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November 17, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: When Friends Betray Us
Sometimes, without even knowing why, a good friend will betray us. Jesus was betrayed with kiss by his friend Judas and unfortunately, we don’t see them ever having the chance to reconcile. Join us this Sunday as we find hope to give ourselves to others when we experience betrayal.
November 10, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Can We Still Be Friends?
No matter the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election, there is a good chance good friendships could be broken. Of course, politics aren’t the only things that divide friends. Paul and Barnabas were once good friends, partners even, and eventually they had to go their sperate ways. Join us this Sunday as we see how God redeems broken friendships.
November 3, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: What Happens When Friends Die?
Earlier in this series we explored the friendship between Jonathan and David, one of the closest friendships in the Bible. Now David loses his best friend in battle and it nearly wrecks him. Join us for this All-Saints Sunday where we will see how God sustains us in our grief.
October 27, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
For as much as we want to be independent and self-sufficient, sometimes we need help. In fact, there are times we wouldn’t make it without people to carry us. The Beatles sing the truth of this in their famous hit, but Jesus shows us the power of the faith of our friends in this sermon.
October 20, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Praying Friends
Daniel was between a rock and a hard place. Desperate, he turned to his friends and asked them to pray for him. God heard the prayers of his friends. From this story we learn the power of praying friends. Join us as we visit with Daniel before the lion’s den and learn how to be praying friends.
October 13, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Best Friends Forever
The friendship shared between David and Jonathan is enviable. They became very close, very fast. It is a friendship that lasted all their days. It was like God made them for each other and as a result they were bound together by a covenant. Join us this Sunday as we examine one of the most intimate friendships in the Bible.
October 6, 2024 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Fierce Friends
Ruth and Naomi’s relationship began as in-laws. But a shared tragedy forged them into fierce friendship who clung together through thick and thin the rest of their lives, just as God clings to us through the thick and thin in our lives. Join us as we open this series on friendship.
September 29, 2024 – Happy Anniversary: Bishop Dan Schwerin
Bishop Dan Schwerin Preaching. Our Director of Music Scott Stevenson’s new arrangement of “What Gift Can We Bring” was written especially for this occasion. It will feature our Chancel Choir, Sanctuary Ringers and Howard Clark III on organ, with Stevenson conducting. The hymn was originally written in 1980 by Jane Marshall for the 25th anniversary of her home church in Dallas.
An Evening of Homecoming & History – Friday, September 27
We will be joined by clergy and staff that have served United Methodist Church of Geneva over the years! It will be a fun homecoming and reunion!
Update: We will be joined by Bill & Kay Obalil, Jenny Weber, Steve Good, and family members of Larry Hilkemann.
At 6pm we will have a special program that will include a a history snapshot of the church, recognition of church members and clergy and a proclamation from Mayor Kevin Burns. This program will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in-person. You will find the service on our Online Worship Page.
Throughout the building we will have a history exhibit that celebrates many areas of our ministry with displays and videos for people to check out.
September 22, 2024 – Happy Anniversary: Million Dollar Foundations
Much of our history focuses on the various building projects over the years, just like we read in Ezra. But the church is not just about foundations and walls. What about the time we raised a million dollars for missions & built another church in Lithuania? Can that show us that we’re more than million-dollar foundations? Find out this Sunday.
September 15, 2024 – Happy Anniversary: For Such a Time As This
In 1874, Methodists dedicated the stone church that is now our Fellowship Hall. But by 1877 the church defaulted and was sold by the Sheriff. But God prepared a few people, like in the days of Esther, for such as time to redeem the building thanks to the hard work of the Congregation. How is God preparing us to work hard for an even brighter future?
September 9, 2024 – Happy Anniversary: Where Two or Three are Gathered
In 1837, Geneva received its first circuit rider. By 1839, the first Methodist class meeting formed with just three people. By 1850, there were 88 members. With just two or three people the Spirit brings the message of Jesus to our communities. Jesus is still calling us to illumine our communities with his grace. Join in our anniversary celebration series.
September 1, 2024 – Holy Moments: Hope in Tough Times
Holy Moments are not always happy times. We all have moments when we are lonely, sick, worried, or deeply sad. Many struggle with chronic conditions or situations. Join us Sunday as we delve into the way liturgies can help us get through our times of suffering and sorrow, and give us hope.
