Today's scripture comes from the book of Exodus, Chapter 14, verses 19 through 31, where we delve into the incredible story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt. As they stood at the shores of the Red Sea, facing seemingly insurmountable odds, God's miraculous intervention became evident. Join us on this journey of faith and discovery. In this serm…

In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Jennifer explores the timeless wisdom of Exodus 12:1-14 and the powerful lessons it holds for our lives today. Pastor Jennifer delves into the story of Moses, the Israelites, and Pharaoh, revealing the struggles of belief, worship, and the all-too-human tendency to waffle between faith and doubt. Through thi…

In today's sermon, Pastor Jennifer dives into the Book of Exodus, revealing a deeper understanding of the epic story of Moses and the Israelites. It's a tale of slavery, suffering, and ultimate liberation. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Discover how the Israelites' identity crisis and Moses' journey from hiding and fear to purpose and c…

Today's sermon takes us on a journey through Matthew 16:13-20, where we explore the profound question of who Jesus is and what the church truly represents. As we reflect on Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, we're reminded that the church is not just a building; it's a community of called-out believers. It's a …

In this compelling sermon, Pastor Rick Recusal guides us through a profound exploration of reconciliation based on 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 and Matthew 5:23-24. Join us on this spiritual journey as we dive deep into the meaning of reconciliation and its significance in our lives. Pastor Rick reminds us of our role as ambassadors for Christ, emphasiz…

Join us in this powerful sermon as Pastor Rick leads us through a thought-provoking journey based on Matthew 14:22-33. This scripture takes us to the heart of faith, courage, and the challenges we face in our daily lives. In this sermon, Pastor Rick delves into the story of Jesus walking on water, revealing the deeper meaning behind this iconic eve…

Dive into a thought-provoking sermon this week on Wrestling with God! Pastor Rick delves into Genesis 32, where a captivating wrestling match unfolds between Jacob and an angel. Join us in exploring the intriguing symbolism of this all-night encounter, as Jacob's identity undergoes a transformative shift. Discover the powerful message of self-disco…

In this inspiring sermon based on the scripture from the Book of Numbers, Pastor Jennifer reflects on the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. She emphasizes the importance of embracing change and trusting in God's power to grow His Kingdom. Pastor Jennifer shares stories of fresh expressions of church, where creativity and openness to experim…

Join us for an inspiring sermon by Pastor Jennifer as she navigates the topic of change and its impact on our lives. In this thought-provoking message, she reminds us of the importance of turning to Jesus during times of uncertainty and chaos. Drawing from the biblical story of Jesus calming the storm, Pastor Jennifer shares her personal journey of…

Join us as we delve into an inspiring sermon based on Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls his first disciples. In this thought-provoking message, we explore the significance of putting out into the deep waters, both in fishing and in our spiritual journey. Discover the courage and faith required to follow Jesus' call, even when faced with uncertainty an…

Join us for an insightful sermon that explores the timeless story of the Hebrew people's journey from slavery in Egypt to the promised land. Drawing from Numbers chapter 14, verses 1-5, this sermon delves into the struggles, doubts, and longing for familiarity experienced by the Israelites as they ventured through the wilderness. The sermon reflect…

In this powerful sermon, we dive into the scripture lesson from the Book of Genesis, specifically focusing on the call of Abraham and the concept of salvation. The sermon explores the idea that salvation is not merely a future destination but an ongoing journey that we are currently living. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of John Wesley and …

There is both pain and joy involved in letting knowing the people of SOTH RSM travel the next phase of their journey without me. To a lesser degree, I understand how Moses must have felt that it was a bit cruel when God did not allow him to enter the Promised Land with the people he led for so long. And I understand the desire to be able to walk th…

Join us on this week's Sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we unpack an often overlooked passage from the Gospel of Matthew. In this powerful message, the speaker explores the profound message behind Jesus' mission and the calling of his disciples. Discover the significance of Jesus' compassion for the crowds and the authority he bestows upon his ch…

In three intertwined stories Jesus taught the disciples (and us) what is most important in our faith - it is compassion, not religion. We must learn what this means.By Rev. Jon Waterson

