Worship Sermons and Programs in 2011

The sermons are audio files, recorded in .mp3 format.  The programs are in Adobe .pdf format.

The scripture reading in bold will usually be the theme scripture.  We encourage you to read the scriptures before you come to worship as part of your spiritual discipline and preparation for worship.

Sunday, December 25, 2011 - Christmas Day
Christmas – Sing with Joy
Special Christmas Concert and choral readings
program-2011-12-25.pdf  

Saturday, December 24, 2011 - Christmas Eve
Choir sings “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Harold E. Darke
program-2011-12-24.pdf

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - Blue Christmas 

Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 4th Sunday in Advent
Longing for God with Us
sermon-2011-12-28.mp3 (6.8 MB, 15 min)
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11,16, Luke 1:47-55, Luke 1: 26-38
Rev. Linda M. Butler, preaching
program-2011-12-18.pdf

Sunday, December 11, 2011 - 3rd Sunday in Advent
Longing for Hope Restored
sermon-2011-12-11.mp3 (10.2 MB, 22 min)
Scriptures: Psalm 126, Isaiah 6:1-4,8-11, Luke 1:47-55, John 1:6-8, 19-28
Rev. Linda M. Butler, preaching
program-2011-12-11.pdf

Sunday, December 4, 2011 - 2nd Sunday in Advent
Longing for Words of Comfort
sermon-2011-12-04.mp3 (8.3 MB, 18 min)
Scriptures: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8
Rev. Linda M. Butler, preaching
program-2011-12-04.pdf

Sunday, November 27, 2011 - First Sunday of Advent
Longing - The Gift Is Still Unfolding
sermon-2011-11-27.mp3 (8.3 MB, 18 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 
program-2011-11-27.pdf

Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Reign of Christ
sermon-2011-11-20.mp3 (7.3 MB, 16 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Ezekiel 34:11-16, Ezekiel 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25: 31-46
program-2011-11-20.pdf

Sunday, November 13, 2011 - Growing It Forward - Growing in Mission and Possibility
sermon-2011-11-13.mp3 (5 MB, 11 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Children in grades 1-5 and Principal Liz Crowley from our Partner in Education school, Cunningham School for Excellence, spoke about the “Leader in Me” program.
Scriptures: Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-29
program-2011-11-13.pdf

Sunday, November 6, 2011 - Growing It Forward - Growing in Generosity
sermon-2011-11-06.mp3 (9.4 MB, 21 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Joshua 24:1-3a, Joshua 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13
program-2011-11-06.pdf

Sunday, October 30, 2011 - Growing It Forward - Growing in Trust
sermon-2011-10-30.mp3 (11 MB, 24 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12
program-2011-10-30.pdf

Sunday, October 23, 2011 - Growing It Forward - Growing in Love
sermon-2011-10-23.mp3 (8 MB, 18 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46
program-2011-10-23.pdf

Sunday, October 16, 2011 - Laity Sunday - Willing Relationship
sermon-2011-10-16.mp3 (9.3 MB, 20 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22
program-2011-10-16.pdf

Sunday, October 9, 2011 - God Matters
sermon-2011-10-09.mp3 (10.6 MB, 23 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14
program-2011-10-09.pdf 

Sunday, October 2, 2011 - World Communion Sunday - God's Loving Wisdom
sermon-2011-10-02.mp3 (9.3 MB, 20 min)
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46
program-2011-10-02.pdf

Sunday, September 25, 2011 - 4th Sunday in the Season of Creation - River
sermon-2011-09-25.mp3 (8.3 MB, 18 min)
On this River Sunday we explore the ways God renews creation through the healing gift of Spirit as expressed in waters and rivers.
Preaching: Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 8:20-22; 9:12-17, Psalm 104:27-33, Revelation 22:1-5, Matthew 28:1-10
program-2011-09-25.pdf

Sunday, September 18, 2011 - 3rd Sunday in the Season of Creation - Wilderness
sermon-2011-09-18.mp3 (10 MB, 22 min)
Wilderness is a place that lies beyond human control. In the Hebrew scriptures it is called midbar, in Australia, outback.
Preaching: Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Joel 1:8-10, 17-20, Psalm 18:6-19, Romans 8:18-27, Mark 1:9-13 
program-2011-09-18.pdf

