Ah, Excuse me but what is a "Gospel"?
The word "gospel" simply means "good news." Gospels are cherished accounts about what God has done through Jesus Christ. The least likely people in society who had no formal seminary training wrote them.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Another Counselor
Many times we think we don't have the ability, the training, the time, the maturity, or aren't sufficiently moral to truly and literally follow the command "go to all the nations and make them my disciples." But God works in mysterious ways, and according to the promise of Jesus Christ, He sends the help so that you will find the necessary tools to do this.
Author: Marco Rubio
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BYLAWS FOR LIFE
What would a Christian utopia look like? How would we be expected to behave in it?
Rev. Caio Fábio D'Araújo Filho
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Celebration of the Promise
This series of readings is a ceremony of celebration of God's blessing, even when we find ourselves struggling with God. It is suitable for a meeting to share, pray and reflect together.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe.
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Chanukah - The Festival of Lights
Every year on the 25th of Kislev the Jews celebrate the miraculous acts of the Eternal, our God, in the history of Israel. Chanukah is an inspiration to all peoples in every type of oppression.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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Christ & Discipleship: Mark 10:13-31
We have four dramas in this gospel picture. Christ interacts with children, an eager spiritual seeker, the inner circle of disciples and impulsive Peter. What does all this mean? Where are we in this picture? What is this all about?
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Coming Out as Sacrament
Coming out is a sacrament for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) people of faith because it sets us on a lifelong path of manifesting God's grace in our lives. Embracing our GLBT identity is an invitation to go deeper in our spiritual journey.
Author: Rev. Mona West, Ph.D.
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DIRT
Lets look at this DIRT. . . first off . . .this DIRT is made up of four basic elements. Yes, there are variables - but essentially there are four common elements to this DIRT. Soot or carbon, clay, sand, and water. Soot, clay, sand, and water. This is a nice piece of information. . . but so. . . . Well, lets take a deeper look. . .because. . . I truly believe that God Did know something we don't easily see. Soot. . . carbon. . .but when brought to it's highest order it becomes the fuel to warm homes and cook our food. And . . . when it's perfected. . . it becomes the priceless diamond.
Author: Sue Emery
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Do All This and You Will Have Eternal Life
Many times as Christians we believe that to help our neighbor we only need to give money to some organization or to a good cause. But, even more so than the money we can give, it's important to give ourselves.
Author: Marco Rubio
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Easter - An Appointment with God
Every year, when Spring arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, Christians and Jews celebrate the festival of Easter/Passover. This celebration makes us feel closer to Jesus.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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Embrace Your Call
A garden has many lessons to teach us about our spiritual lives. We cultivate our relationship with God, much as we cultivate the plants in our garden. And God, in turn, cultivates us, just a a good gardener cares for the plants.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Freedom in Forgiveness
Paul's letter to the Romans really goes right to the heart of helping us to understanding one form of freedom. Paul wrote, "Why do you pass judgement on your sisters and brothers? Or why do you despise your sisters and brothers? We will all stand before the judgment of God." This sermon was prepared for the Sept. 10, 1999 service at the MCC in Monterrey, Mexico.
Author: Rev. David Pettitt
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Freely You Have Received, Freely Give
Didn't Jesus say if God has given me a free gift, I should in the same manner freely give it to others? Without asking anything in return. And receiving, as payment, something which is much more valuable than money.
Author: Marco Rubio
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God's Heartbeat - Dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard
God's heartbeat is love! This two section combination of reflection/study is simply one soul food sampler of God’s heartbeat. You may read this in its entirety or use it for a daily devotional. May each visitor be blessed with the spiritual generosity and hospitality of God!
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Hermeneutics In Everyday Life
The following offering was given to me as an example of Biblical humor. It is a fun insight for all who read Scripture! The author is unknown to me, but offers more "food for thought for all seekers."
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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HIV/AIDS: IS IT GOD'S JUDGEMENT?
Is HIV a punishment or judgment from God? The short answer, from many people of faith, is "No! Absolutely not!"
Author: Rev. A. Stephen Peters
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Homosexuality and the Bible
Thoughtful Bible study reveals that the Bible does have Good News for gays and lesbians, and it does not say what you may have thought it did about homosexuals!
Author: UFMCC
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Homosexuality: Not a Sin...Not a Sickness
A growing number of biblical and theological scholars now recognize that Scripture does not condemn loving, responsible homosexual relationships.
Author: Rev. Elder Donald Eastman
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I Pray That All Of Them May Be One
How easy it is to pray for ourselves. It might also be easy to pray for the people we love. But what is not so easy is to pray for those who are outside of our circle of intimates. It would please me if we would pray, not for ourselves, nor for the people within our circle of intimates, but instead for those people we have just met and for those we simply don't know.
