
Manna for your Soul
By Jason Rios

Manna for your SoulJul 18, 2023

Heroes of the Faith (Deborah)
Scripture: Judges 5: 1-9
Heroes do not just belong in comic books and blockbuster movies. We have them in real life too – people whose courage, strength, and resilience we can look up to as models for our own lives. In this summer series, we will meet three outstanding heroes from our faith story. Their readiness to listen to God’s voice in their lives and act on it inspires us to do the same.
Today we will focus on the story of Deborah. God is at work and calling us into partnership! Are you ready to do your part?

Christmas in July Message
We celebrated Christmas in July!
Here is the message using John 3:16

Rising from Denial | Rising Strong Worship Series
The Bible is full of stories of redemption, change, and hope. Through four of those stories, we will discover how faith in a Risen Jesus can transform our lives for the better here and now. No matter how big or how small we fall, God outstretches God’s hand, ready to raise us up.
Today's story we find in the Gospel of John, chapter 21, verses 15 to 19, is the story of Peter. The love and forgiveness of God is what enables us to rise above our mistakes and become more faithful disciples.

Rising from Skepticism | Rising Worship Series
The Bible is full of stories of redemption, change, and hope. Through four of those stories, we will discover how faith in a Risen Jesus can transform our lives for the better here and now. No matter how big or how small we fall, God outstretches God’s hand, ready to raise us up.
Today's story we find in the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 24 to 29, is the story of Thomas. The journey from unbelief to belief requires a grace-filled encounter with the Living Christ.

How and Why Do I Forgive?
Matthew 6:9-15
Forgiveness frees us from resentment and turmoil. God, who knows us inside out, sees where our mistakes and failings come from. God loves us through it all, offers forgiveness as a gift, and shows us how to extend it to others.

Why do bad things happen to good people? | Questions to God Worship Series
Psalm 137
It is difficult to understand how God could allow the pain and suffering we see in the world and in our own lives. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with Us”. Jesus reminds us that a better question to ask ourselves is, “What can I do to help those who are suffering and in pain?”

Why should I go to church? | Questions to God Worship Series
Psalm 100
We might be able to believe in God, pray, and even worship alone, but in a community of faith, despite all its imperfections, we can connect, grow, and experience God’s love for us in ways we never could on our own.

Is the Bible reliable? | Questions to God Worship Series
Hebrews 4:12-14
As Christians, we must always remember the purpose of the Bible is to call us back to God by retelling the story of salvation that culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cheapen the Bible when we use it to promote our own agendas.

Who is God? | Questions to God Worship Series
1 John 4:7-19
People often wonder who God is or if God even exists. Each time we give, receive, or witness love, we get closer and closer to our answer.

Living with Questions and Doubts | Questions to God Worship Series
Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 6:1-6
Doubts about faith and life are normal. Unfortunately, Christians are often taught to view doubts as failing God. Isaiah teaches us that by bringing our doubts into the open, we allow God’s grace to fill us with peace and strength.

Steadfast Love
Scripture: Psalms 51
Our focus today is to prepare our hearts for the approaching season of Lent. We can come and find that God is waiting for us, waiting to receive us back into fellowship, waiting to be reconciled with us yet again.

Dreams and Hope | Super Bowl Sunday 2023
Scripture: Genesis 37: 3-11
Dreams and hope can lead us to achieve God’s purpose in our lives, even in challenging times.

Salvation in the House
Luke 19:1-10
A bold act of inclusion changed the life of Zacchaeus the tax collector as well as the whole community. How many lives can we transform if we really devote ourselves to inclusion? A fresh start requires being open to Jesus’ invitation to us as well as to those who are not valued in our community – the outcasts or the marginalized.

How many miracles? | Fresh Start Worship Series
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus has the power to change lives through God’s grace. Our own seemingly intractable flaws can be overcome, and we can change the world in response to the change offered to us. A fresh start begins with living in awe and gratitude of God’s gifts.

Hens and Chicks | Fresh Start Worship Series
Luke 13:31-35
Jesus refused to be distracted from his divine mission by dangers or frustrations. We are called to follow his example of steadfast purpose in fulfilling our mission. A fresh start requires steadfast purpose and accepting God’s embrace.

Are you sure you are up to this? | Fresh Start Worship Series
Mark 8:27-38
“Taking up our crosses” to be disciples of Jesus means being willing to risk inconvenient demands on our time, lack of certainty, embarrassment, and sometimes even physical danger. But Jesus is the way to life, and he calls us to make fresh starts in faith. A fresh start requires courage, focus, and practice.

