Sermons from 

Arlington Street United Methodist Church

Welcome to this space of worship and reflection. Here you will find a collection of sermon videos from Arlington Street United Methodist Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. Each message has been prayerfully prepared with the hope that it will encourage your spirit and strengthen your walk with God.

These sermons are meant to remind us of God’s love and how faith speaks into everyday life. Whether you are seeking comfort, guidance, or simply a moment of peace, my prayer is that these messages meet you right where you are.

"Dig Around It" begins with the story of Thomas, who plants a fig tree when his granddaughter is born and patiently watches it grow through the years. Despite nurturing it and waiting faithfully, the tree produces no fruit for several seasons, leaving him discouraged and ready to cut it down. Before doing so, he notices the hardened soil and weeds around its base and realizes the tree may not be failing, but struggling because its environment needs care. Instead of removing it, he loosens the soil, removes the weeds, adds nourishment, and gives it “one more year.” In time, the tree finally produces fruit, reminding him that growth often happens beneath the surface long before it becomes visible.

The story connects to Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree, revealing a deeper truth about how God works in our lives. While people often measure worth by visible productivity and quick results, the gardener in the parable shows patience and compassion, choosing to tend the soil rather than condemn the tree. In the same way, God does not judge us by the pace of our growth or the fruit others can see. Instead, God kneels beside us like a gardener, loosening the hardened places in our hearts, removing what constricts our roots, and nurturing the unseen work within us. Even when we feel unproductive, discouraged, or delayed, God’s grace continues to cultivate our lives, reminding us that there is still time, still hope, and that the Gardener is not finished with us yet. 

"What Are You Carrying" invites us to recognize that many of the heaviest things we carry in life are not visible to others, yet they shape our hearts and our daily lives. Through the story of Margaret and the worn leather bag she carried for years, we see a powerful reflection of our own spiritual condition. Like Margaret, we often hold onto things long after their season has passed. We carry old grief that was never fully processed, regrets that replay in our minds, fears about the future, and even guilt for sins that Christ has already forgiven. The writer of Hebrews offers a compassionate invitation rather than a rebuke: “Lay aside every weight.” Not just sin, but every burden that presses against the soul. Life has a way of accumulating emotional and spiritual weight, and many faithful people quietly shoulder more than they were ever meant to carry alone.

Yet the heart of the gospel is not about proving our strength. It is about trusting the strength of Christ. At the center of the sermon is the image of bringing our burdens to Jesus and releasing them into His care. Just as Margaret discovered freedom when she emptied her bag of things that no longer belonged to her present life, we too are invited to lay down what we have been dragging behind us. Communion becomes a symbol of this sacred exchange. We bring our exhaustion, sorrow, fear, and questions, and Christ offers rest, grace, and renewed life. The cross reminds us that Jesus has already carried the heaviest burden of all. Faith begins when we loosen our grip, release what we cannot carry, and trust that the One who endured the cross is more than able to carry us. 

“Returning to What Matters” opens with the striking image of a fully stocked grocery store brought to a standstill by a software upgrade. Shelves were overflowing, yet nothing could be purchased. Abundance without function. The system designed to improve efficiency had grown so complex that it blocked the store’s very purpose. He draws the parallel to our spiritual lives, suggesting that many of us are not empty but overloaded. We have optimized schedules, productivity, and image, yet drifted from rest, presence, trust, and attention. Lent, he explains, is the holy interruption that exposes how overengineered our lives have become and gently invites us to reset.

Turning to Jesus in the wilderness, the sermon reframes temptation not as dramatic evil but as seductive efficiency. Each offer promises speed, control, and relief, yet bypasses trust. Jesus refuses shortcuts and anchors himself in belovedness, clarity, and dependence on God. In the same way, Lent calls us not to impress God but to return to what has always mattered: love of God, love of neighbor, mercy received and mercy extended. We do not need new lives, only clearer ones. When we slow down, release the unnecessary, and turn back, we discover that grace has been waiting all along. Returning is not failure. It is coming home. 

