The Church Association of the Epworth Assembly, Inc. [email protected] (231) 845-7898

2022 Recordings

“Walking Together”

“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8


May 29, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen

Director of Spiritual Life, Epworth Church Association

Sermon Title: How Do We Walk Together? (Click here to view the service)

Scripture Lesson: Micah 6:8, Luke 7:37-38

The opening Sunday of the season included Pastor Brad Kalajainen preaching on the practicalities of living out our theme for the season of “Walking Together,” as well as special music from JaiLynn Petrie.


June 5, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Mary Hulst

University Pastor, Calvin University

Sermon Title: All Things for Good (Click here to view the service)

Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:18-30

The Rev. Dr. Mary Hulst spoke from the book of Romans, and special music was provided by Sully Nolot, accompanied by Colleen Kalajainen.


June 12, 2022 – Bishop David Bard

Presiding Bishop, Michigan Area, United Methodist Church

Sermon Title: Blowing in the Wind

Scripture Lesson: John 16:12-15; Romans 5:1-5; Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

The service this week featured the first of several introductory interviews with the visiting minister that occurred over the course of the summer, providing an opportunity to get to know Bishop Bard more personally.


June 19, 2022 – Rev. Chris Romig

Senior Pastor, Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, FL

Sermon Title: The Father’s Blessing

Scripture Lesson: Numbers 6:22-27

Preaching the text of the traditional benediction, the Rev. Romig celebrated Father’s Day with a powerful message about the importance of blessings and what they mean in our lives. A gifted musician, Chris also provided the special music for the service.

Vespers

Monday Musings


June 26, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen

Director of Spiritual Life, Epworth Church Association

Sermon Title: How Can I Pray… Better?

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 6:9-13

Pastor Brad spoke on the power and importance of using the Lord’s Prayer as a model of how to pray better. Jill Wilkinson shared her personal story about her daughter’s health struggles and the power of her prayer journals and the community prayers offered up around her. To commemorate Memorial Sunday, the names of those we lost in the past year were read, the bell was rung, and special music, “Remember Me,” was offered by JaiLynn Petrie.

Vespers

Monday Musings – The Rev. David S. Bell


July 3, 2022 – Rev. Grace Imathiu

Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Evanston, IL

Sermon Title: The Story of Ruth

Scripture Lesson: Ruth 1:1-18

Today’s service (Morava Family Sunday) included an introductory interview with Reverend Imathiu about her multicultural viewpoint, gorgeous special music in the form of a violin solo from Olivia Yost, and a moving sermon about the story of Ruth.

Vespers

Monday Musings


July 10, 2022 – Rev. Clarence “Smoke” Kanipe, Jr.

Senior Minister, Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC

Sermon Title: Measure for Measure

Scripture Lesson: Luke 6:27-38

For Dorothy and Forrest Colwell Memorial Sunday, we had an incredibly full service. There was special music from Sully Nolot, the annual introduction of the Activities Team by our Activities Director, Megan McCain, an introductory interview with Smoke, and his beautiful sermon about what it means to truly love others and not judge them.

Vespers – Due to a technical issues, we were unable to record the Vespers service this evening.

Monday Musings


July 17, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen

Director of Spiritual Life, Epworth Church Association

Sermon Title: What If?

Scripture Lesson: Daniel 3:15-25

Pastor Brad preached his third Sunday of the season, on the story of the fiery furnace, and about turning our fears and ‘what ifs’ into our ‘even ifs.’ Our musician, JaiLynn Petrie, shared her personal story about the birth of her daughter, as well as special music, and we joined in the sacrament of communion together.

Vespers

Monday Musings


July 24, 2022 – Rev. Dr. David Joynt

Senior Paster, Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, AZ

Sermon Title: The Go-Ahead God

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 12:1-2

Today’s service, celebrating Epworth Heights Founders Memorial Sunday, included special music from the always-delightful Krystal Bells, the baptism of Thomas Patrick Reagan, and a powerful message from Reverend Joynt.

Vespers

Monday Musings


July 31, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke

Interim Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR

Sermon Title: A Shelter from the Stormy Blast: A Spirituality of Redemption

Scripture Lesson: Romans 8

For Larry Saksa Memorial Sunday, we gladly welcomed Carol Hilborn and her angelic flute-playing as special music and an enriching part of our worship service. This morning’s message was Part 1 of a two-part sermon series from the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke about his life-changing experiences in Manhattan on September 11, 2001 and in the days and weeks following.

Vespers

Monday Musings


August 7, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Steve DeNeff

Lead Pastor, College Wesleyan Church, Marion, IN

Sermon Title: TBD

Scripture Lesson: TBD


August 14, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen

Director of Spiritual Life, Epworth Church Association

Sermon Title: TBD

Scripture Lesson: TBD


August 21, 2022 – Rev. Rob Renfroe

Loft Lead Pastor, The Woodlands Methodist Church, The Woodlands, TX

Sermon Title: TBD

Scripture Lesson: TBD


August 28, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Roger Ross

Sermon Title: TBD

Director, Center for Congregational Excellence, Missouri Conference, UMC

Scripture Lesson: TBD


September 4, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen

Director of Spiritual Life, Epworth Church Association

Sermon Title: TBD

Scripture Lesson: TBD