Online worship services
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.
October 29, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Speaking the Truth to Power
Sometimes those in power – either elected or culturally- use their power to oppress others. Those who benefit from the wielding of power are called to use their power for the benefit of those who lack power. Helping others through acts of compassion is one step toward a more just political world, but sometimes those in power need to hear the truth of their injustice and call them to use their power in ways that benefits all people. Join Pastor Rob as we study how Jesus spoke truth to power and discover our own voice that speaks truth to power.
October 22, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Jesus is Not a Card Carrying Member of Any Party
For generations American political parties have laid claim to Jesus as their own. Certainly Jesus resonates with the social positions of both political parties, but Jesus is a king of a kingdom not of this earth. He is the king of heaven which comes on earth. Jesus teaches us that there is an uncomfortable third way of existing in our political climate. That third way seeks to reconcile differences unto Jesus himself. Join Pastor Rob as we seek to be reconciled to each other and to Jesus.
October 15, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword
For as much as Jesus’ arrest, trial and death were theological, it was all an act of political theater. Instead of getting caught up in the politics and escalating an already tense situation, Jesus chooses and instructs his followers to choose the path of peace. Join Pastor Rob as we learn peace from Jesus and how to live as peacemakers in our political environment today.
October 8, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Does the Bible Really Say That? “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin.”
We often use this phrase to when we are trying to convey that we are not intending to be judgmental… but as Jesus shows us that’s really hard to do. Sometimes this phrase becomes the escape hatch that allows us to do anything but love. Is this one in the Bible? Find out as Pastor Rob Hamilton concludes this series.
October 1, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Does the Bible Really Say That? “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It.”
We do believe that the Bible is inspired by God, but does this phrase just call us to check our brains at the doors? What about the passages in the Bible we don’t follow? How exactly do we interpret scriptures to teach, guide, shape and encourage us? Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we explore this phrase for our lives today.
September 24, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Does the Bible Really Say That? “God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle”
Is this one cap or slap? We do pray lead us not into temptation, but does that also mean that God is the cause of suffering? And the Bible and life are full of situations we can’t handle alone? What if we see in the Bible a God who helps us handle all the adversity life will give us? – Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we explore another common phrase and see if it’s really in the Bible.
September 17, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Does the Bible Really Say That? “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves”
This phrase feels uniquely American. While we do have personal responsibility there are systems that reward or disadvantage some people more than others; how do we account for that, especially when throughout scripture we are commanded to help meet the needs of others? What about the times when God provides help for those who need it? Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he reminds us that our God is the God who brings light into our darkness and helps us in the midst of anxiety and despair.
September 10, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Does the Bible Really Say That? “Everything Happens for a Reason”
We often use this phrase in the midst of comforting someone who is suffering. But what does this say about personal responsibility and God’s responsibly? Did God really mean for the drunk driver to cause the fatal crash? Or is the reason that everything happens because we make choices. What if it’s more like whatever happens, God is able to work through it, to redeem it and to bring good from it. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he launches this thought provoking series that questions our assumptions and offers hope.
September 3, 2023 – Pastor Becky Nicol
This summer’s Barbie movie isn’t what many expected. Whether you’ve seen it, or not; or like the doll, or not; come join us as Pastor Becky Nicol explores the theology in this blockbuster.
August 27, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
The Shout: How Can We Be Whole? (Sermon Only)
John Wesley once said ”The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love, is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.” Wesley found this to be true from Leviticus all the way to Jesus, so if social holiness is the goal to which we strive, how can we get there. Isaiah’s shout makes it pretty clear for us. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we wrap up this series on justice.
August 20, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
The Shout: What is Freedom?
Unless you’ve been held captive, it’s hard to know what it’s like is to NOT be free. Sometimes we use freedom to our own advantage, even to the point of oppressing others so we don’t have to share freedom. But Jesus shows us a freedom that looks not for one’s own interests, but that of the interests of others; and that is how all live free. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton in this challenging message on freedom.
August 13, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
The Shout!: Who is your family?