Sunday, September 11, 2011 - 2nd Sunday in the Season of Creation - Land
Appalachian Service Project Sunday - Safer, Drier, Warmer
Look at the amazing Earth! It’s not just God’s sacred garden; it’s our daily immersion into the truth that God is with us in all things, including the land on which we live.
Scriptures:  Romans 12:1-2
program-2011-09-11.pdf

Sunday, September 4, 2011 - 1st Sunday in the Season of Creation - Listen to the Forest
sermon-2011-09-04.mp3 (8.3 MB, 18 min)
Forest Sunday is the first of four Sundays in the Season of Creation, a celebration of our interconnectedness with God and all of creation
Preaching: Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 2:4b-22, Psalm 139:13-16, Acts 17:22-28, John 3:1-16
program-2011-09-04.pdf

Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - Spirit-Led Living
Focus:  To follow love’s lead into transforming practices of faithful living.
Preaching: Rev. Jaymee Glenn-Burns, Field Outreach Minister, NE District
Scriptures:  Romans 12:9–21
program-2011-08-28.pdf

Sunday, August 21, 2011 - 10th Sunday after Pentecost - Pictures of God's Realm
sermon-2011-08-21.mp3 (9.8 MB, 21 min)
Focus:  To open to transforming vistas of kinship that set free life-giving gifts.
Preaching:  Rev. Lee Schott, pastor of Women at the Well, Prison Congregation at Mitchellville
Scriptures:  Romans 12:1–8
program-2011-08-21.pdf

Sunday, August 14, 2011 - 9th Sunday after Pentecost - Bold Moves
sermon-2011-08-14.mp3 (8 MB, 18 min)
Focus:  To give voice to tender and transforming movements toward restoration.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 45:1–15
program-2011-08-14.pdf 

Sunday, August 7, 2011 - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - When All Seems Lost
Communion Sunday
sermon-2011-08-07.mp3 (9.8 MB, 22 min)
Focus:  To enter into stories of conflicted kinships and to trust God’s companioning of us.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28
program-2011-08-07.pdf

Sunday, July 31, 2011 - 7th Sunday after Pentecost - Face to Face
sermon-2011-07-31.mp3 (11.4 MB, 25 min) - Holding Onto God and Not Letting Go
Focus:  To draw apart for holy encounter in order to be drawn together into blessed community.
Preaching:  Sam Anderson
Scriptures:  Genesis 32:22–31
program-2011-07-31.pdf 

Sunday, July 24, 2011 - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - Weaving the Future
sermon-2011-07-24.mp3 (13.2 MB, 29 min) - Bidden or Not, God Is Present
Focus:  To open to the transforming possibilities of relationships redeemed by love.
Preaching:  Rev. David Glenn-Burns
Scriptures:  Genesis 29:15–28
program-2011-07-24.pdf

Sunday, July 17, 2011 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost - Place of Blessing
sermon-2011-07-17.mp3 (8 MB, 18 min)
Focus:  To come as we are into the mystery of God’s presence and call.
Preaching:  Rev. Darline Balm-Demmel
Scriptures:  Genesis 28:10–19a
program-2011-07-17.pdf

Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost - A House Divided, Hope
Focus:  To struggle with conditions and choices that empower and/or conflict faithful relationships.
Preaching:  Rev. Jaymee Glenn-Burns
Scriptures:  Genesis 25:19–34
program-2011-07-10.pdf

Sunday, July 3, 2011 - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost - Chosen Journeys
sermon-2011-07-03.mp3 (9.3 MB, 20 min)
Focus:  To look at Rebekah’s hospitality and choices as a model as we grow as a community of faith.
Preaching:  Marilyn Bauch
Scriptures:  Genesis 24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost - Holy Welcome
sermon-2011-06-26.mp3 (9.8 MB, 22 min)
Focus:  To embody holy welcome – and welcoming of the holy – in discipleship and community.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:4-42
program-2011-06-26.pdf

