In-person worship at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. Services include prayer, scripture reading, a brief message, and lively music. Children are invited to remain in worship or participate in Children’s Church.
The last Sunday of the month is our “All Together Worship” Service which is designed for children and adults and features multiple ways to engage scripture. Participants can choose from a range of reflection activities including art, drama, journaling, and meditation.
Listen
All Together Worship engages different ages and different spirituality types. Rather than listening to a sermon, we reflect on scripture in a variety of ways. Here are ways you can have a similar experience at home:
Read John 10:1-10. Jesus compares himself to a good shepherd, and the sheep know his voice. Here are some ideas for engaging this scripture:
If you like to write, you may want to create a prayer journal. Be creative in how you use it to listen to God.
Listen to a favorite piece of music. How does music affect your awareness of God’s presence?
Listen to scripture through the practice of Lectio divina. Here’s a link to an example of the practice of “divine reading.” https://www.umc.org/en/content/practice-to-listen-from-the-heart-compass-176?_gl=1*1xrqbwf*_gcl_au*NTkxNTU0Njg3LjE3NzYyMDI2NzY.
Return
Come and Follow: The Call of Discipleship
Our in-person worship featured a conversation with Rev. Jan Kozak about the lasting impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on the lives of Indigenous people. While we don’t have a recording of that conversation, here are some resources and links mentioned in that conversation:
The United Methodist Church Native American Ministries Sunday, https://www.umc.org/en/how-we-serve/umcgiving/special-sundays/churchwide-special-sundays/native-american-ministries-sunday-ministry-article
Greater NW Area of The United Methodist Church Circle of Indigenous Ministries, https://greaternw.org/circle/
The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, https://dofdmenno.org
Sarah Augustine, The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, Herald Press, 2021.
Most recent worship video…
Believe
Come and Follow: The Call of Discipleship
Credits and resources:
Scripture from the Common English Bible.
Karoline M. Lewis, John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaires, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 2014.
Dr. Lisa Hancock, UMC Discipleship Ministries, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/stories-that-matter/week-1-second-sunday-of-easter-year-a accessed April 10, 2026.
Easter Message
Find renewed hope this Easter!
Credits and resources:
Scripture from Matthew 28:1-9, Common English Bible.
Dawn: Salt’s Commentary for Easter Sunday, https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/4/6/dawn-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-easter-sunday, accessed April 1, 2026.
A New Start, Preaching Notes by Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/journeys-end-a-new-start/easter-sunday-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/easter-sunday-year-a-preaching-notes, accessed April 2.
Sunday, March 29 was our “All Together Worship” service. Rather than listen to a traditional sermon, we engaged in activities related to this week’s scripture. Here’s how you can follow along at home:
Read Matthew 21:1-11, the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Reflect on the following questions:
How has your understanding of Jesus shifted over the course of this Lenten series as we’ve explored the different identities and names for Jesus?
Is there a name for Jesus that is especially meaningful for you at this time?
What does it mean to follow this Jesus who road into Jerusalem on a donkey?
Does this Jesus challenge your ideas about power and how change occurs?
Here are some ideas for prayer and meditation. Find a coloring sheet of palm fronds and sit in silence as you create a Palm Sunday work of art. Find a YouTube video with directions for creating an origami cross. After you get the hang of it, make a couple as you ponder Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.
Blessings on your week!
Madras United Methodist Church 