Family can be defined many different ways for people, but no matter who is in your family – we tend to hold family close. We are empathetic to our family. We have a bond with them to care and protect them. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he ponders if the world would be more just if we better identified who Jesus was calling us to include in our family?
August 6, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
The Shout!: Where is Justice?
What exactly is justice? Is it jurisprudence? Is it retribution or vengeance? Scriptural justice is more than a theory, topic or system. Justice in Scripture is a whole lifestyle, a distinct orientation toward other people, especially the socially vulnerable. Once we know what justice is we can start to see where there is justice and where there is injustice. Pastor Rob Hamilton begins this series by orientating us to justice in the Bible.
July 30, 2023 – Dr. Greg Coates
Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth
Dr. Greg Coates will present his first sermon at UMCG titled “People of the Book” as the concluding message in the Reading The Bible For All Its Worth series.
July 23, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Reading the Bible for All it’s Worth: What about all the violence in the Bible?
of the many great contradictions that is discovered as we read the Bible for all it’s worth is that we have a God who claims to be loving, but also acts with violence and wrath. In most relationships when a person claims to be loving in one moment and then acts contradictory to that we call that abusive or toxic. Join Pastor Rob as we try to make sense of some of these troubling passages of Scripture.
July 16, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth: Questions about Science and Progress
When we start reading the Bible we find claims that seemingly run contrary to what science teaches us. Does that mean we have to pick either science or scripture and disregard the other? Does this mean the Bible can’t speak to us today with all the advance science has made? In this sermon, Pastor Rob will demonstrate that when we are reading the Bible for all its worth we don’t always have to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
July 9, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Reading the Bible for All it’s Worth: A Lesson in Hermeneutics and Exegesis
Hermeneutics and exegesis are fancy words for methods of interpretation. We all interpret the Bible. The call for us as United Methodist Christians is to do so as Jesus did: Jesus would engage in midrash, for us we believe the core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience and confirmed by reason. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he sets out some basic tools to help make sense of the Bible when we are reading it for all its worth.
July 2, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Reading the Bible for All it’s Worth: Out with the Old and in with the New?
The Bible consists of two main parts – or Testaments. One we call ‘Old’– this is the Bible for most Jewish people – including Jesus to some extent- and the second we call ‘New’ as it chronicles God’s new revolution to the world in Jesus. Join Pastor Rob as we compare and contrast the Old and New Testament to help us learn how to read the Bible for all it’s worth.
June 25, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Reading the Bible for All it’s Worth: What is the Bible?
The question of what is the Bible and what it is not is one that has been wrestled with for the ages. As United Methodists we believe that Scripture reveal the Word of God ‘so far as it is necessary for our salvation.” That sounds awfully important that why in this sermon Pastor Rob will offer a basic primer in knowing what the Bible is and is not so that we can can live faithfully and read the Bible for all it’s worth.
June 18, 2023 – Pastor Becky Nicol
Our Favorite Sins
It’s always Our Favorite Sins – that do us in (You & Tequila)
When we think of our favorite things, they’re usually good things. Can we have favorite sins? Yes, try as we might, we do. What are our biggest temptations? And how can we stop giving in? Join Pastor Becky Nicol as she leads us in talking about sin.
June 11, 2023 – Pastor Lisa Telomen
Putting First Things First
Jesus reminds us that life with God is not about us getting ahead, it’s about helping everyone move forward. In fact, its really about circling around children and others who get left behind and putting them first. From the least rolypoly to the greatest whale, and all God’s creatures in between, how we embrace the least and lost determines our fate. Becoming part of God’s kindom happens when we do that.
June 4, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
A Life Not Our Own
On this celebration of graduates and scholarship awards Pastor Rob invites us to reflect on how despite our best efforts at success and missteps in trying our lives are not our own. There is always a hand guiding us.
May 28, 2023 – Pastor Lisa Telomen and Pastor Becky Nicol
Let’s Fire Up, Not Burn Down!
