This quote was shared by one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. Although how we receive our information has changed, the principle behind this quote remains the same.
As Disciples of Christ, we turn to the Bible when we hear of current events and wonder how our faith speaks to such events. We study the stories found in the Bible, listening to where God is still speaking to us. We use the Word of God in our devotional practices, deepening our relationship with God and with one another. The Bible helps us to realize that it is not enough to speak words of justice, hope and love in our worship services without these same words transforming us in our daily lives.
At Midway Christian Church, we invite the Word of God to be our guide as we engage the world around us. We know that our faith is not separate from the rest of our lives. Rather, instead, our faith shapes everything we do and say. It shapes how we view the world. Our faith shapes how we interact with others. It shapes our understanding of who God is calling us to be as God’s hands here in this world. Our lives, our actions, our very character, as ones who are made in the image of God are called to reflect the vision of God’s Shalom come to fruition here and now for all of God’s people.
The practices of our worship service reflect this understanding, especially the sermons offered each week by our minister. To prepare the sermon, our minister studies the history and context of the chosen text for the week. She also engages in conversations with church members through the Theology Tuesday correspondence, draws upon her own experiences, and makes connections to current events happening in the wider culture, always listening for the world of love and grace God is bringing to our community of faith. Topics for the sermons range from justice-making to telling bold and untold stories in our Bible. They also reflect the current church season as well, like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The preparation for the sermons is never meant to be limited to a one-way conversation. It is a process which involves the whole community of faith.
Sermons delivered since May 1, 2022, are available on podcast.
Pastor’s McColl’s companion scripture discussion can be found in the Theology Tuesday Library.
Worship services in their entirety can be found on YouTube.
January 5, 2025
“The Light”
Matthew 2: 1-12
January 12, 2025
“Baptism”
Matthew 2: 1-12
January 19, 2025
“One Spirit, One Body”
Matthew 2: 1-12
January 26, 2025
“Preach the Good News”
Luke 14: 14-21
February 2, 2025
“No Prophet is Welcome”
Luke 4: 21-30
February 9, 2025
“Leaving Everything Behind and Following Jesus”
Luke 5: 1-11
February 16, 2025
“To Hear and To Be Healed”
Luke 6: 17-26
February 23, 2025
“Behaving as God’s Children”
Luke 6: 27-38
March 2, 2025
“A House Without A Foundation”
Luke 6: 39-49
March 9, 2025
“God Meets Us”
Genesis 9: 8-17
March 16, 2025
“We Are Called to Listen”
Mark 8: 31-9: 8
March 23, 2025
“We Are Shown the Way”
John 2: 13-22; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
March 30, 2025
“God Loves First”
Ephesians 2: 1-10
April 6, 2025
“We Are Reformed”
Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 12: 20-33
April 13, 2025
“We Draw on Courage”
John 12: 1-19
April 20, 2025
“The Sun Rises”
Mark 16: 1-8
January 14 – February 11, 2024
†
January 14, 2024
“Beloved”
Mark 1: 4-11
January 21, 2024
“Follow Me”
Mark 1: 14-20
January 28, 2024
“A New Teaching”
Mark 1: 21-28
February 11, 2024
“I Am Willing”
Mark 1: 40-45
February 18-March 31, 2024
†
February 18, 2024
“Store Up”
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21
February 25, 2024
“Take Up”
Mark 8: 31-39
March 3, 2024
“Rise Up”
Psalm 102: 1-13
March 10, 2024
“Light Up”
John 3: 14-21
March 17
“Lift Up”
John 12: 20-33
March 24
“Sit Up”
John 12: 12-16
March 31
“Look Up”
March 31, 2024
April 7-May 19, 2024
†
April 7, 2024
“Have Life in His Name”
John 20: 19-31
April 14, 2024
“Witnesses to These Things”
April 14, 2024
April 21, 2024
“Beloved Community”
John 10: 11-18; Psalm 23
April 28, 2024
“Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in A Synthetic World”
Psalm 23
May 5, 2024
“Love One Another”
John 15: 9-17
May 12, 2024
“Joy Made Complete”
John 17: 6-19
May 19, 2024
“TBD: To Be Determined”
Acts 2: 37-47
May 26, 2024
“Send Me”
Isaiah 6: 1-8
June 16, 2024
“Godzilla vs Kong, Euodia vs Syntyche”
Philippians 4: 1-7
July 28, 2024
“A Touching Faith”
Mark 5: 21-344: 1-7
August 4, 2024
“All for One and One for All”
Ephesians 4: 1-16
June 2 – September 22, 2024
The summer is considered a season of Ordinary Time in the life of the Church—a season in between the mystifying resurrection of Jesus at Easter, and Jesus’ birth, visited anew, at Advent. The lectionary texts for these weeks follow the family narratives of Abraham, which are stories that make the title “ordinary” seem laughable. Ordinary time is punctuated by a God who keeps showing up—persistently, creatively, and lovingly—in ways that are surprising, transformative, joyful, reconciling, and unifying. The movement of the Spirit is anything but ordinary.
