Podcasts by Sermons Archive - Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC

How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Connect… from 2023-12-10T22:45:03

Today on the second Sunday of Advent, we continue to contemplate the notion of how a weary world rejoices. What is happiness? What is joy and where does it come from? What part does connection w...

How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Acknowledge… from 2023-12-09T18:17:52

What is joy? How do we receive it? Is it even possible in these difficult times? How does joy change us? How does it change the world?

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Do You Ever Feel Like A Frog? from 2023-11-27T12:02:42

Do you ever feel like a frog? Today we are delighted to welcome back Rev. Dan Meyer-Abbott.

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Invested from 2023-11-19T20:03:36

The "parable of the talents" challenges us with its language and imagery but it also prods us to mindfulness and intention about what we're doing with this precious life we've been given.

Leaving the Light On from 2023-11-12T22:29:25

What does the parable of the "wise and foolish virgins" mean to us, the body of Christ in the world today, to keep the light on and to anticipate the coming of joy?

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At Peace from 2023-11-05T22:22:50

On this All Saints Sunday, we lean into God's promises and give thanks for the legacies of those who have gone before us.

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The Grace of Willingness from 2023-10-29T21:51:50

Miracles were integral parts of Jesus’ ministry. In one account, Jesus walks us through the simplicity of what is required for their occurrence and the pathway for surrendering into this deepeni...

Learning and Living from 2023-10-22T19:00:42

This week our Gospel reading draws our attention to commandments that are central to our Christian faith... the commandments to love God and our neighbor as our self.

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God Behind It All from 2023-10-15T20:59:25

This Laity Sunday, we recognize that the majority of folks in ministry are lay people, sharing God's light and love in all kinds of amazing ways!

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Renters from 2023-10-09T16:37:31

The parable of the vineyard renters is full of violence, so much so that we may want to reject it altogether. But what does this parable have to say to us? What was the context in which it was...

Re-Member from 2023-10-01T21:02:12

Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday, mindful of Christ followers around the world gathering at tables of welcome, belonging and grace.

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Seeing God’s Vineyard from 2023-09-24T21:42:48

This week's Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard does not disappoint! If you strongly value "fairness," you're in for a ride. Can we possibly hear this parable and see anything beyond the deci...

Climate Change from 2023-09-17T23:41:12

As Christians we are asked to not only forgive others but to have forgiveness be the fabric of who we are and how we operate in the world. How do we forgive? What does non-forgiveness look like ...

Holy Ground from 2023-09-10T20:56

Today we explore the Bible passage about Moses and the burning bush. How does God reveal God's self to us? Where and how are we invited to take off our shoes in recognition that we are standing ...

Resisting Return from 2023-09-03T21:14:07

It can be tempting to get stuck in a cycle of slaving away and planning for the future. The Israelites were instructed to collect only the manna that they needed. In seasons of rest, how can we ...

How We Measure (Up) from 2023-08-27T21:39:01

Today we explore ways we can get "off course" from the true intention of Sabbath and reorient ourselves...away from "measuring up" and toward "measuring" that which is truly valuable from the pe...

Surely from 2023-08-14T03:10:50

Today we explore these questions about rest through the lens of the prophet Elijah and the much cherished psalm, Psalm 23. Is rest really that important? What happens to us when we don't honor ...

What Is New, and What Is Old? from 2023-08-10T22:32:12

Throughout the Sundays of August, we'll explore the notion of rest and renewal from a biblical and theological perspective. What is God's hope and intention for the rhythms of our human lives? W...

Living Into Resurrection from 2022-04-17T19:49:30

We have been intentional this Lent in our exploration of what it means to be "filled to the brim" and to lean into the abundant and expansive life to which God calls us.  There is no day that "o...

Good Friday: Were You There? from 2022-04-16T03:00:11

Good Friday marks the day when hate and fear did their worst...the day of Jesus' crucifixion.  On this day of grief and sorrow, we will gather with one another, in God's care, to remember Jesus'...

Maundy Thursday from 2022-04-15T03:00:16

We join together to explore the meaning of the last supper, and to celebrate Holy Communion. Online participants are invited to prepare bread and grape juice (or wine as appropriate for your hom...