Author: Marco Rubio
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Loving Our Enemies, Is Impossible
Both of our scripture readings this evening, advised us to: Love Our Enemies. And yet, the title of this message suggests, just the opposite. Loving Our Enemies, Is Impossible! This sermon was prepared for the Oct. 22, 1999 service at the MCC in Monterrey, Mexico.
Author: Rev. David Pettitt
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MAKE Y0UR INTERNET OUTREACH MULTILINGUAL
Not all Christians speak English! If you want to maximize the number of people you help, your on-line ministry shouldn't be solely in English. This document discusses some of the practical details of getting documents translated and getting the translated documents on the Internet.
Author: Geraldine Wright
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Metropolitan Community Churches Today...
All people-gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual-are invited to new life through the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ in the Metropolitan Community Churches.
Author: UFMCC
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Never too late!
It is never too late to become the person God desires you to be. It is never too late for forgiveness. It is never too late for faith, however doubtful.
Author: Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok
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No Stinkin' Thinking!
We are equally needy for Christian community, discipleship and blessing. Mary was discipled by Elizabeth during three months of her pregnancy. Mary gives us great insight through her example! We would be wise to seek discipleship relationships, spiritual accountability through mentoring and support groups as we bring the true meaning of Christmas to our communities! Lonely isolationism is spiritually demoralizing and self defeating. By ourselves we are prone to "STINKIN’ THINKING!"
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Pentecost & Prayer
Christ never told the world to go to church. Christ told the Church to go into the world. As God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Christians, we have a very special two-fold calling in the Christian Church. We are called to be missionaries among our own people. And we are called to share our witness among conservative non-UFMCC Christian churches. We need the miracle of Pentecost.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Plant A Row
As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for peoples' physical, as well as spiritual, needs. Here is a suggestion for using your own vegetable garden to help reduce world hunger.
Author: Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok
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Queer Spirituality
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people have a unique history as spiritual people and our expressions of spirituality are being manifested in powerful and healing ways today. Those expressions are known as "Queer Spirituality."
Author: Rev. Mona West, Ph.D.
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Reading The Bible With Life And Life With The Bible
The Bible is not just a storage box full of sayings that we open in order to search for easy and immediate answers to our problems, but rather, it is the story of a God who is revealed talking to and acting with a people.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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Ready for a miracle? John 2: 1-11
What is the significance of a first century Jewish wedding, a persistent mother and Christ’s first public miracle? What does this have to do with our lives? It’s very simple. Jesus is about transformation: water into wine; sinners into saints. Are you ready for such a miracle in your life?
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Reclaiming our place in Biblical families of choice
If you have never read the gospel of John, it can be used for your personal prayer empowerment through imaging yourselves in scripture, using centering words and symbols for breath prayers while lingering with God. John teaches us about authentic spirituality with the most non-homophobic spiritual leader in world history.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Salt of the Earth and Light of the World
That which identifies us as Christians is not only the fact that we worship Jesus Christ and have Him as our Savior. We must also strive to do the will of God, putting God's teachings into practice.
Author: Pr. Gelson Piber
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Simplicity
God is inviting us to reclaim and experience a delicious and nourishing spiritual birthright in prayer. We are invited and gently wooed into a love story. God's heartbeat can be experienced through prayer. Prayer is simply conversation with God through a tender two - way relationship.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Spiritual Greatness
True greatness in the kingdom of God is through suffering. True greatness is in sacrifice. True greatness is not found in ambition and jealousy. If you want to be great, be a humble servant. Spiritual formation begins in service and sacrifice to others.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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The Adulteress, the Adulterers, and the Love of Jesus
A true follower of Jesus treats sinners with compassion and forgiveness, rather than with judgment and condemnation.
Author: Pr. Gelson Piber
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The Bible...Our Story Too
A bold, proactive reading of the Bible offers new life for lesbians, gay men, and their families and friends. Consensus is growing among respected scholars of Scripture that the Bible does not condemn such relationships. Yes, it is "Our Story, Too!"
Author: Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson
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The Blessings of Scripture Reading
Soul Food is dedicated to reclaiming the arts of spiritual conversation, holy listening, reading and prayer. When read in context, scripture can be a source of joy and peace. The Bible is powerful. Soul Food hopes to help all readers experience the art of reading scripture in context. Reading sacred words is transforming. They can help us experience the loving mind and heartbeat of God.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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The Divine Comedy of Christmas
When you think about the Christmas story, it seems pretty ridiculous. Is it possible that somebody like Jesus, of such humble origins, could become the Savior of the world? But throughout the Bible story this is precisely the kind of people who have done the work of God.
