Audio Files - 2008 Archives

Did you miss church recently?  Are you on vacation and need to hear a voice from home?  Did a recent message connect with you so much that you wanted to hear it again or wanted to give others the opportunity to hear it?  Do you just need to hear a message of hope? 

By clicking on the Message of your choice, you can listen to any of the currently available messages.  By clicking on the email link, an email message will be initiated with the link to the respective message in the body of the message for your convenience.

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December 2008 Messages

December 28
"Stormy Weather" - Jim Whitehurst - send to a friend
This has been a year of stormy weather for all of us, both literally and figuratively.  We've been hit by everything from hurricane Ike to what appears to be a total meltdown of the economy.  Just as the disciples feared for their lives in that storm tossed fishing boat, many of us are worried and fearful as we watch our retirement funds decline and wonder whether we will be in the next series of job layoffs.  We enter 2009 with a lot of uncertainty in the forecast.  This Sunday we will take a look at Jesus' teachings on dealing with difficult and trying times.

December 24
"What is Your Living Witness?" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
The Christmas message proclaims that we are ALL welcomed to the manger to witness God’s unfathomable love.  Think about it…the news of God’s love was first delivered to smelly shepherds through a baby wrapped in rags who had come with his new family to a little town to be taxed by an oppressive government!  As we enter a new year where downsizing is just around the corner in our business world, come hear the news of how God has upsized our experience of unconditional love.

December 21 - Living Witness Series
"Joseph and Mary" - Andy Noel & Kristin Watts - send to a friend
For the Christian “peace” comes to us from God as a part of the mystery of His Grace.  Our part is to live in humility and obedience.  Joseph and Mary were set aside by God to be the parents of Jesus.  The circumstances of Jesus’ birth were both humble and required obedience to a call that was outside the social norms for having children in that day.  Come hear their witness of God’s peace

December 14 - Living Witness Series
"Elizabeth and Zechariah" - Andy Noel & Kristin Watts - send to a friend
Joy is not the same as happiness.  Zechariah and Elizabeth remind us that our joy comes from the Lord; it can come through bearing and raising children destined for great service in God's plan, like John the Baptist.  It can come through knowing that we all fit in God's plan for the salvation of the world.  Come see the parents of John the Baptist, the one who brought a baptism for the forgiveness of sins, as they present their "living witness."

December 7
"The Living Light" - AUMC Musical Drama Group - no recording available
A musical drama celebrating the birth of Christ and exploring the inner thoughts of the people who participated in or witnessed the miraculous events of the first Christmas.

November 2008 Messages

November 30 - Living Witness Series
"Simeon and Anna" - Andy Noel & Kristin Watts - send to a friend
The theme for our first Sunday in Advent is HOPE. Simeon and Anna, living witnesses to Jesus' birth and consecration at the Temple, demonstrate patient devotion to our Savior. Come see this creative witness to their story which will engage your head and your heart.

November 23
"To Know God" - Kristin Watts - send to a friend
Our understanding of knowing usually means head knowledge.  When the Bible speaks of knowing God it means so much more.  If we try to live out knowing God in the biblical sense our lives will be richer and our relationships with God and one another will be so much more.

November 16
"The Other Christ" - Kristin Watts - send to a friend
So often we think of Jesus as our personal friend and Savior and he is.  But he is also Christ the King who reigns over the universe.  So how do we relate to this Jesus?  Ephesians reminds us of the gifts we have already received.  We will explore how these gifts are present in our lives and look at what we are doing with them.

November 9 - Presenting a Winsome Witness series
"When They Say 'No'" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
"No" is the door through which you invite the Holy Spirit.  Paul shows us that we must always be persistent in our faith witness and creative in packaging of the gospel message, while preserving the integrity of the content of the gospel message.

November 2 - Presenting a Winsome Witness series
"Life With the Flock" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
The world teaches us to live in isolation and self-sufficiently, weakening the radical gospel message of agape love.  Christian community is the life of the flock that suggests interdependency on each other and dependence on the "good Shepherd."

October 2008 Messages

October 26 - Presenting a Winsome Witness series
"Selling Snowshoes to Eskimos" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
When you are faced with someone who needs to hear the gospel message, respond not with coercion or force, but in a way that the person will see in you a Winsome Witness, one extending the hand of friendship and the good news that God is alive and in our midst.

