Bethel Ontario

March 30, 2025. Sermon - "Welcome" - Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann.

March 30, 2025. Sermon - "Welcome" - a timely look at the well-worn story of the Prodigal Son....but with a very contemporary application...Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann.

Spiritual Contrasts - Sermon March 23, 2025

"Spiritual Contrasts" - check out how Jesus responded to the devastating news of the day in the time of Pilate and Herod...  Let's learn from that for our lives today...

Unholy Arms or Sheltering Wing? - Sermon Rev Dr Sylvia Lee Mann

Pastor Sylvia's sermon from our service for the second Sunday in Lent - Includes our reading from the Gospel of Luke. Sermon - "Unholy Arms or Sheltering Wing?" Videos from Bethel Congregational Church UCC in Ontario California. An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Pastor.

Trials in the Wilderness - Sermon for March 9, 2025 (Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann)

Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann's sermon from March 9, 2025, the first Sunday in Lent - "Trials in the Wilderness" (Gospel reading Luke 4:1-13)

2March2025-Sermon - From the Mountain to the Valley - Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

Sermon from March 2, 2025. From the Mountain to the Valley. Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

23Feb2025-SERMON-Do Unto Others-Sylvia Lee Mann

16Feb2025-Sermon-Blessings or Curses-Sylvia Lee Mann

9Feb2025-Sermon-Into the Deep - Sylvia Lee Mann

2Feb2025 - Passing Through the Midst - Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

The Rev. Dr Sylvia Lee Mann's sermon from Feb 2, 2025 - Passing through the Midst.

In today's gathering, we explored the profound message of Jesus' visit to his hometown, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus, familiar to the people of Nazareth, delivered a message that initially filled them with pride. They saw him as one of their own, a hometown hero. However, Jesus' message went beyond local pride. He challenged their understanding of God's love and mercy, emphasizing that it extends beyond their community to include even those they considered outsiders or enemies. This radical inclusivity was not well-received, leading to anger and rejection from those who once praised him.

The core of Jesus' teaching is that God's love is not limited to a select few but is available to all, regardless of background or status. This message is a call to action for us today. We are invited to embrace a broader vision of love and compassion, one that transcends borders and prejudices. Jesus' example shows us that following him means stepping out of our comfort zones, reaching out to those who are different, and embodying the love and justice of God in our daily lives.

In practical terms, this means cultivating resilience and engaging in practices that ground us in faith and community. We are encouraged to wake up each day with gratitude, to move and connect with others, to work and create, and to stay informed and aware of the world around us. These practices help us to live out our calling as followers of Christ, to be agents of love and change in a world that desperately needs it.

Our Mission - Sermon from 26Jan2025

Bethel Congregational Church UCC in Ontario California. From our worship service from January 26, 2025. Scripture readings from 1st Corinthians and the Gospel of Luke. The Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann's Sermon - "Our Mission"  reflects upon Jesus' first sermon and considers Bishop Buddes' timely sermon calling for compassion. Unity within diversity is essential, as the body functions as one despite its many members. The church plays a vital role, with each member appointed for specific tasks. Jesus's mission in Galilee highlights the importance of fulfilling scripture amidst skepticism. This sermon emphasizes compassion, unity, and societal issues, urging individuals to use their gifts for community support. Reflecting upon the Bishop's sermon at the Washington Cathedral, the message focuses on dignity, honesty, and humility, ending with a prayer for justice and compassion.