We are in the second week of our sermon series, “Do Unto Others,” campaigning for kindness. It’s the middle of September and we are already deep into election season here in the US. And now, more than ever, we need to be reminded of how we are called to live in the world as followers of Jesus. Last week, Pastor Bruce Hitchcock talked about how in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares the Golden Rule—“Do unto others as you would have them do to you… this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” That is the basis for how we treat people—we recognize all that God has given us, and then because of that, we treat others with the same love, compassion, grace, and understanding with which we have been treated—which also sums up the way we want others to treat us. Today, I want to remind us that this Golden Rule is necessary and important even when—especially when—we’re talking politics.

We begin a new worship series called The Kindness Campaign. What would happen if we each chose to live The Golden Rule: Do unto others...? We see division and polarization in our country, communities and even inside the walls of our own churches. It’s easy to wonder if we will ever go beyond agreeing to disagree, yet Jesus shows us a better way. Jesus taught us that we should treat others as we want to be treated. This is commonly known as The Golden Rule, and holds the power to bring people together again. We are excited to launch the campaign in our community, and hope you will join the movement!

Today we conclude our worship series “Uncommon Wisdom.” In a culture that tells us we should do whatever we can to get ahead—even if it means lying, stealing, and manipulation—we have been looking at the seemingly uncommon wisdom of the book of Proverbs. In this book of scripture, we find 100s of short sayings that show us a God-centered path to the good life. Over the past five weeks, we have looked at several of these sayings: Better the poor person who lives with integrity than the rich one who distorts right and wrong. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. 2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. 22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's snout. to see what morsel of God’s wisdom they have to share. This week, we conclude our series with the poem, “The Woman of Valor” or how it’s more commonly understood, “The Woman of Noble Character.”

Today we continue our worship series “Uncommon Wisdom.” Current cultural wisdom tells us that we should do whatever we can to get ahead—if we want it, we should figure out a way to get it. But that is not the way God would have us act. So in this series, we are looking at the seemingly uncommon wisdom of Proverbs, which shows us a God-centered, path to the good life. Proverbs is a collection of 100s of short sayings that apply wisdom and fear of the Lord—awe and reverence towards God—to any topic you can imagine—friendship, marriage, generosity, work, money, forgiveness… the list goes on. It’s a book for every person in every season of life. Each week during this series, we are taking a look at one or two proverbs to see what morsel of God’s wisdom they have to share. This week, our wisdom is: Better the poor person who lives with integrity than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.

In ancient cities, a strong tower was a central place where people could run to when an enemy’s army was attacking or they were encountering some sort of danger. It’s where they went for safety and protection. That’s what the name of the Lord is for the righteous—the wise: they run to God first, knowing that it’s God’s very character to protect and care for us. We know that because we see this truth again and again throughout scripture.

Guest speaker Matt Mellott delivers some uncommon wisdom, including a tale about cheese in a hotel mattress.

Rev. Peg Welch, our pastor's mother-in-love, shares some uncommon wisdom with a meditation on Proverbs 12: 15-16

Today we are in the second week of our worship series “Uncommon Wisdom.” Our society’s current strategies for success appear to be exploitation, violence, and smear campaigns. But I’m confident we can all agree that this is not the way God would have it. So in this series, we are looking at the seemingly uncommon wisdom of Proverbs, which shows us another, God-centered, path to the good life. Every day we are faced with the same decision those first humans had in the Garden of Eden: how do we gain the wisdom to discern between good and evil? Do we do what seems good to us—what we desire in the moment or seems to benefit us most? Or do we look to God, the One who knows the long-game, and how all things fit together? It seems like an easy answer, but it’s much more difficult in the moment. That’s where the book of Proverbs comes in. It’s a collection of 100s of short sayings that apply wisdom and fear of the Lord—awe and reverence towards God—to any topic you can imagine—friendship, marriage, generosity, work, money, forgiveness… the list goes on. It’s a book for every person in every season of life. And so each week, we will take a look at one or two proverbs and see what morsel of God’s wisdom they have to share.

Today we begin a new worship series titled “Uncommon Wisdom.” In a society whose only real success strategies appear to be exploitation, violence, and smear campaigns, we are going to look at the seemingly uncommon wisdom of Proverbs, which shows us another path to the good life. Every decision we make impacts not just ourselves, but others. Some decisions are small and cumulative, but none are made in a vacuum. We try to think about all the consequences our decisions might have—projecting out and imagining all the scenarios, but we just can’t—life is too complex. So the question we’re left to wonder is, “How do we know the right thing to do at any given moment? What is the wise thing that will lead to life? That’s where the book of Proverbs comes in. It’s a book that’s for every person in every season of life, guiding us to living wisely and well in God’s good world.

Today we are in the last week of our worship series, “I trust in God…” It’s based off our Vacation Bible School theme for this year, that followed a new camp counselor through his nervous-excitement of his first few days of camp. Each day at VBS, the kids learn about a person in scripture who took Psalm 56:3 and put it into action: “when I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” And throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared. This is a lesson we each need, no matter our age—that no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God. Throughout this series, we have learned that We can trust God… to go with us, to lead the way, to share God’s wisdom with us, and to give us peace. This week, we are reminded that “we can trust in God to spark joy.”

