Find Your Next Worship Series

Browse our library of sermon and media resources

Lent United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Lent United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey

Through the Valley

Just as Jesus wandered in the wilderness for forty days, so too can we feel like we are wandering in the wilderness, as we face hardships, grief, temptations, and injustices. This Lent, we will discover what it means to wander these parts of life in honesty with God through the practice of lament. We will learn how crying out to God in our need can help us to fully embrace what it means to be human beings held and loved by a God we can trust. We will learn that even through the darkest valleys, Jesus both goes ahead of us and walks with us.

Ash Wednesday: Lament and Repentance | Psalm 51:1-17
Week 1: Why Lament? | Psalm 13
Week 2: Lament and Honesty | Job 13:1-13
Week 3: Lament and Surrender | Matthew 26:36-46
Week 4: Lament and Community | Esther 4:1-5
Week 5: Lament and Hope | Lamentations 3:19-24
Week 6 (Palm/Passion Sunday): Lament and Action | Luke 19:41-48
Holy/Maundy Thursday: Lament and Love | John 13:1-17
Good Friday: Lament on Our Behalf | Matthew 27:45-51

Read More
Lent, Easter, 2023 United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Lent, Easter, 2023 United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey

Questions to God

Series for Lent and Easter

Who is God? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can I face the future? Asking questions is a normal part of human life. Having doubts is part of the human experience. We do not have to be ashamed of our doubts or hide our questions before God. In fact, God fully welcomes them and welcomes us. This Lent, we will practice bringing some of our biggest questions and doubts to God. We will practice embracing this deeply human part of ourselves as we move together toward the great and joyous mystery of Easter resurrection. Click here for sermon series.

Ash Wednesday: Living with Questions Doubts | Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 6:1-6
Week 1: Who is God? | 1 John 4:7-19
Week 2: Is the Bible Reliable? | Hebrews 4:12-14
Week 3: Why Should I Go to Church? | Psalm 100
Week 4: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? | Psalm 137
Week 5: How and Why Do I Forgive? | Matthew 6:9-15
Week 6 (Palm/Passion Sunday): Why is Jesus Special? | Mark 11:1-11
Maundy Thursday: Are You Scared of the Future? | John 13:1-7, 31b-35
Good Friday: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? | Colossians 2:13-14
Week 7 (Easter Sunday): Why Be a Christian? | Mark 16:1-8

Read More
Lent United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Lent United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey

Drink from the Fountain of Grace

Throughout Scripture and today, God sustains God’s people in the most basic of human ways – physically, with food and drink, and spiritually – with food and drink for our souls. This Lent, as we remember what it means to be human, we find refreshment from God’s fountain of grace. The different images of cups shown in Scripture will serve as a touchpoint for exploring aspects of our relationship with God. What does our brokenness say about us? What does discipleship look like? What does it mean to seek justice? This exploration culminates in the most exciting celebration of all – that Jesus is risen for us and we have new life in him! Designed for Lent 2022.

Ash Wednesday: The Cup of Fasting | Isaiah 58:1-12

Week 1: The Broken Cup | 2 Corinthians 4:5-11

Week 2: The Cup of Living Water | John 4:7-29, 39

Week 3: The Cup You Choose | Psalm 16

Week 4: The Cup of Discipleship | Matthew 20:20-28

Week 5: The Cup of Compassion | Matthew 25:31-46

Week 6 Option 1: From Empty to Overflowing (Palm/Passion Sunday) |

John 12:12-19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23

Week 6 Option 2: The Overflowing Cup | Psalm 23

Holy Thursday: The Cup of the New Covenant | Matthew 26:20-29

Good Friday: Jesus’ Cup for Us | Matthew 26:30-27:66

Easter Sunday: The Cup that Never Runs Dry | John 20:1-18

Read More
Lent, Easter United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Lent, Easter United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey

Purple Theory

Designed for Lent.
Habits and routines help us stay on track in many areas of our lives – whether it’s our physical, mental, or emotional health. They can help us grow in our spiritual lives too. In this series, we will explore several spiritual disciplines, or faithful habits, that can help us deepen our relationship with God. Lent is the perfect time to commit or recommit to a spiritual discipline, as we enter a season of self-examination in preparation for Easter.

Ash Wednesday: Self-examination | Scripture: Psalm 51:6-12
Week 1: Prayer | Scripture: Romans 8:26-27
Week 2: Scripture | Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3
Week 3: Fasting | Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18
Week 4: Confession | Scripture: 1 John 1:5-9
Week 5: Worship | Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Palm/Passion Sunday: Silence | Scripture: Mark 14: 26-41
Maundy Thursday: Love One Another | Scripture: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday: Scripture: John 18 & 19:1-30
Easter Sunday: Gratitude | Scripture: Luke 24:1-12; 52-53

Read More