Mt Bethel Church
NOW: Faith United Methodist Church
3239 70th Street E., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
(corner of 70th Street & Carmen Avenue)
​Office: 651-457-5686
[email protected]
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us >
      • Building Community
    • Directions, Google Map
    • Our History >
      • Leadership Team >
        • Meeting Minutes
      • Photos
      • 2013 OUTREACH review
      • 2014 OUTREACH review
      • 2015 OUTREACH review
      • 2016 OUTREACH review
      • 2017 OUTREACH review
      • 2018 OUTREACH review
      • 2019 OUTREACH Review
      • 2020 OUTREACH Review >
        • Garden Ministry
      • 2021 OUTREACH Review
      • 2022 OUTREACH Review
      • 2023 OUTREACH Review
      • 2024 OUTREACH Review
    • Rule of Christ
    • Safe Gathering
    • The United Methodist Church
    • MN UMC Conference
    • UMC Discipleship Ministries
    • UMC Communications
    • UMC Resource
    • Old Salem Shrine Church
  • Worship
  • Ministry
    • Telecoil Hearing Loop
    • e-newsletter
    • OUTREACH Outwardly Utilizing Talents Reverently Extending A Christian Hand >
      • Night To Unite
  • Calendar
 HOME  >  WORSHIP  >   Watch
     It is important to pray and read the Bible daily so that we do not lose contact with God. Join in weekly worship and fellowship as to not isolate yourself from your family of faith.

Picture

 Advent week 3; December 17th, 2017 Pastor David Brown  "Walk in The Light"  1 John 1 5-10  This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (niv)

Picture
 Bummer, complications with posting video, sorry - no video this week. 
Advent week 2; December 10th, 2017  A delightful day of worship today! New Heights Community and Mt Bethel Churches Worshiping together as Children led the way with a reenactment of the Christmas story. Just delightful hearing the story of Jesus’ birth –God with Us from the voices of children. 
(niv) Matthew 19:14 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Inquisitive, trusting, our future discipleship leaders... Light The Way....


Picture
Advent week 1;
December 3rd, 2017
 
Worship facilitated by 
Pastor David E. Brown, Message by our District Superintendent, Rev Cynthia Williams.  Scripture Psalm 80 Message: “Lord, Return Us, O Lord”  After DS Cynthia's message we shared in Communion.


 November 26, 2017.  Message by Pastor David E. Brown:  Celebrating the Reformation: John Calvin  1509-1564 “The Sovereignty of God”  "I felt as if God from heaven had laid his mighty hand upon me to stop me in my course—and I was so terror stricken that I did not continue my journey."
     To this day, Calvin's name is associated, for good and for ill, with the city of Geneva. And Calvin's belief in God's election is his theological legacy to the church.”   "He [God] tamed to teachable-ness a mind too stubborn for its years—for I was strongly devoted to the superstitions of the papacy that nothing less could draw me from such depths of mire. And so this mere taste of true godliness that I received set me on fire with such a desire to progress that I pursued the rest of my studies more coolly, although I did not give them up altogether."
In The Institutes, Calvin outlined his views on the church, the sacraments, justification, Christian liberty, and political government. His unique and overarching theme is God's sovereignty. He taught that original sin eradicated free will in people. Only by God's initiative can anyone begin to have faith and thus experience assurance of salvation.
TULIP= Total Depravity Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints
     Calvin believed the church should faithfully mirror the principles laid down in Holy Scripture. In his Ecclesiastical Ordinances he argued that the New Testament taught four orders of ministry: pastors, doctors, elders, and deacons. Around these, the city was organized.
     Outside the church, his ideas have been blamed for and credited with (depending on your view) the rise of capitalism, individualism, and democracy. In the church, he has been a major influence on leading figures such as evangelist George Whitefield and theologian Karl Barth, as well as entire movements, such as Puritanism.    Day to day, church bodies with the names "Presbyterian" or "Reformed" (and even some Baptist groups) carry forward his legacy in local parishes all over the world.

