by Crawford UMC | Sep 27, 2020 | Sermons
Psalm 1 tells us that the righteous “prosper” in all that they do. That isn’t always, or even usually true. Or is it? Suppose the word “prosper” isn’t talking about fame or material success? Nerd alert–the Hebrew words in this Psalm give us some direction. It’s not a promise of worldly success; it’s a promise that the righteous will grow. What does spiritual growth look like? How do you help that along? Watch to find out.
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Text: Psalm 1
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 27, 2020.
by Crawford UMC | Sep 20, 2020 | Sermons
Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee is Jesus’ first miracle. He only does it because his mother pushes him, and John’s gospel is the only place that tells about it. But have you noticed that John’s gospel doesn’t call anything a “miracle?” John calls them “signs,” and this is the first of seven. So what does Jesus’ very first miracle signify? What is John trying to tell us about the nature of Jesus’ life and ministry? It’s about transformation.
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Text: John 2:1-11
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 20, 2020.
by Crawford UMC | Sep 13, 2020 | Sermons
Lots of things in the Bible are confusing or open to many interpretations. But one thing that is crystal clear is the thing that should be crystal clear: What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus himself is asked that question and his answer is simple: Love. Love God and your neighbor as yourself. The man asking tries to make it more complicated: “But who is my neighbor?” Jesus is having none of it and tells an uncomfortable parable about a Samaritan to drive the point home.
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Texts: Luke 10:25-37, 1 Corinthians 13
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 13, 2020.
by Crawford UMC | Sep 6, 2020 | Sermons
At Crawford we are having a Service of Blessing, outdoors, on the first Sunday of each month. What we bless will change from month to month, but the theme remains the same: Let’s counter the dark and difficult days in which we live with small acts of kindness and blessing.
This video is in four parts, each of which is also posted separately on our channel. Part I: “Why We Bless Things” by Rev. Anne Robertson Part II: “How to Make an Aspergillum” by Jessica Rubenstein (a craft project) Part III: “Blessing of the Ground Instructions” by Rev. Anne Robertson (specifics for the first Blessing service on Sept. 6, 2020) Part IV: “Vibrations” by Shota Weaver (A wildlife short film, used here with permission. To view this piece separately, visit Shota Weaver’s channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMf97…)
Watch it all here.
If you want to just check out the parts individually:
- Why We Bless Things (video by Pastor Anne)
- Craft Project: How to Make an Aspergillum (video by Jessica)
- Blessing of the Ground—What to Expect on September 6 (video by Pastor Anne)
- Vibrations: A Nature Video by Shota Weaver
The Blessing of the Ground service was live on Sunday, September 6, 2020. You can see the highlights here.
by Crawford UMC | Aug 30, 2020 | Sermons
Our individual purpose and calling takes some discernment, but it’s hard to figure out what God’s purpose for us as an individual might be until we understand the general purpose for all human beings. Genesis 2:15 gives us that universal human purpose: To serve and protect the world. Come for the nerdy Bible word analyses, stay for the purpose of the human race, and go away with a divine mandate to take a nap while God finds you some help.
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Texts: Genesis 2:1-9, 15-23; Exodus 20:8-11
Preached by the Rev. Anne Robertson at Crawford Memorial UMC on August 30, 2020
by Crawford UMC | Aug 23, 2020 | Sermons
Genesis 1:28 tells us that God gives “dominion” over the earth to human beings and tells them to “subdue” it. We have run wild with that and, in retrospect, it sometimes seems like a poor management decision on God’s part. Entire theologies have been built around the idea that humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation and that everything else exists to serve us.
But what if that’s wrong? Suppose we are basing all of that on our own human understanding of what it means to have “dominion?” Suppose being made in God’s image means that we’re supposed to exercise dominion in the way God does and not according to human understanding? The rest of the Bible, starting just 18 verses later, teaches us something very different about the way God wants us to use power, culminating in a hill called Mt. Calvary.
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Text: Genesis 1:28
Preached by the Rev. Anne Robertson at Crawford Memorial UMC on August 23, 2020