August 25, 2024 – Holy Moments: When We’re Not at Our Best
Despite our best efforts, sometime we mess up. Is God’s present when we are not at our best? Join us for inviting God into the moments when we are not at our best.
August 18, 2024 – Holy Moments: Returning to Routine
Summer can be a time where we take more leisure and enjoy the longer days. With the start of school, often comes the return to routine. Join us as we find ways to deepen our spiritual lives amidst our routine.
August 11, 2024 – Holy Moments: Recreation & Celebrations
God is not in the past nor in the future. God is in every moment under the sun. Join us as we explore how we can be present with God in our moments of recreation and celebration.
August 4, 2024 – Holy Moments: Daily Habits and Routines
What’s your daily routine? Have you ever thought about how habits form us? Join us Sunday as we take a look at how what we choose to do first shapes our day, and how everything from our morning coffee to tasks like washing dishes, doing yard work, and how we end our day shapes our spirituality.
July 28, 2024 – Holy Moments: Blessings and Grace
Holy Moments happen all the time. In this late summer series, we’ll learn liturgies for many of our everyday holy moments and habits. This Sunday, come explore with us our habits upon waking in the morning, and saying grace at mealtime.
July 21, 2024 – ASP Sunday
Join us as we hear from our teens and adults of how they illumined Charleston, West Virginia with acts of service with Appalachia Service Project. We’ll hear some great testimonials and sing some of the songs of the region.
July 14, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: Have Mercy
Have you ever gotten ready to leave on a road trip, all buckled in, car in gear and you must stop and go back to care for something? We’re not alone. That even happened to Jesus. Join us for this story of Jesus as he was delayed for a merciful purpose, and it changed a person’s life in more ways than one as we conclude the series, Tell Me The Stories of Jesus.
July 7, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: Help!
When in desperate situations it’s natural to call out for help even as we’re assessing the situation. We can quickly realize we need people, skills, and resources to help us out of our situation. This story of Jesus finds one panicked dad needing help and Jesus providing it as only Jesus can. Join us this Sunday for a story about asking for help.
June 30, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: Understanding the Assignment
This story of the healing of a deaf person demonstrates Jesus’ need for a PR firm. He’s terrible at marketing! He’s been going around instructing people to not tell the stories about him and yet, they do it anyway! Thank God they did otherwise we wouldn’t have these stories today. Join us for another story of Jesus that might make us terrible secret keepers too.
June 23, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: Don’t Bother
Sometimes when we’re around so called ‘important people’ our needs can seem insignificant or bothersome to them, so we debate whether to even name them. In this Sunday’s story of Jesus, we learn that nothing is insignificant to Jesus and he’s graciously waiting for us to come to him. Join us this Sunday as we see that our needs are no bother at all.
June 16, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: Storms of Life Are Raging
One doesn’t have to be on a boat to become sea-sick from everything that gets tossed our way day-in and day-out. It doesn’t take much to get scared, overwhelmed, or feel powerless. Turning to Jesus amid the storms of life can make all the difference. Join us as we hear the story of Jesus calming storms and sea.
June 9, 2024 – Tell Me Stories of Jesus: The Story Begins
Mark’s gospel wastes little time with back story. Mark launches right out of the gate with Jesus’ powerful message and miraculous deeds. Jesus goes from small-town preacher to billboard chart-topper in just the first chapter. Perhaps that’s because what Jesus has to say changes everything. Join us as we begin exploring the stories of Jesus.
June 2, 2024 – If Jesus Spoke at Graduation
Jesus teaches us to not worry about basic needs, but to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. It challenges cultural norms of success and happiness, urging reevaluations of life’s priorities. The emphasis is on a life focused on justice, love, and peace over material pursuits.
John Fasbender Celebration of Life
May 26, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Laity
Until modern history, Methodist have been a lay-led movement. Laity are still the backbone of every Methodist Church. Join us as we hear from some of our laity on what makes a Methodist.
May 19, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Unity
Christians, including our own tribe of the faith, have suffered many divisions on important matters of faith. On what basis do Methodist seek Christian Unity for the sake of outreach and mission? Join us as we seek universal – or Catholic- spirit common to all who love God in Christ.