Complications with posting video, sorry - no video this week.  
 November 19, 2017.  Message by Pastor David E. Brown:  “Sola Fide” Celebrating the Reformation: Martin Luther  -  1483-1546
Romans 1: 16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”   
Martin Luther- "At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith. Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open.” 
1) Church: Not an institution but a community of those who had been given faith. “The priesthood of all believers”. 
2) Salvation:  Not through the sacraments but through faith by grace.   “Sola Fide” - Latin
3) Christian Freedom: Not assenting to the church’s teachings but of trusting the promises of God and the merits of Christ...bound to love our neighbor. Not by law, but by grace
4) The Bible: All of the scripture for all of the people.  
Gutenberg press impact to launch The Word in all peoples hands
5) Impact: John Wesley, founder of Methodism May 24, 1738

November 12, 2017 Together Worship - Mt Bethel and New Heights Churches.  Message is delivered by Pastor Dan Schauer of New Heights Church. “Being Thankful in the Wilderness”   Exodus 15:22-16:4  Numbers 14:11-12  “The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘How long will these people continue to turn against me? They show that they don't trust me or believe in my power, in spite of the many miracles I have done among them. 12 I will kill them all with a terrible sickness. I will destroy them…’” (ERV)
Application - 4 keys to being  thankful in the wilderness:
​1. 
Remember what God has done!  Commit to daily Bible reading, Attend church often, Ask other Christians what God has been doing in their life, Take time to ponder the meaning of Christian holidays , Reflect on your spiritual journey.
​2. Stop complaining!  Hebrews 11:6  “And it is impossible to please God without faith…” (NLT)  Stop being judgmental, Use a mental “stop sign” when tempted to complain, Separate yourself from chronic complainers, Use the “But…a positive” technique. Change “I have to…” to “I get to…”, Ask someone to hold you accountable
3. See things from God’s perspective!  James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (NLT) and Romans 8:28 “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose” (CEV)
Keep reminding yourself of God’s goal, Reflect on where God has been working, See how your current situation fits in God’s agenda, Express thanks for God’s effort
4. Seek community! Context of belonging, love and support, Our perspective is challenged, We can hear other’s opinion, We come closer to the Truth with the consensus of the many.
     What step is God challenging me to take today to be a more thankful person?

Pastor Dave's message, 
 “The Uncountable Multitude”  Revelation 7:9-17
  vs9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 
Picture
November 5, 2017   All Saints Sunday  11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”  13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”  14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.  17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’  ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’


Picture
October 29, 2017 Pastor Dave's message, Making Ends Meet: Financial Advice from the Bible wk 1) Covenant: God has blessed us, we respond. wk 2) Tithe:  A plan for giving. wk 3) Sacrifice: A posture for giving. wk 4) Legacy: In for the long term  I Corinthians 4:2 “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (A)  I leave a legacy of hope   I Peter 1:3   “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (B) I leave a legacy of help   Matthew 5:25   “The woman came and knelt before (Jesus), ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.”
(C) I leave a legacy of honor  John 12:25-26   "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
     What kind of legacy am I leaving for the Kingdom of God and Mt Bethel United Methodist Church?  “Making disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.”


Making Ends Meet: Financial Advice from the Bible- Sacrifice
​
a) Sacrifice is worship and begins with offering ourselves to God.
b) Sacrifice recognizes God is with us, has already blessed us and desires for us to walk with Him.
c) Sacrifice is our posture-attitude (of ministry, hospitality and generosity) to the blessing of God as we offer our time, talent, treasure, and witness in service to the Kingdom.
October 22, 2017 Pastor Dave's message, Making Ends Meet: Financial Advice from the Bible  Covenant:  God has blessed us, we respond. Tithe: A plan for giving. Sacrifice: A posture (attitude) for giving.  Sacrifice:  A Posture (attitude) for Giving  Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Old Testament examples: Sacrifices became a form of religion without the relationship of religion. I Samuel 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice.
Hosea 6:6 God delights in loyalty rather than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 Righteousness/Justice are more important than sacrifice.
The New Testament continues this train of thought: Matthew 9:12  Jesus, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” Mark 12:32 “To love God and neighbor is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices”
Hebrews 13:15-16: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Three Models: The Poor Widow, Zaccheus, The Rich Young Ruler

Picture
October 15, 2017     October's Message Series: Making Ends Meet: Financial Advice from The Bible  " Tithe "  Pastor Dave
We give to build the Kingdom, A Biblical Plan for Giving
A Voluntary Response to God
            Genesis 14:17-20               Abraham
            Genesis 28:10-22               Jacob
 The tithe is a Community Response to God
            II Chronicles 31:5-10          Abundance
            Deuteronomy 14:28-29      Justice
A Positive Response to God - Celebration - Joy
Making Ends Meet…..Begins with responding to God’s covenant already made in Jesus: Voluntarily (personal response), Corporately (gathers abundance) , Positively  ... It is not by works, it is not by law…it is only by grace.  


