Sermons

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SERMONS

"We WELCOME all people, HEAL and TRANSFORM them in GRACE,

and SEND out PASSIONATE DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ."

Sermon Series

Pastor Brad

Welcome to AUMC's Sermon page... another place where grace happens.

All sermons are written and presented by Pastor Brad Beeman unless otherwise noted. Please isten, learn, absorb, and apply.

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We hope the sermons are meaningful to you so that you can make grace happen near you.

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ID	Date	Sermon Series	Title	Readings	Speaker	Listen	Notes
59.056	2/5/2012	Basic Christianity	In Search of Soul	Psalm 37:1-11, Matthew 11:28-30	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Today we begin a series that takes basic Christianity deeper. We begin with the soul. What is it? How do we go deeper? I believe that our understanding of the soul will, in great measure define our ability to have faith, to comprehend God and the movement of God, and more clearly understand Jesus. The soul is the pathway to faith, the location of faith within our being, even the center of the potential for faith within ourselves. Nothing is more important than to find it again, open it wider, and offer that connection to the Spirit of God. In addition, to add to the search for soul and to go deeper in our faith, we will be utilizing the Book of Psalms. This week it is the first eleven verses of Psalm 37. Verse 4 should read, "Delight yourself in God, and God will shape or give form to the desires of your heart." But what does that mean to have our desires shaped by God? For exploration of this and so much more, we'll see you in worship.
59.063	1/29/2012	AUMC's Vision Statement	The Journey	Acts 1:6-11, Mark 12:28-34	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	The work of a Christian stands out in that it is never just about us. It is about an ever-deepening relationship as followers of Christ. It is about loving God first yet it can never stop there. It moves out as we love our neighbors - offering them what we offer ourselves: comfort, security, food, rest, even love. Our neighbors are those with whom we worship and those who are beyond the doors of the church. And there is a cycle to this scriptural equation. As much as I feel at times like the preverbal "broken record" these concepts and this cycle are essential elements to the health of a church. Being sent is the final piece before the cycle begins again. Being sent means that we are being sent from somewhere - in this case it is our home church. This is our foundation, our grounding place, our guiding place, even our assigning place. After being sent, we return and are welcomed home, and all who are gathered are ready to hear the stories of what happened 'out there.' And so the visionary cycle continues as we welcome, heal, transform, deepen discipleship, are sent and then return. It is our vision, our mission, our process, and our hope. To prepare for Sunday please read Acts 1:6-11 (one more time) and Mark 12:28-34.
59.07	1/22/2012	AUMC's Vision Statement	God's List	Philippians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:1-16	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Passion is defined as "any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling; an intense, driving or overmastering feeling or conviction; deep devotion to some activity, emotion or cause." Passion is often born out of something deeper than what may lay on the surface. It is often related to a relationship, an experience, or even a history - whether in marriage, or politics, or even in a life of faith. Passion also means "an intense energy focused in one direction." When I read our Vision Statement and see the words, "passionate disciple of Jesus Christ," I see something more than a Sunday morning person of faith. I see someone whose life has been changed, redefined, even transformed and who is now moving actively in a specific direction. I see someone whose life is focused, deep, and faith-filled. I see a person who is as passionate about their faith as any other part of their lives. So that again begs the question, what does that mean for you or for us? Are we at Aldersgate producing disciples who are filled with passion; life-changing, life-transforming, life-giving passion? That will be the focus of the message this Sunday. To prepare, read Philippians 2:1 - 5 and Matthew 5:1 - 16.
59.077	1/15/2012	AUMC's Vision Statement	Being Spiritual Practitioners	James 5:13-16, Mark 2:1-12	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Last week, in the first Sunday of examining our vision statement, I talked about creating a culture of welcoming, of moving it from the simple idea of 'gathering all people' or of being an assignment or job of one person, of the ushers and greeters, and transforming it into a culture that engages everyone in the congregation, and everyone who enters the parking lot and walks through the doors of the church. This week we move to the second piece of the vision statement as we examine the statement, "we heal and transform them." The language in this part of the statement is challenging. Do we heal them, transform them, or do we offer opportunities for the Source of healing to enter into them in new ways? Might it be some combination of both? The idea of transformation raises similar questions. Transformation - from what, to what? Until we are able to get our heads and hearts around these difficult questions, it will be challenging to move forward into this vision. So let's talk!
