In the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a series of seven parables about the Kingdom of Heaven (also known as the Kingdom of God). Essentially, the Kingdom of Heaven/God is whenever and wherever the world is operating as God intends. Why so many parables about the Kingdom of Heaven? Perhaps because the Kingdom […]

We live in interesting times. A global pandemic has closed schools and businesses, upended economies, and inflicted great suffering. Racial injustice has led to mass protests. In some parts of our nation riots have erupted. Law enforcement officers and ordinary citizens feel under attack. An election season awaits where candidates are likely to hurl insults at both their opponents and those who support their […]

Greetings! We live in a beautiful, wonderful world.  It is a world filled with snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear streams; a world with cuddly children, laughing teenagers, and loving families.  We live in a world where neighbors care for one another, and people of goodwill extend a hand to help people who struggle. Unfortunately, we also live in […]

This Sunday, worship will be different, and I hope you don’t notice it at all. For this first time since this whole mess began, Oak Hill will not pre-record worship and broadcast it on Sunday. Instead, we will broadcast live. This change will make life much easier on our all-volunteer tech team  It also raises the possibility of […]

Three things about worship this Sunday: ·      First, the sermon is based on the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). I chose the passage, because it shapes my understanding of what our ministry is about at Oak Hill. I encourage you to read and reflect on the passage before Sunday morning. Listen for how God speaks to your life through this story. […]

Have you ever been worked up about something? I mean, REALLY worked up. Not necessarily angry, but upset or worried or afraid or troubled by whatever is happening around you. Or within you. Have you ever been worked up about something … and has your best friend, your spouse, your mom or dad looked up to ask you what the […]

This Sunday, we focus on a portion of what is known as Jesus’ “farewell address” to his disciples. This farewell encompasses a jam-packed two chapters in John’s Gospel, beginning with Chapter 14. It is here that we find the last of Jesus’ “I AM” sayings:  “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower.” Not long before, Jesus and […]

June 14 is United Methodist Men Sunday at OHUMC, so all the participants in this service you will be men. We will be blessed with a wonderful message by two men that have a close relationship with our community: Chris Baker and Drew McAngus. Chris is the chief executive of The Other Ones Foundation, an organization currently based on our campus, that […]

Now, not only is the sermon done, I’m done. I’m done being a pastor. “Bittersweet” hardly describes my feelings. I’ve had a wonderful ministry that has stretched across not only 34 years, but across Texas. It’s not always been easy, but it’s been good. God has been with me and I’ve been honored to share ministry with so many wonderful […]

Anyone who thinks that church is boring never heard about Pentecost. The “Birthday of the Church” was one wild party. The followers of Jesus did not plan this party.  No committees met, there was no strategy session, it just happened. Pentecost happened to them. The only contribution they made was their presence together. “The disciples were all […]