Join us for a thought-provoking sermon on Matthew 9:9-13, where Pastor Rick shares an insightful message about making disciples for the transformation of the world. Exploring the significance of Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and his subsequent actions, the sermon delves into the powerful theme of mercy over sacrifice. Discover how…

When the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples he gave them two gifts. He gave them two gifts, a mission, and a promise. And those two things together changed the world.By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

Join us for an inspiring sermon on Trinity Sunday as we delve into the profound concept of the Trinity and its significance in our Christian faith. In this thought-provoking message, we explore the final verses of Matthew 28, where Jesus commissions His disciples to make disciples of all nations. The message explores the history and understanding o…

The Holy Spirit is a gift of God's grace to the church. It provides comfort, strength, and guidance. But, the Holy Spirit can also disrupt the quiet routine of our lives, calling us from a place of comfort to a service. When the Spirit comes it means that God is on the move and there is no telling what can happen.…

This Sunday we concluded our sermon series "A Savior for Our Days." We looked at what it means to live in relationship with God. Have you ever stopped to consider that question? What kind of a relationship do I have with God? What kind of relationship should I have with God?By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

In this powerful sermon on Ascension Sunday, we delve into the significance of Jesus' ascension and its impact on our lives as followers of Christ. In Luke 24 and Acts 1, we witness the mysterious event of Jesus returning to heaven after his resurrection. But this event carries a clear message for all believers: we are called to be witnesses of Chr…

Of all of the promises that Jesus made, perhaps one of the most important is "I will not leave you orphaned." When we consider the magnitude of that promise, it can be overwhelming. This week, we are talking about what it means that we are truly "Never Alone."By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

This week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills focuses on the passage from the Gospel of John, specifically Chapter 14, verses 15-21. The message begins with the speaker sharing personal experiences of losing both parents and reflecting on the feeling of being orphaned, connecting it to the disciples' fear of being left alone after Jesus' departure.…

The difference between knowing about something and knowing it is significant indeed. It is especially important when we talk about God. This week we are talking about a "God Who is Known" (not simply known about).By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, join us on an insightful and inspiring message as we dive deep into the powerful words of Jesus during his Farewell Discourse, specifically focusing on John 14:1-14. In this thought-provoking sermon, we explore the profound meaning behind Jesus' statement, "I am the way and the truth and the life." …

In this week’s sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore Chapter 9 of the Book of John, where Jesus heals a blind man and is criticized by the Pharisees. Jesus describes himself as the gate for the sheep, and only those who know his voice will follow him. He also uses metaphors to describe himself as the bread of life and the light of the world…

Jesus said, "I am the gate for the sheep." That's odd. Thinking of Jesus as a shepherd makes sense. But what does it mean that he is the sheep's gate? It means that he lays down his life for the one he loves.By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

Welcome to today's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we delve into the transformative power of recognizing the presence of Christ in our lives. In this sermon, the pastor takes us through the gospel reading from Luke 24:13-35, where two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter Jesus but fail to recognize Him until He breaks bread with them.…

We tend to think of the resurrection in very dramatic terms. But the resurrected Christ was revealed to his disciples in something as everyday as “the breaking of the bread." Jesus’ resurrection does not do away with everyday life. It transforms it.By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Jon Waterson

In this episode of the Shepherd of the Hills podcast, we discuss the significance of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Drawing from the biblical account in Matthew 21:1-11, the sermon emphasizes how Jesus carefully choreographed his arrival to make a statement about his identity and mission. By riding on a donkey's colt, Jesus fulfille…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we hear about the significance of cemeteries and headstones in reflecting our beliefs and attitudes toward death. Drawing inspiration from the scripture reading in Chapter 11, verses 32 through 45, the message reflects on how death is still an enigma despite our attempts to understand it. The pastor…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we discuss the biblical story of Jesus healing a man born blind, found in John 9:1-16 and 35-41. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors without exception, just as God loves us. We also hear a personal anecdote about the pastor's mother's explanation of how love works, and how i…

