Gethsemane Traditional

Rev. Michelle Manuel preaching

September 15, 2019

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says "I hear there are divisions among you..." Boy does this speak to what is going on in our world, in our time. Looking at passages from 1 Corinthians 11-13, we will explore both the theological framework and practical suggestions for not just tolerating one another, but actually living in love together. We can be diverse in opinion but united in mission and love. Both the church and the world so desperately need to hear the "more excellent way" that Paul shares with the church at Corinth.

We look at Joshua's challenge to the children of Israel after they have crossed the River Jordan. As we begin a new school year, what is God's preferred future for you? What do you need to do to take hold of it?

Over the last two weeks, we have considered "pursued" and "included." This week we consider "needed," with a sermon titled "A Third Class Ticket." 

We continue a three sermon series titled "Wanted!" Why are some churches growing and others not growing so much? Why did the early church grow like wildfire? What does it really mean to be hospitable to others, not only in our church but also in our homes and neighborhoods? We are going to look together at the three steps of hospitality. Last week we considered "pursued." This week we consider "included," with a sermon titled "The House Key."

Gethsemane Traditional

August 18, 2019

Why are some churches growing and others not growing so much? Why did the early church grow like wildfire? What does it really mean to be hospitable to others, not only in our church but also in our homes and neighborhoods?

Gethsemane Traditional

August 11, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

August 4, 2019

As we continue in the Year of Gratitude, we consider what it means to grow in gratitude together.

We conclude this sermon series with the story of Joseph and his brothers, the power of forgiveness, and God's purposes for good.

Gethsemane Traditional

July 28, 2019

We continue with the story of Jacob and discuss his boundary deal with Laban. 

Gethsemane Traditional

July 21, 2019

This week, we will consider Jacob, the covenant with God he makes at Bethel and his return to that same place over two decades later.

We consider Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, and what we can learn from this woman with mettle.

Gethsemane Traditional

July 7, 2019

Lot, Abraham's nephew, escapes from Sodom and Gomorrah before the cities' destruction. Is there something from which you need to escape?

Gethsemane Kinship Sunday

June 30, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

June 23, 2019

Abraham being willing to sacrifice his own son is a challenging story. Are there parts of your life that you think you can manage on your own? Are there parts you withhold from God's authority?

Gethsemane Traditional

June 17, 2019

Westheimer Traditional

June 16, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

June 9, 2019

Abram and his wife Sarai make some mistakes as they try to take hold of the promise God made to them.

We will learn about the covenant established with Abraham and his family in Genesis 12

We will learn about the covenant established with Abraham and his family in Genesis 12

Gethsemane Traditional

May 26, 2019

We will consider how our past and those who have gone before us can have appropriate significance in our lives.

Comparing ourselves to other people can rob us of so much joy. Let's learn how to deal with the temptation to be jealous of others.

Gethsemane Traditional

May 19, 2019

Having others alongside us (including moms) matters as we move forward on our spiritual journeys.

Gethsemane Traditional

May 12, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

May 5, 2019

Westheimer Traditional

May 5, 2019

Easter Sunday

Gethsemane Traditional

April 21, 2019

Easter Sunday Sermon

Westheimer Traditional

April 21, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

April 14, 2019

We consider the encounter between Jesus and Pontius Pilate in John 19 as Pilate orders Jesus to be crucified. See where you might find yourself in this passage.

Gethsemane Traditional

April 7, 2019

This week, we take a look at Jesus' prayer for you and for me, found in John 17. On his way to the cross, he doesn't pray for himself. He prays for us. 

We will look at Jesus' "I Am" statement when he says "I am the vine, and you are the branches."

Gethsemane Kinship Service

March 31, 2019

Gethsemane Traditional

March 24, 2019

We continue our sermon series "The Book of Glory," looking at the last half of the gospel of John, which outlines the last few days Jesus spends with his disciples before the crucifixion. This week, we will look at the third person of the Trinity, considering Jesus' promise in John 14 to ask God to send the Holy Spirit.

Third in the series, The Book of Glory

Gethsemane Traditional 

March 17, 2019

We look at Jesus' claim to be one with the Father, and his desire that we "believe in" him, as we study John 14, the familiar passage "In my father's house there are many mansions..."

We were so honored this Sunday to have Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles preach for us on Sunday. She is the Professor of New Testament and the Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and is a known scholar in the gospel of John.

Gethsemane Traditional

March 3, 2019

What would you say to the people you love most if you knew you had but days to live? How would you sum up what you hope your life has taught them? The study and series title is "The Book of Glory," which is what the second half of the Gospel of John is often called. It includes Jesus' "last discourse," his parting gift to his disciples.

God, we know that if we want to be a vessel of your Holy Spirit to transform our city with the love of Jesus, then we have to begin by being transformed ourselves. What keeps us frozen in the same habits we have practiced so long? What prevents us from actually doing the things we know will help us experience the life-change you offer?

God, we know that if we want to be a vessel of your Holy Spirit to transform our city with the love of Jesus, then we have to begin by being transformed ourselves. What keeps us frozen in the same habits we have practiced so long? What prevents us from actually doing the things we know will help us experience the life-change you offer?

Gethsemane Traditional

Feb. 17, 2019

What is it that we actually do as a church to bring about the vision? Our mission is to equip families and individuals to live and love like Jesus. By living and loving like Jesus, God will use us in the work to transform the city by that love.

Gethsemane Traditional

February 10, 2019

We began a special three-part sermon series sharing a new statement for St. Luke's identity—vision, mission, spiritual journey, and inside-out habits. The sermon series is titled "A City Transformed." It is not a remake of who we are, as it simply gives us new language to talk about who we have always been—a church family that seeks to make an impact outside of our walls. We hope that it provides some clarity for us and gives us language to share with our friends and neighbors. Our church leaders and I have been praying about this and working on it for some time, and we are so excited to share it.

Gethsemane Traditional

February 3, 2019

Rev. Michelle Manuel closed out our sermon series, Diet of the Mind, with a powerful message about freedom from addiction.

Gethsemane Traditional

Jan. 27, 2019

Let's look at our appetite for approval. What is your approval rating? How many “likes” do you get on social media? How well do you fit in with your chosen tribe?

Gethsemane Traditional

1/20/2019

This week, we will consider our desire for intimacy, and the cheap imitations we use to try to appease that appetite.

Gethsemane Traditional

In the marvelous movie about John Nash, the brilliant physicist with schizophrenia, there is a scene in which Nash says to a representative of the Nobel Prize committee inquiring about his mental health, "You see, I am crazy. And I still see things that are not real. I just choose not to acknowledge them. Like a diet of the mind, I choose not to indulge certain appetites." During this series, we will look at the appetites and drives that can own us, and how we can choose not to indulge them. Over the course of four weeks, we will consider our desire for possessions, intimacy, approval, and other addictions. St. Paul says "all things are permissible, but I will let nothing master me."

The Always Imperatives

Year of Gratitude, pt. 1

Gethsemane Traditional

2019 is "The Year of Gratitude," and we will learn to practice thanksgiving daily, and train ourselves to keep gratitude as the basic spiritual response of our Christian life. The habits of our hands and voices help to form the habits of our hearts, and so the practice of thanksgiving daily shapes our hearts to be grateful. We will continue to focus on gratitude in various ways throughout the year, including challenging each of you to write a thank you note or another expression of gratitude, beyond the customary courtesy, every single day for 365 days. We will have sermons scattered across the year to keep us thinking about it together. This will make a great beginning for the year.

New Year's Eve Sermon