†
June 2, 2024
“A Child Promised to Abraham and Sarah”
Genesis 18: 1-15; 21: 1-7
June 9, 2024
“Hagar and Ishmael are Cast Away”
Genesis 21: 8-21
June 23, 2024
“The Binding of Isaac”
Genesis 22: 1-14
July 7, 2024
“The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah”
Genesis 24
July 14, 2024
“The Birth of Jacob and Esau”
Genesis 25: 19-34
July 21, 2024
“Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”
Genesis 28: 10-19
July 28, 2024
“Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel”
Genesis 29: 15-28
August 11, 2024
“Jacob Wrestles at Peniel”
Genesis 32: 22-31
August 25, 2024
“Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him into Slavery”
Genesis 37: 1-4; 12-28
September 1, 2024
“Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers”
Genesis 45: 1-15
Septmber 8, 2024
“Moses’ Birth”
Exodus 1: 8-2: 10
September 15, 2024
“Moses and the Burning Bush”
Exodus 3: 1-15
September 22, 2024
“Anything but Ordinary: Where Do You See God?”
Exodus 34: 6b-105
September 29, 2024
“Welcome”
Mark 9: 30-37
In our sacred text, Paul tells the Corinthians that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.” In other words, as people of faith, we believe that God’s love, and our call to love one another as Beloved Children of God might be just crazy enough to change the world.
†
October 13, 2024
“What if We Learned to Love Each Other for Nothing in Return?”
Mark 10: 17-31
October 20, 2024
“What if We Reach Out to the Ones Who Need Help?”
Matthew 25:31-46
October 27, 2024
“What if We See Everyone the Same?”
Luke 10: 25-37
November 3, 2024
“What if We Support Each Other in Community?”
November 10, 2024
“What if We Practiced What We Preached?”
Mark 12: 28-34
November 17, 2024
“What if We Changed the World?”
Matthew 5: 1-16
November 24, 2024
Thanksgiving Sunday
“Bread of Life”
John 6: 24-35
December 1-22, 2024
Throughout the Book of Isaiah, the prophet references “light” to describe the promises of God coming to fruition. In the Gospel of John, we are told that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” For generations, people of faith have leaned into our call to “let our light shine before people, so they can see the good things we do and praise our God who is in heaven.” In fact, during the Civil Rights Movement, the song, “This Little Light of Mine” was famously tied to Civil Rights Leader, Fannie Lou Hamer. “While being detained by police on her way back from attempting to register to vote with other members of her community, she began singing the song. This song “This Little Light of Mine” is perfect for bringing people together with a common cause.”