Upon This Rock from 2022-04-10T21:02:01

Our talented and dedicated choir leads us through the joys and sorrows of this important day through the eyes of the very human Apostle Peter in a a beautiful musical presentation, "Upon This Ro...

Brazen from 2022-04-03T19:17

Mary anointed Jesus's feet with expensive perfume. What bold, brazen acts of faith, beauty and love might we be called to as we approach Holy Week this year?

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Lost and Found from 2022-03-27T19:29:17

Bailey Brawner leads us through a reflection on the Parable of the Prodigal Son as we work to be open to God's perspective and really allow ourselves to be known by God.

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Worthy from 2022-03-20T23:19:19

Adam will be leads us through a reflection on the Parable of the Fig Tree as we contemplate God's care and nurture in this holy season.

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Gathered In from 2022-03-14T00:15:18

Our scripture passage for this second Sunday in Lent has us contemplating the nature of God.  Jesus describes himself in a somewhat surprising way...like a mother hen who wants to gather in all ...

The Power of Empty from 2022-03-06T22:10:46

Today we introduce our Lenten theme, "Full to the Brim."  We will contemplate what we need to "do" or "undo" in order to lean into the abundant life God offers.

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Chosen from 2022-02-27T21:18:33

This Sunday will mark the end of the season of Epiphany, a season when the identity and mission of Jesus are revealed in small and large ways.  Our text for this week is Luke's account of the Tr...

The Economy of Grace from 2022-02-20T22:09:53

We continue this week in Jesus' sermon on the plain.  Last week we contemplated what Jesus' "blessings and woes" told us about God.  This week we dive into what that might look like, in practica...

A Level Place from 2022-02-13T20:35:33

Come with us as we challenge our mainstream understanding of the word "blessed" and expand our thinking, seeing and understanding beyond "me" to embrace a divine sense of "we."

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Catch from 2022-02-07T03:56:27

After a demoralizing night of attempted fishing, Jesus instructs Simon to go back out into the deep waters and drop his nets for a catch. Miraculously, Simon pulls in such an abundance of fish t...

Purpose from 2022-01-30T20:07:30

Today, Jesse Hodge, will be reflecting on the calling of the young prophet, Jeremiah, encouraging all of us to consider our own calling in this precious life.

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Anointed from 2022-01-23T20:00:33

Today we look at the beginning of Jesus' ministry from Luke's perspective. In Luke, Jesus' ministry starts in the middle of a worship service. Jesus stands in the synagogue, reading scripture in...

Revelation from 2022-01-16T20:00:42

Today we spend time in the Gospel of John with the first of seven "signs" that Jesus performs or offers, each one giving us a glimpse into his true identity and mission. This first sign is the a...

New Year, New Love from 2022-01-09T20:00:57

This is the perfect season to be intentional about new beginnings!  Imagine what LOVE looks like in this new year.

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My Father’s House from 2022-01-02T19:30:24

The Bible says very little about the childhood of Jesus but today we spend time with the one and only passage that provides a window into Jesus' boyhood.

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Light in the Darkness from 2021-12-26T19:00:45

Our Bishop, Grant Hagiya, preaches today on "Light in the Darkness," sharing his thoughts, hopes and encouragement with all of us as we enter into 2022! 

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2021 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service from 2021-12-25T03:00:32

This evening we share in a traditional service of Lessons and Carols which includes the reading of the Christmas story, inspiring music and a Christmas message.

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Safe Havens from 2021-12-20T03:52:42

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we take a step closer to the manger, spending time with Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Our text returns us to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah where Mary finds r...

A Home for All from 2021-12-12T20:21:29

Last week we spent time with Zechariah's beautiful blessing for his newborn son, John, and this week we meet John, fully grown and in the wilderness, as he calls others to repentance in order to...

The Power of Blessing from 2021-12-02T19:17:07

Because God is a God of relationships and stories, the birth of Christ is not a solitary, disconnected event.  The birth of Christ is woven into the fabric of relationships and the stories of ot...

Where Hope Floats from 2021-11-29T02:15:37

This Sunday is the beginning of a brand new Christian year! It is the First Sunday of Advent and we begin the preparations of our hearts and spirits for the coming of Christ at Christmas. We'll...

