Pastor Katie's Sermons

First sermon at First United Methodist Church in Yankton, South Dakota. In the midst of change, God is always faithful.

Scripture: Psalm 145:8-12

The 4th in our series Let Go - Leaning into the Future Without Fear by UMC Pastor Matt Miofsky. This week we look at how to turn a low point into a turning point and that we will always face the problem of fear as we look toward the promised land. We celebrated confirmation in our service this week!

Scripture: Exodus 18:13-14; Exodus 18:17-19a; 22b; Numbers 13:17-20

This is the 3rd in our sermon series based on the book Let Go: Leaning into the Future Without Fear by UMC Pastor Matt Miofsky. This week we are facing the temptation to go back to our own "Egypts" when things get tough and to remember that our lowest points don't have to be the last point in our lives.  God can work in us when we hit rock bottom.

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6; Exodus 19:1-2

This is the second sermon in our series based on the book Let Go: Leaning into the Future Without Fear by UMC pastor Matt Miofsky. Today we are looking at what it takes to make the first step on any journey and why our journey of faith is never a straight line. 

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-12; Exodus 13:17-18

This week begins my final sermon series while serving as pastor of Beresford Zion UMC. The series is based on the book Let Go: Leaning into the Future without Fear by Rev. Matt Miofsky. Using Moses as our guide, we will be looking at how to handle change in a positive way, trusting that through change God can transform us into the people we were always meant to be. 

Scripture: Exodus 4:18-20

The final hymn in our series "Hymn Excavation" we are looking at Charles Wesley's classic "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing". The song was written to commemorate Wesley's conversion and praises God for the joy of new life. 

Scripture: Psalm 35:28

3rd in our sermon series "Hymn Excavation" where we take a deep dive into some well-known and well-loved hymns. Abide With Me is all about knowing that God is with us in all circumstances - we never have to go through this life alone. 

Scripture: Luke 24:29

Apologies for not having a sermon uploaded last week. We had some technical difficulties while trying to record our service - but you can watch it on our facebook page www.facebook.com/bzumchurch

This sermon is the second in our series "Hymn Excavation" and we are looking at Praise to the Lord, the Almighty written by Joachim Neander. This is a song of praise toward God full of scripture and wonderful descriptions of God's character.  

Scripture: Psalm 150

Join Pastor Katie as we find the hope in the unexpected in the Easter story and how we can look for hope in our crazy world right now.  The light of hope shines brightest in the darkness.

Scripture: John 20:1-18

This sermon is the final in our series on the disciple Simon Peter based off of the book by Adam Hamilton. This was also a drive-in style Palm Sunday service where Pastor Katie preached outside on a trailer. Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to give you power? What is God empowering you to do in the world?

Scripture: Assorted passages from Acts

The next in our series on Simon Peter based on the book by Adam Hamilton. In this sermon we look at how Jesus reconciles Simon Peter to himself and establishes him now as a shepherd for God's people.  Jesus also invites us to be reconciled with him and desires for us to live out our calling. You can watch the service on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/bzumchurch

Scripture: John 21:12, 15-17

This is the next sermon in our series based on Simon Peter by Adam Hamilton. You can watch the full service at www.facebook.com/bzumchurch or on our youtube:  https://youtu.be/a_vRY9CyaS0.  This sermon looks at Simon Peter in the final week of Jesus life. We explore Simon Peter's declaration that he would never deny Jesus only to do so hours later. What can we learn from Simon Peter and what can we learn from how Jesus responds to this episode in Simon Peter's life?  

Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35

This is a recording of our FB live worship service which includes the 3rd sermon in our Simon Peter series by Adam Hamilton. You can check out our facebook page to watch this video (Beresford Zion UMC).  This sermon looks at the details of the story of Simon Peter confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God and asks us where our true loyalty lies. 