Sunday, June 19, 2011 - Trinity Sunday - This Is Good
sermon-2011-06-19.mp3 (5.6 MB, 12 min)
Focus:  To raise our voices with all creation in celebration of the goodness that comes in and through relationship with God.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20
program-2011-06-19.pdf

Sunday, June 12, 2011 - Pentecost Sunday
sermon-2011-06-12.mp3 (5 MB, 11 min) - Let Your Life Speak
Focus:  To celebrate the Holy Spirit and recognize Spirit’s gifts within all.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-35, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23
program-2011-06-12.pdf

Sunday, June 5, 2011 - 7th Sunday of Easter - Spirit of Witness
Focus:  To welcome through prayer God’s Spirit that empowers us a community of witness.
Preaching: 
Scriptures:  Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4: 12-14, 5:6-11, John 17:1-11
program-2011-06-05.pdf

Sunday, May 29, 2011 - 6th Sunday of Easter - Witness of Love
sermon-2011-05-29.mp3 (9MB, 20 min)
Focus:  To recognize Spirit’s enduring presence through community that enables us to fulfill love’s expectations.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21
program-2011-05-29.pdf

Sunday, May 22, 2011 - 5th Sunday of Easter - Enduring Witness
sermon-2011-05-22.mp3 (12MB, 27 min)
Focus:  To be assured that Spirit holds us always as we continue faithfully the works of love.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14
program-2011-05-22.pdf

Sunday, May 15, 2011 - 4th Sunday of Easter - Powerful Witness
sermon-2011-05-15.mp3 (9MB, 20min)
Focus:  To gather as God’s people and be inspired to live as a community of Christ.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 2: 42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10
program-2011-05-15.pdf

Sunday, May 8, 2011 - 3rd Sunday of Easter - Breaking Bread
sermon-2011-05-08.mp3 (8.7MB, 19 min)
Focus:  To have our eyes opened through the breaking of bread that reveals the presence of God in all.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35
program-2011-05-08.pdf

Sunday, May 1, 2011 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Body Language
sermon-2011-05-01.mp3 (7MB, 15 min)
Focus:  To open doors to Spirit so as to become the “living, breathing, Body of Christ.”
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
program-2011-05-01.pdf

Sunday, April 24, 2011 - Easter Sunday - Belonging and Restoring
sermon-2011-04-24.mp3 (7.3MB, 16 min)
Focus:  To move with the resurrected Spirit of Christ from empty space to community.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4, Matthew 28:1-10
program-2011-04-28.pdf

Sunday, April 17, 2011 - Palm/Passion Sunday - Inspiring Thanks and Resistance
sermon-2011-04-17.mp3 (8MB, 18 min)
Focus:  To find meaning in the story of Jesus Christ as he enters Jerusalem.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54   
program-2011-04-17.pdf

Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 5th Sunday in Lent - Breath of Hope
sermon-2010-04-10.mp3 (7.8MB, 17 min)
Focus:  To be inspired by visions of renewed life and be further shaped into communities of hope.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45
program-2011-04-10.pdf   

Sunday, April 3, 2011 - 4th Sunday in Lent - Restored
sermon-2011-04-03.mp3 (6MB, 13 min) - "Seeing Again for the Very First Time"
Focus:  To recognize the large and small ways in which God transforms us on life’s journey.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41   
program-2011-04-03.pdf

Sunday, March 27, 2011 - 3rd Sunday in Lent - Thirsty Voices
sermon-2011-03-27.mp3 (8.5MB, 19 min)
Focus:  To give voice to our needs and listen for the needs of others, confident in God’s attentiveness.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42  
program-2011-03-27.pdf

Sunday, March 20, 2011 - 2nd Sunday in Lent - Bold Blessing
sermon-2011-03-20.mp3 (10MB, 22 min)
Focus:  To encourage a bold journey of exploration into God’s unknown.
Preaching:  Rev. Carmen Lampe-Zeitler, Director of Children and Family Urban Ministries, Trinity UMC, Des Moines  
Scriptures:  Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17  
program-2011-03-20.pdf