"Changed by the Light" uses the story of Elena, a baker quietly carrying grief after her husband’s death, to explore the hidden seasons of faith many people live through. She keeps showing up each morning before sunrise, functioning on the outside while feeling dim inside. One day, as dawn slowly fills the bakery with light, nothing in her life changes, yet everything looks different. In that gentle moment she realizes the darkness was never permanent. The light had been coming all along. Her pain isn’t erased, but it’s reframed. The message connects her experience to the reality that much of faith happens in unseen hours, when people are simply trying to keep going. Scripture reminds us that God often meets people in darkness first, not after it, and that these quiet seasons are often where transformation begins.

The Transfiguration anchors this truth. The disciples glimpse Christ’s glory on the mountain but are led back into ordinary life changed in vision, not circumstance. Faith is not about staying in bright moments but carrying that light into everyday valleys. Being changed by the light means walking through grief, fear, and uncertainty with new clarity and courage. God works gradually, like a sunrise, shaping people through steady faithfulness rather than instant miracles. Once the light of Christ has been seen, even briefly, darkness no longer has the final word. Life may remain complicated, but believers move forward differently, trusting that the light is already on its way and that it is enough. 

"Joy That Outlasts the Storm" explores the hidden storms people carry by opening with Marisol’s story, a woman quietly holding years of grief behind a composed exterior. When she finally brings her pain before God, she discovers that joy is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of Christ within it. Jesus’ promise in John 14 speaks directly into that reality. He offers peace not by removing hardship, but by anchoring the heart in something deeper than circumstances. The message reminds listeners that the world’s version of joy is fragile because it depends on everything going right, while Christian joy rests on Christ’s steady presence. Scripture consistently shows that even when the earth shakes, God remains a refuge, allowing sorrow and hope to exist in the same heart.

The sermon then calls believers to actively practice this anchored joy through prayer, trust, and daily returning to Christ. A heart strengthened this way becomes a shelter for others, radiating calm and compassion in a fearful world. The closing movement declares that storms are real but never sovereign. Throughout scripture, moments of devastation give way to restoration, revealing a gospel pattern where suffering never has the final word. Because Christ holds the heart, grief and fear cannot define a person’s identity. The storm may rage, but it does not own the house. What remains is a joy rooted in Jesus, steady enough to endure, witness, and outlast whatever weather comes. 

"I Go To The Rock" begins with the story of Maya, who grows up watching storms reshape the shoreline near her home while a rocky outcrop called Anchor Point never moves. After her father’s sudden death, she returns to that same shore and realizes she needs in her life what that rock represents: something steady when everything else shifts. The message connects her experience to the human condition. When life becomes unstable, we instinctively look for something solid to hold onto. Scripture answers that search by naming God as our Rock. Drawing from Psalm 18 and Paul’s writings, the sermon shows that this image is not poetic exaggeration but lived testimony from people who endured betrayal, danger, grief, and uncertainty. Across generations, believers discovered that God’s character does not erode under pressure and that Christ is the unchanging foundation in a changing world.

From that foundation, the sermon unfolds three truths. First, stability is not found in circumstances but in Christ, because everything we try to anchor ourselves to eventually shifts except him. Second, taking refuge in God is not weakness but wisdom, an act of trust that acknowledges our limits and God’s strength. Third, faith is not measured by never falling but by where we turn when we do. The climax declares that the Rock is not distant or symbolic but Jesus Christ himself, who entered human fragility, carried suffering, and rose in resurrection power. Because the Rock still stands through grief, fear, sin, and death, believers can stand as well. The sermon ends with a communal confession of confidence: when storms come, we do not stare at the storm. We run to the Rock, and the Rock does not move. 

"Take Me Out of the Dark" tells the story of Cyrus Ortega, a man who finds himself stranded on a cold, dark road with no power and no way to call for help. In his fear and uncertainty, he prays a simple and honest prayer, “Lord, I cannot see a thing.” A stranger appears, helps him, and leads him out with just enough light to follow. The story becomes a picture of how God meets us in the places where we cannot see what comes next, providing guidance one step at a time rather than giving us the entire road at once. Darkness, in this message, is not about nighttime, but about seasons of confusion, grief, fear, doubt, depression, shame, and uncertainty.