May 12, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Transformation
Methodists believe that the restoration and perfecting of all is broken by sin is already underway. So, we are empowered by The Holy Spirit to not only experience transformed lives but to live in ways that transform the world. Join us as we look at the Social Holiness movement including our newly updated Social Principles.
May 5, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Means of Grace
Participating in the means of grace – tangible ways that God’s love is conveyed to people – is an important ingredient in making a Methodist. Our sacraments of Communion and Baptism are the primary means of grace instituted by Jesus. There are others, including confirmation, as we will see in this sermon focusing on Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
April 28, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Music
The Methodist Movement swept across Britain & America because they not only met people’s physical & social needs and Methodists made the gospel accessible to the average person who did not read. The Wesley’s wrote hymns to teach the old, old, story of Jesus & his love to as many people who would receive it. Join us as we explore (and sing) a few Wesleyan hymns.
April 21, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Stewardship
Methodists believe that all that we have – people, resources, our planet- are all gifts from God. We have a responsibility to use and share these gifts in ways that reflect God’s abundant grace. Join us as we explore how to gain, save, and give all that we can following our method of stewardship.
April 14, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Behavior
From the beginning Methodists were driven by personal & social renewal. This wasn’t just some band of activists sweeping the country, they were a group of people committed to personal & social holiness via a set of General Rules for living so that God could transform their lives & our world. Join us as we see how we gotta ‘walk the walk’ when making a Methodist.
April 7, 2024 – Making a Methodist: Methodical Thinking
We believe the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience and confirmed by reason. This method of thinking and interpreting scriptures is not prescribed in the Bible, but Jesus uses this rubric in his ministry. Join us as we explore our distinctive theological emphasis to the Christian faith.
March 31, 2024 – When Prayers Don’t Get Answered in the Way We Expect
The people prayed for a Messiah. I’m sure Jesus’ mother and disciples all prayed for him to live into his calling to redeem Israel and the world. However, the powers that be made sure Jesus died before he had the chance. But just as we think the story is over, God answers prayers in unexpected ways. Join us at UMCG this Easter as we celebrate an unexpected answer to prayer.
We apologize for the audio issues during this service.
March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday: The Way of the Cross
From passion to promise, Holy Week takes us through a long and arduous journey. Oddly enough, we begin with palms—promises of life and hope—even as we prepare to endure the agony of betrayal, despair, and death.
March 17, 2024 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Thank you!
One of the most important prayers we can adopt into our daily lives is prayers of thanksgiving. Just making sure we can tell God ‘thank you’ can radically shape our lives, draw us closer to God and into the needs of the world. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we learn from Jesus the importance of praying, ‘thank you!’
March 10, 2024 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Not My Will, But Yours
Have you ever wanted some sign that you were making the right choice? Have you been up all night wrestling with which way to go and just wish God would speak to you? Jesus faced tough choices and sleepless nights trying to sort out what he wanted from what God wanted. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we learn from Jesus how we can pray when facing decisions.
March 3, 2024 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Us This Day, Our Daily Bread
Guest Pastor Mary Zajac continues our series on prayer by focusing on our dependence on God and how Jesus shows us how to focus our prayer life so that we rely on God for our daily needs.
February 25, 2024 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Father Forgive
Praying for forgiveness is tough. Jesus teaches a lot about forgiveness and its importance in our lives. In one of the most harrowing moments of his life, when he is on the cross, Jesus offers us one last lesson in prayer: how to pray for forgiveness. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we explore prayers of forgiveness and their life-giving impact when we pray them.
February 18, 2024 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray: The Lord’s Prayer
When the disciples ask Jesus how to pray, Jesus teaches them by example. Since that time this prayer has become known as the Lord’s Prayer and if there is only one prayer to learn, it’s this one! Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we begin a Lenten journey of learning how to pray from Jesus, starting with the Lord’s Prayer.
February 11, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: Christianity
There are at least six main branches of Christianity and more than 45,000 Christian denominations! Where did all these demonization’s come from? What do we have in common? How do we differ? And why can’t we all just get along? Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he concludes this series looking at the main branches of Christianity.