Joy made possible
Isaiah 35: 1-10
God’s deliverance of Israel and of us is cause for joyful celebration, not just human celebration but the celebration of all creation!

Hope made possible
This Advent season, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate how he has made possible what once seemed impossible – peace, hope, joy and love!
Isaiah 11: 1-10
Emmanuel, God with us, gives us hope. When we know God through Jesus, we can have hope that one day all will be restored.

Peace made possible
This Advent season, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate how he has made possible what once seemed impossible – peace, hope, joy and love!
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Jesus invites us into a change of mindset, to be agents of peace, offering us a new possibility for relating to others, a way of peace.

Sometimes you have to laugh
Scripture: Genesis 18: 1-15

Rise Up and Testify to God's Grace
Laity Sunday is observed on the third Sunday in October (October 16, 2022). Each year The United Methodist Church celebrates the ministry and witness of laypersons everywhere through a special service.
Scripture: Acts 3: 1-10

Equipped | All are called worship series
Equipped | 1 Samuel 17:31-40
God gives us the tools we need to fulfill our call. It won’t necessarily look the way we expected or be the way others do it, but God will create our own way for us.

Supported | All are called worship series
Supported | 1 Samuel 20:1-17
Answering a call is rarely easy. But with the support of good friends and a community, we don’t have to face the hardships alone.
Sunday after, we learned a dear friend, a faithful member of Tuckerton UMC passed away.

God's purpose for you | All are Called Worship Series
Scripture: I Samuel 16: 1-13
God has a (different) purpose for everyone, even if it seems unlikely or calls you away from the “norm.”

Overflowing Blessings | Releasing God's Blessings Worship Series
What are the possibilities when you release the blessings you have been given, and they overflow into the world?

Road Trip: Replenish for the journey ahead
When taking a road trip, the journey matters as much as the arrival at your destination. Every road trip should include a can’t miss stop along the route. It is just as important in our faith journeys not to miss the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Celebrate New Life | Celebrate Worship Series
Today's Message: Celebrating new life is about embracing how God transforms us to thrive and experience joy.

Celebrate Promise | Celebrate Worship Series
Today's message: Embrace God’s calling for you, believe that God will do what God promises, and take courageous action in your life.

Celebrate Diversity | Celebrate Worship Series
Today's message: As the body of Christ, we are called to celebrate the diverse ways God is reflected in each and every person.

Easter is here! Now what?
Scripture: John 20: 19-31
Christ has died and risen, yet the Easter Season continues. These fifty days from Easter to Pentecost are known as Eastertide. During that time, Jesus appeared to his disciples on several occasions, restoring their faith, inviting them to believe, and promising them the Holy Spirit before finally ascending into Heaven.

Easter Message 2022
Today we celebrate that our Lord Jesus lives! In Christ’s resurrection we find hope
We celebrate salvation through Jesus, his sacrifice on the cross, and victory over the grave.
Today we proclaim the Risen Christ!

The Cup of Discipleship | Drink from the Fountain of Grace Worship Series
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.
Today we will focus on the cup of discipleship. Being followers of Jesus involves giving our whole selves to build a community of mutual blessing.
Scripture: Matthew 20: 20-28

The Cup You Choose | Drink from the Fountain of Grace Worship Series
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.
Today we will focus on The Cup you choose. Every day we have the opportunity to choose to follow Jesus.
Scripture: Psalms 16

The Cup of Living Water | 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!
Today we will focus on The Cup of Living Water. God affirms all we’ve been through and invites us into healthy relationship, wholeness, and sharing living water with others.

The Broken Cup | Drink from the Fountain of Grace Worship Series
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!
Today we will focus on the image of the broken cup. When things break, God can and will bring purpose and beauty out of the brokenness.

Journey with Jesus
Part of the worship series titled: "Restored"
Our relationship with Jesus can heal us, transform us. God knows who we are and offers us new life. In Christ, our lives are restored so we can have victory. Today we will focus on our Journey with Jesus. How we identify him in our life determines how we will grow in our journey with him.
Scripture: Luke 9: 28-36

Jesus heals you
Part of the worship series titled: "Restored"
Our relationship with Jesus can heal us, transform us. God knows who we are and offers us new life. In Christ, our lives are restored so we can have victory. Today we will focus on how we can be healed. All of us need healing. All of us have a need that is either physical or spiritual. All of us suffer burdens of one kind or another. Every one of us today has a particular need that only Jesus can address.
Scripture: Luke 8: 43-48

Rules for Victory
Part of the worship series titled: "Restored"
Our relationship with Jesus can heal us, transform us. God knows who we are and offers us new life. In Christ, our lives are restored so we can have victory. Today we will focus on how we can achieve victory. Through the story of the conquest of Jericho we will proclaim what rules can lead us to victory.
Scripture: Joshua 6: 1-20