The sermon walks through Scripture to show that God does some of His most important work in the dark. From creation to Moses in Midian, from the valley in Psalm 23 to Isaiah’s promise of light, to Nicodemus at night, to Lazarus stepping out of the tomb, to Paul being blinded, and finally to the cross itself, the Bible reveals a God who is fully present in the shadows. The message encourages listeners to trust that darkness is a location, not a destiny, and that Christ is the Light who leads us out, not by yelling instructions from a distance, but by standing beside us and saying, “Follow me. I will get you out of here.” 

"The Rise of Manufactured Reality" explored how easily manufactured reality can shape our perceptions in a world of edited clips, misleading captions, and filtered stories. We looked at how ten seconds of video can create a narrative that spreads faster than the truth and how fragile trust becomes when perception outruns reality. 

Scripture from Proverbs and Romans 12 reminded us that what we allow into our eyes, hearts, and minds matters deeply, and that disciples of Jesus are called to seek, discern, and protect truth rather than simply absorb whatever the world presents.

We were challenged to remember that truth is more than an idea. Truth is a way of life that produces humility, compassion, hospitality, sincerity, and peace. While culture rewards outrage, speed, and curated digital identities, the Gospel calls us to renewed minds, transformed hearts, and a life that overcomes evil with good. In a time when reality can be trimmed and edited in seconds, the church points to the One reality that cannot be manufactured: Jesus Christ, who remains Truth, Love, and Life. 

"Named Claimed and Never Disposable" uses a poignant story about a donation center labeled “Items Accepted Here” to illustrate how easily people and memories can be treated as expendable. A box of old family photographs that no longer “belonged to anyone” becomes a symbol of how our culture assigns worth based on usefulness, productivity, and convenience. The preacher reflects on how society quietly decides who matters and who doesn’t, shaping both systems and personal self-worth. The scene sets the stage for a larger critique of a world that discards people, memories, and even parts of ourselves when they no longer fit our expectations or categories.

Into that world comes the theological counter-claim found in baptism: that God names, claims, and refuses to dispose of anyone. Drawing on Jesus’ baptism and scriptures like Isaiah 43, Romans 8, and Genesis 1, the sermon insists that our worth is not earned, proven, or measured, but bestowed. To be named is to be known, to be claimed is to belong, and if that is true of us, it is true of all people, including those society overlooks or exploits. The sermon concludes with a pastoral call to resist any narrative that devalues human life, to remember our baptismal identity, and to live as though no one is disposable in the kingdom of God. 

"A Light That Still Appears" opens with the quiet story of Daniel, a maintenance worker who notices an unexplained light glowing in a normally dark school hallway. The moment is small and ordinary, yet it lingers with him because it reminds him that light sometimes appears without fanfare, explanation, or drama. From this story, the sermon reframes Epiphany not as a single event from long ago, but as an ongoing reality. Like the Magi who followed a star without certainty or a clear map, we are invited to notice and trust the steady, gentle light of God that continues to show up in unexpected places and ordinary moments.

Moving into the realities of everyday life, especially the quiet and unresolved season after the holidays, the sermon acknowledges weariness, uncertainty, and lingering questions. Drawing on Isaiah’s call to “Arise, shine,” it emphasizes that God’s light does not wait for everything to be fixed before appearing. Instead, it offers just enough illumination to take the next step. Epiphany, then, is both comfort and calling; we are nourished by God’s presence and also sent out to carry that light into the world. The sermon closes by inviting listeners to remain attentive, trusting that even in darkness and uncertainty, God’s light still appears, often quietly, and sometimes through us. 

"Resolutions That Really Matter" reflects on the quiet weight of New Year’s resolutions through the story of Margaret, who discovers that her lifelong lists were never about self-improvement but about learning what truly matters. As the year closes, the message invites listeners to recognize how resolutions often fail not from weakness, but because they focus on behavior rather than the heart. Drawing on Jesus’ call to abide rather than perform, the sermon reframes faith away from control, productivity, and spiritual checklists toward presence, love, and trust. It reminds us that transformation comes through relationship, not pressure; through surrender, not striving; and through daily grace, not perfect plans. In the end, the sermon affirms that God is not impressed by our lists but deeply interested in our hearts, and that the resolutions that matter most are written by the Spirit, not on paper. 