59.084	1/8/2012	AUMC's Vision Statement	Radical Hospitality of Biblical Proportions	Ruth 1:6-19, Luke 10:25-37	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	First I want to thank Laura Wall for her leadership at worship on January 1st. The wisdom, sensitivity, and the deep and meaningful theology around gratitude was beautiful to read, and I'm sure even more beautiful to hear. Laura's words set a solid foundation for what will follow. What follows is a four part series on the Aldersgate statement of vision. It reads, "We welcome all people, heal and transform them in grace, and send out passionate disciples of Jesus Christ." It is a powerful statement that deserves attention, particularly as we enter into our 50th anniversary year. This Sunday we will examine the statement of welcome. What does it mean to welcome all people? How do we welcome? Does Aldersgate have a culture of welcoming and how might we know if it does? These are all questions that deserve examination, and that examination begins again this Sunday. The sermon title is "Radical Hospitality of Biblical Proportions." To prepare please read Ruth 1: 6 - 19 and Luke 10: 25 - 37.
59.091	1/1/2012	Holiday Series: Christmas	A New Year Begins	Psalm 148, Luke 2:22-40	Laura Wall	audio	There will be one service at 10am led by Laura Wall while Pastor Brad is on a study leave.
59.098	12/25/2011	Holiday Series: Christmas	Blessing of the Toys		Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Sunday morning we will have one service at 10:00am. Come as you are and bring a gift that was meaningful to you. We will talk about givers and gifts and about God as the great giver and the baby in a manger as the greatest gift of all. For the children, Brad will finally open the gift that has led to such great discussions in the Advent children's moments. Merry Christmas! Please note that there is no Education Hour and there is only one service at 10:30am.
59.105	12/18/2011	Holiday Series: Advent	The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love	Micah 5:2-5a, I Corinthians 12:31b-13:13, Mark 1:18-25	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Three weeks ago, we examined hope, a potentially life changing experience on all sides of the 'hope equation.' Two weeks ago we examined peace; a peace that passes understanding, and a peace that can overcome even the most complex areas of chaos in our lives and in the world. Last week we examined joy; the joy found in the life of a young girl who was to bear the Savior of the world. O that our faith could come close to hers. This Sunday we turn our attention to love. We will have two opportunities to hear the story of love at Christmas. At the 8:50 service, the children of Aldersgate will be presenting a Christmas pageant titled, "A Christmas Celebration of Love." They will bring us the message in worship. Then at the 11:00 service we will hear the Chancel Choir sing us the Christmas story as they share "A Tapestry of Light," a Celtic Christmas cantata that shares the story of this birth with narration, candles, and song. You don't want to miss either of these services of worship. Come and make it a morning at Aldersgate, and bring family and friends and share together these wonderful experiences of Christmas.
59.112	12/11/2011	Holiday Series: Advent	To Have Such Faith	Isaiah 61:1-3, I Thessalonians 5:16-24, Luke 1:39-56	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Our focus turns to Mary and the words spoken to her relative, Elizabeth. Both were to bear sons. Both conceptions were miracles. Both these sons would continue what God began at creation; the expanding and redefining of the order of God. Both women were willing to trust enough to carry these gifts of God. Mary, however had seen fewer years than Elizabeth and yet responds with this amazing song that beautifully reflects Hannah's song over the birth of Samuel. We will explore Mary's words, in scripture and song, and her response will be the center of the message. To prepare please read Isaiah 61:1 - 3, I Thessalonians 5:16 - 24, and Luke 1:39 - 56.
59.119	12/4/2011	Holiday Series: Advent	The Cost of Peace	Isaiah 11:1-6 ,II Peter 3:10-14a, Mark 1:1-8	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	As we prepare to light the second candle of Advent, we again hear the words of Isaiah as quoted by John the Baptist. They are about peace. Having grown up in the sixties, I always thought peace had to do with war. As I've grown older I realize that true peace is not simply the absence of war. Peace is the absence, even the antithesis of chaos, confusion, even conflict in the world and in our lives. This Sunday we will explore that kind of peace; a peace that passes understanding, a peace that comes in the lives of faithful disciples, the peace that God intended at the outset, and a peace we seek in our lives, in this church, and what we seek to bring to the lives of others. To prepare please read II Peter 3: 10 - 14a, and Mark 1: 1 - 8. Also take a look at this week's prophecy. It is Isaiah 11: 1 - 6.