†
December 1, 2024
“This Little Light Shines Bright with Hope”
Isaiah 42: 1-9
December 8, 2024
“This Little Light Brings Peace”
Isaiah 2: 1-5
December 15, 2024
“This Little Light Radiates Joy”
Isaiah 9: 1-7
December 22, 2024
“This Little Light Fills the World with Love”
Isaiah 60: 1-3; John 1: 1-5
January 8 – February 19, 2023
January 8, 2023
Epiphany Sunday
“Follow Yonder Star: The Story of the Light”
Matthew 2: 1-12
January 15, 2023
Remembering Our Baptism Sunday
“The Beloved”
Matthew 3: 13-17
January 29, 2023
“Blessed Are You”
Matthew 5: 1-12
February 5, 2023
“Salt and Light”
Matthew 5: 13-20
February 12, 2023
“Lilies of the Field”
Matthew 6: 25-34
February 19, 2023
“What Do These Things Have in Common”
Matthew 7: 1-14, 24-29
January 16, 2023
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service
“A Celebration in Song and Scripture”
January 22, 2023
Laity Sunday
“Variety of Gifts, Variety of Services”
1 Corinthians 12
February 26, 2023
“How Do You Measure Success?”
Mark 10: 35-45
March 5, 2023
“How Do You Measure Wealth?”
Matthew 6: 19-21, 24
March 12, 2023
“How Do You Measure Spiritual Growth?”
Luke 8: 4-15
March 19, 2023
“How Do You Measure Community?”
Matthew 18: 10-20
March 26, 2023
“How Do You Measure Grace?”
John 3: 1-21
April 2, 2023
Palm Sunday Sermon on Matthew 21: 1-11
“How Do You Measure the Life of A Woman or A Man?”
April 6, 2023
Maudy Thursday Service
“The Passion of Our Lord”
April 9, 2023
Easter Sunday
“How Do You Measure Transformation?”
Mark 16: 1-8
April 16 – May 21, 2023
April 16, 2023
“The Church Needs to be A Joseph”
Genesis 41: 14-36
April 23, 2023
“The Dash”
John 13: 10-17
April 30, 2023
“How Did We Not Know?”
Luke 24: 13-35
May 7, 2023
“Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”
John 14: 1-14
May 14, 2023
“Spirit of Truth”
John 14: 15-21
May 21, 2023
“Made Your Name Known”
John 17: 1-11
May 28, 2023
“The Day of Pentecost”
Acts 2: 1-21
July 2, 2023
“Liberty and Justice Hymn Sing”
June 4 – 25, 2023
June 4, 2023
“Leaving Home” (Part 1)
Exodus 13: 17-21
June 11, 2023
“The Encounter” (Part 2)
John 4: 7-40
June 18, 2023
“The Reflection” (Part 3)
Revelation 21: 22-26
June 25, 2023
“Returning Home” (Part 4)
John 15: 1-17
July 9-23, 2023
July 9, 2023
“Gospel as Salvation”
Romans 1: 1-17
July 16, 2023
“God’s Love Poured Out”
Romans 3: 28-30; 5: 1-11
July 23, 2023
“Hope of Resurrection”
Romans 6: 1-14
August 13, 2023
“Creation as Blessing”
Genesis 1-2: 4
August 20, 2023
“Spirit of Compassion”
Mark 12: 28-34
August 27, 2023
“The Paths of Life”
Psalm 30
September 3, 2023
“Sacred Creative Vocation”
Isaiah 6: 1-8
September 10, 2023
“Glorious Diversitiy”
Genesis 11: 1-9
September 17, 2023
“Let Justice and Peace Flow”
Seasons of Creation slide show
Amos 5: 21-24
September 24, 2023
“Healing Relationships”
1 John 4: 7-21
October 8, 2023
“God, Are You Even There?”
Psalm 13
October 15, 2023
“God, Are You There?”
Psalm 139: 1-18
October 22, 2023
“God, Why Are You Punishing Me?”
Job 3
October 29, 2023
“God, Why Have you Abandoned Me?”
Psalm 22
November 5, 2023
“God, Will You Help?”
Psalm 46
December 3, 2023
“Hope in It!”
Isaiah 11: 1-10
December 10, 2023
“Find Peace in It!”
Isaiah 2: 1-5
December 17, 2023
“Enjoy It!”
Isaiah 11: 1-10
December 24, 2023
“Treasure It!”