“Love That Finds Us” invites listeners into a quiet Advent story that mirrors the heart of the Christmas message. Through the image of Joanna, a grieving baker who braids Bethlehem Bread as a prayer born from loss and trust, the sermon illustrates how God’s love meets people in small, ordinary, and often painful places. Joanna’s pantry prayer, spoken when she could no longer carry life alone, becomes a living parable of Bethlehem itself. Just as hope came from an overlooked town, God’s love shows up not in power or perfection, but in humility, presence, and persistence. Love, the sermon reminds us, does not wait for readiness. It finds us precisely where we are.

Drawing on the Advent theme of love, the message centers on the truth that God is love, love made flesh in Jesus. This love moves toward us, enters our vulnerability, and chooses closeness over distance. The manger becomes the ultimate sign that no heart is too wounded and no life too unfinished for God to enter. As love finds us, it also transforms us, calling us to embody that same love through patience, kindness, forgiveness, and hope in everyday moments. The sermon closes with reassurance for the weary and uncertain. Love is not a reward at the end of faith but a companion along the way. God is already near, already present, and still coming, whispering to every searching heart, “Love has found you here.” 

"When Joy Finds You" proclaims that Advent joy is not loud or effortless, but a quiet, resilient gift God brings into the middle of real life. Through the story of Eleanor and the candle in the storm, and through the witness of Isaiah and Paul, we are reminded that joy does not wait for grief to end or ruins to be rebuilt. Instead, joy is God’s presence with us in sorrow, God’s light shining in darkness, and God’s promise taking root even when we cannot yet see it grow. Advent assures weary hearts that joy is not something we must chase or manufacture. It is something Christ brings with him, steadily, faithfully, and lovingly, planting hope where despair once lived and reminding us that we are never alone. 

The sermon, "The Path of Peace", tells the story of Elias, a longtime lighthouse keeper whose small lantern helps save a fishing boat during a violent storm, illustrating that even a little light can guide someone to safety. 

Pastor Jerry connects this story to the Second Sunday of Advent, reminding the congregation that peace is often hard to find in the chaos and pressures of daily life. Drawing from Zechariah’s prophecy, he emphasizes that Christ brings light into our darkness, not after it disappears, offering peace rooted in God’s tender mercy. 

Peace, he explains, is not a moment but a path we intentionally walk through choices like prayer, forgiveness, patience, and trust. Even the smallest peace, like a flickering lantern, can steady our own hearts or help someone else find their way. 

Ultimately, true peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ, who guides, strengthens, and transforms us. 

Today marked the beginning of Advent, that sacred season when we lean forward with expectation, listening for the footsteps of hope drawing near. Advent begins in the shadows, not in the spotlight. The world into which Christ came was weary, waiting, and longing for light, not so different from the world we inhabit today. In the midst of anxiety, conflict, uncertainty, and the quiet struggles we carry in our own hearts, Advent reminds us that God does His best work in the dark.

Our sermon, titled "A Light in the Shadows", invited us to remember that the light of Christ does not wait for perfect conditions. It finds us where we are. It shines gently into the corners we hide, the burdens we carry, and the fears we rarely name out loud. Advent is not about ignoring the shadows; it is about discovering the hope that breaks into them.

Today, we gathered as a people who know both shadows and light, and we proclaimed the good news that the first candle of Advent flickers with a promise: even the smallest flame can chase away the deepest darkness.

"Who Is Jesus To You": Today at Arlington Street UMC, we celebrated Christ the King Sunday by reflecting on a powerful question: Who is Jesus to you? We explored how Jesus meets each of us differently, whether as Savior, Teacher, Healer, Friend, or King, and how these truths shape the way we live our everyday lives. Together we named the ways Christ guides, comforts, challenges, and strengthens us. When we speak out loud who Jesus truly is in our lives, we invite a deeper transformation that roots our faith, renews our hope, and empowers our purpose as His people in the world. 

