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Progressive theology and engaging Sermons & podcasts from an inclusive church in Richardson, Texas. We are intentional about our faith development: we ask questions, develop deep and lasting friendships, and work together to make a positive difference in our community. Nobody is perfect here, but being a part of this place brings out the best of us.
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What about other things we might learn? As the early followers of Jesus taught: "All truth is God's truth". That means that if something is true, then it is true — and our assumptions must adapt. This may seem simple, but it has been a place of wrestling throughout history. Partly because we are always learning more. We need to listen to science an…
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"What is God's plan for my life?" No question brought more anxiety to my younger life. What if I miss it? What if I don't like it? What if? We often quote Jeremiah's famous verse about God's big plans, without noticing that it is a part of this message of digging in right where we are. Plans are not about some far off future, but helping pull near …
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Another way Jeremiah invites us to seek the holistic universal flourishing of our community is to "pray for the city". I don't know about you, but as a person seek to be a good neighbor in a pluralistic world, the idea of praying for someone can give me the heebeegeebees. But there are two liberating secrets in this idea: 1) that our faith is to be…
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God’s invitation to us is to be "for our city"—to seek the holistic flourishing of our neighbors and communities. Jeremiah explains that that looks like planting gardens and building houses — to dig in and make a home. What does this look like in action? Jesus once shared a parable that helps unpack this idea of digging in—that the kingdom of God i…
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We don’t always know exactly what we are supposed to do — where we are, right now. We look ahead to future dreams or back to more certain times. But what about here and now? The book of Jeremiah describes a critical time in the history of the people of Israel, when they found themselves asking the very same questions. Israel had been conquered by B…
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Arapaho UMC
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Video Block Double-click here to add a video by URL or embed code. Learn moreOleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Arapaho UMC
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Jesus brings the outsider in and calls them "friend"Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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The Gospel of Luke introduces us to two new characters at nearly the end of the story, which is an odd choice, to be sure. Weirder still is the lengthy encounter they have with a stranger on their road back home, and how this stranger changes the course of their journey and ours. We might think we know how the story ends, but resurrection might jus…
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After the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, many of the disciples got back to their old lives, which for some meant fishing. The disciples in John are shown fishing and pulling up empty nets, until they encounter a “stranger” and… well, the story changes. Let’s talk about what it feels like to “fish with empty nets,” and how resurrection can invite …
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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The word for “bless” in Hebrew is closely related to the word for “kneel.” The idea is that to praise someone and to receive a blessing is the same body posture… kneeling. We will look at the passage from Psalm 103 that underscores this linguistic lesson, as well as the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet as a practical example of how kneelin…
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The “man with the withered hand” is one of the stories in the Gospels used to illustrate Jesus’ conflict with strict religious adherence (and adherents). He uses his hands not only to heal the hurting around him, he also uses his hands to wrestle with and overcome the leaders who would treat faith as a punishing list of rules. As we reflect on the …
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Our ability to communicate is one of the gifts of humanity, and we find ourselves with a greater capacity and platform for communication than ever before. I can pick up my phone and communicate with people (strangers even) around the world instantly, sometimes with very little responsibility for the outcomes of my communication. As people of faith,…
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Whether we hear with our ears, eyes, or heart, in the Bible, the concept of “hearing” is attached to our being attuned to the movement of God in our midst. Samuel was given “ears to hear” by the older Eli, who could be pulled out of sleep by the whisper of the Spirit. Paul reflects on the power of the “word of Christ” in the promise it offers to th…
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Listening with your whole self.Oleh Aaron Manes
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Christmas is an invitation to courageous love.Oleh Aaron Manes
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The holidays can be a season of intense joy, and also intense grief. A prophet named Isaiah connected the grief we feel to the passion God has for justice, in our personal lives and throughout the world. This week, let’s talk about why grief is something we can choose to embrace as a holy part of the human experience, and how it could lead us into …
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The holidays can be a season of intense joy, and also intense grief. A prophet named Isaiah connected the grief we feel to the passion God has for justice, in our personal lives and throughout the world. This week, let’s talk about why grief is something we can choose to embrace as a holy part of the human experience, and how it could lead us into …
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This week, let's talk about the gift of staying attentive to what God is doing in the midst of our lives.Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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All Saints Sunday is a day in the life of the Church when we remember those we have lost in the last year. It’s also a natural time of reflection for our own lives, and how we hope to live with purpose and to find meaning in our day-to-day. This week, we’ll take a look at a passage in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus tells his people “not to worry.” W…
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Let’s talk about work. I know, I know… work is the last thing you want to think about. But when the culture defines our personal value based upon what we do, the spiritual question to ask might be: is that all that I am? Whether it’s an office job, a family calendar, or the chaos of life itself, let’s all pause for a moment and consider why rest mi…
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"Sister Act: The Musical" is the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a lively and aspiring nightclub singer who, after witnessing a murder committed by her mobster boyfriend, finds herself in danger. To ensure her safety, the police place her in the last place anyone would expect - a convent. Deloris, now disguised as Sister Mary Clarence, struggles to a…
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In "Fiddler On The Roof" Tevye considers traditions and new ways proposed by his daughters, as they are supported by his wife, he consults with one constant in his life: God. These conversations are the basis of his decision making, the outlet for his angry tantrums, and a balm for his suffering. Through these conversations, Tevye the milkman share…
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Oleh Aaron Manes
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World Communion Sunday is a Sunday set aside for Christians throughout the world to celebrate the gift of communion in spiritual unity. And yet, what does it mean to live into the truly global nature of our faith? Are we called to spread a message that only we control? Are we called to simply sing Kumbaya? Or is it something else entirely? Let’s ga…
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From pastoring migrants in rural Georgia to teaching practical theology at SMU, Rev. Dr. Hugo Magallanes is not someone you could call “ivory tower.” In fact, his experience leads him to bring the seminarian into the harvest field to feel the heat of the sun and pain of the poor. This Sunday, we invite Dr. Magallanes to the AUMC pulpit as guest pre…
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As United Methodists, we are proudly people of an “open table,” meaning that all people are welcome to the sacrament of communion. At AUMC, we have extended the table to specifically include our LGBTQ siblings as an “open and affirming” congregation, but is that the finish line? (Hint: not exactly.) This week, Pastor Scott is joined by Pastor Britt…
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“Deconstruction” is a buzz word for some, a dirty word for others, and simply a reality for many people here at AUMC. The word speaks to the season of “taking apart” one’s faith, and at AUMC, we include the word “reconstruction” as the natural next step. This is not a one-size-fits-all process; in fact, as we will learn this week, every journey is …
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It’s one thing to believe in God’s love for all people. But when we see God through the eyes of those whom we are not like, especially people beyond the scope of social norms, we begin to see God with more complexity and clarity at the same time. This Fall, journey with us as we uplift diverse voices and perspectives in an effort to better know God…
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With the Fall season around the corner, that can mean gatherings with family and loved ones who… we don’t always see eye to eye with. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus actually shares some pretty provocative teaching about what his message could mean for those who follow him, and how it could redefine our relationships. Are we doomed to fight with ou…
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