Wilsonville United Methodist Church

09/06/2026

Sermon - A Time To Remember

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

09/04/26

Pastor’s Corner

Read: Acts 9:1-19

“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.” [1]

One of my favorite hymns is Precious Lord, Take My Hand. It was written by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1932. It was born out of personal tragedy and grief at the loss of Dorsey’s wife and child. The song was a prayer from a man who chose to turn toward God instead of away from him. He was empty and drained because of his grief, and out of his prayer of need, God met him and helped to make life more livable again. From Dorsey’s decision to turn toward God at perhaps the lowest point in his life, millions have been comforted, blessed, and filled with hope. Precious Lord, is a testimony to how God can receive our brokenness and turn it into comfort for millions. [2]

When Saul, who later became Paul, was on his way to Damascus to arrest and imprison followers of Jesus, he encountered a bright light that knocked him to the ground and heard a voice asking, “Why are you persecuting me?” Saul had a personal encounter with Jesus and thus began his transformation from persecutor to preacher. In reading about this encounter, what Saul’s companions did stood out to me and drew me to Dorsey’s song.

Paul was blinded by the brilliant light emanating from the glory of Jesus. He was in the dark spiritually, and now he was to experience what darkness really feels like physically. He was unable to go on without a helping hand. In his darkness, his friends took him by the hand and led him to the place where his sight would be restored.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand is a prayer that comes from the heart of a person who was in a dark place and needed someone to lead him out of that darkness. Just as Saul’s companions led him by the hand to a place where he would once again be able to see, we who are the hands of Christ in the world are called to do the same. As his hands, we are to reach out and be the answer to the prayers of those who call out from those dark places in search of a light that will lead them home, a light that will restore hope when it looks like all is lost.

Prayer for us all:

Loving God, life can sometimes wear us out, and we grow weary, needing a hand to pick us up and lead us on. In those times when life leaves us feeling lost and alone, take us by the hand for it is there we find safety and rest. As we receive comfort, help us offer it to those around us who need to feel your love’s warm embrace. Help our hands and feet to move in your will that we might serve others as you call us to do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God bless and keep you in his care.

Peace,
Bro. Sam

1. Helen Keller, author, lecturer, and founder of the ACLU, [1880-1968], A-Z Quotes/Blind Quotes, Internet
2. Hymnal Library, 1/31/2026, Internet

08/30/2026

Sermon - The Bush Still Burns - 30 August 2026

08/23/2026

Sermon - Who Do You Say That I Am - 23 August 2026

08/22/2026

08/21/26

Pastor’s Corner

Read: Matthew 16:13-16

“The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in.” [1]

In our world today there are all kinds of religions to follow of which Christianity is but one. All these religions, including the “Nones,” acknowledge Jesus in some way, but outside of Christianity, not one recognizes him as the only begotten Son of God.

In our suggested reading the writer tells us that Jesus has taken his disciples to a place called Caesarea Philippi, maybe for a little R&R from all the stress brought on by healing and feeding the mulitudes. This city was a religious center from its early beginnings. It was a place where there were many competing gods for the people to choose from. Herod the Great, when he was king of the Jews, bulit a marble temple in the city and dedicated it to Emperor Augustus. [2]

With this city as a backdrop, Jesus took the opportunity to ask what is one of the defining questions of faith. Jesus asked his disciples, first, “Who do the people say that I am?” They gave him answers like, John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus got very personal with them. He asked them directly, “Who do you say I am?’ That is a question for the ages because it is one all of us who inhabit this planet must answer. Peter immediately said, you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. [3]

Jesus made it personal for the disciples 2000 years ago and he still makes it personal today. It is a question we all must answer but it is not a one and done answer. It is not a question you answer and then forget about. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt one from being ask that question. You can be going about your daily routine and Jesus will surprise us by asking, “Christian, who do you say I am?”

It is a question that comes to the young when they are deciding a career path, to the elderly who are trying to deal with the effects of old age, to those who stand at the grave of a loved one paralyzed by grief, to the sinner who needs mercy. It comes to us all when confronted by what we believe.

Dare we join with Peter and answer Jesus, you are the Son of the Living God? To make that confession in today’s world requires us to go beyond our intellect, beyond just identity. It is an act of commitment. It means that we make Jesus Lord over every area of our life in the present and the future. It means we care about what Jesus cares about – love those who are hurting, the poor, the hungry, and the people without hope. It means living a life of devotion, not in part but in whole.

The problem is we are not perfect, and we will stumble from time to time. The good news is that Jesus, just like he did for Peter when he denied him, will forgive us, pick us up and put us back in the game with words like, “Feed my sheep.” [4]

Prayer for us all:

Loving and gracious God, when we are confronted with situations in life that bring the question of who Jesus is to us, give us courage and grace to confess his Lordship in our life. Thank you for your grace that forgives us when we miss those opportunities to tell those around us about Jesus and who he is. Help us as we live out our lives to reflect Jesus and his love and compassion to all we encounter. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God bless and keep you in his care.

Peace,
Bro. Sam

1. R. C. Sproul [1939-2017], Christian Quotes about Believing, Internet
2. Holman Bible Dictionary [Holman Bible Publishers, 1991], pgs. 219-220
3. Matthew 16:16 NLT
4. John 21:15-19

08/16/2026

Sermon - Learning to Be Like Jesus - 16 August 2026