Author: Ciro d'Araújo
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ: John 17
Before major turning points, trials and temptations in Christ’s life, we often see him retreat to secret, solitary prayer places. Jesus’ habit of praying is frequently mentioned in all the gospels (Mt. 14:23; 26:36; Mk 1:35; Lk 5:15-16; 6:12; 9:28-29; Jn 17). He prayed greatly, lived greatly and died greatly.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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The Kneeling Santa
My father shared a valuable insight about this. I spent two weeks with him as he was recovering from emergency open-heart surgery. We talked about Santa Claus and the meaning of Christmas. He thoughtfully shared, ‘I don’t understand why some people are so upset with Santa Claus! Santa is a miracle. People buy gifts and try to
express their love. Soldiers around the world stop shooting at each other. Even if it’s an uneasy and temporary peace, I think this is good. So why be upset at Santa Claus? Santa does a lot of good.’
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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The Living Word of God
Whenever we have truly heard, sincerely thought about, and prayed with certainty about the Word of God, the Word lives in us and we live in the Word. Our lives then become at One with God and our days as pure as the virgin’s breast that breathes life into and gives life to the Living Word.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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The Mystery of Love
Henri Nouwen has written "To see Christ is to see God" (Behold, the Beauty of the Lord). Madeleine L’Engle has said "Jesus is God’s show and tell" (Glimpses of Grace: Daily Thoughts and Reflections). One powerful way to see God and experience our place in the Biblical stories is through imaging ourselves in scripture. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are great places to begin.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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THEN I Will follow You
On life's journey more than once we find ourselves at a fork in the road where we must decide to either maintain ourselves firm in our Christian convictions, or do that which is personally, socially, culturally or politically correct.
Author: Marco Rubio
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The Power of the Bible
The Bible is a powerful book. What is more important to realize is that interpretations of the Bible are just as powerful.
Author: Rev. Mona West, Ph.D.
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The Practice of Jesus and Current Times
The world context differs profoundly from that in which Jesus acted. In light of this, faithfulness to Jesus presupposes a reading of the times. To be faithful to Jesus, it's necessary to be different...from Jesus.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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To Be Rich Toward God
Ambition is that sentiment and energy which motivates us to achieve determined goals, both material and spiritual. The problem appears when our ambition turns into avarice. In that moment our vision becomes cloudy with the mist of fear and we lose our way.
Author: Marco Rubio
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Transforming Spiritual Conversations in Discipleship: The Gospel of John
Reading a Gospel may be one of the most enjoyable reading experiences in the world. It is full of stories of real people seeking spiritual food and drink through the remarkable person known as Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John invites us to linger in unhurried conversations with Christ through the eyes of seekers, doubters and skeptics, both religious and irreligious people from all walks of life.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Two Good Friday Meditations: Gethsemane and the Cross
"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22: 39-42 (NIV) This intense gospel drama brings us into the final hours of a good man’s life.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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UFMCC Core Values Resource Kit
Each of this series of nine Resource Kits includes liturgical resources, small group materials, and ideas for incorporating the value into the life and culture of your congregation.
Author: Rev. Justin Tanis
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UFMCC General Conference July 1999 Workshop: Non-technical Internet Evangelism
The Internet brings new challenges and opportunities for both the church and individuals online. How do we provide presence and ministry to searchers and lurkers in this new electronic medium? How do we train our churches and individual church members with resources to empower their faith sharing and spiritual friendship skills? How do we disciple and provide spiritual formation materials for our virtual visitors? How can we help them find local affirming church communities around the world?
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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Victory in Becoming a Man or a Woman
Behaving like a man or a woman is not simply a matter of natural tendencies. A thing which seems so simple and so easy, and guided by nature - to be of one sex - manifests itself to us as something complex, delicate and demanding.
Author: Rev. Luiz Fernando Pereira Garupe
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"What does this mean?" A 21st Century Theology of World Mission & Evangelism.
God never called the world to attend church. God has called the church to go to the world. God is calling convinced Christians to share the Christ story through the guidance, power and help of the Holy Spirit. Truly, we are not prepared until the Holy Spirit empowers us (Acts 1: 5, 8, 14). Pentecost is about evangelism.
Author: SurprisedByJoy
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What Has God Entrusted Us With?
God trusted us first with: Our Lives... Our Parents and Our Families... God also trusted us with Our Friends... Our Job... How about, This Planet Earth that we live on... God has also entrusted us with this church and the community we serve. What do we give back as a fair portion, as our sign of gratitude and appreciation to God for this and all the gifts we receive? Are we really fulfilling our part of the agreement? This sermon was prepared for the Oct. 1, 1999 service at the MCC in Monterrey, Mexico.
Author: Rev. David Pettitt
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What’s for Lunch?
Food is such a necessary requirement for our physical well being that is has acquired a spiritual meaning. We can find our spirituality deepened both in feasting and in fasting. But, whether we feast or fast, we must never forget that some people have little or no food, and therefore must fast out of necessity, not out of choice.
Author: Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok
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