59.126	11/27/2011	Holiday Series: Advent	Keep Awake - Read the Signs	Isaiah 9:1-7, Acts 16:9-10, Mark 13:32-37	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	As we now move into and through Advent, I will be examining three of the prophesies we hear each year at this time. The first is out of Isaiah 9; very familiar words of what is to come. Add to that a short piece of Mark's gospel and a short vision of Paul, and we'll find that the three scriptures for Sunday weave together and point us toward our future. The first prophecy is written for those walking in darkness. We then turn to Paul's vision of a man in Macedonia who pleads with him to come, and then open to Mark's concise statement of keeping awake and alert. The combination helps us to watch carefully, keep awake and alert, look for the signs, and listen for the voices of those who beckon us. Sometimes it means we need to stop and listen, to spend intentional time to hear them over the din of Silent Night played in the Nordstrom elevator or over the speaker system in The Factoria Mall. To prepare please read Isaiah 9: 1 - 7; Acts 16: 9 -10; and Mark 13: 32 - 37
59.133	11/20/2011	Called to be Church	Fruit Is Singular	Galatians 5:16-25, Acts 11:1-18, 25,26	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	What does it mean to be "Christian," to be followers or disciples of Jesus Christ? Last week we talked about conversion; of hearing a call and going to the ground in prayer, of turning another direction, listening and moving toward that call, and then of risking ourselves in order to take action. This week we hear Peter talk about a significant change. Suddenly this Jewish movement moves and expands beyond Judaism. It takes on its own identity and begins to move through a whole new population. The key phrase here is "What God has made clean, you must not profane or judge." So what is it that makes us "clean"? How will we know if it's working? Who might be the new populations that need to hear a good word? And why do we still struggle under this seeming need to judge? We again will receive communion, this time around the triclynium table. To prepare, read Acts 11: 1 - 18 & verses 25 - 26; and Galatians 5:16 - 25.
59.14	11/13/2011	Called to be Church	The Call of God	Luke 5:27-32, Acts 9:1-19	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	This week we move back to our study of Acts by asking the questions: How is it possible that the spy and villain Saul, the one who guarded the cloaks of those who killed young Stephen; becomes the apostle, evangelist, Christian church-champion Paul? What did he bring to the table that the original disciples did not? And, what does that mean for us? These vitally important questions will be explored this Sunday. We will celebrate communion again this Sunday as we continue to explore the Book of Acts and the early church; its influence, its challenges, and where it may be leading us as we approach the Table of Grace again this Sunday.
59.147	11/6/2011	Called to be Church	For All the Saints	John 11:22-27, Acts 9:32-42	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	We will be lighting candles for those who have gone on into that "great cloud of witnesses," honoring and remembering them for their influence on each of us. We will be remembering Jesus, who, on the night that he was betrayed took the bread and the cup, blessed them, and began a new covenant with those of us who have followed. In the midst of those times of remembering, we will also look ahead as we bring our gifts of commitment to the work that lays ahead for the coming year at Aldersgate. It will be a somewhat quiet and meaningful service of remembrance and of commitment. To prepare read Acts 9:32-42 and John 11: 22-27.
59.154	10/30/2011	Called to Be Church	In Giving We Receive	Luke 3:10-16, Acts 8:26-31	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Last week we heard the story of the early disciples bringing all they had and sharing it among the gathered community. The United Methodist Church has found a way to do something similar, to share a portion of what each church has and bring it together for the greater good. This Sunday we will explore the inherent power in what it means to be a United Methodist Church; the underlying strength of being in a connectional denomination; and the abilities to build, expand, and empower ministries because of that connection. Everyone who comes into membership in this denomination commits to supporting the ministries of the church with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. Now multiply that commitment nine million times and you begin to realize the potential power. In addition, Mr. Tom Wilson, Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation, will be here to share what our gifts are doing throughout the connection. He will be offering opportunities after both services for questions and answers about the work of the United Methodist Foundation and how it continues to benefit us as a church. To prepare read Acts 8:26-31.
