
Momologian
By Alicia Vélez Stewart


Everything Changes
This week we continue with the third message in a four-part sermon run inspired by Marcia McFee’s Reshaped worship series. This week’s message is rooted in John 12:24-25, as we explore Jesus’ surprising image of a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying in order to multiply life.

Inside Out
In this second message of our Re-Formed series, we explore what it means to be changed not from the outside in, but from the inside out. Drawing from Mark 1:1–15, we reflect on John’s prophetic witness, Jesus’ baptism, and the unsettling changes happening both in the world and in our own community. As a congregation who seeks to make sense of the world we live in, we ask: Can we still believe the Spirit is at work—even in chaos? This sermon invites us to lean into the mystery, trust the transformation, and allow the Holy Spirit to re-form us with courage, tenderness, and hope.

Mold me, God. Maybe.
Let’s look at Jeremiah 18:1–6 through the lens of divine transformation, reminding us that God, like a potter, is always reshaping us for good. This message calls us to embrace, rather than fear, the holy work of being re-formed, because as resurrection people, we were made for this even as we say to God, “Mold me…maybe?”

Where Faith and Doubt Meet
Today’s message, “Where Faith and Doubt Meet,” invites us to see the disciple Thomas not as a doubter, but as a witness to the hard, beautiful work of faith. In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, this sermon reminds us that real resurrection meets us right in the midst of our questions and doubts. Join us as we explore how hope is born again when we dare to show up, ask the hard questions, and trust that Christ still comes close.

Easter: The Angel’s Message
Today we bring you an Easter Sunday reflection unlike any other: a first-person monologue from the perspective of the angel at the empty tomb, based on Luke 24:1–12. This is not just a retelling of the resurrection story. It’s an invitation—to see yourself in the eyes of Mary, Joanna, and all who have grieved and hoped and dared to believe that love could still rise.

Maundy Thursday Reflection
In the person of Jesus we are given the Divine example of how to fully and completely love one another. With a truly open heart and spirit he was moved to wash the feet of his closest companions, friends, and family. Hear Rev. A’s reflection from WUMC’s Maundy Thursday service.

Entering the Passion: Junia’s Witness
This Lent, we’re journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today we journey alongside a woman who knew both the comforts of privilege and the call of the unknown — her roman name is Junia, but many of us know her as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, steward to Herod Antipas.

Entering the Passion: Mary of Magdala’s Witness
This week: This Lent, we’re journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today, we step into the story with Mary Magdalene on the night of the Last Supper. Through her eyes, we remember the love that washed feet, the hope that shared bread, and the call to live boldly in the face of fear. As the shadow of Empire looms, Mary reminds us: love cannot be silenced.

Entering the Passion: The Woman of Bethany’s Witness
This Lent, we’re journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today, we step into the story of a woman whose name is not always remembered, but whose act of love could never be forgotten.

Entering the Passion: The Widow’s Witness
This Lent, we’re journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. today, we step into the world of one of the most overlooked yet profoundly courageous figures in Scripture—the widow with the two small coins. She was poor, she was unseen, and in the eyes of the world, she was insignificant. But not to Jesus. Not to the One who sees beyond wealth and power, beyond status and privilege. Today, we hear her story—not just the moment she gave her last coins, but the deeper truth of what it means to belong to God when the empire says you are worth nothing.

Entering the Passion: Veronica’s Witness
This Lent, we’re journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. This week, we hear from Veronica, the woman who bled for twelve years before reaching out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Her story didn’t end with her healing—it changed everything. Now, she reflects on witnessing Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his righteous anger in the temple, and the risk of following a Messiah who sees the unseen and dares to turn the world upside down

Transfigured, not transfixed
Join us as we explore Luke 9:28-36 and the powerful moment of Jesus' transfiguration. What does it mean to be changed by faith rather than simply captivated by it? Hear how Jesus calls us to be transfigured, not transfixed, by our own encounters with the Divine. From the mountain of glory to the difficult road of discipleship, we unpack how Jesus calls us to transformation, not stagnation.

Jesus-do I have to?
This week, we dive into one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings from Luke 6:27-38—loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, and giving without expecting anything in return. It’s the kind of passage that makes us want to ask, “Jesus—do I have to?”

Wait. What?!
The last few weeks we have been deep in the Gospel of Luke, walking alongside what has been for some of us a very surprising version of Jesus—and this week’s text is no different! Jesus’ words risks giving us whiplash between the happy are yous and the terrible for yous. Have you ever heard something so unexpected, so completely different from the way we usually think about the world, that it made you pause and say, "Wait. What?"

Frenzied Faith
Today we lean into Luke 5:1-11 (The Message) and the moment when exhausted fishermen, overwhelmed and unsure, encounter Jesus in a way that changes everything. What does this story teach us about faith when life feels confusing, anxious, or too much to handle?