Go Back to the Well from 2021-11-21T20:00:05

Most would be confused or upset at the thought that "sorrow is better than laughter" like it states in Ecclesiastes 7:3. When we pretend that everything is okay, we are not handling our deep hur...

Birth Pangs from 2021-11-17T19:01:25

This section of Mark is known as "apocalyptic" and it points our hearts, minds and spirits to that which God is revealing in our midst.  It encourages us to ponder if and how God is afoot—with l...

Unbound from 2021-11-07T22:01:59

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Sunday, a day when we are especially mindful of the great cloud of witnesses and the communion of the saints.  It is a day of acknowledging death and the tear...

Love in Action from 2021-11-01T04:48:20

As Christians, we speak about love, we sing about love, we pray about love, we talk about love...the word love is so familiar and embedded in every aspect of our faith that it's possible to hear...

Take Heart from 2021-10-25T17:39:41

Our scripture reading for Sunday draws us into the world of Bartimaeus, a blind man begging on the streets, whose encounter with Jesus not only changed him but the entire community around him. Listen

Called into a Ministry of Service, Reconciliation and Inspiration: Living a Life of Worth and Human Dignity from 2021-10-18T05:10:05

Ken Brown, our Lay Leader and Church Council Chair, will be offering the sermon this week.  We are so blessed to have Ken's leadership each and every day and I know we will be inspired by his word...

Good from 2021-10-13T00:13:26

A Blessing of the Animals is often celebrated close to the Feast Day of St. Francis (October 4th) and we are partaking in this wonderful tradition this morning!  We delight in the knowledge that a...

Table Time from 2021-10-03T20:00:38

Today, along with siblings in Christ around the world, we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday.  In literal and figurative ways, we will be "at table" with one another, near and far.  Please...

Allies from 2021-09-26T19:00:47

Today's scripture passage from Mark highlights an age old challenge for people of faith...where and how we draw the circle of who is on the inside and who is on the outside. While we might like to...

First Place from 2021-09-19T19:00:24

None of us covet "last place" and many of us, understandably, hope for "first."  But this week Jesus turns that notion upside down, talking in apparent circles...last is first and first is last. T...

Coming Home from 2021-09-12T19:00:33

Today is Homecoming Sunday!  We’ve all been away for a while due to the pandemic and a whole host of other reasons. We’ll be reflecting on the Bible’s quintessential homecoming story…the story of ...

God Talk from 2021-09-05T19:00:04

We’ll be spending time today with a portion of the Letter of James and contemplating the age old notion of faith versus works on this Labor Day Weekend. The post God Talk appeared first on Pacific...

Tradition from 2021-08-29T19:00:20

Our reading from Mark’s gospel takes us into the heart of a heated exchange between Jesus and some of the religious leaders. The religious leaders ask a question about Jesus’ disciples that is cle...

What Shall We Wear? from 2021-08-22T19:00:07

Our reading from Ephesians is a good indicator that this truly MAY be an age old question! This passage is moving for some and troubling for others with its warrior imagery.  We’ll spend time this...

Being Alive from 2021-08-15T19:00:40

“Take.  Eat.  This is my body, broken for you.”  Those of us who are newer to Christianity might have an advantage here and be more able to perceive how shocking these words were to Jesus’ contemp...

Soul Pangs from 2021-08-08T19:00:14

Just like our bodies experience hunger pangs, our hearts and spirits can also experience “soul pangs.”  It seems as if we’re born into this world with certain hungers for love, belonging, connecti...

The Power of a Story from 2021-08-01T19:00:31

This week’s text from 2 Samuel is a portion of a larger narrative and describes the encounter between David and the prophet, Nathan. This section of scripture illustrates how life is a constant le...

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask… Where Do We Go From Here? from 2021-07-25T19:00:21

Today we’ll wrap up our July sermon series with our fourth and final question, “Where Do We Go from Here?” Sometimes we’ve asked this question quite literally, especially in the days before GPS! B...

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask… What Do You Need? from 2021-07-18T19:00:42

Our July sermon series, “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask,” continues this morning with the question, “What Do You Need?" What we know for certain about need is that we need each other.  How does today's ...

