The Power to Be Children of God: John 1:1-18

preached by Rev. Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes on Christmas morning, December 25, 2011 The Power to Be Children of God John 1:1-18 You may be very surprised to hear these verses from John’s prologue read as our main scripture text today. John’s “Christmas story” is very different from the other Gospels. It is very different [...]

Christmas Eve Reflection on JOY: Luke 2:15-20

the fourth of four reflections by Rev. Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes on Christmas Eve 2011 at Wesley Memorial UMC’s 6:00pm traditional service Every time I read Luke 2 I like to picture the shepherds at the moment the angels burst into their ho-hum world. Imagine this: it is night; a couple shepherds and a couple [...]

Christmas Eve Reflection on HOPE: Isaiah 9:2-7

one of four reflections by Rev. Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011 at Wesley Memorial UMC, Columbia, SC CHRISTMAS HOPE You know that saying “the light at the end of the tunnel”? Well I imagine that is the kind of idiom the people who heard and witnessed Jesus’ birth would have [...]

She Said “Yes!”: Luke 1:26-38

preached by Rev. Jeri Katherine Warden Sipes on December 18, 2011 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Columbia, South Carolina 4th Sunday of Advent Some mornings Sharon and I like to begin with what we call a morning rant. It’s really not as bad as it may sound. We either read or see something and [...]

I’m A Model, You Know What I Mean?

On November 10 I had the privilege of modeling in the Killingsworth Gala and Fashion Show. It was a girl’s dream come true. As one of four sisters in my family I have grown up dressing up and putting on “fashion shows,” but this was the first time I took mine and my sisters’ childhood [...]

Advent Devotion: Sunday, Dec. 4

Week Two: PEACE Sunday, December 4, 2011 Isaiah 40:1-11 1Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness [...]

Advent Reflection: Nov. 28

Week One: HOPE Monday, Nov 28, 2011 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let your [...]

Advent Reflection: Nov. 27, 2011

Week one: HOPE Sunday, Nov. 27 Isaiah 64:1-9 1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your [...]