Picture
October 8, 2017  Hebrews 8:1-6   October's Message Series: Making Ends Meet: Financial Advice from The Bible  "Covenant"     Pastor Dave
Scripture notes: Noahic: Genesis 9:8-17   Abrahamic: Genesis 15:9-21, Genesis 17   Sinaitic: Exodus 19-24   Davidic: II Samuel 7:5-16
New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34  Jesus: Luke 22:20   Hebrews  8:6-13, 9:14
1) Be ALL In.   II Corinthians 3:6  “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter-but of the Spirit.  The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2) What God wants us to do… Live like Jesus: Be generous, kind, graceful, helpful, healing, hopeful, loving, merciful, forgiving, restoring, reconciling, challenging, clear, focused…
3) Making Ends Meet… Begins with responding to God’s covenant already made in Jesus.  It is not by works, it is not by law…it is only by grace. 


October 1, 2017 We join with Christians around the world in celebrating communion today.   Matthew 28:16-20       
“World Christians”         Pastor Dave
1, Any place in our world (or right in our neighborhood), and ask, "What does the community need?"
2, Work hard at meeting the need
3, Rooted in the name of Jesus. 
 If you are a Christ follower, you are a missionary. Whether in your home, neighborhood, workplace, or across the globe, it's OUR mission to share the love of Jesus! 

September 24, 2017 Pastor David E. Brown
Jesus is our model for worship that moves us to see the needs around us and respond by serving others.
Scripture & Message
Matthew 20:1-16   “Envious or Generous?”    
As we go forth to serve, the Risen Lord Jesus leads us and is present with us empowering us to share the Good News with all.

September 17, 2017 Pastor David E. Brown
Welcome to Worship!  We are learning from the Apostle Paul’s “Table Talk” advice for the Christians in Rome.  He concludes his lengthy theological letter to the Church with practical, relational advice.  May the Holy Spirit empower us to learn and grow in Christ.
We Savor God’s Word  Romans 14:1-12     “Table Talk, Part III”  Being in relationship with each other and addressing conflict.  How do we disagree?  Apostle Paul's guidance. 
1) acknowledge there are disagreements, different perspectives.  Recognize personal weaknesses. 2) don't treat others with contempt. Practice humility. 3) remember we are on Holy Ground. The earth is Holy Ground, created by God.  We live to the Lord - together- United we stand!

September 10, 2017 Pastor David E. Brown   We are learning from the Apostle Paul’s “Table Talk” advice for the Christians in Rome; today Romans 13:8-14    “Table Talk, Part II”. Paul's letter to the Church is packed with practical, relational advice. May the Holy Spirit empower us to learn and grow in Christ. Especially when we feel the weight of storms barring down on us. Also, Thank you First Responders - no words are adequate to express our admiration and gratitude for the women and men who run towards danger to save others - humbly, grateful. 
Love generously. Be the light in deeds of darkness. Be in Love Action. 
Pay Love back by paying Love forward. 



Picture
September 3, 2017  Pastor David E. Brown Welcome to Worship!  For the next few weeks we will be looking at the Apostle Paul’s “Table Talk” advice for the Christians in Rome.  He concludes his lengthy theological letter to the Church with practical, relational advice.  We have much to learn from him.
*Prayer: Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Spirit of the Lord renews the face of the Earth. Come let us adore him. Amen. Book of Common Prayer  Romans 12:9-21   “Table Talk, Part I”     Pastor Dave


Picture
August 27, 2017    Pastor David E. Brown 
 Welcome to Worship!  The character of a Christian matters.  It is our high calling in Jesus to live as He desires.  We will learn more today about how to live out this life together as we worship God.
  “Advice from a Train, Part II”    
Ephesians 4:11-13, Hebrews 3:15, Romans 13:11, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Mark 1:15, Ephesians 4:26
Pull your fair share - Be on time - Let off a little steam     


