Trinity United Methodist Church of Loveland, CO - Sermon Podcast

Sermon by Rev. Carol Lillie   Happy Mother's Day!

Pastor Linda Meyer preaching

We live in a world full of noise, speed, and distractions that can keep us from seeing what is real and true right in front of us. In John 8, Jesus offers a different way to see life, shaped not by fear, anger, or appearances, but by God’s steady love and wisdom. As we learn to see through Christ, we become people grounded in truth, able to love others more clearly and live with greater freedom.

Jesus’ anger in the temple reveals that anger is not always wrong, especially when it exposes systems that harm people and distort what is sacred. When anger is anchored in God, it doesn’t spiral out of control but instead helps us see clearly, lifting up people over problems and pushing back against injustice. The real question is not whether we feel anger, but whether we can recognize what God is calling us to confront and respond in a way that leads toward love.

We live in a fast-paced world that often pushes us toward anger without us realizing it. Anger itself isn’t wrong, but how we respond to it matters. When we learn what triggers us and step away from things that stir it up, we can respond in healthier ways. By staying anchored in Christ, we can live with more peace, purpose, and steadiness.

Happy Easter from Trinity UMC of Loveland, CO!

Expectations fall apart on Palm Sunday as Jesus leads people in a way they don’t understand. When we reach our limits, we realize the work is bigger than us. Instead of giving directions, Jesus offers himself as our Way. Even in uncertainty, we can have hope because God as leads us into the events of Holy Week..

Real change does not stop inside us. If God is repairing our lives, it has to show up in how we treat others and make things right. Like Zacchaeus, real repair is visible, costly, and transformative, and when we step into it, God brings new life where things have been broken.

Rev. Barry Wehrle preaching

The choices we make every day shape the path of our lives. Moses reminds us to “choose life” by loving God and caring for others. Studies show that our actions are guided first by what we believe and value, not just by thinking things through. When our hearts are connected to God, our decisions start leading us toward a life full of purpose and goodness.

Old habits and quiet patterns shape our lives, often pulling us away from the life God wants for us. Sin isn’t just big, dramatic mistakes — it’s the repeated ways we miss the mark — and repentance means honestly naming those patterns and letting God change our hearts and direction. Like the father who runs to welcome his son home, God meets us when we turn back and helps us begin a new and healthier way of living.

We all carry dents in our lives — mistakes, habits, and hidden struggles that create a quiet unease we try to ignore. Lent invites us to stop hiding, honestly name what is ours, and practice true repentance by allowing God to change our hearts and minds. When we own our unease instead of denying it, we open the door to grace, healing, and the new life God longs to grow within us.