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19, 21-23

This is the second sermon in our Simon Peter series based on the book by Adam Hamilton. In this sermon we look at Simon Peter's willingness to step out of the boat when none of the other disciples would, but then stumbling when the storms of life continued to rage. How can we be brave like Simon Peter and know that when we stumble, Jesus will be there to catch us?

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34

This is the first in the sermon series Simon Peter based on the book by Adam Hamilton.  We will be following Simon Peter through the season of lent and learning from his journey of discipleship.  Here we see Simon Peter saying "yes" to Jesus even though it was inconvenient.

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

This week we are looking at Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain with some of his disciples and how it connects to OT stories of Moses and God. Then we will ask the big question, "What did this mean for the disciples then and we as disciples today?"

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

What does Jesus teach about anger? This sermon looks at Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount that tells us there is no room in the kingdom of heaven for us to hold onto anger and bitterness toward each other. We must own our anger and do the work toward healing and reconciliation. 

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-24

Jesus says "You are the Salt of the Earth" and "You are the light of the world".  What does he mean by that and what does that mean for you as disciples of Jesus?  We continue to explore the teachings of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

You have probably read the Beatitudes or at least familiar with them, but probably not from this perspective. Pastor Katie takes her cue from theologian Dallas Willard and his book The Divine Conspiracy to look at the good news of the beatitudes. 

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11

This sermon is based on Matthew 4:12-23 where Jesus called Andrew and Simon Peter out of the boat by saying "I will make you fishers of men."  The calling of discipleship is a calling to evangelism as well, so the question is - how's the fishing?

This sermon is about Epiphany where we celebrate the wisemen coming to visit the baby Jesus. Have you ever thought about all that God did to invite the wisemen into the Christmas story?  By all accounts they shouldn't be there, but by God's grace he invites them in to this miraculous story and we are also invited to follow God's guidance to Christ, just as the wisemen followed the star.  We also did star words during this service. 

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

This week we look at three places that Jesus lived: Bethlehem, Egypt and Nazarene and unpack the significance for us today.  Perhaps having Jesus live in a small town like Nazarene, God is saying that He sees all of us that come from insignificant places and says we have worth.

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

This is the sermon preached by Pastor Katie at the December 24th Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. For Christians, Christmas truly begins with the birth of Christ - and this is only the beginning of the greatest story ever told. 

This is the fourth Sunday of Advent and the theme is love.  Looking at Mary, we explore the idea that you must love yourself so you can accept the love that God has for you.

This is the third week of Advent and this sermon looks at the theme of "joy".  Our joy doesn't come from the Christmas season, the songs, the presents or even the time with family.  True joy comes from the assurance that God is with us through every circumstance life has to offer and has redeemed us.  

For the second week of Advent we are looking at the theme of Peace and how we can be peacemakers in such a divisive world.  Taking our cue from the Apostle Paul, we use the book of Ephesians to give us 7 practical ways to be a peacemaker just like Jesus, who was called the Prince of Peace.

Based on the series Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, this sermon looks at the advent theme of Hope and challenges us to not only remember the hope we have in the Christ child and the hope we have in the return of Christ, but to embody hope for others.

This is a short little sermon from our Celebration Sunday Service where we hear from the various teams and groups in the church about what God has been doing in the last year in and through BZUMC.  The sermon is recognizing that while all of this makes us happy, we are filled with joy because of God's loving faithfulness and not the circumstances of our lives. 

This is the final sermon in our series "Treasure" based on the work of Jacob Armstrong. In this sermon we look at stress and how it affects our lives and especially our giving.  Jesus tells us we don't have to stress so much because God will provide. 

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

This is the third week of our "Treasure" series based on the work of Jacob Armstrong. This week we exploring Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount concerning our motivations to do things.  Jesus teaches that we shouldn't make a big deal about our giving or praying because if we are doing it for others then that will be our reward.  Jesus wants us to be motivated by God's glory - not our own!

