Music fills this time of year, pointing to the realities of two babys we celebrate. Today, we hear the story of Zechariah's song as he holds his child, John the Baptist, in his arms. As we continue to prepare this Advent season, may we find and experience the depth of the carols that make up our season. May we pause and remember to be open to their…

Today we start our yearly journey of Advent. We begin the Christian year off by looking forward to Jesus's second advent, or second coming, while preparing ourselves to celebrate Jesus's first coming on Christmas. In the text today we learn that apololyptic texts were written to give people hope in times of dispair and great turmoil. There are many…

This is the final Sunday of the Christian year, known as Christ the King Sunday. It is a time to remember that Jesus Christ reigns over this world and our hearts. As we focus on the King of Kings, we read about his conversation with Pilate and Pilate's question, "What is truth?" Join us as we look at what, or better yet, who is the Truth. Join us a…

Today we continue our series on Faithful Finances by looking at the budget of Milford Hills UMC. It is within that budget that God transforms gifts and tithes into an offering to the world through our mission and ministries. Church Finances are complicated though, and so Pastor Jim attempts to shed some light on why things look the way they do. We …

Oh, no, the preacher is going to talk about money, this week and the next. Today we hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:22-24. Here he tells us that we can only serve one master, we need can only serve either God or wealth/money. If you pay attention to the American culture though, we serve money way too much and that gets us into troub…

Today we celebrate All Saints Day, a day to remember those who have gone before us since last year. It is a time to mourn and a time to remember. The scripture today is from Mark 12:28-34, where Jesus answers a legal expert's question by quoting the Shema, a daily prayer and Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Shema is a Hebrew word that starts this prayer and it r…

Today, we finish our three week series on our new Discipleship Pathway. This is a pathway we have created to teach and lead people into a deeper relationship with God and to become better disciples of Jesus Christ. We combined our logo, our mission statement, membership vows, and pratical markers in the journey to create a path for anyone to follow…

We continue our three week series on our new Discipleship Pathway. This is a pathway we have created to teach and lead people into a deeper relationship with God and to become better disciples of Jesus Christ. We combined our logo, our mission statement, membership vows, and pratical markers in the journey to create a path for anyone to follow. Tod…

We start a three week look at our new Discipleship Pathway. This is a pathway we have created to teach and lead people into a deeper relationship with God and to become better disciples of Jesus Christ. We combined our logo, our mission statement, membership vows, and pratical markers in the journey to create a path for anyone to follow. Today we l…

James' 3rd chapter reminds us that words are important. If we use them without reguard to their power, they can cause more damage than good. As the GenZ Bible puts verse 9, “We use our words to praise God, our Father, and sadly, we also use our words to insult or curse fellow humans, who are created in God’s image.” We explore the power of words th…

We wrap up this six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega, today. We have looked at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "What are you looking for?" As Andrew and the other disciple come to follow Jesus, his is the question he asks them…

This is a six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega. We will look at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "Whom will you love?" In the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6, Jesus gives some really hard things to do as his disciples. We are to …

This is a six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega. We will look at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "What do you live for?" We all live for something, college football, the fall, pumpkin spice whatever, basketweaving, or the grand…

This is a six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega. We will look at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "Why are you anxious?" In Luke's gospel, Jesus reminds us of ravens and lilies who aren't worried about life as much as us humans.…

This is a six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega. We will look at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "Why are you afraid?" The disciples are being rocked by a storm on the lake and JEsus is just taking a nap in the back of the boat…

This week starts a six-week series on the book, "Questions Jesus Asked," by Magrey DeVega. We will look at a different question each week to deepen our relationship with the one who asked them. This week we explore the question, "Who do you say that I am?" How does our experience and theology of God move our answer from being rote to something that…

We are in the middle of our three-week journey with a modern worship style and a deep look into the 6th chapter of Mark. Today we begin with a story of the death of John the Baptist. What does this narrative story have to do with our modern-day world and discipleship? SPOILERS: We are to tell the God-inspired truth without fear of the consequences.…