"Rooted in Grace": Today at Arlington Street UMC, we gathered around a simple but powerful truth. When our lives are rooted in God’s grace, we find the strength, peace, and hope we cannot find anywhere else. Grace is not earned. Grace is not achieved. Grace is not a reward for getting everything right. Grace is a gift. God’s gift. And when we sink our roots deep into that gift, we become grounded people who can weather any storm.

In the moments when life feels overwhelming, remember this: God’s grace is holding you. God’s grace is nourishing you. God’s grace is growing you, even in seasons when you feel tired or uncertain. The work happening beneath the surface is often the most important work of all.

My prayer is that this message encourages you today. No matter what you’re facing, may you be firmly rooted in the love that never lets you go.

On All Saints Sunday, we paused to remember, not with sadness alone, but with deep gratitude, the saints who have shaped our faith and touched our lives. 

“A Cloud of Witnesses” reminded us that we are never alone on this journey. Those who came before us still surround us, cheering us on, their faith echoing through time in the way we love, serve, and believe. As candles were lit and names were spoken, heaven and earth seemed to meet for just a moment. 

We honored the memory of those who ran their race with faith and endurance, trusting in the promise of resurrection. Their light continues to shine through us; a living testimony that love never dies, and God’s grace is stronger than the grave. 

“Giving as Gratitude” reminds us that generosity is not just about obligation but a heartfelt response to God’s goodness. When we give, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God’s abundant hand. True gratitude flows beyond words; it moves us to act, to share, to bless others just as we’ve been blessed. Giving becomes an expression of worship, a reflection of our trust in God’s provision, and a powerful testimony that we are thankful for all He has done. 

“Managing God’s Resources” is a reminder that everything we have, including our time, talents, finances, and opportunities, belongs to God. We are not owners but stewards, called to use these gifts to build up others and glorify Him. 

When we shift our focus from keeping to giving, from holding on to pouring out, we open the door for God to work through us in powerful ways. May we each hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant." 

“Hospitality is Holiness” highlighted that welcoming others is not just a matter of good manners or social kindness but a reflection of God’s heart at work in us. 

We were reminded that in Scripture, from Abraham entertaining angels unawares to Jesus breaking bread with strangers and sinners, hospitality is always tied to God’s holiness and love. True hospitality goes beyond offering food or shelter; it is an opening of our hearts, our churches, and our lives so that others can encounter Christ through us. 

By treating each person with dignity and grace, we are practicing holiness in its most tangible form, living out the sacred truth that every person is created in God’s image and deserves a place at the table. 

“The Gift of Time” reminded us that time is one of God’s greatest yet most often overlooked blessings. 

We reflected on how every moment we’re given is an opportunity to serve, to love, to forgive, and to grow in faith. We were challenged to see time not as something to be managed or spent, but as something to be invested, in people, in purpose, and in God’s kingdom. 

Through the message, we were encouraged everyone to slow down, to recognize the sacredness of each passing day, and to use our hours in ways that reflect gratitude and intentional living. We were reminded that while we cannot control how much time we have, we can choose how we use it, and when offered back to God, our time becomes a powerful act of worship. 

The sermon "Love In Motion" emphasizes that Christian love is not meant to be passive or abstract, but lived out actively in everyday life. Drawing from Scripture, it highlights that God’s love was revealed in action—through creation, through Christ’s ministry, and ultimately through the cross. Likewise, believers are called to put love into practice, making it visible through service, kindness, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

The message challenges listeners to move beyond words of affection into deeds that reflect God’s compassion. It encourages practical steps such as caring for neighbors, supporting those in need, bridging divisions, and embodying patience and humility in relationships. The core reminder is that genuine faith expresses itself in active love, transforming both individuals and communities.

The sermon closes with an invitation for each person to see love not as a feeling to be stored in the heart but as a motion that flows outward—where actions become testimonies of God’s presence in the world.

"Everybody Has a Gift" reminds us that God has placed unique abilities, talents, and callings within each one of us. Sometimes those gifts are obvious, like singing, teaching, or organizing, but other times they’re quieter, like listening with compassion, offering encouragement, or simply showing up faithfully. No gift is too small in the eyes of God. Together, they form the body of Christ, each part needed and valuable.

