
Hosted by Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church · EN

In this sermon on Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23, Pastor Angelo reflects on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower and the different ways we receive the Gospel in our lives. Some hearts become hardened by disappointment, some faiths remain shallow, and some lives become crowded with worry, distraction, and competing loyalties. But the good news is that soil can change. God’s grace continues to soften, cultivate, and make room for new life to grow. This message invites us to ask not simply, “What kind of soil am I?” but “What kind of soil is God cultivating within me?”

Learning the Unforced Rhythms of GraceAre you tired? Worn out? Burned out? In one of Jesus' most beloved invitations, he calls weary people to come to him and "learn the unforced rhythms of grace." In this message from Matthew 11:28–30, Pastor Angelo reflects on the rhythms that quietly shape our lives every day and reminds us that following Jesus isn't about trying harder—it's about walking with him. Discover how Christ invites us to exchange the exhausting rhythms of fear, anxiety, and performance for a life marked by grace, gentleness, and true rest.

This week’s sermon explores one of Scripture’s most difficult stories: Abraham, Isaac, and the command to sacrifice the promised child. Genesis 22 invites us to wrestle honestly with costly trust, the things we hold too tightly, and the God who stops the knife, provides the ram, and meets us on the mountain.

Following Jesus isn't a promise that life will be easy. It's a promise that we are seen, known, and loved through it all. This week we explored Matthew 10:24-39, where Jesus tells his disciples the truth: faithfulness will cost something. It may disrupt comfort, challenge relationships, and demand courage. But here's the good news—whatever we lose for Christ's sake becomes life.Jesus doesn't call us into suffering for its own sake. He calls us into truthful, costly, courageous love. And in that love, we discover a family wider than bloodline, a peace deeper than comfort, and a presence that never leaves us. The sparrows are seen. The hairs on your head are counted. Don't be afraid.What does your "yes" to Jesus look like today?

Recording from Annual Conference, Pastors Angelo and Becca reflect on the Minor Prophets and their ongoing call to the church today. From justice and mercy to truth-telling and hope, this episode explores what it means for the church to live prophetically—not by predicting the future, but by bearing witness to God’s heart in the present.

What do you do when trusting God feels impossible? This week, pastoral intern Emma Strickland reflects on the stories of Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary—ordinary people who met God’s promises with doubt, laughter, and questions. Through their stories, Emma explores a simple but powerful truth: faith is not the absence of uncertainty. Sometimes trusting God means taking one more step, even when the future seems absurd and the answers are unclear. And in those moments, God often gives us the gift of community to help carry our faith until we can find it again.

This week on Companions on the Journey, Pastors Angelo and Becca leave the Major Prophets behind and enter the world of the Minor Prophets. Together they explore Hosea's powerful message of covenant love, Joel's vision of repentance and renewal, Amos's passionate call for justice, and Obadiah's warning against exploiting the vulnerable. Along the way, they discuss why these prophets still matter today, how Peter connects Joel to Pentecost, and what it means to move beyond religious appearances toward genuine faithfulness. Join us as we discover how four very different prophetic voices reveal one consistent truth about the heart of God.

This week on The Sunday Sermon, we pause for Checkpoint Sunday #3 in our Bible-in-a-Year journey. Looking back across everything we've read—from Genesis and Exodus to the kings, the Psalms, and the prophets—we ask a simple but important question: What have we learned about God? Through the images of water, bread, and the cup, Pastors Angelo and Becca trace the story of Scripture and discover a God who creates, provides, rescues, forgives, and remains faithful even when we are not. As we gather around the communion table, we're reminded that the story of God's people has always been held together by one enduring truth: His love endures forever.

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca finish reflecting on Ezekiel. Together, they discuss the valley of dry bones, dragons, and the close connection between despair and hope.

In the final message of our Explore God series, Pastor Angelo explores one last deeply personal question: Can I know God personally? Grounded in John 15:9–17, this sermon examines Jesus’ invitation to “remain” in his love and challenges common misconceptions about faith, spirituality, and relationship with God. Together, we consider what it means to be fully known and fully loved by God—and how abiding in the love of Christ can transform the way we live, love, and see ourselves.