Pictureimage- Promontory Summit, Utah
August 20, 2017  Pastor Dave Brown.  Welcome to Worship- Pastor Dave is back from two and half weeks out West.  
​Praise, Pray, Preach.   Message/Scripture: " Advice from a Train"
1.  Stay on track.  1 Timothy 4:16  
2.  Be in it for the long haul. Isaiah 46:4
​3.  Whistle while you work. Deuteronomy 16:15
    ​
… surrounded by God's love, blessed by peace, and filled with abundant joy.


 August 13, 2017 Guest leader: Catie Levenick has been working in youth ministry for 5 years, serving currently as director of Youth & Family Ministry at Stewartville United Methodist Church.  She is also in the process of becoming a Licensed Local Pastor.  Catie first met Pastor Dave as a STORM Camper in 2005, and has been involved with STORM ever since.  Catie is married to Brad Levenick.  They have a son and three “fur children” (2 dogs and 1 cat).  

Welcome to Worship! We are continuing our exploration of the meaning of “church”.  As we rediscover who we are, may we apply that knowledge and understanding to our life together as the Body of Christ.   
     Scripture/Message: Luke 8: 26-39     At the Feet of Jesus. 

August 6, 2017 Guest leader: Jeramy Girard is in his final year at Luther Seminary where he is preparing to be ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Jeramy and family live in Northfield.   Worship today, we continue our exploration of the meaning of “church”.  As we rediscover who we are, may we apply that knowledge and understanding to our life together as the Body of Christ.      Prayer: Loving Father, You have shown Yourself faithful to Your people throughout all generations.  Help us to be strong in the Lord and to rely on You in all problems of life that we may face, knowing that You are with us.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Scripture/Message: Joshua 1: 1-9 “Courage In Transition” Jeramy Girard     -God is with us!  -Trust in God's promises.  -God promises to be with us in transition. 

July 30, 2017   Welcome to Worship! We are continuing our exploration of the meaning of “church”.  As we rediscover who we are, may we apply that knowledge and understanding to our life together as the Body of Christ.    Scripture/Message: John 17:20-23    “Unity, Not Uniformity”       Pastor Dave  Brown
a) Relationship within the life of "Church" is reflection of Jesus and God's relationship. 
b) Our "together" (Unity)  relationship is a witness. Unity is evangelistic. 
c) Unity is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
d) This kind of "Unity" reflects the Love of God.
    Working together to accomplish the goal of Faith in Christ ...
make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Inver Grove Heights and the world.

 July 23, 2017 Welcome to Worship! We are continuing our exploration of the meaning of “church”.  As we rediscover who we are, may we apply that knowledge and understanding to our life together as the Body of Christ.      Peter's Vision    Book of Acts 10:9-23       Message: “ ‘The Church’ Is Open to All”  Pastor Dave called on attenders to help him deliver the message of "church" and our life together as the Body Of Christ. 

 July 16, 2017 Welcome to Worship!  We are continuing our exploration of the meaning of “church”.  As we rediscover who we are, may we apply that knowledge and understanding to our life together as the Body of Christ.  
*Prayer:  O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.     -Book of Common Prayer
Luke 10:25-37        Message: Disciples of Jesus Serve Others
Click here to view daily video summaries of STORM camp 2017: Stewartville, MN  July 9 - 15th 2017
​STORM= Service To Others in Relational Ministry

 July 9, 2017  Welcome to Worship!  We continue our message series on the nature of the Church today.  We are doing something new today…Pastor Dave is in Stewartville, Minnesota preaching for STORM Camp.  We were hoping to get video of the message, but have opted instead for the Ted Talk video from Annual Conference session two weeks ago.  Enjoy worship!   scripture: Acts 2:42-27   2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."   
​Following Pastor Dave's TED Talk, reflection. Do we practice disciple making? If so, can we do it better? What does that look like?
Picture
The mindset for the TED Talk comes from 2017 Annual Conference, click here to view Bishop Ough message.
Picture
Click here to view Ted Talk. Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Picture
July 2, 2017  Welcome to Worship!  We are beginning a new series on the nature of the Church today.  As we learn and grow together, we will reflect more and more the Body of Christ.
Romans 3:21-26    “A Personal Independence Day”  Pastor Dave