Today we are in week 4 of our worship series, “I trust in God…” It’s based on our Vacation Bible School theme for this year. Each day at VBS, the kids learn about a person in scripture who took Psalm 56:3 and put it into action: “when I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” They faced their fears and went on to do great things with God. And throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared. This is a lesson we each need, no matter our age—that no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God. We began the series learning that we can trust God to go with us—wherever life takes us, God’s presence is with us. Then, we were reminded that we can trust in God to lead the way, even when life doesn’t make sense. Last week, we learned that we can trust in God to share God’s wisdom with us. This week, we remind ourselves that we can trust God to give us peace.

Today we continue in our worship series, “I trust in God…” It’s based off our Vacation Bible School theme for this year, that follows a new camp counselor (who just so happens to be a firefly) through his nervous-excitement of his first few days of camp. Each day at VBS, the kids learn about ordinary people in scripture who trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. And throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared. This isn’t just a lesson for children, though. We each need this reminder—that no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God. We began the series being reminded that we can trust God to go with us—wherever life takes us, God’s presence is with us. Last week, we learned that we can trust in God to lead the way, even when life doesn’t make sense. This week, we learn that we can trust in God… to share wisdom.

We continue in our worship series, “I trust in God…” based on our Vacation Bible School theme for this year, that follows a new camp counselor (who just so happens to be a firefly) through his nervous-excitement of his first few days of camp. Kids will spend each day at camp hearing about ordinary people in both the Old and New Testament who trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. Throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared. This isn’t just a lesson for children, though. We each need this reminder—that no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God. Last week, we were reminded that we can trust God to go with us—wherever life takes us, God will always remind us of God’s presence with us. This week, we understand that we can trust in God… to lead the way.

Today we begin a new worship series that’s simply called, “I trust in God…” It’s based on our Vacation Bible School theme for this year, that follows a new camp counselor (who just so happens to be a firefly) through his nervous-excitement of his first few days of camp. They spend each day at VBS, hearing about ordinary people in both the Old and New Testament who trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. And throughout the week, the children learn that they can put their trust in God even when they feel scared. This isn’t just a lesson for children, though. We each need this reminder—no matter what is going on in our lives, we can put our trust in God. There’s something meaningful about repeating that affirmation, “I trust in God…” “I trust in God…” “I trust in God…” This week, we’re reminded that we can trust in God… to go with us.

Today we conclude our short series, “Faith In Action,” where we’re looking at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world. The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live not just saying we’re Christian, but living it out in our actions—a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor. Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better. This is work we’re all called to do in different ways, given our unique personality, strengths, and God-given gifts. We’ve talked about how putting our faith in action can look like caring for God’s creation and making sure everyone has a place in God’s church. Today, we have Jonathan Gray, from Trials for Hope to share how his faith has inspired him to help others in God-sized ways in greater Cleveland. Trials for Hope is a non-profit that focuses on delivering dignity and hope to those in need through wholesome food, personal care items, and warmth to those in Greater Cleveland.

Today we continue with our short series, “Faith In Action,” where we’re looking at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world. The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live not just saying we’re Christian, but living it out in our actions—a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor. Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better. This is work we’re all called to do in different ways, given our unique personality, strengths, and God-given gifts. Last week, Melanie shared how her faith was transformed this past year when she went to a training called EarthKeepers. Through that training, she was able to understand how God is calling her to personally live out God’s command to love God and love neighbor. Today, we want to name why declaring we are a reconciling congregation is an act of faith.

The United Methodist Church began as a movement dedicated to “scriptural holiness,” to live a life dedicated to loving God and loving our neighbor. Our faith is not simply what we believe in our own hearts and minds, but it is something that moves us to get involved with people; try to change broken systems; and we get our hands dirty, working to make the world better. In this series, we’re going to look at 3 different ways we can live our faith in the world. Today, Melanie is going to share how her faith was transformed this past year, when she went to a training called EarthKeepers. Melanie is our Director of Communications & Connections here at BUMC. She’s been working with our church community for over 15 years, and in that time, she’s grown in a multitude of ways. She has a passion for God’s creation and creating a welcoming environment for all. Today’s she leaping out of her comfort zone and bringing God’s message for us. So let us pray for God to speak through her.

Each gospel has a main theme when telling the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. In the gospel of John, the theme is choice— we have the choice whether to receive God’s love or not. To acknowledge Jesus as God enfleshed. We also have a choice whether to live out that unconditional, extravagant love in the world like God— “for God so loved the world…” What would it be like if we chose to live that love?

Today we continue our worship series, “Climate + Faith.” Our goal in this series is to look past partisan politics to recognize why valuing and caring for God’s creation is fundamentally an issue of faith. We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and enjoy the same forests and lakes and rivers and creatures. We all suffer in extreme weather, social instability, and mass migration. A livable world is not a politically partisan goal. It’s a human goal. And at its core, it’s a spiritual goal. If we look back, in virtually every transformative movement in human history, people of faith have been at the center of the action. We’ve been the catalysts… laborers… visionaries. And now, as we confront what is perhaps the greatest challenge in human history, God is calling us to step up once more—to live into our original calling of being responsible for all of God’s creation.

Following Jesus involves the sometimes difficult and painful process of opening up—transforming from being turned inward in self-absorption to being turned outward in love and service. It doesn’t mean sacrificing to the detriment of ourselves, but it means putting ourselves with others—not thinking of ourselves as apart from, but connected with others and our whole world.