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Month: August 2023

Loaves and fishes meme

Sermon: Compassion and Enoughness

Recently I shared the message about compassion and our enoughness at our church, First Presbyterian Church in Logan, Utah. https://firstpreslogan.com/ The passage was based on the scripture Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSVue). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A13-21&version=NRSVUE

It was an honor to share the message. If you would like to watch it please see the attached link. https://www.youtube.com/live/1OsIJyZU5ow?si=b1OjdMQ9lk9XI_2S

I don’t know if I’ll get the opportunity to preach again but it was fun and rewarding and has sparked something inside me. A friend recently sent me a message asking me how things went.  I thought I’d use her questions to reflect and share my thoughts with you.

What thrilled you?  I secretly like to be the center of attention and always wanted to be a stand up comedian. However, I’m not very good with criticism so that was promptly shelved. I enjoyed the improv moments with my audience and loved when they laughed at the appropriate places. 

What did you learn about yourself?  I have a degree in communications that I’ve never really used. This was the first time I felt like I took all those public speaking classes and used them effectively. I learned that the pull I have had to go into some type of ministry is still very prevalent.

What did you learn about the Lord? That he really does calm a person’s nerves and gives them the right words. I didn’t prep a lot nor did I practice my sermon and I felt it still went well.

What did you learn about your church audience? They truly love people. I had so many people before and after tell me encouraging things. I received phone calls afterwards telling me thank you and ‘job well done’. My minister from the beginning told me the sermon was beautiful and to not change a thing. That gave me a lot of confidence.

What would you change if you did it again? Not much, I messed up a few times with transitions and the end when it was time to release the congregation.

Will you joyfully and humbly say ‘yes’ to the next invitation to speak and teach and preach God’s amazing word? A resounding yes!