October 19 - Presenting a Winsome Witness series
"Submarines with Screen Doors?" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
Mainline, Protestant Christianity has been on the decline since the 1960s.  We have seen that decline in the United Methodist Church.  In recent years we have struggled to grow as a congregation here at AUMC.  The truth is that in America we live in a post-Christian culture where the church is now forced to compete with a host of other activities and organizations for the time, interest, involvement, and resources of people.  More than ever we need to present a winsome witness to those who have not found a new life in Jesus Christ.  This Sunday we look at the the ways we can meet people just where they are in this hurting world of ours.  Jesus met "doubting" Thomas just where he was.  In the same way, we are called to present the Christ to all people in all ways.

October 12
"Putting All Your Eggs in God's Basket" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
God has demonstrated his fidelity to His people through the course of human history - the acts of creation, the calling of the Hebrew people to be a light to the nations, the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the formation the Church.  In a world in which we are persuaded to "diversify our portfolios" and not put "all our eggs in one basket," we are also called to put our complete trust and hope in God.  But do we do it?  The stiff-necked Hebrew people hedged their bets as they grew impatient with Moses by crafting a golden calf and losing faith in God's plan.  What are our golden calfs?

October 5 - Finding Joy in Life’s Storms series
"Peace in the Eye" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
We stay in the peace of the eye (I) when we live in the HE and WE.

September 2008 Messages

September 28 - Finding Joy in Life’s Storms series
"A Blueprint for Victory" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
The Apostle Paul teaches us this week that we must approach life challenges in the same way we approach great sporting events - with an attitude of perseverance and an assurance of ultimate victory.  If we couple spiritual preparation with interdependence on each other, we can find joy, even in the midst of overwhelming odds.  Come hear the good news this Sunday as we reach for the prize of Christian community.

September 21 - Finding Joy in Life’s Storms series
"Finding Joy in Humility" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
Humility may best be defined not as thinking less of yourself, but of thinking of yourself less.

September 14 - Finding Joy in Life’s Storms series
"Joy in Bad Circumstances" - Andy Noel - no recording available
Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi has been called the “ode to joy.”  Despite imprisonment and the threat of death, Paul gives us the encouragement to proclaim Christ’s love in every circumstance of life to every one we meet.  As we recover from the effects of Ike, we will reflect on the spiritual “survival kit” that Paul gives us to prepare for the future storms of our life.

September 7
"A Marriage Made in Heaven?" - Andy Noel - send to a friend
Our new Senior Pastor will share his call and introduce his family as we reflect on Paul's "love" chapter, the importance of unity in the body of Christ, and our call to love unconditionally.

August 2008 Messages

August 31
"Be Bold" - Kristin Watts - send to a friend
The healing and helping power of God knows no barriers but God wants our participation.  Learn from a righteous man and an unclean woman about what God expects from each of us.

August 24
"Against the Grain" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Are we willing to go against the grain to move ourselves and the church in the direction we need to go?

August 17
"Fearing Holiness" - Kristin Watts - send to a friend
As we explore the story of the man from Gerasenes, one of the many people Jesus healed, we will also examine how fear can interfere in our relationship with God and keep us from experiencing holiness.

August 10 - Sermon on the Mount series
"Rock" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Where does the kingdom colony build their house?  On solid rock, says Jesus.

August 3 - Sermon on the Mount series
"Justice"- Tom Stephenson - send to a friend

July 2008 Messages

July 27
"Youth Service Witnesses" - send to a friend
These witness testamonies were given during the Youth Led Worship Services.

July 20 - Sermon on the Mount series
"Reconciliation" - Tom Stephenson - no recording available
Jesus tells us that Reconciliation is not only necessary to doing Kingdom work, it takes priority over everything else.

July 13 - Sermon on the Mount series
"Obedience" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Do the Jewish Laws and the Old Testament have a bearing and meaning for us today?  Jesus says that obedience to the Spirit of the Law is what God requires from us.

July 6 - Sermon on the Mount series
"The Witness" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Light and salt are two metaphors Jesus uses to tell us to be present in the world.  We are his witnesses.

June 2008 Messages

June 29
"Fatal Fixation" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Target fixation and mental rigidity can lead to destruction, disaster, and even death.  Fortunately, Christ has released us from the grip of sin, so we can walk in newness of life.

June 22
"Ballast in the Bottom" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
How do we right ourselves when we get knocked off our feet?  The Psalmist suggests that we put some ballast in the bottom of our souls.