Thanks, but no thanks.
Many of us wrestle with the tension between conviction and hope, and how letting go of our narrow expectations of God can empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. Today we explore Luke 4:16-30 and Jesus' startling rejection in his hometown. Why did the people of Nazareth turn on him when he proclaimed a message of radical inclusion? How does this moment challenge our own expectations of God’s justice today?

The Power of Love in the Face of Injustice
Lately, it’s been hard stepping into the pulpit with a message of hope. Yet the Spirit reminds us that we are called to speak with bravest fire at all times, and calls us to speak a word of Love to a fractured world.

Ministry in every moment
In the small village of Cana, weddings were more than just personal celebrations; they were communal events filled with joy, honor, and hospitality. And opportunities to do ministry in every moment.

The Magi: Recalculating…
Today, we step into the familiar story of the Magi following a star.
But rather than dwelling on their gifts or their journey, Rev. A asks us to focus on the courage it took to defy the most powerful man in Judea—Herod.

Giving Thanks for the Reign of Christ
Revelation as a hope text?! Sure thing! This is a passage which invites us to find the hope and joy that is possible when this are hard if when we give thanks for the reign of Christ.

A slightly belated All Saints Sunday Message
All Saints Sunday calls us into a space of reverence, where we hold the memories of loved ones, mentors, and friends who walked with us in faith. Hear Rev. A’s message recorded on November 3rd 2024 as we observe this holy day of remembering.

A Message In the Aftermath of the Election
This week has been especially fraught as our political divides in our society widen. How will the church respond? Hear this message from Rev. A in the aftermath of this week’s events.

(Holy) Ghost Stories: The Tale of the Blinding Light and the Hidden Voice
Welcome to the final installation of our 2024 spooky season series on (Holy) Ghost Stories, where we really lean into the unofficial observance of all things fall and October-esque here in New England. This week you are invited to listen to Saul’s encounter with a blinding light and a mysterious, hidden voice.

(Holy) Ghost Stories: The Whisper in the Silence
Welcome to week two of our spooky season series on (Holy) Ghost Stories, where we really lean into the unofficial observance of all things fall and October-esque here in New England. Which means we are taking our Biblical texts and retelling them in a way that re-introduces us to some of the important moments and people of our faith.

(Holy) Ghost Stories: The Tale of the Unquenchable Flame
October means a return of our ghost stories series - HOLY ghost stories, that is. This month we are really leaning into our New England love for all things fall flavored-including the unofficial observance of October’s spooky season.

All Together Now
Our text today comes from Hebrews. This is indeed a rich and complex scripture reading, don’t you think?
And it certainly is an appropriate text for today, a rich and complex day in the life of the church: World Communion Sunday.

Hey. How YOU doin’?
I have a simple question for you: "How you doin'?" It's a question we hear often but may not always answer honestly. Sometimes we say, "I'm fine" or "I'm doing well" because it's easier than diving into the chaos of our lives. So today, let's sit with that question: "How you doin'?" and consider how, even in the midst of chaos, God calls us to stay connected—to each other and to the community—as an expression of divine love.

Homecoming Sunday: Who does this house serve?
Welcome back home! We have returned after our summer of “Brunch Church” outdoors and are ready to welcome you all home. Rev. Alicia returns to the pulpit with the story of Joshua and his important question to the Israelites AND us: who does your house serve?

Come to the font

Saying Grace

The Kin-dom of God is like the mysterious mustard seed

Living in the Presence

Presence is Love in Action

Being present to the Presence: Isaiah 6:1-8

A Prayer for a Complicated Day

Legacies of Love

Loving like Jesus: Love One Another
This week was a monumental one in the life of the world-wide UMC. With all the changes, many are asking, “So where does this leave us?“ Well, Beloved, the scripture for today gives us the answer to the “now what?” question for us and our church: We continue to love.

Living like Jesus: Love God
Now, after a number of conversations - and I am not just saying that! I HAVE had a number of conversations - about how we engage the text in worship vs. Bible study, and how some folks wish we could have a moment in worship that is LIKE our Bible studies vs. a sermon that can feel like I am talking AT y’all, we are going to give that a try this week.

Living like Jesus: Live LOVE

Living like Jesus: Live Hope

The two miracles of Easter (and a reminder to always listen to the women!)

sit UP: Palm Sunday, Lent 2024, week 6

lift UP: Lent 2024, week 5

light UP: Lent 2024, week 4

raise UP: Lent 2024, week 3

take UP: Lent 2024, week 2

come UP: Lent 2024, week 1

On your Mark, get set, GO

Calling Us Out / Calling Us In