Prayer:  God, we pray that our love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that we may approve the things that are excellent, that we may be sincere and without offense till the day of Jesus’ return, being filled with the fruits of righteousness through our faith in Him.  Lead us on the path of Life.  Amen.     Philippians 1:9-11

June 25, 2017  We Savor God’s Word: Romans 6:1-11    
​“Dead to Sin, Alive to God”           Pastor Dave

Welcome to Worship!  Summer has started and we are blessed. May God be present and real to us as we worship. 

 Prayer: O God, the Holy Spirit, come to us, and among us; Come as the wind, and cleanse us; Come as the fire, and burn;  Come as the dew, and refresh; Convict, convert, and consecrate many hearts and lives to our great good and to your greater glory; and we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
I follow Jesus by claiming “I am dead to sin and alive to Christ” ​

June 18, 2017  Ruth 4   We lift this day our gratitude for the loving men who have brought us the precious heart of God’s love.   We give thanks for those who have shown us: kindness, courage, generosity, truth, compassion, faith and love.  Happy Father’s Day! 
We finish up the book of Ruth today, we are reminded to take the long view as we look at life.
Message: "The Rest of The Story"   How Ruth fits into God’s Big Story
  • Don’t give up on God. When we think He has given up on us, He just might be preparing to do something better than we expect.
  • God’s kindness moves us from emptiness to abundance
  • The more the world seems unstable, the more we see God’s love is stable.
I follow Jesus by looking at the big picture of God’s work.

Picture
June 11, 2017  Ruth 3 Pastor Dave Brown's message: "Choosing the Right Thing"     BIG Ideas of Ruth 3 message
  • Is there something I’m doing to hold someone back?
  • Is there someone in my life I need to trust more?
  • Is there an area of my life where I need to be all in?
BIG Ideas in RUTH 3
  • God’s family is built on faith, not nationality: (Ruth a non-Israelite from Moab is an ancestor of Jesus)
  • God’s provision often comes through the love and faithfulness of his obedient servants.​
I follow Jesus by letting go, listening to others, being all in. 

Bummer - forgot to hit 'record' for the 6/4/2017 worship service. Sorry, no video for this week. As Lisa Rambo did daily as she was a contestant on The Biggest Loser, you too read Philippians. A good news 20 minute read and the Holy Spirit will encourage and transform you too.
​ click here. 
June 4, 2017 Pentecost Sunday   On the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2 the disciples were gathered together in an Upper Room.  They were waiting for a sign from God. At the sound of a mighty rushing wind, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Like tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit rested on each one of them. That day the disciples were changed forever.    When the Holy Spirit touches us, we can never be the same. Changed. God comes to us in the presence of the Holy Spirit that we might be enabled to do God's will in the world. Change us, Lord, that we might feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Set our hearts on fire for you, not just today, but every day.  * * New Heights Community Church worshiped with us today- The Church together!  Pastor Dan Schauer lead communion and our message, from Lisa Rambo who was a contestant on 'The Biggest Loser'.  A message of hope, change.  Testimony rooted in Philippians. Lisa read it daily for the 6 months of 'The Biggest Loser' where she transformed herself to the Biggest Winner.   

May 28, 2017  Seventh Sunday of Easter  
Pastor Amanda Lunemann from Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, Edina facilitated worship.
​Exodus 16:2-15     Luke 24:44-53            
“If Only…”                Pastor Amanda

God of life carries us through the "wilderness" of... fears, anxiety, health, loss, daily living. The "if only's"....  God's got you.   "Draw near" to God ... God sustains you. 

Pastor David E. Brown,  May 21, 2017 
Sixth Sunday of Easter:  Welcome to YouTube Worship!  We continue the look at the book of Ruth, seeing in Boaz a man of Character. 
Ruth 2
"An Honorable Man"
Kind

Generous
Faithful

I follow Jesus by being kind and blessing others.  ​

Pastor David E. Brown,  May 14, 2017 
Fifth Sunday of Easter:  Welcome to YouTube Worship!  We continue to celebrate the core of the Christian faith … the Good News message of Easter…Christ is Risen! 

