MVP Message

Preacher: Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Matthew 19:16-22 and Deuteronomy 15:1-11Join us this week as we explore what Scripture says about debt—not just as a personal struggle, but as a force that impacts entire communities—and then meet a man desperate to live a life that truly matters, yet paralyzed by his unwillingness to part with his wealth.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Exodus 16:1-18Our series begins this week with a familiar story of God providing manna in the wilderness with specific instructions to take enough for each day. What is enough? How do you discern how much you need? Are you able to faithfully name when you have too much or too little?Please make plans to join us as we ponder these questions and begin to uncover how our money stories are spiritual stories—opportunities for God to rewrite the narrative.

Preacher:Thornton Muncher, Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist ChurchScripture:Luke 16:19-31“The Rich Man and Lazarus” is a complex story with themes of systemic injustice, classism, and eschatological consequences–but also, good news. As people of the crucified-and-resurrected Christ, we find hope in this parable that we are able to cross the “great chasm” in this life now, and we are invited to be co-creators of transformative justice with the Holy Spirit through our relationship both with God and with neighbor. Join us this week as we reflect together on this challenging text and discover what a “faith in action” might mean for us today, especially as Christians living in this current socio-political moment in our nation’s capital.

Preacher: Bishop LaTrelle EasterlingScripture: Luke 4:16-2This week we had the privilege of welcoming Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Resident Bishop of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conferences, as our guest preacher. On this week's episode of the MVP Message, Bishop Easterling used her powerful and prophetic voice to lead us through Luke 4:16-21 and the holy truth to be found in Jesus’ proclamation from the Scroll of Isaiah.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31Our series concludes this week with reminders of how Jesus regularly defies human expectations—in life, in death, and in life beyond death. Indeed, God's ways are not our ways—a truth we might be quick to accept with our lips while struggle to embody with our lives.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Luke 14:25-33This week, the gospel writer of Luke beckons us to ponder the question "Does Jesus Expect That Much?" as Jesus tells a large crowd of people following him that they must hate their parents, spouses, siblings, children and life itself; carry their cross, and give up all their possessions. It's a high bar for discipleship—one we often struggle to meet. What, then, is actually expected from us? Can we waver a bit and still be a faithful disciple? Join us on this week as we struggle with this text and the expectations of discipleship.

Preacher: Grace Rogers, Howard & Mary Martin Ministry InternScripture: Luke 14:1, 7-14This week, Jesus invites us to ponder the question "Why Do I Always Want the Best Seat?" as he literally turns the tables on societal expectations of hierarchy and power. We are invited to explore how true honor is found through a lens of abundance over scarcity and hospitality over exclusion. Join us in worship as we discover what it means to be exalted in humility.

Preacher:Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture:Luke 13:10-17While it might be easy to shake our heads at his response, Luke invites us to take a closer look at ourselves. Are there moments when our loyalty to rules, traditions, political affiliation, or preferences blinds us to the liberating work of God in our midst? Could it be that, sometimes, we, too, are standing in the way of the freedom God wants to bring?

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Luke 12:32-40Our series continues this week with Jesus inviting the disciples to be ready to receive the Kingdom of God as a present and future reality. What is the Kingdom of God? How do we get ready for such a place—now and in God's reign that is to come? Join us as we ponder these questions and more on Sunday. We'll also celebrate the sacrament of baptism and embrace the sweet gift of authentic, inclusive community.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Luke 12:22-31Our series continues this week with Jesus building upon the parable in which Jesus called a rich man a fool for wanting to build a bigger barn to store his grain instead of sharing it with others by asking the disciples not to worry about what they are to eat or drink but to seek God's kingdom.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture:Luke 12:13-21Our series begins this week with a parable in which Jesus calls a rich man a fool. It is a story in which some of us may be able to see ourselves and/or our nation, one that begs the question, "When is enough, enough?"

Preacher: Lee Aber, Minister of Engagement & DiscipleshipScripture: Jeremiah 33:14-18; 31:31-34 Join us this week as we finish this series with hearts open to mystery—trusting in the God who releases us from the ruins of what was and calls us toward the justice, mercy, and belonging of what could yet be.

Preacher: Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15How might the dark and challenging moments through which we are living provide opportunities to plant and invest for the future? Join us this week, as we ponder these questions and again hear a message of hope—even on the eve of Jerusalem's destruction.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14Join us this week as our series on the book of Jeremiah continues with a deeper exploration of exile and God's call to be faithful no matter what.

Preacher: Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-31Join us this week as we ponder how God might be speaking truth to power in similar ways today, sing restorative and joyful songs, gather at the altar where all are welcome for the sacrament of Holy Communion and no one is turned away, and experience authentic community.

Preacher: Carie Dupree, Candidate for Ordained MinistryScripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11Join us this week to explore the image of God the potter, God’s changing mind, our call to reverse course, and the hope that God’s shaping work offers us.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Jeremiah 1:1-10Join us this week as our series on the book of Jeremiah begins. Together we will seek to enter this ancient ache, explore the prophet’s fierce honesty and fragile hope, and prayerfully discover wisdom to sustain us in our own times of turmoil—and perhaps even deepen our trust in God who has not and will not let us go. 

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-14Methodist historian Ashley Boggan has coined the phrase "Wesleyan Vile-Tality," and defines it as "a willingness to look beyond today's acceptable practices, standards, and norms and bend the rules in order to ensure that more and more persons can be included within the kin-dom of God." What might we learn from this concept? How have MVPers been vile in the past? How might we allow their example to inspire us today? Join us as we ponder these questions and more.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Acts 2:1-21God uses the sense of hearing to break down barriers and open hearts. Join us this week, as we reflect not only on the wind and fire, but on the miracle of hearing—and consider how we, too, might dare to be open to the Spirit’s fresh, bold, and boundary-breakin

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, PastorScripture: Acts 16:16-34Join us this week as our series, "A Faith Worth Living: What We Believe as United Methodists and Why" continues with an exploration of the power of praise and the role that singing and music can play in our faith.