59.161	10/23/2011	Called to be Church	Life and Death Together	Luke 18:15-17, Acts 4:31-37	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	This Sunday we continue in our study of Acts. We will be confronted with one of the strangest stories in scripture, that of Ananias and Sapphira. We will explore what it means to give to the church and examine some of the ministries occurring within the doors of Aldersgate. To prepare, read Acts 4 and 5 and remember that, as members, we are asked to support the work of the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. In as much as we are not asked to give all that we have to the work of Aldersgate, we are asked to give our full selves to God and a part of ourselves to the work here. So, what are the consequences of being in a church where that doesn't happen; where those attending do not take seriously the membership vows? In a nutshell...it is death. Not of the people, but of the church. It is when everyone comes together, shares what they have, trusts in each other and in the mission of the church, catches a vision, and offers who they are and what they have, that a church grows, deepens, and becomes both vibrant and relevant. So, where are we at this point in our church life? Let's explore it together.
59.168	10/16/2011	Called to be Church	So, What's at Stake for Us?	Luke 3:3-6, 15-17, Acts 2:1-18	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	We believe in a power much greater than us and find that, as we move deeper into that relationship, we become filled by the breath of God and ignited by the ever-creating fire of God. Pentecost changed everything - and we see that most readily in Simon who on this day becomes what Jesus saw in him - a rock. Peter focused on four key elements for us as churches. He was confident, had conviction, made a connection, and offered it with compassion (The Maxwell Leadership Bible). Peter, his transformation, his confidence, and his speech as though something was at stake will be the focus of the message today. To prepare please read the second chapter of Acts.
59.175	10/9/2011	Called to be Church	And so, it begins...	Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:7-17, 21-22 & 26	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	How does a church come together as diverse disciples once the one they've followed is gone? How do they establish leaders, and move ahead into the future as one Body - united by one Spirit? We kick off the stewardship campaign today as we explore this first chapter of Acts. The early church brought all that they had and shared it with the community. In as much as we don't do that, we need to bring all that we have in spirit; our giftedness, our passions, and a portion of our financial gifts to be shared so that the ministry that began with those earliest of Christians, can continue on into and through us today. We are the Body of Christ seeking to live out our faith in community. We are the Body of Christ seeking to live out our faith in the community. We are the Body of Christ seeking to live out our faith for the transformation of the world.
59.182	10/2/2011	Called to by Church	Receiving Power and Offering Our Witness	Acts 1:1-8, Mark 16:14-20	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	Why study this book now, the Book of Acts? This is a key question as we move forward together as a church! We will be exploring what it means to receive power from on high, to be witnesses in our mission field, in [our own] Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The assignment this week: memorize Acts 1:8.
59.189	9/25/2011	Grace Happens	Grace and Our Future - A Look Ahead	1 Corinthians 13, Matthew 7:24-29	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	We've spent the last couple of months working our way through the book, "Gracious Christianity - Living the Love We Profess." The responses have been a wonderful gift. I've learned about you, Aldersgate United Methodist Church; what may lie at your core; those things, those most important aspects of ministry for you, and even who you are. This Sunday we conclude the series. We will go back one more time and examine the foundational pieces of John Wesley's understanding of grace, of faith, and of actions; and what it means to have our hearts "strangely warmed" by this God of grace. Come and be a part of it all.
59.196	9/18/2011	Grace Happens	Being a Church Where Grace Happens	Romans 12:9-18, Mark 8:1-8	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	This Sunday we examine the adventures that surround being the church. It is an ongoing adventure because it involves humans seeking to be in relationship with each other exploring together relationships with things beyond themselves; an adventure because each are individuals who come together seeking unity; an adventure because each person brings different experiences, different understandings, different views, and different histories. It is an adventure because each has a story to tell, and the church has its own story. Sunday we explore the adventure. Come, be a part of it all. See you in church.