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…Where Does It Hurt? from 2021-07-11T19:00:11

Today we’ll explore the value of making space for one another’s pain on both a personal level and in the public domain.  We’ll also dig into our scripture passage from Mark with its reminders that...

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…Where Are You From? from 2021-07-04T19:00:20

Today we begin a four-week sermon series that will take us through a variety of questions that begin with the phrase “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You.” The post I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…W...

A Time to Build from 2021-06-27T17:30:05

Today we talk a little bit about our own sanctuary project as it relates to building but, just as importantly, we’ll talk about God’s notions around this topic of building. What does God want from...

Walking in the Truth from 2021-06-20T17:30:08

Our scripture reading this Sunday is from Paul’s second letter to the community in Corinth. It’s in this passage that Paul talks about the “thorn in his flesh,” that unknown affliction or malady t...

A Clear Rejection Is Better than a Fake Promise from 2021-06-14T21:19:22

Adam Marshall-Lopez leads us as we examine both the tension between Jesus and his family (evident in their attempt to take him out of public view) and the "inner" teaching about the unforgivable s...

Being Renewed from 2021-06-06T19:00:43

Being renewed doesn’t always necessarily equate to getting an ample amount of rest. God renews us by filling our cups, so we can pour ourselves into others. The post Being Renewed appeared first o...

Being Born Again from 2021-05-30T19:00:35

Our scripture passage for today highlights a Pharisee named Nicodemus whose interest, curiosity and hope appeared to be piqued by Jesus. Jesus tells him that all must be “born again” or “born from...

The Language of God Is Multi-Ethnic from 2021-05-23T17:30:51

Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day that is recognized as the birthday of the church! Today we discuss the ways God breaks the binary, otherness, in which language, nationality, gender, sexuality, ra...

Next Steps from 2021-05-16T19:00:01

Today is Ascension Sunday, a day that is not particularly recognized or highly anticipated in our culture at large.  I doubt anyone woke up this morning saying, “Yay! It’s Ascension Sunday!”  But,...

A Commandment to Love? from 2021-05-09T17:30:04

Our scripture today continues in the Eastertide theme of life in relationship with God. Jesus talks about his love for the disciples and their love for one another using the language of friendship...

What Is to Prevent Me? from 2021-05-02T17:30:13

n today's scripture passage from Acts, the Ethiopian eunuch was reading precisely these words from Isaiah when the Spirit instructed Philip to approach his chariot and engage him in conversation. ...

Known from 2021-04-25T17:30:28

Our lectionary readings for today include Psalm 23 along with a portion of John’s gospel that reminds us that Jesus is the good shepherd. What does it mean for us to be sheep? What does it mean to...

The Peace of Christ from 2021-04-18T17:30:40

Into the midst of angst and struggle, Jesus comes to the disciples with a word of greeting, “Peace be with you.” How often are we, just like those early disciples, a mix of joy and disbelief and w...

With Great Power from 2021-04-11T17:30:58

Today we share in a pre-recorded service by the California-Pacific Annual Conference. Rev. Kristie Grimaud reflects on God's power at work in the early church and its effect on the first believers...

The Empty Tomb from 2021-04-04T17:30:43

Despite anything and everything that has come before, despite hardship and struggle, despite pain and suffering, despite plagues and pandemics, despite any and all circumstances that have felt as ...

Hosanna! from 2021-03-28T19:00:02

If we check in only on Palm Sunday and Easter, we go straight from “Hosanna” to “Hallelujah” and miss so much of the critical journey in between. For that reason, our service will be slightly diff...

Life Interrupted from 2021-03-21T17:30:14

Do you feel God calling you to respond to interruptions differently; and if so, in what way? Join us this morning as we reflect on John 12 and Jesus' heightening conflict with the Pharisees. The p...

Lifted Up from 2021-03-14T18:00:25

Our lectionary readings today bring us two fairly complex and curious passages with which to wrestle.  The first testament reading from Numbers may be totally unfamiliar.  If you suffer from Ophid...

Holy Zeal from 2021-03-07T18:30:50

The account of Jesus “cleansing the temple” is told in all four Gospels but with several significant differences. Matthew, Mark and Luke place this account toward the end of Jesus’ life, while Joh...