As we gather for worship, we too are filling up with God’s Holy Spirit as we share in Scripture, song, prayer and Word…Are we speaking the languages of those outside our church? are we describing God’s mighty works? Are we dreaming God’s dreams, seeing God’s visions, prophesying about God’s work? How are we witnessing so as to inspire others to turn to God and change their lives? Are we inviting others to be baptized and become part of the life of faith together with us?!
May 21, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Created: Made to Be Fruitful and Increase
In Genesis, God sets man and woman to fill the earth with people through procreation. Jesus is the fullness of humanity and doesn’t procreate. Paul in 1 Corinthians suggest procreation is no longer necessary to be fruitful in life and to increase the people of God. How does this part of the created order fit in our world today. Join Pastor Rob as he explores this part of creation and our share in it today.
May 14, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Created: Made for Clinging Kinship
In Hebrew there is a word dabaq it appears in Genesis to describe the bond between Adam and Eve as one flesh, it also appears in the story between Ruth and Naomi. It appears we are created to share our lives as kin and to commit to our kin through thick and thin, to care for each other through life. Join Pastor Rob for an exploration of what is at the core of what binds us together.
May 7, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Created: Made for Walking with God
Adam and Even enjoyed cool evening strolls with God in the garden of Eden. What transpired on these walks is unknown, but the purpose was to enjoy quality time with God. We are created for spending quality time with God and to do so in community. We don’t have evening walks, but we do have the daily walk with our spiritual practices. We will celebrate how our Confirmands have learned to walk with God and make the commitment to join us in full as we walk with God together.
April 30, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Created: Made for Nakedness
We get two whole chapters before Adam and Eve realize they are naked, until then nakedness wasn’t such a big deal. What if nakedness in Genesis was more than literal without clothing and more about shame and vulnerability and being close with God, who sees past our shame and cares for us when we can’t care for ourselves.
April 23, 2023 – Pastor Lisa Telomen
Created: Made for Care of Creation
God put humans in charge of the earth., giving us dominion over the earth, not for our exploitation, but for us to steward and care for our fellow creatures. Pastor Lisa will weave this theme into an introduction to all and each of the 4 videos of youth climate activists, encouraging us all to care with voice and hands for our creatures and creation.
April 16, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamiton
Created: Made in the Image of God
God didn’t just create a science project to show off to lesser gods. God, out of love, created all of creation in God’s own divine image. The universe, earth and its inhabitants all bear the divine image and are of sacred worth. The act of creation is not individual and isolated, it’s communal and mutual. When God was done creating, it was called good.
April 9, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
We Are There!
Continuing with our Lenten theme, a few women were there when Jesus came out of the tomb. They shared the news with the disciples and the world changed. This year, Jesus invites us to the garden tomb to be there when he was raised up from the grave.
April 7, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Good Friday
Our 7:30pm Good Friday Service calls us to remember the passion of Jesus Christ through dramatic readings of gospel accounts of Good Friday. This solemn service features: singing, prayer, choir and candlelight in addition to the readings.
Click here to watch the Tri-City Maundy Thursday Service at Batavia United Methodist Church.
Palm Sunday | April 2, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The Undertakers
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were somewhat secret admirers (maybe students even) of Jesus. They were not your typical undertakers. They were men of means who took great risk to offer Jesus a shred of dignity after everything had been stripped from him. What do these two faithful ones teach us about love, risk, and dignity from the cross? Join pastor Rob as we learn more from those who cared for his body.
March 26, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The Women
There were women lining the streets and beating their chests. There were women who followed Jesus from the moment he was arrested until they rolled the stone over his grave. When others looked away, the female disciples were with him until the end. What do the women teach all of us about true discipleship? Join Pastor Rob as we consider what it was like for the women at the cross.
UMC Geneva Worship – March 26 from United Methodist Church-Geneva on Vimeo.
March 19, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The The Beloved Disciple
Only one of the 12 male disciples stuck around to the end and that was John the Beloved disciples. Was John, Jesus’ best friend? What earned him this special status with our Lord and what was it like for someone so close to Jesus to be right there with him as he died? Join Pastor Rob in this narrative exploration of the Beloved Disciple.