Luke 2: 1-20
January 2, 2022
Epiphany Sunday
“Listening to God’s Stories – The Light”
Matthew 2:1-12
January 9, 2022
“With You, I am Well Pleased”
Mark 1:4-11
January 16, 2022
“What Does This Have to do With Me?”
John 2:1-11
January 23, 2022
Laity Sunday
“Scripture Fulfilled”
Luke 4:14-21
January 30, 2022
“Run Out of Town”
Luke
4:21-30
January 30, 2022
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Community Service
February 6, 2022
“If You Say So”
Luke 5: 1-11
February 13, 2022
“On a Level Place”
Luke 6: 17-26
February 20, 2022
“What Credit is That to You?”
Luke 6: 27-28
February 27, 2022
“Overshadowed Them”
Luke 9: 28-36
Lengthening the Light For Real Change
March 2 – April 17, 2022
March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
Community Service
“Discipline of Fasting”
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21
March 6, 2022
“Hope In the Wilderness”
Luke 4: 1-13
March 13, 2022
“Revival”
Luke 13: 31-35
March 20, 2022
“Rebuilding With Dust”
Luke 13: 1-9
March 27, 2022
“Arise and Shine”
Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
April 3, 2022
“Image of God”
John 12: 1-8
April 10, 2022
“Blessing to the Nations”
Luke 19: 28-40
April 14, 2022
Maundy Thursday Service
“The Passion of Our Lord”
April 17, 2022
Easter Sunday
“Remember What He Told You”
Luke 24: 1-12
Earth Sunday
April 24, 2022
“Out of the Ground”
Genesis 2: 1-9a
May 1 – June 26, 2022
May 1, 2022
“Act With Power”
Acts 1: 1-14
May 8, 2022
“Act With Generosity”
Acts 3: 1-10; 4: 1-20
May 22, 2022
“Act With Acceptance”
Acts 10: 1-17; 34-38
May 29, 2022
“Act With Creativity”
Acts 15: 1-18
June 12, 2022
“Act With Perseverance”
Acts 17: 16-31
June 19, 2022
“Act With Courage”
Acts 21: 1-14
June 26, 2022
“Act as A Witness”
Acts 28: 23-31
Guest Preacher: Ambrose Wilson, IV
May 15, 2022
“Who is My Neighbor?”
Luke 10: 25-37
Special Pentecost Service
June 5, 2022
Spiritual Minds Fighting Carnal Laws”
Romans 8: 5-10
Lessons From the Gospel of Luke
July 10 – August 28, 2022
July 10, 2022
“The Kingdom of God Has Come Near”
>Luke 10: 1-11
July 17, 2022
“Distracted by Many Things”
Luke 10: 38-42
August 7, 2022
“Be Ready”
Luke 12: 32-40
August 14, 2022
“Interpreting the Present Time”
Luke 12: 49-56
August 21, 2022
“Set Free”
Luke 13: 10-17
August 28, 2022
“Places of Honor”
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
July 3, 2022
“Liberty and Justice For All
Hymn Sing”
July 31, 2022
“A Change is Gonna Come”
1 Corinthians 15: 51-58
September 4 – November 6, 2022
September 4, 202
“Body and Dignity”
Genesis 1: 27-28
Hebrews 2: 5-9, 14
September 11, 2022
“Place and Belonging”
Genesis 18: 1-5
John 14: 1-4
September 18, 2022
“Wonder and Calling”
Psalm 19
Matthew 18: 1-5
October 9, 2022
“Rest”
Psalm 23: 4b-6
Luke 8: 22-25
October 9, 2022
“Rest”
Psalm 23: 4b-6
Luke 8: 22-25
October 16, 2022
“Rage”
Psalm 13
Mark 11: 12-17
October 23, 2022
“Repair and Joy”
Ezra 3: 10-13
Philippians 4: 1-9
October 30, 2022
“Justice and Liberation”
Amos 5: 23-24
Matthew 11: 28-30
November 6, 2022
All Saints Sunday
“Memory”
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Luke 24: 13-25
Special Worship Service
September 25, 2022
“Grief”
Psalm 23: 1-4
Community Service
October 2, 2022
“Us”
2 Timothy 1: 7-9
November 13, 2022
“Things Are About to Happen”
Luke 21: 5-19
November 20, 2022
“Bread of Life”
John 6: 25-35
November 27 – December 24, 2022
November 27, 2022
“Keep Awake”
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
