Sermons by Rev. Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch (Page 3)
Storytime: The Shine Man
Sunday December 26 2021The Shine Man: A CHristmas Story*JOHN 1:1-14 NRSVRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light…
Rejoice: Week Four
Sunday December 19 2021Fourth Sunday of AdventRejoice: Bursting with God NewsLUKE 2:8-18 NRSVRev mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for…
Rejoice: Week Three
Sunday December 12 2021Third Sunday of AdventReJoice: Week ThreeZechariah 9:9 NRSVHandel’s MessiahRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE (JOY) One: Come, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics. We are all welcomed into God’s joy.All: Rejoice in the Lord always; again we will say, rejoice!One: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon hisshoulders. We light this candle as a sign of our joy in our Savior.All: Christ our…
Rejoice: Week Two
December 5 2021REJOICE: WEEK TWOSECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENTLUKE 1: 39-45REV MARY BETH HARDESTY-CROUCH Lighting of the advent candle (Peace) 8:40amCome, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics. We are all welcomed into God’s peace. Along our way, we learn and grow, we make mistakes and make amends, we weep and rejoice. We light this candle to remember that God brings peace into our lives and our world. 11:00amCome, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics.We are…
Rejoice: Week One
November 28 2021Rejoice: Week OneFirst SunDay of AdventIsaiah 9:2-7Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch SCRIPTURE 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the…
Not That Kind of King
Sunday November 21 2021CHrist the King Sundaynot That Kind Of KingJohn 18: 33-37Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”…
The Widow’s Way
Sunday november 7 2021The Widow’s WayMark 12: 38-44Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 38 As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”41 He sat down opposite the…
The Next Act: All Saints Sunday
Sunday october 31 2021The Next act: All Saints SundayISAIAH 25:6-10A NRSVRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 6 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. 7 And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever.…
The Next Act: Children’s Ministry
Sunday October 24 2021The Next Act: Children’s MinistryLUKE 18:16-17 NRSV Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you,…
The Next Act: Music Ministry
Sunday October 3 2021The Next Act: Music Ministry SundayJohn 21: 15-17Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know…
Daring The Journey
Sunday September 26 2021Acts: The Adventure BeginsDaring The JourneyActs 28: 1-6, 11-16, 30-31 NRSVRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 1 After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. 3 Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out…
Creating An Uproar
Sunday September 19 2021ACTS: The Adventure BeginsCreating An UproarActs 19: 11-20Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus…