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	<title>St. Paul's Free Methodist Church</title>
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	<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:56:01 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Christina Smerick</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/christina-smerick/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/christina-smerick/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:16:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=633</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30
 
 
Last week we celebrated Mary’s baptism, and in the midst of that celebration we were reminded of our own. During the time of Epiphany, this is part of what we’re called to do: “We remember our baptisms” during Epiphany. “We are known, claimed, called by God.” This may be a reversal from what we usually do, which is to assert ourselves, insist upon ourselves, as first and foremost. Instead, in Epiphany, we are called to remember and announce our dependence, not our independence—our ‘being-known’ rather than our knowing. We are …]]></description>
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		<title>Learning to Pay Attention - Brian Hartley</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/learning-to-pay-attention-brian-hartley/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/learning-to-pay-attention-brian-hartley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=624</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
 
 

 Every time the train would approach a station the engine operator would repeat the drill. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please be careful descending the stairs as you disembark from the train. The steps are slippery and you should use the handrail. The conductor will assist you with your bags.” And, just before arriving at a stop, the conductor would magically appear, sweep the steps free of ice, and warn the entire car that the snow had made the descent somewhat precarious, demanding our full attention. Folks would cue up and, for the …]]></description>
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		<title>Expecting God to Show Up - Ben Wayman</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/expecting-god-to-show-up-ben-wayman/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/expecting-god-to-show-up-ben-wayman/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:53:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=620</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
 
 
 
Today I’d like to talk about religious experience. Specifically, I’d like to talk about experiencing God and whether we should expect to experience God in church. 
 
There are all kinds of ways that people talk about experiencing God. My friends in California say they feel closer to God when surfing than they ever have at church. I have other friends who claim they feel especially close to God when they’re loaded on drugs. And I have other friends still who say they feel God most when they get …]]></description>
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		<title>Advent: An Invitation to Adventure - Brian Hartley</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/advent-an-invitation-to-adventure-brian-hartley/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/advent-an-invitation-to-adventure-brian-hartley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:34:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=614</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

One of the first great experiences I can remember as a child is going to Disneyland. Since my two favorite television programs growing up were “The Mickey Mouse Club” and “Davy Crockett,” a visit to Disneyland meant an opportunity to embrace a world I only knew through our rather small black-and-white picture tube. In those days, this place was newly-minted and spic-and-span from top to bottom, while within the park, there were a variety of rides and shows grouped around different themes. One of my favorites was known simply as “Adventureland,” a place inhabited by …]]></description>
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		<title>Second Sunday of Advent - Joe Culumber</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/second-sunday-of-advent-joe-culumber/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/second-sunday-of-advent-joe-culumber/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:35:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=612</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 3:1-6
Philippians 1:3-11
The Gospel text  from Luke 3 serves to remind us that the Christian faith is anchored  firmly and undeniably in history. We are tempted to jump over both the  first part of Luke 3 and the last section of the chapter. 
The first six verses  are these seemingly boring and inconsequential statements about when  and where someone was emperor and governor in a remote province in the  backwaters of the Roman Empire. And the concluding section of the chapter  also evokes an uninterested yawn from most readers: who cares that …]]></description>
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		<title>Waiting for the Righteous King - Georgann Kurtz-Shaw</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/waiting-for-the-righteous-king-georgann-kurtz-shaw/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/waiting-for-the-righteous-king-georgann-kurtz-shaw/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:17:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=609</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; I Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
 

 When our daughter, Mathea, went to bed last Sunday night, she asked me if she could just sleep until Wednesday. “Why?” I asked. “Why would you want to sleep through three days of school, piano practices, taking care of YOUR DOG Preston, and house cleaning?” She responded, “Max and Abby and Audra are coming on Wednesday, and if I can just sleep until they get here, the time will go faster.” She couldn’t imagine waiting three more days for her friends to arrive for Thanksgiving. She knew they were coming, …]]></description>
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		<title>Christ the King and the Unveiling of his Kingly Order - Mathias Zahniser</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/christ-the-king-and-the-unveiling-of-his-kingly-order-mathias-zahniser/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/christ-the-king-and-the-unveiling-of-his-kingly-order-mathias-zahniser/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:58:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=605</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 
 

Daniel 7:9-10, 13, 14; Revelation 1:4b-8; Psalm 93; John 18:33-37
When our children were young our family traveled to Ann’s parents for many holidays. Once when we arrived at their house our five-year-old son David made a bee line for the kitchen where Ann’s mother was preparing a meal and asked, “Who’s in charge here?” Note that he asked this question in the kitchen, suggesting two key insights about order: he assumed a mom was in charge; and he had learned when you change kitchens you change leadership. Or in kingdom language, when you change kingdoms, you change kings. …]]></description>
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		<title>Mark 12:38-44 - Matt Bernico</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/mark-1238-44-matt-bernico/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/mark-1238-44-matt-bernico/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:07:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=576</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
This morning we are provided texts that are often glossed over and read as a divine commandment to give, give, and give.  A sermon fueled by these texts might end up being a guilt trip to the congregation.  This could have been a sermon to let everyone know that our offering cups have been a little too light as of late.  Unluckily for all of you, we have been given a message that is even harder to hear than just “tithe more!”  We have been presented with a theme this morning that …]]></description>
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		<title>All Saints&#8217; Day - Brian Hartley</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/all-saints-day-brian-hartley/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/all-saints-day-brian-hartley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:35:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=578</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 
 

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44


 I know that some people find the behavior quite strange, but I actually enjoy strolling through old cemeteries. And, this time of year, you get the added bonus of a panoply of added color as the maples, in particular, set loose their bright array of reds, yellows, and oranges. But, walking regularly through the land of the dead also brings with it the benefit of realizing both the brevity of life and the finality of death. Though there are some notable differences in the size of headstones and the quality …]]></description>
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		<title>Job and Bartimaeus - Ruth Huston</title>
		<link>http://stpaulsfmc.com/573/</link>
		<comments>http://stpaulsfmc.com/573/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:51:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>stpauls</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://stpaulsfmc.com/?p=573</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Job 42.1-6; 10-17 
Psalm 34.1-8 
Hebrews 7.23-28
Mark 10.46-52


One of the commentaries that  I consult regularly when preparing for a sermon says that “these texts  are grouped arbitrarily and do not constitute any thematic unity.”   That took a lot of pressure off on the one hand, but on the other, it  challenged me to look even harder for some connections among the texts  that this particular commentator couldn’t detect.
And I came up with a few.   One obvious one, of course, is the seeing theme.  Job says, “I  had heard of you by the hearing …]]></description>
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