We start a three-week journey with a modern worship style and a deep look into the 6th chapter of Mark. Today we begin with a story of Jesus going to his hometown and being rejected there. Then he withdraws with his disciples before sending them out on their missionary journey. This is a pattern in the Gospel of Mark, but what can this narrative le…

Today we look at Mark 5 and a Marken Sandwich of a story. We hear two wonderful stories of healing and being restored. The longer we sit with these two stories, the more vivid and bright the connections and power become. Join us at 10:00 am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online this Sunday. Thank you again for worshipping wit…

We look at the parables of Mark 4:26-34. Parables are interesting because the more you sit with them the more they can teach us. Today we sit with a parable unique to Mark's gospel and another more familiar one. They both teach us that sometimes, the Kingdom of God doesn't have anything to do with us, but everything to do with God. Join us at 10:00…

The first Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday, where we attempt to explain the 3 in 1 God that we worship. Join us today as we explore living in the midst of mystery and uncertainty and how that can lead to a deeper understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Join us at 10:00 am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or onli…

Today is a huge Sunday in the life of our church. We celebrate graduates, welcome youth into members of the church through Confirmation, and celebrate the completion of our Transformation Journey. This all happens on the day when we mark the start of the church and God's gift of the Holy Spirit. Join us as we ask the question, "what language are we…

On this Ascension Sunday, we hear the story of the disciples watching Jesus ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of his Father. What does this mean for us? It means our work to bring about the Kingdom of God begins. We are now tethered to the power of Christ, wherever we are, because he sits at the right hand of God. We have all we need to g…

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is meeting in Charlotte, and because of this we have an opportunity to welcome Sarah Mae Gabuyo as a guest preacher today. Sarah Mae will be commissioned as a missionary during General Conference and is serving in Rome, Italy, serving a Methodist Evangelical congregation. We look forward for her…

United Methodists are people who are methodical about their process. To be the church, we have to make decisions about living in this world. We have a process for that. We use what is refered to as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. As our Book of Disciple states, " [John] Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scriptu…

United Methodists are people of grace. We believe in three different types of grace, Privenant, Justifying, and Sanctifying. These three graces lead us on the path of life or the way of salvation. This week we explore the details of these graces as we continue our series on the basics of who we are as a denomination and what we believe. Join us at …

Today we start a new worship series about who we are as United Methodists and our "Core Theology," as General Conference prepares to meet in Charlotte at the end of the month. We start this Sunday looking at the foundations of our theology, which is found in our doctrinal standards and theological tasks. These are the basics of who we are as a deno…

Today is Easter Sunday and Christ is Risen!!! Please join us for Easter Worship at 10:00 am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online this Sunday. Christ's death is not the end of the story. Thank you again for worshipping with us. For more information about our congregation, please visit our website at milfordhillsumc.org. If yo…

When we are in the falling-in-love stage of a relationship, it is all about ourselves. It is how the other person makes us feel. We are called to follow God beyond that phase and into a deeper relationship, one that focuses on the service of the other. Today we witness Jesus come into the Holy City of Jerusalem and we celebrate he comes not to do w…

esus's words in John 12 call us to die to self in order to glorify God. This is much harder than it seems in our very individualistic and selfish culture. To live, we need to be fed by the one who died for us. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping wi…

We get uncomfortable with angry Jesus, the one who uses a whip to kick the money changers and others out of the temple. But this story in the 2nd Chapter of John brings up an uncomfortable question for us...what would Jesus kick out in our worship, in our churches, if he walked through the doors. What have we created that is actually devouring us? …

We continue our Lenten journey on this Second Sunday of Lent. We dive into Mark 8:27-38 and learn about self-denial and taking up our cross and following Jesus. Please join us at 10:00 am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping with us. For more information about our congregati…

Today is Pastor Jim's annual State of the Church sermon. This is a time to draw our attention to how God has moved in and through our church this past year and then also hear how God is calling us to continue to move forward this year. We have a lot to celebrate and stand in awe of God's work. Let us be good disciples of Jesus Christ and live into …

We wrap up our worship series, "Looking for God in Messy Places," based on a book by Bishop Jake Owensby by the same name. This week we look at Jesus's call to be his friend by loving the way God loves. As we do this, we receive a deep sense of hope in all the messy places in our lives. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in …

As we continue, "Looking for God in Messy Places," based on a book by Bishop Jake Owensby by the same name, we realize that we are called to be the authetic 'we.' We are created by a relationship God to be in community with one another. As we live life together, we realize that we make a difference when we do our part in the Body of Christ. Please …

As we continue, "Looking for God in Messy Places," based on a book by Bishop Jake Owensby by the same name, we are challenged to see God in our midst. It might be in creation, in a beautiful sunset. It may be while we are walking through hell on earth. We are promised that God is always with us...and in that promise anchors our hope. Please join us…

We start a new worship series this week entitled, "Looking for God in Messy Places," based on a book by Bishop Jake Owensby by the same name. As we begin we start by defining what hope is and isn't and why we need to lean into our messy places with love. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the l…

We wrap up the Christmas season with a celebration of Epiphany, the day Jesus was known to the Gentiles. We look at the magi who came to visit Jesus from the east and some of the folk theology surrounding this story. We also challenge everyone to spend more time being in midst of the awe and wonder of God, not only found in a night sky, but also on…

This Advent we are using "A Sanctified Art's" theme, "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" In this secondweek of Advent we look at the reality that both Elizabeth and Mary shared together. We look at how we should share life together in order to make our pain lighter and our joy brighter. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Sa…

This Advent we are using "A Sanctified Art's" theme, "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" In this first week of Advent we look at the anunciation of John the Baptism and how Zechariah's weariness leads to his silence. We acknowledge our weariness and how we need God to meet us where we are to offer us hope and joy. Please join us at 10:00am in person …

We end this worship series this week and look at the last piece of scripture in the 25th Chapter of Matthew. Today we learn about the judgment of the nations and where Jesus, the judge, will seperate the sheep from the goats. May we be like the sheep who see people in need and we offer what we have. Then we will hear from Jesus, "Come, you who will…

We start a three week worship series on the three parables found in the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This week we look at Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Valuable Coins or the Parable of the Talents. The key question we will be asking is, how can you use what you have been given? Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville …

We start a three week worship series on the three parables found in the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This week we look at Matthew 25:1-13, The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. The 25th Chapter wraps up Jesus's eschatological discourse, and so what does this parable teach us about Jesus’s second coming? Please join us at 10:00am in person (…

It is All Saint's Day, a Sunday where we remember the members of our church who have gone on to the church triumphant. We reflect today on the mystery and love of God which unites us as we approach the Lord's Table and how we can claim a legacey of love in Christ. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or onlin…

We are in the last week of our worship series based on Bishop Ken Carter's book, "Unrelenting Grace." This week we look at the way grace heals the Body of Christ so we can be the Body of Christ for the world. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping wit…

We are in a worship series based on Bishop Ken Carter's book, "Unrelenting Grace." This week we look at the way grace calls us to live out our lives. We look at what Jesus says are the greatest commandments and the three loves involved. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank y…

We are in a worship series based on Bishop Ken Carter's book, "Unrelenting Grace." This week we look at the way of grace unites us with God and each other. Grace connects us with each other but we humans are not known for getting along all the time. That is where peace comes in, a peace that demands we are reconciled to Christ and each other. Pleas…

We start a new worship series based on Bishop Ken Carter's book, "Unrelenting Grace." This week we look at the way of salvation and the three graces found in God's gift to us. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping with us. For more information about …

We welcome Rev. Abby Hedgecock to our pulpit today as we celebrate 68 years of ministry as Milford Hills UMC. We will look back at the past but then push into God's intended future for our congregation. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping with us. …

We end our series, Creation Calls, with a look at Amos's words about justice and the link between creation and God's message of redemptive justice for all. Justice for creation is justice for people. Please join us at 10:00am in person (1630 Statesville Blvd in Salisbury, NC) or online at the link below. Thank you again for worshipping with us. For…