We often doubt ourselves: our abilities, our gifts, and our faith, especially in times of trouble. Doubt can be thought of as “debating on understanding bewildering thought.” Living with doubt means that we live with mystery. Questioning our faith is often the precursor to growth. Finally, we can overcome doubt by having compassion for ourselves, b…

In today's podcast from Shepherd of the Hills, we will be delving into the Gospel of John, Chapter 20 verses 19-31. This passage tells the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection, and we are offered some context before delving deeper into the meaning of the passage. After a prayer, the sermon is divided into two parts, with…

Welcome to this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we'll be diving into the powerful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4:5-26. This is a story of Jesus crossing boundaries - both ethnic and gender - to offer living water to a woman in need. As we explore this passage, we'll see how Jesus breaks down barr…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we learn that the church's purpose is to love their neighbors without exception, in response to God's love for them. The scripture reading for today's sermon is taken from John 3:1-17, where Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visited Jesus at night seeking to understand his teachings. Jesus responded by telling…

Is the resurrection real? Absolutely. If you don’t believe me – if you don’t believe Matthew – look around. The divine residue of the resurrection is all around. (I am part of that residue – so are you). The real story of the resurrection is told in the lives of the people who lived it and in the lives of the people in whom resurrection hope lives.…

This Easter message from Shepherd of the Hills is about the significance of Easter in Christianity, the history of its celebration, and how it is commemorated today. The sermon highlights the importance of the resurrection of Christ as the defining moment for those who claim Christ. It also mentions the various ways in which people prepare for East…

In this Palm Sunday sermon at Shepherd of the Hills, we focus on the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where he is celebrated by humble people who recognize their need for salvation. Using the contrasting parades of Jesus and Pontius Pilot, the sermon challenges listeners to choose Jesus over other options that may seem more exciting or appeali…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who visits Jesus in secret, seeking answers to life's big questions. Through their conversation, Jesus explains that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born again of both water and spirit, and emphasizes the importance of coming to the lig…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. This story teaches us the importance of true worship and reveals Jesus as the Messiah. The sermon begins by describing the differences between the Jews and Samaritans and their disagreement on w…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the theme of spiritual blindness and healing through the lens of the gospel story of Jesus healing a man born blind in John 9:1-41. We reflect on the unusual nature of this healing story and how it highlights the messiness and uncertainty of the healing process. Through storytelling and b…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we delve into the familiar story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. However, instead of just focusing on the miraculous event itself, the sermon takes a closer look at the events leading up to it. It explores the idea of how we often react to news of illness or tragedy in our lives and how we ca…

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the significance of Lent, a time for reflection and growth for Christians leading up to Easter. The theme for this year's Lenten journey is "Choose This Day," focusing on making important choices. The sermon delves into the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, exploring the ide…

This week begins out Lenten series "Choose This Day." We begin with "Choose God" and the story of the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Throughout all 3 temptation, Jesus chooses God everytime. It is in this wilderness of Lent where we encounter God, where the Kingdo of God is won with faithful disciples choosing "the long obedience in the sam…

Paul wrote that, “the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” We must remember there is a level of divine absurdity to our faith. Let us get in touch with that in 2023. Let us return to embracing mystery rather than planning each step. 1 Corinthians 1:18-3…

The church is a group of people united under the banner of Christ. Whether we are UMC, or another denomination, we are Christians. God calls us to be one in spirit with one another. We all may sing in different parts, but we are called to be in harmony with one another. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev Jon Waterson

Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians in his usual style. He proclaims that they have everything they need, and that God is faithful. All they need to do is to wait for God to move in their community. I Corinthians 1:1-9By Shepherd of the Hills UM, Sam Nason

Every journey starts somewhere. Jesus’ public ministry began at the Jordan River where we was baptized. God bore witness to Jesus’ identity at his baptism. What are the signposts and demarcation points that signal our own journey? This sermon will look at the importance of marking our way. Matthew 3:13-17…

Zaccheus was part of the famous group that we hear so much about in the gospels, “tax collectors and sinners.” Zaccheus chose to live outside of God’s covenant. But, when he encounters Jesus face to face, he sees everything, including himself, differently.By Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev Jon Waterson