches about God’s response to Job in expressing the unknowable mysteries of life. Job is caught up in a whirlwind of God’s presence and experiences a transformation in his theology.
Scripture: Job 38:1-7; 34-41
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Senior Pastor, Reverend Judith Reedy, offers a message about the story of Job and how this intersects with the issue of why bad things happen to good people, prompting the question - “Just who is God anyway?”
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Grace member and journalist, Sam Hodges, offers a message about Grace Church’s history by looking at the different scenes within our sanctuary’s stained glass windows. Covering topics ranging from how the glass was selected, the figures represented in each pane, the beauty they adorn, the history of past Grace leaders and the impact they made in service and justice, and the spiritual lessons we receive from them - Sam paints a rich tapestry of how we as Grace Church can care for and live out of our history.
Scripture used for this sermon comes from Matthew 5:14-16.
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Continuing our month-long celebration of Grace Church’s 115th year anniversary, Associate Pastor of Education, Reverend Adam White offers a message on Mark 9:30-39 to discern how we measure our value - as human beings, as followers of Jesus Christ, and as Grace Church as we seek to embody the posture of Christ by opening our arms in service with one another.
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Happy Birthday to Grace! To celebrate our 115th Anniversary, the community gathered reflects on Isaiah 51:1-3, which calls hearers of the Word to look to our past in order to find clear signs of God’s faithful guidance throughout history. Rev. Dr. Ted Campbell, Professor of Church History at SMU/Perkins, joins in celebrating Grace’s holding fast to our place on Junius and Haskell, as we continue to find new ways to forward God’s will in the world. Includes the Chancel Choir’s rousing renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “The Family of Grace.”
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Pastor Judith Reedy continues Grace's 115th Anniversary celebration with the healing of the Syro-Phoenician woman's daughter (Mark 7: 24-30).
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This month, Grace celebrates its 115th anniversary. Through the month, our theme is Our History--beginning with September 2nd's message by Associate Pastor Eric Markinson on Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9. What are the graces--and obstacles--handed to Grace, and to all of us, by those who preceded us? Those who founded and have renewed Grace make the church a faithful witness to God's love command and Christ's call to service; Grace's descendants will receive its generous and inclusive legacy from a joyous and committed community.
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To conclude Grace's summer theme of community, Pastor Judith Reedy preaches on the choice we make as a community, and as individuals, to commit to a life in God. The covenant at Shechem (Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18) reveals Israel's choice to follow Yahweh; and Grace's ministries of service, welcome, and love are our act of praise and commitment, in thanks for all God has given us.
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What does it mean to gather at Christ's table, following his command to "Do this in remembrance of me"? Pastor Judith Reedy considers John 6:51-58, the living bread come from heaven: The mystery of receiving the body and blood of Christ, while it seems beyond understanding, becomes real--and essential--in the community of our Triune God, the Church, and the world.
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This week's sermon at Grace returns to the Letter to the Ephesians (4:25-5:2) and asks whether these familiar teachings are just filler and noise for a cynical world. Pastor Judith Reedy says No: Faith and love are Christ's call--what he modeled and what he offered as healing grace to the world, and that with which he challenges us to overcome the world's pain.
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How much unity is needed, in order to be a community? Associate Pastor Eric Markinson offers his reflections on Ephesians 4:1-16--wondering whether the body of Christ is unified by the church or by the Spirit of love. Unity is of Christ when it is founded on love--particularly a love that welcomes all in Christ's name. We can celebrate the loving welcome that Grace offers generously, without condition.
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In Grace's continued consideration of community, Rev. Judith Reedy re-members the church's waves of growth and decline and growth again. Grace's witness of community with other east Dallas churches, its extending its mission, and its faithful worship are a living psalm of praise. (Psalms 145)
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Pastor Judith Reedy invites listeners to “suffer with” one another–and as Jesus does, with those in most need of help and healing. To embrace a call to community that touches our hearts and spirits, Jesus’ witness in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 challenges us not only to do for one another, but to be with one another, in love.
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Rev Becky David Hensley concludes her ministry at Grace with a powerful sermon on Mark 6:14-29, the beheading of John the Baptist. She clarifies the “zero-tolerance policies” of Jesus’ mission–and calls to account those whose lack of tolerance of those on the margins of society contradicts the Good News of Jesus Christ. The conflict between these views makes living the Gospel a risky endeavor. The Good News, however, is that the Kin-dom of God offers community and love to all. Includes Bill Claxton & Sam Hodges’ offering of “You Don’t Have to Move that Mountain.”
Read MoreAs our sermon series on Community continues, Pastor Judith Reedy preaches about building community–as disciples are sent to a challenging world to heal and cast out demons. The power and authority that comes with following Jesus gathers people to the good and to the whole, even as those closest to us may question where that power comes from. (Mark 6:1-13)
Read MorePastor Judith Reedy continues Grace's exploration of community with the powerful story of Jairus's daughter and the woman with a flow of blood (Mark 5:21-43)--interrupters to the sense of community embraced by synagogue and disciples during Jesus's ministry. Jesus's response to both interrupters challenges the fears deeply embedded in his society, and invites the church to be an anchor for all individuals who seek community. Includes Cassie Evans leading the congregation in "I Woke Up This Morning with My Mind on Jesus."
Read MoreGrace United Methodist Church begins a sermon series on Community and Communion with Associate Pastor Eric Markinson’s reflection on David and Jonathan’s friendship (! Samuel 17:55-18:5, 10-12). The trust cultivated in friendship moves people to tenderness and compassion for all–particularly those in most need. Includes Lay Leader Carolyn Childress’s reflection on Annual Conference.
Read MoreReflecting on the Psalm 138 and Mark 3:20-27, Associate Pastor Eric Markinson considers the surprises of a God who defies our expectations at every turn--loving lives on the margins, calling believers to give their time, lives, and control--!--in faith and praise, service and worship. God asks us to live into the irony with trust, a bit of humor, and much, much love. Includes the Chancel Choir's lovely offering of "Write Your Blessed Name."
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