Church of the Messiah UMC

"The Life You Didn't Expect" Sermon Series - "Good Company"

In this week’s message, “Good Company,” Pastor Katy Wheat Borhauer reflects on Hebrews 11–12 and the faith of those who trusted God through uncertain, difficult, and unexpected seasons. When life does not come with a clear map, Scripture reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses — ordinary, imperfect people who discovered God’s faithfulness along the way. This sermon is part of our series, “The Life You Didn’t Expect,” an honest look at suffering, resilience, faith, and hope when life does not go according to plan. Pastor Katy reminds us that Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith — the trailblazer who has already walked the road before us. We do not have to walk perfectly. We are invited to keep going, trusting that God is still making a way.

"The Life You Didn't Expect" Sermon Series - Week 1

What do we do when life does not go the way we expected, planned, or hoped? In this message, Pastor Katy Wheat Borhauer begins a new sermon series by reflecting on 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 and Paul’s image of “treasure in jars of clay.” We are fragile and human, but even in disappointment, grief, pain, and uncertainty, God’s extraordinary power is at work within us. This sermon reminds us that God is not the author of our suffering, but the author of our salvation. Following Jesus does not make us immune to hard times, but it does mean we never face them alone. When we are hard pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, and struck down but not destroyed, we can hold onto a gritty, tenacious hope: God is for us, God is with us, and God helps us not lose heart. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 Preacher: Pastor Katy Wheat Borhauer Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Church of the Messiah United Methodist Church | Westerville, Ohio

Pentecost Sunday - New Wine

In this Pentecost Sunday message, Pastor Pete Elliott reflects on Acts 2:1-21 and the surprising, disruptive arrival of the Holy Spirit. Through the image of “new wine,” the sound like a violent wind, tongues like fire, and the miracle of people hearing God’s deeds of power in their own languages, this sermon invites us to imagine what God can do when the church gathers, waits, remembers, and shows up together. Pentecost is not just the birthday of the church; it is the moment when God fills ordinary people with the Spirit and gives them a shared language of love, inclusion, healing, and hope. Pastor Pete reminds us that our part is to show up, and God’s part is to fill us. As we live as the church today, may the Holy Spirit help us speak again the language Jesus taught: “God loves you, and you can be included.”

"From Me to We" Sermon Series - "Same Table"

This week at Church of the Messiah, Pastor Katy Wheat Borhauer concludes our From Me to We sermon series with a message called “Same Table,” based on Romans 15:1–9. In this passage, Paul invites the church to live with harmony, hope, and welcome—not because everyone is the same, but because Christ has already welcomed us. The message asks a practical and spiritual question: with the time, energy, relationships, and resources we have, are we building longer fences or longer tables? As followers of Jesus, we are called to become people who practice welcome across difference. Pastor Katy reminds us that difference is not a problem; it is a possibility. Through the practice of table fellowship, we learn to move from “me” to “we,” sharing life with others and reflecting the grace we have already received in Christ. Learn more about Church of the Messiah at messiahumc.net.

"From Me to We" Sermon Series - "Boots On"

In this message from the From Me to We sermon series, Pastor Pete Elliott preaches from Jeremiah 29:4–5, 7, where God speaks to the people of Judah living in exile in Babylon. Rather than telling them only to wait for rescue, God tells them to build houses, plant gardens, seek the welfare of the city, and pray for the community around them. “Boots On” reminds us that faithfulness often begins right where we are, even when life feels unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or unsettled. In Christ, we are welcomed from isolation into belonging, and we are called to extend that same welcome to others. This sermon invites us to move from “me” to “we” by participating in the welfare of our neighbors, our church, and our wider community.