June 15
"Order, Chaos, and the God We Love" - Kristin Watts - send to a friend
Do you need order in your life?  If God can bring order to the chaos of the universe as he did during the creation, he can bring order to you!

June 8
"Being Radical without Losing Your Religion - Rev. B. T. Williamson - no recording available.

June 1
"Encouraging Faith" - Carolyn McCall - send to a friend
What do you do when you face trails?  Who do you turn too?  How do you respond?  How do you encourage yourself?

May 2008 Messages

May 25
"The Wednesday Worry Box" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Unnecessary worry can ruin our lives, Jesus tells us.  How can we keep from worrying too much?  Try the Wednesday Worry Box.

May 18
"Special Ops" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Jesus calls us to be clandestine commandos - not fighters, but people who leave places of comfort and light to do the hard work of mission in the shadows.

May 11
"The Spirit Scale" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
The Beaufort Scale is a measure of wind speed and velocity.  How do we measure the speed and velocity of the Holy Spirit?  With the Spirit Scale.

May 4
"The Woo Way" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Jesus commissions us to “Go and make disciples of all people”.  How?  By practicing the art of woo.

April 2008 Messages

April 27
"The Need for Creed" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
In a world of mixed messages, sometimes we need to be grounded in our faith. That’s when it’s time to read a creed.

April 20
"Cool Faith" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
When our emotions and faith run hot, we make poor, sometimes tragic decisions.  Stephen demonstrates for us how to have a cool faith.

April 13
"On the Road Again" - Jim Whitehurst - send to a friend
Continuing on our road trip from last week, we join Saul on the road to Damascus.  We’re going to talk about God’s timing, His expectations for us and His grace.

April 6
"Road Experience" - Carolyn McCall - send to a friend
What is happening on your road?  When was the last time you met Jesus on your journey and what was that like?  Who have you told?

March 2008 Messages

March 30
“The Other Wise Manz” - Drama - no recording available

March 23
"What’s Your Resurrection Potential?" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
How likely is it that the resurrection of Jesus Christ will announce to you that you can be raised from the deathbed of your life; from the emptiness in your soul to a new life, to a new you, to a new world?  If you, like the two Mary’s believe, then resurrection becomes your reality today.

March 20 (Maundy Thursday)
"He's Always There for Us" - Carolyn McCall - send to a friend

March 16
"Christopher" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
The name Christopher means “Christ-bearer.”  This Palm Sunday, we need to take a hint from an animal to be better disciples for the transformation of the world.

March 9
"Legos and Bones" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Can my dried out life have meaning again?  Can God really breathe life into me?  You bet, says God.  Just watch these dry bones and believe.

March 2
"Diamonds in the Rough" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Do you ever wonder how God sees you?  Even though we are all a bit rough, gem-wise, God sees all of his children as diamonds - beautiful, valuable and precious.

February 2008 Messages

February 24
"Next Door Neighbor" - Carolyn McCall - send to a friend
What if Jesus moved into your neighborhood, next door?  Although, every neighborhood is different, there are some things that are common to almost all neighborhoods.  What are they?  How can our knowing more about our neighborhoods make our witness of Christ extraordinary like the Samaritan woman?

February 17
"What's That Smell? - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Lent is a time to clean our soul’s house.  That includes taking out the sins that have begun to stink.

February 10
"It's the 40 Days"  - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Is there magic in scripture?  Can quoting scripture ward off evil and help you win the lottery?  Nope.  It’s the 40 days.

February 3, 2008
"Hero Jesus" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals him to be the Messiah, a hero for all time.  Yet Jesus is content to take his hero status and unleash the hero in us.

January 2008 Messages

January 27, 2008
"Las Vegas Lazy" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Jesus doesn’t say much when he calls us - just a simple, “Follow Me”.  To follow, we’ve got to walk, not ride.

January 20, 2008
"The Thrill of Skill" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
If you dream of mastering a skill you need to find and study under a master.  The same thing holds true for being a Disciple.

January 13, 2007
"DIY Religion" - Tom Stephenson - send to a friend
Do It Yourself Religion?   Sure.  You can do it; God can help.

January 6, 2008
"The Re-Solution" - Tom Stephenson - no recording available
To begin the New Year we make resolutions to correct the things that aren’t working in our lives. Do we realize that the entire Gospel is a re-solution?