Matt Smith – Page 14 – The Table UMC

Rebels with a Cause

Aug 25, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in story of Jesus healing the bent over woman in Luke 13.10-17. Who might God be calling you to notice? How might you be called to accompany them as they rise to freedom?

Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 12:49-56 in which Jesus stridently calls the crowd “hypocrites” and announces he’s come to bring division instead of peace. On the surface, this doesn’t seem to be the Prince of Peace we’ve been called to follow. How might Jesus be calling you to stand for justice and peace in our deeply divided world? What might God need to burn away in your life and in the world as you root yourself in the way…

Knock!

Jul 28, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 11.1-13. What places help you to connect with God through prayer? This lesson from Jesus on prayer is often read as a call to persistence in prayer. Yet, the word in verse 8 translated as “persistence” actually means “shameless.” Who is shameless in this story? What if the lesson from Jesus is less about being persistent or shameless and actually an invitation to remember that God meets our feelings of shame with radical welcome…

Who?

Jul 14, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 10.25-37

Coco

Jun 16, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in the 2017 Pixar film Coco & the readings assigned to the global Christian church by the lectionary. Coco invites reflection on the power of memory. Jesus longs for us to break bread in remembrance of him and the unhidden truth is that remembering in the context of crucifixion was a radically anti-imperial act. Perhaps it can be, when rightly remembered, today as well?

God Loves

Jun 2, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in John 17.20-26 & As It Is In Heaven, a 2004 Swedish film nominated for an Academy Award. Jesus prays for all to be one in his farewell prayer around a table with the disciples. As It Is In Heaven beautifully witnesses to this truth and The Table longs to be a community which fosters deeper awareness of our oneness in God’s love. How might you join in Restoration at The Table in hopes of passing…

This Is Us

May 12, 2019
Matt Smith

Matt’s message is rooted in John 10.22-30. How are we allowing the Risen One to hold us? Who is the Risen One calling us to hold?

This Is Us (Thomas)

Apr 28, 2019
Linda Dew-Hiersoux, Matt Smith

Pastors Linda and Matt invite reflection on the courage of Thomas to speak up about his longing to see & touch the Risen One. How do you want the Risen One to show up? Where are you feeling the peace the Risen One offers in your own life?

Easter

Apr 21, 2019
Matt Smith

Pastor Matt’s Easter message at The Table is rooted in Luke 24.1-12.

Setback

Apr 19, 2019
Matt Smith

Holy Friday at The Table was rooted in Luke’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Instead of setting ourselves back at a distance this Holy Friday, our task is to join with those suffering in our world by standing under the very reality of the cross as we hold fast to a God who so loves the world.