59.203	9/11/2011	Grace Happens	Spirit Led and Fed Grace - On Being Grace Filled	Acts 2:1-4, John 14:22-27	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	On the tenth anniversary of 9/11 we will take some time to remember, to pray, and to examine where we've come in these past ten years. We pray that the same transforming Spirit that was present on that day of Pentecost is present in and around us today. We will celebrate the first week of Together We Build, welcome back all of those who have been away this summer, resume our fall schedule, and register for Sunday school. Between services will be the annual Ministry Fair. So invite a friend and come worship, celebrate, welcome, and pray.
59.21	9/4/2011	Grace Happens	Salvation Grace - What Does It Really Mean for Us	Ephesians 2:4-10, John 14:1-7	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	What is soteriology? It is the theology of salvation. We come together for communion and therefore we will hear the ancient words about the cup of salvation and of His body being broken for us. You will hear again about doing this in remembrance of Him. In our remembering, my hope is that we think as much about His life as His death, and what both mean for us today. We will explore soteriology as we continue to examine grace
59.217	8/28/2011	Guest Series	The Butterfly Effect	Exodus 1:8 - 2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20	Rev. Melody Young	audio	Today we welcome Rev. Melody Young to the pulpit. She is a Presbyterian pastor and mother of Nathan Young, our first service creative music director. She will lead us in worship while Pastor Brad is on the church retreat with many of our congregation.
59.224	8/21/2011	Grace Happens	Hearing the Consistent Grace of God's Voice	1 Kings 19:7-13,Luke 6:6-19	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	What does it mean to hear the still small voice of God? Ponder this - To hear means that we have to create space and time so that we can listen. To listen is to stop telling God our agenda and to hear God's. To hear is to potentially become engaged, empowered, even invited to take God's action. To take action may begin with a change in hearts. To be changed is to find oneself consistently living a life that involves God. To live the life of God is to be filled with grace. Are we living out the call to grace we hear in the still small voice of God?
59.231	8/14/2011	Grace Happens	The Great Debate about Human Nature - Is There Grace?	Romans 7:21-8:2, John 15:1-17	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	As creations of God, are we inherently good or inherently evil? Process theology would say that we are inherently good - if we allow ourselves to enter into the movement of God. The apostle Paul and John Wesley would say that we are inherently evil and nothing good lives in us apart from Christ. So which is it, and where might grace enter into this equation? We'll explore that this Sunday.
59.238	8/7/2011	Grace Happens	Creation Grace	Genesis 1:1-2:2	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	The 1960's folk song says, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." This Sunday we explore grace at its foundation. Grace has been a part of God's creation from the very beginning. We see it in the blossoms of trees in the spring that appeared dead in the winter. We see it in the rhythms of nature, the peace in the forest, and in the beauty that surrounds us every day. On Sunday, we will explore it more deeply. Come, be a part of worship at Aldersgate where grace really does happen.
59.245	7/31/2011	Grace Happens	Grace! Does it Really Happen	Colossians 3:12-17; John 15:9-17	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	This Sunday we kickoff an eight week study based on the book Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess by Jacobsen and Sawatsky. When we say, "Grace Happens" what do we really mean? Grace is one of the most complex theological concepts out there. I would like to set out a number of assumptions and check them out with the church. This will move us deeper into an understanding of ourselves, our mission, and begin setting a vision for the future of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
59.252	7/24/2011	Guest Series	"What Is Heaven?" It's not Annual Conference, or is it?	Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52	Jean Harris	audio	Jean Harris will preach this Sunday. Jean has been a member of Aldersgate since 2005. Prior to AUMC, Jean was a member of Everett First UMC for over 35 years. She is a Conference Certified Lay Speaker and has been Aldersgate's Lay Representative to the Annual Conference for the last five years
59.259	7/17/2011	Sermons - 2011	Love: God, Self and Neighbor - Our Youth in Mission	Micah 6:8; Mark 12:28-34	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio	We are commissioning our 2011 Youth Mission Team at both services on Sunday, and then sending them forth to Salt Lake City to work at the UMCOR West Facility to prepare much needed items for shipment across the globe. If you cannot attend on Sunday, please make a commitment to pray for them. They leave on Sunday July 24th and will be working in Salt Lake City throughout that following week. The sermon will be exploring what Jesus meant by "neighbor." Come and find out. See you in church!
59.266	7/10/2011	Sermons - 2011	On Being the Church	Colossians 3:12-17, Mark 10:13-16	Pastor Brad Beeman	audio

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