The sermon emphasizes that comparison often robs us of joy, leading us to overlook the blessings God has entrusted to us. Instead of asking why we don’t have another person’s gift, we are called to ask how we can use the ones we do have to serve others and glorify God. Each person’s contribution strengthens the whole community, and when we share our gifts, we create a church that is alive, vibrant, and overflowing with love.

Finally, we are encouraged us to put our gifts into motion. A gift tucked away and unused doesn’t fulfill its purpose. But when we choose to serve, whether in the church, in our families, or in our neighborhoods, we become vessels of God’s grace. The world needs what God has placed within us. Everybody has a gift, and when those gifts come together, the possibilities for God’s kingdom are limitless. 

“We Are the Church Together” is a reminder that the church is not just a building or a Sunday morning ritual, but a living community of people joined by faith and love. It speaks to the truth that God never designed the Christian journey to be a solo walk. Instead, we are called to be part of one body, each member playing a vital role, each gift and voice adding to the whole. In times when the world feels divided or overwhelming, the church becomes a sanctuary of belonging, a place where burdens are shared, joys are celebrated, and hope is renewed through collective strength.

At its heart, the message calls believers to embrace the truth that unity is not about uniformity, but about walking side by side in Christ’s love. Every hand extended in kindness, every prayer lifted, every act of service, and every shared moment of worship strengthens the bond that holds the body of Christ together. The sermon invites us to see that when we gather, whether in song, scripture, or service, we embody the living presence of Christ in the world. It is not “I am the church” or “you are the church,” but we are the church together; a community where God’s love comes alive through the unity and witness of His people. 

“The Gift, and the Weight, of Freedom” was born out of the heartbreaking events in Minneapolis, where during a Catholic school Mass marking the beginning of the school year, a gunman opened fire through the church windows. Two children were killed, and many others were injured: most of them also children. What should have been a sacred moment of joy and worship became a scene of terror and grief. Our hearts ache for the families, the school, the church, and the community that now carries the weight of this devastating loss. ​

In moments like this, the question inevitably rises: “How could God let this happen?” It is a question as old as faith itself, raw and honest, echoing in the hearts of all who grieve. ​Together, we reflected on the profound truth that God has given humanity the gift of freedom. It is a beautiful gift, granting us the ability to choose love, kindness, compassion, and service. Yet with this gift comes a sobering reality: that same freedom can be misused in ways that bring pain, suffering, and unimaginable loss. ​And so, we wrestled with the tension between gift and weight, between light and shadow. But even in the face of tragedy, we clung to hope, the unshakable hope that God is still with us, still calling us, still guiding us. Our freedom, when rooted in Christ, becomes an instrument of healing, peace, and reconciliation. 

As a community, we are reminded that our calling is not only to ask the hard questions but also to live the faithful answers. By choosing daily to walk in love, to extend grace, and to shine light, we participate in God’s redemptive work in a world that longs for healing. ​May this message inspire us to use our freedom well; to be agents of peace, bearers of light, and witnesses of hope in the midst of sorrow. 

"I Love You, Come Home” is a sermon that captures the heartbeat of God’s message to humanity. Throughout the pages of Scripture, from the story of the prodigal son to the promises of Jesus, we see a God who is not distant or cold, but a loving Father who longs for His children to return to Him. Too often we try to run our own way, chase after empty promises, or carry the weight of guilt and shame. Pastor Jerry shows us that God’s voice continues to call, gentle but firm: ‘I love you, come home.’ This is not just an invitation, but a promise that home is a place of forgiveness, healing, and restoration. It is where we are reminded of our true identity as beloved children of God. No matter how far we have wandered, the door is always open, the light is always on, and God is waiting with arms outstretched. To hear and respond to that call is to step into the fullness of grace, mercy, and joy that only He can provide.  

“God Is Not a Vending Machine” challenges us to rethink how we approach our relationship with the Lord. Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking that if we put in a certain prayer, a tithe, or a good deed, God should immediately return a blessing—just like a vending machine dispensing a snack. But God’s ways are not transactional; His love and His grace cannot be bought or bargained for. Instead, faith is about trust, surrender, and walking in obedience even when the outcome is not what we expect. 