Message: "A Tale of Three Women"  Ruth 1   

I follow Jesus by choosing a new path of Living.                       

Pastor David E. Brown,  May 7, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Easter:  Welcome to YouTube Worship!  We continue to celebrate the core of the Christian faith … the Good News message of Easter…Christ is Risen!  John 21:1-19
Message: "Do you love me?"  John 21:17  


I will respond to the call of Jesus, "Follow me!"  John 21:19


Bummer - forgot to hit 'record' for the 4/30/2017 worship service, so no video for this week. 
April 30, 2017, Second 
Sunday after Easter:  Welcome to Worship!  We continue to celebrate the core of the Christian Faith ... the Good News message of Easter ... Christ is Risen!
    Message: "Have you believed because you have seen me?"    
* 
Jesus followers are people of second chances.  God of second chances here I am again.....
John 20:19-29  Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
#52: I follow Jesus by giving others another chance. John 20:23

April 23, 2017, First Sunday after Easter:  Welcome to YouTube Worship!  The core of the Christian faith is the Good News message of Easter…Christ is Risen!  The resurrection of Jesus gives us a foundation on which to build our faith. 
    Message:  Jesus' Agenda "Peace is with you, Receive, Go - , Forgive."          Scripture   John 20:19-23  "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
#53: I follow Jesus by forgiving the sins of others. John 20:23

April 16, 2017 Easter Worship
Message
 Questions on the Road with Jesus.
​
This time Jesus asks the question...
  
“Why Are You Crying?”
Mark 16: 1-8 and John 20: 1-18

​
Jesus knows your name.
Believe Jesus IS alive.
Jesus will see you through.  

  April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday Worship Sermon Series: 
Questions on the Road with Jesus  “Who Do You Say That I Am?”     *Matthew 21:1-11 and  Matthew 16:13-16          





Pictureclick image for John 11 scripture
Apologies, the camera record button didn't get pushed.   
April 2, 2017 Sermon Series: 

Questions on the Road with Jesus  “Where Have You Laid Him?”
John 11: 17-45      NIV, Red Letter - Jesus' encouragement. 
The Death of Lazarus & Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
4)  Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”   
7) and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
9) Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10) It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
11) After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
14) So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15) and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
23) Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43  Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 …. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”


March 26, 2017 Sermon Series:    Questions on the Road with Jesus “Who has sinned?”     John 9:1-41    Jesus heals a man born blind. 

Picture
click image for John 4 scripture
Apologies, the camera record button didn't get pushed. ​
March 19, 2017 Sermon Series: 

Questions on the Road with Jesus “Will you give me a drink? How can you ask?”
 John 4: 4-26  Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. 

March 12, 2017 Sermon Series: 
Questions on the Road with Jesus
 “How can anyone be ‘born again’?”
 John 3 1-17  Jesus teaches Nicodemus

Guest presenter: David Hodd


March 5, 2017  1st Sunday in Lent. Sermon Series:
​Questions on the Road with Jesus
 “You are the Son of God?  Prove it!”  
    
Matthew 4:1-11 

Transfiguration Sunday message, February 26, 2017
 
Matthew 17: 1-9  "Affirmation by God: Now What?"   Listen to
What Jesus Said (All references from Gospel of Matthew)
5:11:   Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say falsely all kinds of evil.  Rejoice and be glad.
5:16:   Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.
5:22:   Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister is liable to judgement.
5:28:   If your eye or hand causes you to sin, remove it - it is better to lose a body part than to go to hell!
5:37:   Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
5:42:   Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who would borrow.
​
5:44:   Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors.
6:2:     When you give to the needy…
6:5:     When you pray…
6:14:   If you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
6:16:   When you fast…
6:19:   Do not store up treasures on earth but store up treasures in heaven.
6:24:   No one can serve two masters…you cannot serve both God and money.
7:1:     Do not judge or you too will be judged
9:9:     Follow me!
9:37:   The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.
11:28: Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
16:24: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
16:21: I must suffer at the hands of men, die and rise again.
17:5:   Listen to him!

The Lenten Challenge:  Matthew 6:1-18 In Lent, make a commitment to: a) Regular Prayer, b) Anonymous Generosity, c) Fast supper to supper. All for the purpose to grow in relationship with Jesus. 