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

This is the second in our sermon series, "Treasure" based off of the work by Jacob Armstrong.  This week we look at Jesus words that we cannot serve both God and money.  What does that look like in our lives today?  Having the right priority by putting God first means that we can have healthy relationships with money and everything else in our lives.

Scripture: Matthew 6:24

This is the first of a sermon series based on the work Treasure by Jacob Armstrong. This week we look at what we treasure, where we are putting our time energy and money versus where we WISH we were putting our time, energy and money. Jesus teaches that we should invest in the things of heaven because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

This is the final sermon in our Called series. This week we look at the "beloved disciple" and explore what it takes to sustain ourselves in the calling that God gives each of us. Let us lean into the heart of Jesus!

Scripture: John 15:1, 4-5, 10

This is the 5th sermon in a series base on the book: Called by Susan Robb.  This week we look at Mary Magdalene, her calling to be the first person to share the news of the resurrection and how she received her calling by remaining close to Jesus. We look at the means of grace that allow us to remain close to Jesus in our own lives.

Fourth sermon in our series based on the book Called by Susan Robb. This week we look at the prophet Jonah and why he ran away from God's calling on his life.  We will explore his story as well as our own stories of why we can be reluctant to follow God's calling. 

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Third in a sermon series based on the book Called: Hearing and Responding to God's Voice by Susan Robb. This week we focus on the book of Esther and see how the experiences of our lives can prepare us to live out the calling that God has placed on us. We were created for such a time as this!

Scripture: Esther 4:11-17

This is the second sermon in a series based on the book Called - Hearing and Responding to God's Voice by Susan Robb. This week we are looking at the story of Samuel and how he was initially called as a boy, and how his calling changed throughout his life.  Just as we are never too old for God to call us, we are also never too young for God to use us!

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-9

This is the first in a sermon series based on the book Called - Hearing and Responding to God's Voice by Susan Robb.  The series kicks off with looking at the story of Abram/Abraham from the book of Genesis and how we are never too old for God to call us and it is never too late for God to do something in and through us.

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

As a church - it's important to know WHY we exist - to make disciples(which comes from Jesus' words in the Great Commission).  BZUMC is starting a discipleship journey together so we can all grow in our discipleship!  Come, join us in our journey!

Scripture: Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20

Why do so many people settle for the "bare minimum" of Christianity when Jesus commands that we give all of ourselves in order to be his disciples?  Sermon preached by Pastor Katie at Beresford Zion UMC on Sunday, September 1st, 2019.

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Sermon based on Luke 13:10-17 - the story of Jesus healing a woman bent over for 18 years on the Sabbath.  The question of the sermon: Who is really outside the bounds and when it is right to be outside the bounds?

Preached by Pastor Katie Ricke at Beresford Zion UMC on Sunday, August 25th, 2019.

Sermon preached by Pastor Katie Ricke on Sunday, August 18th, 2019.  

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-12:2.

Preached by Pastor Katie Ricke at the Worship in the Park as a part of Beresford's Old Fashioned Weekend. 

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Sermon preached by Pastor Katie Ricke on Sunday, August 11th, 2019.  

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

This is a special talk given by Pastor Katie on the topic of homosexuality and the bible within the context of the United Methodist Church.  This lecture includes some background information and the 7 passages that reference homosexual acts in the Bible.  Different viewpoints and interpretations are covered with the listener left to draw their own conclusions.  Due to the nature of the topic, things of a sexual nature are discussed.

This sermon was preached by Pastor Katie Ricke at Beresford Zion UMC on Sunday, July 28th, 2019.  

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Sermon preached by Pastor Katie Ricke on Sunday, July 21st, 2019.  Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Sermon preached by guest Mark Finck on Pentecost Sunday, June 9th, 2019.  Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Sermon preached by Pastor Katie Ricke on Sunday, July 14th, 2019.  

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

This sermon was preached by Pastor Katie Ricke at Beresford Zion UMC on Sunday, July 7th, 2019.  

Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20