The Power of a Name from 2021-02-28T20:00:33

Our scripture reading from Genesis this week focuses on Abraham and Sarah, who started their journey as Abram and Sarai. But in their relationship with God and as a part of the covenant between th...

Footprints through the Wilderness from 2021-02-21T18:30:52

What is your "wilderness"? Today we spend time with Mark’s account of Jesus’ baptism and his subsequent 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. It is also the first Sunday of Lent, a season in th...

Ash Wednesday: From Dust and Death to Dust and Life from 2021-02-17T20:00:30

La Jolla UMC and Pacific Beach UMC offer this joint online Ash Wednesday worship service. This will be a time of prayer and song with leaders and musicians from both congregations.

Th...

Trusting the Mountaintop from 2021-02-14T18:30:09

Today is Transfiguration Sunday in the life of the church.  It’s the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent and we travel with Jesus, Peter, James and John to a mountaintop.  There they have an ...

Keeping On from 2021-02-07T20:00:19

Today we spend some time exploring what’s come to be known as the Messianic Secret. We’ll see that Jesus consistently tells not only unclean spirits, but also people, including his disciples, not ...

Trusted Authority from 2021-01-31T18:30:35

Our focus on Jesus as “trusted authority” will guide us into a time of reflection about trusting Jesus as the one who stills the waters at certain times, bringing peace and calm, and who troubles ...

Follow Me from 2021-01-24T18:30:20

In some ways our scripture passage for today is similar to last Sunday’s text. Last Sunday we heard about the call of the first disciples from the Gospel of John. Today we hear of the same events ...

Come and See from 2021-01-17T18:30:25

In our passage this week, we see the circle of discipleship growing wider and wider as one person invites another to join the journey, extending the invitation, “Come and see.”  The post Come and ...

The Promise of Baptism from 2021-01-10T18:30:56

Baptism is an invitation to new beginnings, an invitation to recommit to the light and love of Jesus. We have entered the season of Epiphany, a time to reflect who Jesus is, what Jesus means in ou...

What Will You Receive? from 2021-01-03T18:30:29

As we celebrate Epiphany, we encounter the curiosity, wonder, and mystery surrounding the Magi's trip to Bethlehem. What does God give? What will you receive? The post What Will You Receive? appea...

Cal-Pac Service – Together in Worship from 2020-12-27T20:00:05

We will have a special service today from the Cal-Pac Conference! This service was provided to local congregations as a gift, and is a collection of a variety of musicians, worship leaders and p...

Christmas Eve from 2020-12-25T08:59:24

Christmas Eve special service and lighting the Christ candle! The post Christmas Eve appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB UMC - PBUMC.

Impossible from 2020-12-20T21:00:12

It's the fourth and final Sunday in Advent. Today, we light the candle of Love and prepare for Love Incarnate to enter into our lives once again.

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Christmas Musical: A Baby Changes Everything from 2020-12-13T20:00:55

Today we have the unexpected opportunity to revisit one of the musicals from the past, "A Baby Changes Everything."

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Preparations from 2020-12-06T20:00

Our scripture passages during Advent remind us of important and meaningful preparations during this season…the preparation of our hearts and spirits, our individual lives and our world to receiv...

The Advent Journey from 2020-11-29T21:00:16

Advent is about anticipation. Our gospel reading from Mark encourages us to “keep awake,” to pay attention because God is about to do a remarkable thing. The post The Advent Journey appeared first...

Royal Living from 2020-11-22T20:00:46

It's Christ the King Sunday, but this king and this kingdom are marked by values that are altogether different. The post Royal Living appeared first on Pacific Beach United Methodist Church - PB U...

Entrusted from 2020-11-15T19:00:59

Our scripture reading today is from the Parable of the Talents. What is it we’ve been given and what is the end result if all we do is keep it safe? The post Entrusted appeared first on Pacific Be...

Being Prepared from 2020-11-08T20:00:52

We're always waiting on something. What does it mean to be prepared? How might Jesus’ words from this quirky and unsettling parable give us guidance, inspiration…perhaps light? The post Being Prep...

Blessed in the Not Yet from 2020-11-01T20:00:24

Today is a special day in the life of the Church as we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday! The United Methodist Church understands “saints” in the New Testament sense of the word which includes...