This sermon was preached by Sandra Ann Craig in observance of United Methodist Women’s Sunday.

This message is actually three sermons in one. Once a year our pastor relinquishes his pulpit and the regular Sunday worship service to the United Methodist Women. The year the group thought it appropriate to select April 25 for this service because one of the fields of study for the year was a study of our Native Americans and this is the day chosen for United Methodist congregations to celebrate our Native American brothers and sisters. (more…)

The annual Walk Against Hunger is set for May 3rd. Help fight hunger in the West End by walking or supporting a walker. Walkers are needed to join our team to raise funds for the West End Food Pantry. If you can’t walk, you can support Pastor Bryan or one of our other walkers. Information is available at the church, by calling Pastor Bryan at 523-5132, or you can sign up online at http://foodshare.org/. Your support will help our food pantry right here in the West End of Hartford. The walk starts at 1:00 p.m., with check in at the Hartford, 690 Asylum Avenue on May 3. Join us in our parking lot at 12:30 and carpool over with others on the team.

John 20: 19-31
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

I remember one time that I encountered Christian hubris. It was with an evangelical youth group I attended. We had been assembled to watch a movie that depicted the ultimate option before us. Either we would be faithful, and enter the heavenly realm of eternal joy, or we would deny God, and perish with a multitude of sinners in hellfire and damnation. I think someone died in a car crash tragically without having made themselves right with God. And all the Christians in the movie were greatly dismayed, and committed themselves anew to share the gospel message with others. The clear message was that Christians had the only way to God, and all others would be judged by God to be unfit. As Christians, we knew the key to salvation, and all others were destined for hell. As Christians, we lived in the light, and all others lived in darkness. (more…)

Easter Sunday this year was marked by memorable music, with the chancel choir and organ supplemented by two trumpets, a thought provoking Easter Sermon, spectacular seasonal flowers decorating the chancel, and the opportunity for everyone present to place a carnation in a twig and wire cross on the front lawn following the service.

John 20: 1-18
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Christ is risen!

That is the faith we proclaim today. It is a faith that has been handed to us through the ages by our ancestors. It is the faith that has touched us and transformed us personally in many ways. It is the faith that has forged us together as a community – one body – engaged in a mission of compassion and justice for the sake of the world. Christ is risen today! (more…)

Mark 11:1-11
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

As a child, I participated in a lot of extra-curricular activities. I played every little league sport there was. I was in the band. I even performed in a few musicals and plays and talent shows. I did a lot of stuff. And one thing I remember is that my parents were very intentional about being present at those moments. So, most of the time, I remember looking out into the crowd or the grandstands or the audience – I would be able to find at least one of my parents present there, supporting me with overly-enthusiastic and generally-undeserved applause. And now that I’m older, and I have friends who have kids of their own, I realize how difficult it is to do that – to be that present at all those things your kids are doing. It requires planning and a bit of sacrifice on the part of parents.

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