Travelers Rest United Methodist Podcast

Second Sunday after Easter Sermon: Let Me See Your Hands Scripture: John 20:19-23Sometimes life doesn’t look the way we expected it would.Even after good news… even after hope… we can still feel unsure, guarded, or just trying to get through the day.The disciples knew something had changed—but they were still behind closed doors.Maybe we’re not so different.We carry things. Stress. Worry. Old wounds. The parts of life we’d rather keep hidden.And yet, when Jesus shows up, He doesn’t ignore any of that— He meets them in it. He even shows them His hands.So maybe we pause and ask:Where am I feeling closed off right now? What am I holding onto that I don’t need to carry alone? What would it look like to be honest about where I am—even the hard parts?Because even in the middle of ordinary days, grace has a way of showing up.Not asking us to have it all together— but meeting us right where we are… and reminding us we don’t have to stay there.Worship Schedule8:45am: Contemporary Service10am: Sunday School11am: Traditional Service

Easter Sunday Sermon: Easter Eyes Scripture: John 20:1-18Easter has a way of meeting us in unexpected places—in quiet mornings, in moments of grief, in places where hope feels lost.Mary went to the tomb expecting death. What she found was something she didn’t recognize at first. Maybe we’re not so different.We can stand right in the middle of resurrection and still miss it— caught in our assumptions, our sorrow, or simply not expecting new life to be possible.So we might ask ourselves: Where might I be overlooking signs of new life? What am I expecting that could be keeping me from seeing clearly? What would it look like to see with “Easter eyes”? Because the truth of Easter is this: Jesus is alive—and still meeting us, calling us by name, opening our eyes to something new.Even when we don’t recognize Him at first…He is there.Worship Schedule 7:00am: Sunrise Service8:45am: Contemporary Service10am: Sunday School11am: Traditional Service

Palm Sunday Sermon: Losing Focus Scripture: Luke 19:29-42Palm Sunday has a way of grabbing our attention—crowds gathering, palms waving, expectations rising. It’s a moment full of energy and excitement.But it’s also a moment where it’s easy to lose focus. Maybe we’re not so different.We can get caught up in the noise, the expectations, the pace of life—and before we know it, we’ve lost sight of what really matters.So we might ask ourselves: Where am I losing focus right now? What expectations or distractions are keeping me from seeing Jesus clearly What might it look like to truly recognize Him at work in my life? Even in the noise, even in the crowd—Jesus is still present. Still moving. Still inviting us to see, to understand, and to follow.Palm Sunday ProcessionAll children, youth, and anyone who would like to participate are invited to gather in the narthex/lobby before worship to be part of our Palm Sunday procession. Together, we’ll enter the sanctuary waving palms as we remember and celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.Worship Schedule 8:45am: Contemporary Service10am: Sunday School11am: Traditional Service

Fifth Sunday of Lent Sermon Series: 40 Days of Growth Sermon: He Sows. Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23Lent has a way of slowing us down—inviting us to pay attention to what’s beneath the surface of our lives. Not just what we’re doing, but what’s taking root within us.Jesus tells a story about a sower scattering seed—some falls on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. The same seed, but very different outcomes.So we might ask ourselves: What is taking root in my life right now? What distractions or worries are crowding out what God is trying to grow? How can I be more open to receiving what God is planting? God is always at work—scattering seeds of grace, truth, and new life in ways we may not always notice. Because in every season, God is still sowing—and something new can grow in us.Worship Schedule 8:45am: Contemporary Service10am: Sunday School11am: Traditional Service