Sunday, March 13, 2011 - 1st Sunday in Lent - Abundant Grace
sermon-2011-03-13.mp3 (7.2MB, 16 min)
Focus:  To rejoice that we are hidden in God who makes a new way possible.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11  
program-2011-03-13.pdf

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - Ash Wednesday Service - Going Deep
One moment we feel close to God and can see signs of our deepening faithfulness. But all too suddenly our faith becomes fragile, we know sorrow and emptiness, we hurt those who are closest to us. This is the human condition. The Season of Lent gives us the opportunity to give honest voice to this human mixture within and around us. And this Ash Wednesday service blends the ashes of regret with the oil of renewal as a sign of the Lenten season.  

Sunday, March 6, 2011 - Last Sunday after the Epiphany - Dazzling Reign
Transfiguration of the Lord
sermon-2011-03-06.mp3 (7.8MB, 17 min)
Focus:  To recall Jesus’ divine affirmation and commit ourselves to God’s extraordinary and wise ways.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Exodus 24: 12-18, Psalm 99, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9
program-2011-03-06.pdf  

Sunday, February 27, 2011 - 8th Sunday after the Epiphany - Putting Love First
sermon-2011-02-27.mp3 (10MB, 22 min)
Focus:  To immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God:  Putting Love First
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Isaiah 49:8-16a; Psalm 131 or Psalm 62:5-12 (UMH 787); I Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34
program-2011-02-27.pdf

Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 7th Sunday after the Epiphany - Expanding Boundaries
sermon-2011-02-20.mp3 (7.3 MB, 16 min)
Focus:  To immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God:  Expanding Boundaries
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40 (UMH 840); I Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48  
program-2011-02-20.pdf

Sunday, February 13, 2011 - 6th Sunday after the Epiphany - From the Heart
sermon-2011-02-13.mp3 (8.5 MB, 19 min) - "Living Love"
Focus:  To immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God:  From the Heart
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8 (UMH 840); I Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37 
program-2011-02-13.pdf

Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 5th Sunday after the Epiphany - Restoring Beauty
sermon-2011-02-06.mp3 (4.5 MB, 20 min)
Focus:  To immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God:  Restoring Beauty
Preaching:  Rev. Linda M. Butler
Scriptures:  Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-10 (UMH 833); I Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20 
program-2011-02-06.pdf

Sunday, January 30, 2011 – 4th Sunday after the Epiphany – Vision Beautiful
sermon-2011-01-30.mp3 (5 MB, 22 min)
Focus: To immerse ourselves in the extraordinary and wise ways of God.
Preaching:  Rev. David Glenn-Burns
Topic:  Rebuild & Renovate - The UNI Wesley Foundation
Scriptures:  Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12
program-2011-01-30.pdf

Sunday, January 23, 2011 – 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany – Called Together
sermon-2011-01-23.mp3 (3 MB, 13 min)
Focus: To experience anew the sacred call to participate in God’s mission of love.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda Butler
Scriptures:  Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
program-2011-01-23.pdf

Sunday, January 16, 2011 – 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany - All That We Are
sermon-2011-01-16.mp3 (3.5 MB, 15 min)
Focus:  To reaffirm our shared vocation and have the courage to live all that we are.
Preaching:  Rev. Linda Butler
Scriptures:  Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42
program-2011-01-16.pdf

Sunday, January 9, 2011 – The Baptism of Jesus - Possibilities Unfolding
sermon-2011-01-09.mp3 (4.3 MB, 19 min)
Possibilities Unfolding
Focus: To know deeply that we are loved and chosen by God to be the presence of Christ in our world.
Preaching: Rev. Linda Butler
Scriptures:  Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17  
program-2011-01-09.pdf

Sunday, January 2, 2011 - 2nd Sunday after Christmas - Epiphany Celebration
sermon-2011-01-02.mp3 (3 MB, 14 min)
Epiphany
Focus:  To celebrate, with the magi, the presence of God-with-us
Preaching: Rev. Linda Butler
Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
program-2011-01-02.pdf