St. Luke's UMC Contemporary Worship - September 14, 2025

Описание: In this moving and deeply personal sermon, guest pastor Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin challenges us to go beyond the motions of faith and step into a life of active justice and transformation. Drawing on the prophet Isaiah and the words of John Wesley, she shares stories from her own life as a Black woman in the church—stories of pain, hypocrisy, and the unexpected power of a long-overdue apology.

This isn't a sermon about feeling good; it's a call to action. Dr. Austin reminds us that God isn't looking for perfect performance, but for sincere transformation. She urges us to fast from superficial piety and to instead, "loose the chains of injustice." Through her vulnerable testimony and powerful examples of true reconciliation, she shows us what it means to be rebuilders of the breach, restoring the harm done by both institutions and individuals.

Timeline
00:00 Events at St. Luke’s
30:02 A Spirit of God in This Place
32:16 God Is Not All About Ceremony
33:52 Performance vs. Transformation
35:24 Stop Masquerading as a Church
36:35 The Church's Silent Inaction
43:19 A Call to Stand for Justice
46:35 Naming the Injustice and the Harm
47:09 Apologizing for the Institution
48:04 The Grace of Acknowledging Imperfection
49:45 Extending Grace and Creating Space for Healing
51:34 Mercy is Unsustainable Without Justice
54:54 The Urgency of Grace and Forgiveness
57:18 A New Generation and a Different Church
1:00:02 Be Repairers, Be Restorers, Be Rebuilders

At St. Luke’s, we believe we are called to be living representatives of Jesus Christ, bringing others to know God’s mercy, justice, grace, and love. If you're looking for a community that doesn't just talk about acceptance but actively works to heal harm and seek justice for all, we invite you to join us. Ready to be part of a community that truly welcomes all? We invite you to experience the hospitality of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando.

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