December 4, 2022
“Sacred People”
Matthew 3: 1-2
Romans 15: 4-13
December 18, 2022
“Sacred Knowing”
Isaiah 7: 10-16
Matthew 1: 18-25
December 11, 2022
“Sacred Space”
Isaiah 35: 1-10
Luke 1: 46b-55
December 24, 2022
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
January 10 – February 14, 2021
January 3, 2021
“Follow Yonder Star”
Matthew 2: 1-12
January 10, 2021
“With You I Am Well Pleased”
Mark 1: 4-11
January 17, 2021
“In the Belly of the Fish”
Jonah 1: 1-17
January 24, 2021
“God Changed God’s Mind”
Jonah 2-3
January 31, 2021
“Waiting To See”
Jonah 4
February 7, 2021
“Everyone is Looking For You”
Mark 1: 29-39
February 14, 2021
“Let Love Flow”
Mark 1: 9-15
Worship Series: “Holy Vessels: A Lenten Season of Recovery”
February 21-April 4, 2021
This series is inspired by Amos, a prophet whose message is that God calls us to let “justice roll down like waters.” Worship without justice is not acceptable, rather our songs must move us to action on behalf of the oppressed. Through the powerful music of Mark Miller, this series will offer us reflection and renewed inspiration to let our voices be tuned to the heart of the Gospel – proclaiming God’s love for all people. What prejudices are we challenged to “give up,” and further, how are we willing to give of ourselves for the sake of the world?
February 21, 2021
“Treasure: Physical Health”
Matthew 8:1-4; 16-17
February 28, 2021
“Safe-Keeping: Community/Economic Health”
Matthew 8:5-18
March 7, 2021
“Stories: Mental Health”
Matthew 9:27-33
March 14, 2021
“Different Pictures: Intellectual Health”
Matthew 9:18-26
March 21, 2021
“Restoration: Environmental Health”
Matthew 8:18-27
March 28, 2021
“Holy, Wholly: Integrated Health”
Matthew 21:1-11
April 1, 2021
Maundy Thursday
“The Passion of Our Lord”
April 4, 2021
Easter Sunday
“Healed and Still Healing: Commission of Christ”
Matthew 28
April 11 – 25, 2021
April 18, 2021 (Earth Sunday)
“Climate Migration: What is the Church’s Response?”
Genesis 41: 53—42: 5; Luke 9: 51-58
Guest Preacher: Dr. Leah Schade
April 25, 2021
“God Stays”
Romans 5:6-11
Guest Preacher: Ambrose Wilson, IV
Worship Series: “Roll Down, Justice!”
May 2-June 6, 2021
This series is inspired by Amos, a prophet whose message is that God calls us to let “justice roll down like waters.” Worship without justice is not acceptable, rather our songs must move us to action on behalf of the oppressed. Through the powerful music of Mark Miller, this series will offer us reflection and renewed inspiration to let our voices be tuned to the heart of the Gospel – proclaiming God’s love for all people. What prejudices are we challenged to “give up,” and further, how are we willing to give of ourselves for the sake of the world?
May 2, 2021
“Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters”
Amos 5: 21-24
May 9, 2021
“Child of God: Naming Each One”
Romans 8: 31-39
May 16, 2021
“How Long: Renouncing Evil”
Psalm 13
May 23, 2021 (Pentecost)
“I Dream of a Church: Christ’s Representatives”
Matthew 25: 31-40
May 30, 2021
“God Has Work for Us to Do: Faithful Disciples”
Isaiah 58: 6-12
June 6, 2021
“Welcome: The New Jerusalem”
Revelation 21: 1-7
Worship Series: “Faces of Our Faith: Bold and Untold Stories”
June 13-August 29, 2021
There are many heroes of the faith, people we admire and wish to be. However, there are even more ordinary people of faith—those doing what they can with what they have to make a difference.
