Bethel Ontario

7Feb2021 - SERMON - Source of Strength

"Source of Strength"

Pastor Sylvia's Sermon for February 7, 2021
with Gospel Reading (Mark 1: 29-39)

You can support this ministry by donating on our website

https://betheluccontario.org

24Jan2021-SERMON-Responding to the Call - Being the Light

Pastor Sylvia's sermon from January 24, 2021, with the Gospel reading (Mark 1: 14-20)
"Responding to the Call - Being the Light"
Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann
Bethel Congregational Church UCC - Ontario, California
betheluccontario.org
(You can support this ministry by donating on the website)

Disrupting Demons - Healing Holy Places

"Disrupting Demons - Healing Holy Places"

Sermon from January 31, 2021, with Gospel Reading (Mark 1: 21-28)
Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

Bethel Congregational Church, UCC  Ontario, California
www.betheluccontario.org

(You can support this ministry by donating on the website)

10Jan2021 Sermon "Repentance-Renewal" SLMANN

This week our focus is "Baptism of Jesus" Sunday - and as I prepare, I am struck by the call for repentance issued by John the Baptist to the world.
John the Baptist, to whom Jesus came for Baptism, to fulfill the call for righteousness.
The baptism during which the Spirit of God arrives...as a dove...and descends into Jesus, in the beginning of Jesus ministry, and a call to all to repent and follow righteousness.

And I am struck by Paul's arrival at Ephesus (described in our reading from Acts), a visit in which he discovers that the Christians there "had never heard of the Holy Spirit". What a wonderful opportunity Paul had here - to explain that the repentance of John's baptism was a beginning, and then they were baptized in the name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came upon them.

And we look at our current situation in the US. How do we move forward with new hope, and light. How do we DISCERN the truth and let go of toxicity.

Powerful stuff.. We need the power of the Spirit in all our lives.

3January2021 - Sermon - "Energize - Engage"

Sermon for January 3, 2021 (Epiphany Observed for us) "Energize - Engage" - Focusing on Journeys - and Discernment

27December2020 - Sermon - Our Songs of Praise

Sermon from December 27, 2020 - First Sunday of Christmas "Our Songs of Praise"

24December2020 - Homily - The REAL Story

From the Christmas Eve Service - a short Homily - a fun look at "The Real Story". Explores some of the assumptions and misconceptions about the Nativity, in the form of a dialogue and illustrations.

20December2020 Sermon - Giving Love a Home

Sermon from December 20, 2020
"Giving Love a Home" - for the 4th Sunday of Advent ("Christmas Sunday")

13Dec2020-Seeking Joy

Sermon from December 13, 2020 "Seeking Joy" - for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

6Dec2020 - Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Advent - Seeking PEace

Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent, 2020. "Seeking Peace"
"Seeking Peace" - Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Advent 2020. A look at Isaiah 40 and Mark 1...and a bit of 2nd Peter. Patience in waiting for Lord. Joy in the knowledge that Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are coming.