Jesus knows you
Part of the worship series titled: "Restored"
Our relationship with Jesus can heal us, transform us. God knows who we are and offers us new life. In Christ, our lives are restored so we can have victory. Today we will focus on how Jesus knows us. Through the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus we will proclaim we are all children of God in need of grace and transformation. Through that grace our actions can impact others.
Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10

Reset Direction
We are preparing our hearts to what this new year will bring.
God’s mercies are new every morning!
This New Year we are ready to press the “reset button,” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to us.
Whether we’ve been in the church for a long time or are exploring the faith, Jesus sometimes calls us to move in a new direction, even when we think we are already heading in the right direction.
Scripture: Acts 9: 1-15

Reset Values
We are preparing our hearts to what this new year will bring.
God’s mercies are new every morning!
This New Year we are ready to press the “reset button,” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to us.
What does it mean to live by God’s Spirit and not our own, to live according to God’s values and not those of the world?
Scripture: Galatians 5:25 - 6:10

Reset Purpose
We are preparing our hearts to what this new year will bring.
God’s mercies are new every morning!
This New Year we are ready to press the “reset button,” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to us.
Spending time with God enables us to start our year with intention. Centered living comes from understanding God’s purpose in this season.
Scripture: Mark 1: 32-39

Soul Reset
We are preparing our hearts to what this new year will bring.
God’s mercies are new every morning!
This New Year we are ready to press the “reset button,” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to us.
Resetting your soul begins with reminding yourself who you are: A child of God.
Scripture: Luke 3: 21-23

Reset your focus and path
We are preparing our hearts to what this new year will bring. God’s mercies are new every morning! But sometimes it is easy for us to get stuck in the same old routine. This New Year let’s hit the “reset button,” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to us.
Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12

God with the Shepherds, the Dismissed
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
Christmas shows us that God takes ordinary lives and does extraordinary things with them. The shepherds who were often dismissed play a prominent role in proclaiming the message of Emmanuel, God is with us.

God with Mary, the Faithful
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
God calls us into unknown places that we wouldn’t foresee for ourselves. And even in the midst of uncertainty, God is with us.

God with Joseph, the Dutiful
Advent Worship Series: God with Us
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
The Christmas story of Jesus’ birth begins with a dilemma. Mary’s pregnancy creates a real issue for Joseph. He is not the father; this situation not only creates personal pain; it also could cause a public scandal. Joseph chooses not to disgrace Mary, but instead he will divorce her, the best that could be hoped for in this situation. However, the Spirit of God moves Joseph from doing good out of a sense of obligation to the revelation of God’s extraordinary plan. When God calls us to move beyond our duty, God is with us.

Commit | All in Worship Series
The scripture reading for this Sunday is Ephesians 4:22-24
This Sunday we end the worship series titled: "All In".
When we face important decisions and opportunities in our lives, we often weigh the pros and cons. We often find reasons to avoid making changes and to keep doing things the same old way. But there comes a time when we must decide… are we going to play it safe or go all in?
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that he gave his only Son for us, “so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God’s love for us is “all in!” In turn, when we put all our trust in God, our lives can be freed for unimaginable wonder. This series has help us explore what it means to be “all in” for God with all of our being and all that we have.

No Strings Attached | All in Worship Series
The scripture reading is Acts 2: 43-47
This Sunday we continue the worship series titled: "All In".
When we face important decisions and opportunities in our lives, we often weigh the pros and cons. We often find reasons to avoid making changes and to keep doing things the same old way. But there comes a time when we must decide… are we going to play it safe or go all in?
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that he gave his only Son for us, “so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God’s love for us is “all in!” In turn, when we put all our trust in God, our lives can be freed for unimaginable wonder. This series will explore what it means to be “all in” for God with all of our being and all that we have.
Sunday's message is titled: "No Strings Attached"
Gifts given by the Spirit are to bless the wider community.

Common good | All in Worship Series
The scripture reading is 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13
This Sunday we continue the worship series titled: "All In".
When we face important decisions and opportunities in our lives, we often weigh the pros and cons. We often find reasons to avoid making changes and to keep doing things the same old way. But there comes a time when we must decide… are we going to play it safe or go all in?
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that he gave his only Son for us, “so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God’s love for us is “all in!” In turn, when we put all our trust in God, our lives can be freed for unimaginable wonder. This series will explore what it means to be “all in” for God with all of our being and all that we have.
Sunday's message is titled: "Common Good"
God activates gifts in everyone for the common good.