February 19. 2017 (pt 1 and pt 2) Message "Disciplines for the Journey" The Lenten Challenge:  Matthew 6:1-21
​   To grow spiritually  during the upcoming Lenten season, here 
are three challenges from Pastor Dave’s message,
The Lenten Challenge: 
1.  Each week think of or see someone in need and give them  
an anonymous gift that will bless their day.  It could be 
money or it could be something else...be creative.
2.  Set aside a time for prayer each day for at least 5 minutes.  
Make a schedule to pray for church members one day, 
family and friends another day, other churches and 
leaders another day, the government and world situations
another day, etc. 
3.  Set aside a day for fasting each week.  For beginners, which 
most of us probably are, fast after supper until supper the
next day.  You are only missing two meals and snacks.  
Let stomach rumblings remind you that the source of all 
your blessings, including food, is God the Father 
almighty.  Pray that you would learn to depend on Him 
rather than yourself.

    Remember that Jesus said all these things are done in secret...
the benefit is for you to know that you are storing treasures up in
heaven.  Matthew 6:19­-21

February 12, 2017. "A Higher Standard"  Matthew 5: 21-48   Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5, are about the matters of the heart... a higher standard for your heart.

Picture
February 5, 2017. "Who are You?"  You are the salt of the earth.... You are the light of the world... Jesus.    Grace and peace to you, Friends, I have said many times that we Christians are not primarily citizens of a nation or of this world.  Our primary citizenship lies in the Kingdom of Heaven.
     Our primary leader is not the president or the governor or the bishop or our pastor.  Our primary leader is Jesus. All teaching, preaching, executive orders, declarations, and laws of this world must be filtered first through our understanding of who Jesus calls us to be and how he calls us to live.  This past Sunday’s message focussed on Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes of Matthew 5.  I tried to make the case that this teaching shows us the kind of character Jesus wants us to have as his followers.
     This week we talk about why that is important…because Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth” and the “light of the world”.  Jesus calls us to be visible in the world.  For him, and for his Kingdom. Our world is very divided right now.  We all must ask ourselves what the Christian response is to the events of the day.
     I pray that none of us will follow party lines or personalities of the hour, but that we would follow Jesus.  And allow our lives to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to shine forth and give reasonable responses to the issues of the day. I would also ask you to remember that when I speak, I am seeking to speak from a Biblical perspective, applying what I know and have experienced through that filter to help us move forward as followers of Jesus.  God bless you richly.  Remain in prayer for our spiritual leaders who are seeking to be salt and light in our world. d.

January 29, 2017   "The Character of a Disciple"  God make me more merciful and pure in heart. Fill me with the sense of righteousness. God help me grief over my sin and be ready to move forward in a new way of life.  God make me a peace maker.  Matthew 5: 1-10    I am Blessed.  

January 22, 2017   Fishing.... or Sunbathing    Matthew 4: 18-25
Sunday’s text was from Matthew 4, verses 18-25. Jesus calls the fishermen to follow him and begin “fishing for people”. An illustration that I use in the message is that we have lost sight of this very basic mission of the Church. We have anchored our boat, pulled up the nets, put on suntan lotion and are resting in the goodness of our life together and not fishing. Or, we have pulled the boat ashore and found different jobs…caring for the building, attending Bible studies and prayer groups, giving money and worshipping…(all of which aren’t necessarily bad things) but we have given up the core mission of fishing.
    Our future and the future of every congregation is whether or not we are actively engaged in fishing for people! Our neighborhood is being regularly “stocked” with new people. They move in every month. How will they come to know Jesus if we don’t go fishing?
    Sunday, January 29th we will consider the people around us and how we might minister to them. Matthew 5:1-12
God bless you richly today! d.
Picture
Mt Bethel UM Church is NOW Faith United Methodist Church
(corner of 70th Street & Carmen Avenue)
3239 70th Street East,  Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Office: 651-457-6586  
email: ​  [email protected]
​When in need of Pastoral Care, please contact Pastor Mariann Ozanne
Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds...  The people of the United Methodist Church 
The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church: Legal Department, GCFA, Post Office Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203-0029
Proudly powered by Weebly