Mark 8:34-36.
This week I will be preaching a sermon entitled, Powered Christians.
The theme of the sermon is that one doesn’t emerge from a commitment to Christ fully formed and completely transformed. One must continually grow in Christ.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
As I write this note, I am preparing to leave for the airport. By the time you receive this, I will have returned. Also, as I write this note, it is during the time our regular worship service has previously been held. Today, worship and Sunday School have been canceled. When I awoke this morning, I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am absolutely positive it has everything to do with not being in worship.
For years, I have mentioned that I literally woke up in church. As incredible as it sounds, I still have a mental image of looking up from the cradle in the “Cradle Roll Room” at old First Methodist Church in Tuscumbia, Alabama, and seeing the cut-outs that had been taped there as modest decoration for the infants. It is as vivid an image as I have of anything.
When growing up, attendance at church was a given. There was little to no discussion about whether or not to go. For a while, we went to Sunday School every Sunday, but only attended worship every other week. I clearly remember the Sunday my parents made the decision to attend worship every Sunday: it was the Sunday I expected to go home and watch “Tom Terrific” on our black and white television. I was disappointed—and there was no such thing as recording anything! However, in the weeks and months that followed, I came to value the time in worship. My parents would separate me from my sister so there would be no temptation to talk or otherwise disturb those around us. Most of the time, I ended up between my parents.
Both had a very nice voice, especially my mother who, as a child, used to sing on the radio when she and her family lived in El Paso, Texas. As I grew older, I was allowed to sit in the balcony with the other youth—until I was old enough to sing in the adult choir.
From those early days until now, worship has been a major part of my life. In fact, worship is one of the cornerstones of my existence—not done out of habit, but out of a need to offer myself to the Living God. Missing worship this morning is somewhat upsetting. For more than 25 years I would not cancel worship. Of course, the churches I pastored where in county seat towns or in Nashville; and the roads were quite passable. I was helped in making this decision one Sunday afternoon while living in a county seat town. I was out driving in the snow and ice and happened to see one of my members driving around. It had been too dangerous for her to get out in the snow when it came time to worship; but, it was not too dangerous to get out and go to the post office to check her post office box!
Now, you might ask why I cancelled worship at Kedron and Lock’s. While the major roads are o.k., I am aware that the side roads are not safe at all—that plus the fact that the temperature is dangerously low. By the time you read this, the temperature will be higher; but when I got up this morning, my phone app read 0 degrees! Earlier in the week, I made two visits to homes where there was a death. I know what it’s like out and around the churches. Your safety is of ultimate importance to me.
And so, I look forward to seeing you at worship—and maybe even Sunday School! Both are an excellent time to renew friendships and worship the Living God!
Michael D. O’Bannon, Pastor
Matthew 4:1-11
On February 18th First Sunday in Lent, I will be preaching a sermon entitled, Clickbait. The topic addressed in the sermon is temptation.
We will have an Ash Wednesday service at Lock’s, Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 pm.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
On February 11th Transfiguration Sunday, the sermon is entitled, “Super Is Not Only About a Bowl.” The scripture is Psalm 20.
We will have an Ash Wednesday service at Lock’s Memorial UMC next Wednesday, February 14th.
I look forward to seeing all of you on Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
On February 4th the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, I will be preaching a sermon entitled, A Broken Crayon Still Writes. The scripture is Mark 12:41-44.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
On January 14th the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, I will be preaching a sermon entitled, You Can’t Tell a Book by Its Cover. The scripture is Matthew 22:23-33.
The sermon is about the perceived value of the Bible in contemporary society, and how a book, parts of which date back to ca. 1,000 B.C., can be relevant to living our daily lives.
The illustration involves the relatively recent sale of the Sassoon manuscript (Hebrew Scripture only) at a Sotheby’s auction.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning! Next Sunday morning, I expect to be able to make an announcement about the coming Conference year.
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
In my December sermon, I mentioned the overwhelming lack of enthusiasm following the defeat of the Babylonians by the Persians in 538 B.C., resulting in the release of the people of Jerusalem and Judah from captivity. The Exodus from Egypt about 700 years earlier had a much different response—one that is continually mentioned in Biblical texts.
After some reflection, it is ironic that we experience a similar phenomenon in the Church of the 20th Century, and in the present Century. The Sunday after Easter is sometimes referred to as “Low Sunday.” The Sunday’s following Christmas also experience lower participation. It seems to me that just the opposite should be the case.
Easter and Christmas are the two most holy days in the Church’s calendar. They represent two of the most important and influential acts of God, probably since the Exodus—and these two celebrations certainly have greater significance. Reason or logic ought to dictate increased participation after the celebration of the two most important world events, at least from a Christian perspective. What’s going on?
It would be easy to blame the huge commercialization of Easter and Christmas; but it would not explain the general pattern that seems to have been set centuries ago. I, for one, am recharged after Easter and Christmas. My energy, enthusiasm, and dedication are highest after these two events, both of which have influenced my life in far greater ways than anything else.
My continued prayer is that we find the courage and enthusiasm to continue our witness for Christ in the coming days.
Michael O’Bannon, Pastor
On January 7th the First Sunday after the Epiphany, I’ll be preaching an Epiphany sermon. Lead illustration is about Leonardo Da Vinci’s unfinished painting of the Visit of the Magi. The scripture is Matthew 2:1-12.
Be sure join us for our Worship Service at 9:30 am as we start a New Year.
Hoping to see you at worship on Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
On December 31st the First Sunday after Christmas Day, I will preach a sermon tentatively titled, “A New Thing.” The scriptures are Isaiah 43:15-19 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.
Be sure join us for our Worship Service at 9:30 am as we look forward to the New Year.
Hoping to see you at worship on Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
On December 24th the Fourth Sunday of Advent, I plan to speak on “Love.”
Come join us for our Worship Service at Kedron at 9:30 am and Christmas Eve service at Lock’s Memorial UMC at 6:00 pm.
I look forward to seeing you at worship on Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Michael