God knows what we need far better than we do, and He often uses delays, trials, and unexpected answers to shape our hearts and strengthen our character. True faith learns to lean on God not for quick fixes, but for daily guidance, deeper transformation, and the abundant life that only He can provide. 

"Remember Patty" is a sermon built around two simple but powerful truths: first, there are always people who are carrying heavier burdens than our own, and second, God calls us to help whenever and however we can.

Through the story of Patty, I remind folks that perspective matters, gratitude grows when we recognize the struggles others face, and compassion deepens when we respond with love. This message challenges us to stop comparing, start caring, and look for everyday opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Practical, heartfelt, and rooted in the call to serve, “Remember Patty” invites us to live with open eyes and open hearts, never missing the chance to extend God’s grace to someone in need. 

"God Is Still Cooking on Me" is a sermon that uses the imagery of the kitchen to describe God’s ongoing work in our lives. Just as a master chef knows when a dish needs more time, more seasoning, or more care, I remind folks that God is not finished with us yet. Life’s challenges, struggles, and even setbacks are part of the process God uses to shape us into something beautiful and whole.

Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11, which promises God’s plans for our future, and 2 Corinthians 3:18, which speaks of being transformed into Christ’s likeness, this message encourages us to see ourselves as works in progress. We may feel incomplete, but God is still stirring, refining, and preparing us with grace.

With humor, honesty, and encouragement, Pastor Jerry assures us that the “recipe” of our lives is in the hands of the best Chef of all. And when God is finished, the result will be more wonderful than we can imagine. 

"GODISNOWHERE" challenges us to consider how perspective shapes our faith. At first glance, the phrase can read “God is nowhere”, which is a cry of doubt, loneliness, or despair. But with a shift of vision, the same letters become “God is now here”, which is a declaration of hope, presence, and trust.

In this sermon, I explore how life’s circumstances often make it hard to see God at work. Drawing on scripture and real-life experience, I remind folks that even in our darkest moments, God is closer than we realize. With honesty and encouragement, this message invites us to look again, shift our perspective, and recognize God’s nearness in every situation.

Whether you feel abandoned or assured, “GODISNOWHERE” is a reminder that God’s presence is not defined by our perception but by His promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). 

"It’s Only a Test" is a sermon that reframes the way we think about life’s trials. So often, challenges feel like punishments or obstacles meant to hold us back. But I remind folks through scripture that these moments are not meant to break us. They are opportunities to build our faith, deepen our trust, and shape us into who God is calling us to be.

Drawing from passages like James 1:2–4, which calls us to “consider it pure joy when we face trials,” and 1 Peter 1:6–7, which speaks of faith refined by fire, I show how God can use every struggle as a classroom for growth. Just as a test in school measures our readiness to move forward, the “tests” of life reveal our reliance on God and prepare us for what’s next.

This message offers hope, encouragement, and a gentle reminder: God has not abandoned us in our struggles. Instead, He is walking with us, strengthening us, and assuring us that every test is an opportunity to experience His grace in new ways. 

"My Spiritual Journey" was my second sermon at Arlington Street United Methodist Church. In this deeply personal message, I opened my heart about my lifelong struggle of reconciling faith and sexuality as a gay Christian. With honesty, vulnerability, and hope, I reflected on the challenges, questions, and moments of grace that have shaped my walk with God.

This sermon is more than a personal testimony. It is an invitation for the church to embrace authenticity, practice radical love, and recognize that God’s call is for all people. Through this story, I remind folks that following Christ is not about perfection, but about courageously walking in truth, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient and God’s love is unconditional. 

"Following God’s Lead – Wherever, Whenever" was my very first sermon at Arlington Street United Methodist Church. In this message, I introduced myself to the congregation and shared from the heart about the current state of ASUMC—its strengths, challenges, and hopes for the future. With warmth and honesty, I invited the church to look forward with faith, reminding us that God calls His people to follow wherever He leads, in His timing and in His way.

This sermon is both a personal introduction and a vision-setting moment, laying the foundation for a season of growth, renewal, and trust in God’s direction. It’s a call to step forward together, confident that God is not finished with us yet.