February 4, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: Islam
In this sermon we will learn about another Abrahamic religion, Islam. We will explore how the people of Islam understand Jesus, Islamic beliefs, and where we find points of connection and divergence as Christians. Join us as Pastor Rob Hamilton also guides us in how to we can learn from each other and dispel any misconceptions about Islam and violence.
January 28, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: Judaism
In this sermon we will learn about the religious tradition of Jesus, where Christians draw their beliefs from Judaism, the different sects of Judaism, and where we find points of connection and divergence. Join us as Pastor Rob Hamilton also guides us in how to we can learn from each other faithfully.
January 21, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: Buddhism
In this sermon we will learn about Buddhism and its beliefs, where we find points of connection and divergence with Buddhism as Christians. Join us as Pastor Rob Hamilton also guides us in how to we can learn from each other.
January 14, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: Hinduism
In this sermon we will learn about Hinduism and its beliefs, where we find points of connection and divergence with Hinduism as Christians. Join us as Pastor Rob Hamilton also guides us in how to we can learn from each other.
January 7, 2024 – Exploring World Religions: The Wisemen
The Magi that brought their gifts to baby Jesus were not Jews or Christians. They were of another religion, to whom God spoke in dreams. This seems to indicate that God can reach people of any religion. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he opens this series and explores questions about how Scripture suggests God views people of religions outside of Christianity.
December 31, 2023 – TriCities Worship
December 24, 2023 – Christmas Candlelight – Sunday 10PM
December 24, 2023 – Christmas Candlelight – Sunday 4PM
December 24, 2023 – When Light Shines
When the Grinch attempts to steal Christmas, he dresses as Santa Claus. Our traditions about Santa Claus involve accountability. He rewards well-behaved children and punishes naughty ones. As Christians, we serve a God who holds us accountable. But God doesn’t punish our misbehavior by withholding gifts. God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit and our fellow Christians, works to redeem and transform us. How do we experience the same redemption and transformation that the Grinch does at the end of Dr. Seuss’s book?
December 23, 2023 – Christmas Candlelight – Saturday 7PM
December 17, 2023 – Christmas Cantata
December 10, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
When Christmas Isn’t Christmas
The Grinch didn’t really steal Christmas. He took lights, decorations, and presents. He even took food. But he didn’t take away Christmas. Christmas, he discovered, is in the hearts and relationships of those who celebrate it. Too often we get so caught up in the pageantry of Christmas that we forget about Christ, the one whose birth we’re actually commemorating. What can the Grinch teach us about keeping our priorities straight during the Advent and Christmas seasons?
December 4, 2023 – Pastor Becky Nicol
Advent Tea Worship
December 3, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
When Everything is Wrong
Despite its reputation as a time of joy, the Christmas season (and the Advent season leading up to it) is for many a time of turmoil. How do we work through the stress, envy, and disappointment that so often accompany our celebrations? And what can we learn from the story of the Grinch and the people of Whoville?
November 26, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Separating Church and State
There is this misconception that the Bible calls us to separate church and state – meaning that the people of faith should not engage in political discourse or action. The separation of church and state is a political position that seeks to prevent the government from influencing religion. Jesus and his disciples were engaged in political discourse and action and show us how we might follow in their steps as people who seek love above power. Join Pastor Rob as he helps us follow Jesus in the way of love God and neighbor as we exists as political beings today.
Community Thanksgiving Worship Service
November 19, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
We couldn’t have done it without you
The Church is a unique organization, where it takes a collection of people who answer God’s call to love God and their neighbor to even exist. Without volunteers there is no church. Join us as we celebrate all the ways we’ve answered the call to be church together.
November 12, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Loving Political Opponents
It should be no surprise that Jesus calls us to love our enemies. To let ourselves off the hook, we might not classify our political opponents as enemies, but we’re probably just trying to justify our hostility, animosity or disgust. It’s one thing to oppose positions or ideas, but to diminish the humanity of another probably goes too far – at least that’s what Jesus shows us. Join Pastor Rob as we learn what it means to love our political opponents by being tough on issues but merciful on people – just as we see in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
November 5, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
We’re More Than Just Dirt
We live in a world where we like to separate the body and soul and think they are separate. With God, this disconnect is far from true. Join us this Sunday as we remember and honor those who have died and we cling to our hope that we are more than just dirt.