In this series, Pastor McColl’s sermons will dig deep into the stories of the heroes often overlooked in our biblical narratives, hoping these characters remind us that we all play a role in shaping God’s story of redemption and grace.
June 13, 2021
“Adam and Eve”
Genesis 2
June 20, 2021
“Puah and Shiphrah”
Exodus 1
June 27, 2021
“The Daughters of Zelophehad”
Numbers 27: 1-11
July 4, 2021
“Liberty and Justice For All” Hymn Sing
July 11, 2021
“Queen Vashti”
Esther 1
July 18, 2021
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”
Daniel 3
July 25, 2021
“Deborah”
Judges 4-5
August 1, 2021
“Mary Magdalene”
Mark 16: 1-11
August 8, 2021
“Joseph of Arimathea”
Luke 23:50-53
August 15, 2021
“Lydia”
Acts 16: 11-15
August 22, 2021
“The Ethiopian Eunuch”
Acts 8: 26-40
August 29, 2021
“Philemon”
Philemon 1
Worship Series: “The Lord’s Prayer”
September 5-26, 2021
He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial. [Luke 11: 2-4]
In this series, we focus on the version of The Lord’s Prayer found in the Gospel of Luke. We learn that prayer is a central theme Luke’s Gospel. Jesus prays at or right before many of the largest moments of his ministry. And after seeing Him pray, in Luke 11: 2-4, the disciples have asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.
September 5, 2021
“Holiness”
Luke 11: 2-4
September 12, 2021
“The Kingdom of God”
Luke 11: 2-4
September 19, 2021
Special Service
“Where Did You See God?”
September 26, 2021
“Our Needs”
Luke 11: 2-4
Lessons From the Gospel of Mark
October 3 – November 21, 2021
October 3, 2021
“One”
Mark 17: 1-3; 20-21
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donald K. Gillett, II
October 10, 2021
“Jesus Wept”
John 11: 28-37
Guest Preacher: Ambrose Wilson, IV
October 17, 2021
“You Don’t Know What You Are Asking”
Mark 10: 35-45
October 24, 2021
“What Do You Want Me to Do for You?”
Mark 10: 46-52
October 31, 2021
“You Are Not Far From the Kingdom of God”
Mark 12: 28-34
November 7, 2021
“Wipe Away Every Tear”
Isaiah 25: 6-9
November 14, 2021
“Tell Us When This Will Be”
Mark 13: 1-8
November 21, 2021
“Do Not Worry”
Matthew 6: 25-33
November 28 – December 26, 2021
The pandemic has laid bare, and widened, economic disparity locally and globally. As we enter the Advent season, how can our churches become houses where the Holy will be born anew–offering respite, sustenance and care, opening the doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life? No one church can do it all, but each can do something. As we study the biblical prophets that call us to care for our neighbors and “make room in the inn,” the lonely and frightened spaces within us are filled with the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
November 28, 2021
“Making Room: Hope”
Psalm 25:4-5
December 5, 2021
“A Place at the Table: Peace”
Baruch 5:1-5
Philippians 1:9-11
December 12, 2021
“How Much is Enough?: Joy”
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 3:10-14
December 19, 2021
“A Room with a View: Love”
Micah 5:2-5
Luke 1:46-55
December 24, 2021
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
December 26, 2021
Christmas Sunday
Service of Lessons and Carols
Disclaimer Previously delivered sermons are available by request through the Midway Christian Church Webmaster. The reproduction or use of any part of these sermons without the expressed written permission of Midway Christian Church is prohibited. The online availability of these sermons does not express this permission. Not all material included in these sermons are original to Midway Christian Church or our ministers. Where crediting outside sources is possible, quotation marks are used.