March 12, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The Soldiers
They just had a job to do, right? Someone has to work for the department of corrections. The soldiers all had a role in Jesus death – some it was another day on the job stripping men of their dignity, others actually realized that Jesus wasn’t just a man, he was the Son of Man. Join Pastor Rob as we explore what the crucifixion was like from the perspective of the soldiers.
March 5, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The Other Victims
As we know, Jesus wasn’t the only person to be crucified on that fateful day. Two others were crucified with him. Were they thieves, bandits, criminals, terrorists, rebels, freedom fighters? What was their experience like? What might we be called to do for victims in our day? Find out with Pastor Rob in this narrative Lenten series “Were you there?”
February 26, 2023- Pastor Rob Hamilton
Were You There? The Bystanders and Scoffers
Consider those who mocked and tormented Jesus. We know the type who make sure the world knows people deserve what is coming to them. These scoffers stinging words hang in the air, just as Simon of Cyrene stings from the pain of carrying the cross. He was just an innocent bystander that day. Are we scoffers and bystanders to where we see Jesus today? Join Pastor Rob at the start of this new series, Were you there?
February 12, 2023 – Pastor Lisa Telomen
What We Value: Serving Others
At UMCG, we transform our community through faithful acts of mercy and justice. As disciples of Christ, we seek to serve like Jesus, and give our lives away in service to others needs: this means self-sacrifice. As Jesus says elsewhere, you cannot serve two masters, not God and money. Jesus reminds us later in Matthew that in serving others, we are serving him; Paul reminds us in his letters that we are called to serve one another humbly in love. As we see neighbors here and around the world struggling to survive, are we willing to sacrifice our time, talents and wealth, living more simply, so others can simply live?
February 5, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
What We Value: Open-Minded
At UMCG we value respectful dialogue. Jesus is known for respectful dialogue, but one time he might not have started out a conversation in the way to which he aspires. We can follow Jesus as he moves from having a closed mind to an open mind when healing a woman. Join Pastor Rob as we look to Jesus for helping living into the value of being open-minded.
January 29, 2023 – Pastor Lisa Telomen
What We Value: Compassion
At UMCG, we listen and act to bring healing and wholeness. Following Jesus’ example, we are people of compassion who come alongside those in need to offer help and healing. We see the struggles of the poor, the sick, and have deep concern that their needs be met, even at some cost to ourselves, our energy and our resources, just like Jesus. Most radically, Jesus teaches of God’s radical compassion and ours in the story of the prodigal son. Paul reminds us that God’s compassion is lived out in our compassion for each other. How are we identifying needs among our neighbors near and far, and reaching out in compassion with Christ?
January 22, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
What We Value: Generosity
At UMCG, we share our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We often think we have to be rich to be generous with our money, or retired to be generous with our time, or ordained to be generous in prayer. Jesus shows us that generosity doesn’t jive with a scarcity mindset, but with an abundant heart. Join Pastor Rob as we explore Jesus’ call to generosity.
January 15, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
What We Value: Welcoming
At UMCG, we invite our community into our home with open arms. For whatever reason, we seem to spend a lot of time trying to fence people out of being included in sports, friendships, nations, even families. Jesus’s disciples even tried to fence little ones away from his blessing. Join Pastor Rob as Jesus shows us how to truly welcome everyone.
January 8, 2023 – Pastor Rob Hamilton
What We Value: Inclusion
At UMC of Geneva, we boldly love and accept people for who they are. There seems to be a human inclination to set conditions upon our love and acceptance. Sometimes we might even feel so insecure about our own position, we exclude others to justify ourselves or demand others to conform to our expectations to justify ourselves. Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as we see how Jesus didn’t set prerequisites for relationships and instead loves and accepts people as they are and in turn that bold, inclusive love changes people’s lives and the world.
January 1, 2023 – Tri-City Service
Tri-City New Year’s Day Service