Lenten Sermon Series: “Unnamed”
Our Lenten Sermon Series “Unnamed” invites us to meet those who met Jesus and whose names were not recorded in the gospel. Their encounter with Jesus changed their lives. Because they realized God’s love for them, they found hope and light that the world did not give. Therefore, even if the world does not remember our names, we can still believe that we are loved by our God. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ prove that we are enormously loved by God. In this season of Lent, let us meet our Christ and experience the love of God that changes our minds, hearts, and lives.
February 26 – “Unnamed: I was Blind but Now I See”
Scripture: John 9:1-12 (NRSV)
On the First Sunday of Lent, we meet Jesus, who heals a man born blind and opens our eyes to see what we need to see. Let us gather to reflect on our spiritual blindness and openness to see God’s eternal truth and find hope in faith.
March 5 – “Unnamed: When Jesus Saw Their Faith…”
Scripture: Mark 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Holy Communion will be served during the service
In the story, four unnamed men took their paralyzed friend to Jesus because they believed in Jesus’ healing power. Their faith even led them to make an opening on the roof to lower their friend on the mat and bring him close to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, the miracle of healing began. Let us find the signs of faith in our lives and the church and expect God’s healing miracle in our personal and communal lived.
Scripture: John 4:5-26, 39-42 (NRSV)
The Samaritan woman who had many doubts found faith in her Savior at the well and became a witness of faith. She was no longer hiding from the crowd and was no longer an outsider because she met Jesus and heard the truth of eternal life. She invites us to break doubts inside of us and hold faith in Jesus, our true Savior.
March 19 – “Unnamed: Grace Above the Law”
Scripture: John 8:1-11 (NRSV)
The story of the woman caught in adultery mirrors our society which is busy pointing the finger at others instead of reflecting on what we have done and have not done. God’s grace is more powerful than any social standards, values, and judgments. Let us experience the grace of God, who frees us from sin, and who certainly fulfills the purpose of law.
March 26 – “Unnamed: Faith Asking for the Crumbs”
Scripture: Mark 7:24-30 (NRSV)
The story of the Syrophoenician woman teaches us about a new aspect of faith, asking for the crumbs. Her humble faith, beginning with her daughter’s healing, comes from her persistent trust in Jesus’ power and affectionate love toward her daughter. The faith asking for the crumbs indeed has the power to move mountains.
Scripture: Mark 11-1-11 (NRSV)
Holy Communion will be served during the service
When Jesus, our King, enters Jerusalem, the crowd shouts “Hosanna,” which means save us. The crowd knows their long-waited king, who shows as their humble king riding on the donkey. Like the crowd welcoming their king, we also shout “Hosanna” toward Jesus Christ, who comes to save us.
April 6 (Maundy Thursday) at Oakton UMC, 7 pm
Maundy Thursday Dinner Church: Oakton UMC invites us to their Dinner Church. Three local Methodist churches – Chesterbrook, Oakton, and Wesley – are gathering to remember Jesus’ last supper and the Passover meal that Jesus had with his disciples. Come to this meaningful and biblical way to remember and spend the day before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion at Oakton UMC, 2951 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, VA 22124.
April 7 (Good Friday) at 7 pm (with Chesterbrook UMC at Wesley UMC)
Scripture: Luke 23:36-43 (NRSV)
You are invited to Good Friday Service on April 7 at 7 pm. Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of Jesus Christ. Rev. William Chaney, the Pastor at Chesterbrook UMC, will be preaching at Wesley UMC.
April 9 (Easter Sunrise Service at Chesterbrook UMC) – “Easter is Here!”
Scripture: John 20:1-10 (NRSV)
Remembering the resurrection of our Savior in the morning, we gather to worship. Pastor Jiyeon will preach at Chesterbrook UMC, 1711 Kirby Rd., McLean, VA.
April 9 (Easter Sunday) – “Easter Changes Everything!”
Scripture: John 20:11-18 (NRSV)
Christ is risen! Easter changes everything. The message focuses on how as believers we have access to the same resurrection power that brought Jesus back from the dead.
