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Sermons of Rev. Steven Riddle
June 16, 2002 to June 8, 2003
Steven's first year at Bethel

The sermons are listed chronologically by the date of the service and are identified by title. In most cases, the scripture passage for each sermon is also shown. Click on the symbol to begin playing an audio recording in another window or tab of your browser. While a sermon recording is playing you can return to this window/tab of your browser to continue viewing it. You should stop the window/tab in which the sermon is playing before playing another recording. Similarly, click on a symbol to view a video clip in another window.

Links are provided to the bulletin for many services. You may want to view this to see how the service complemented the message and also be aware of other activities at the church. Also, there are no "slides" for the scripture passages so you may want to follow the readings with your own favorite version of the Bible. Click on a symbol to view a page of pictures from the Digital Photo library. Also, there are no "slides" for the scripture passages so you may want to follow the readings with your own favorite version of the Bible.
(This begins the first year of Steven's pastorate at Bethel)
June 2002
16 - - Jonah and I
.... - - Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17
.... - - Sermon
23 - - Christianity, the Rest of the Story
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39
.... - - Prayer
.... - - Children's Time: The Right Shape
.... - - Sermon
30 - - Where Does Loving Jesus Lead Us
.... - - Scripture: John 14:15-21
.... - - Remark
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer

July 2002
04 - - 4th of July picnic at Bethel Pond
Pastor Steven Riddle was in Atlanta for a month of classes at Emory University. During that time, the Sunday Services were led by lay speakers at Bethel.
07 - - Sermon by Charlie Strange
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
14 - - A Holographic View of God by Phill Brown
.... - - Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-5
.... - - Sermon
.... - Slides - This is a set of "slides" that were created after this talk but may help follow it during the hearing
21 - - The Christian Life by Leonard Holton
.... - - Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
.... - - Sermon
28 - Sermon: Faith and Deeds by Tom Moore; James 2:14-26
.... - Unfortunately, this service was not recorded

August 2002
04 - - What's in Your Heart?
.... - - Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
.... - - a light moment
.... - - Sermon
11 - - No More Excuses
.... - - Scripture: Luke 14:16-24
.... - - a light moment
.... - - Sermon
18 - - A Royal Plan
.... - - Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15
.... - - Sermon
25 - - What Does it Take to be a Hero?
....- - Scripture: Exodus 1:8-2:10
....- - Sermon

September 2002
01 - - Are You a Stumbling Block or a Foundation Block?
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
.... - - a light moment
.... - - Sermon
08 - - Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
.... - - Scripture: Romans 13:8-14
.... - - Sermon
15 - - No Way But Yahweh
.... - - Pastoral Prayer
.... - - Apostle's Creed - led by Tom Moore
.... - - Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31
.... - - Sermon
22 - It Isn't Fair
.... - - Responsive Reading - with Leonard Holton serving as liturgist
.... - - Apostle's Creed - with Leonard Holton serving as liturgist
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16
.... - - Sermon
29 - - Are you practicing Religion or living Christianity?
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Prayer

October 2002
06 - - Through Pete's Eyes - (Kevin Hall of Gray Memorial U.M.C. is the visiting lay speaker while Rev. Steven Riddle is away for a funeral)
.... - - Apostle's Creed - with Leonard Holton serving as liturgist
.... - - Sermon
13 - - Homecoming - Welcome Home; Luke 15:11-32
.... - - Apostle's Creed, led by Jeannene riddle
.... - - Sermon: Welcome Home - a playlet, interpreting the tale of the Prodigal Son
.... - - Prayer
20 - - It's Mine, All Mine
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
27 - - Who Are We?
.... - - Call to Worship
.... - - Scripture: Mark 8:27-28
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer

November 2002
03 - - A Leap of Faith!
.... - - Apostle's Creed, led by Tom Moore
.... - - God is Good
.... - - Scripture: Joshua 3:7-17
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
10 - - Are You Ready?
.... - - Apostle's Creed
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
17 - - It's Time to Dig up Your Talents
.... - - Apostle's Creed
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
24 - - Thanks for Nothing
.... - - Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer

December 2002
01 - - First Sunday of Advent - Chrismon Service
.... - This service, which was recorded in full, has many parts listed below as individual recordings. The pictures in the photo album may help make a sense of the whole.
.... - - Call to Worship
.... - - Prayer Concerns, prayer and the Lord's Prayer
.... - - Introduction to Chdsmons, reading from Isaiah
.... - - Hymn: O Come Emmanuel
.... - - Instructions for locating Chrismons and placing them on the tree
.... - - Hymn: Away in a Manger
.... - - presenting the Chalice and scriptures
.... - - The Cross chrismons
.... - - The Sacrificail Lamb
.... - - The Butterfly
.... - - The Dove and Shell
.... - - Hymn of Honor: All Glory Laud and Honor
.... - - The Passion Symbols and music
.... - - The Symbols of Victory
.... - - The Cross and the Orb
.... - - The Iota Chi
.... - - The Crown
.... - - The Circle with IHS
.... - - Hymn of Victory: Low in the Grave He Lay
.... - - The Chrismon Prayer
.... - - Hymn: Joy to the World
08 - - Pave the Way!
.... - - Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
15 - Preparing for Christmas
.... - - Scripture: Luke 1:39-45
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
.... - - Christmas Party
22 - - The Birth of Christ
... - - Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
... - - Sermon
... - - Closing Prayer
24 - - Christmas Eve Meditation
.... - - Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
.... - - Message
29 - - Are You Willing To Be a Witness? - Tom Moore is the speaker today
.... - - Scripture: John 4:1-26
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer

January 2003
05 - - Whose Footsteps Are You Following In?
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Altar Call
12 - - Are You Baptized in the Holy Spirit or Are You Just All Wet?
.... - - Scripture: Acts 19:1-7
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
19 - - What Good Can Possibly Come From This?; John 1:43-51
(A musical group, Trinity Flame, peformed during this service. They were visiting from pastor Steven Riddle's home church in Apopka. Although an audio recording was not made this week, the entire service was videotaped. Unfortunately, the sound failed near the end of the concert part of the service.)
26 - - Two Point Call
.... - - Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
February 2003
02 - - By Whose Authority Do You Lead?
.... - - Scripture: Mark 1:21-28
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
09 - - untitled
.... - - Scripture: Mark 13:1-8
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
16 - - You Just Can't Keep it to Your Self!
.... - - Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
23 - - Does it Take a Brick to Get Your Attention?
.... - - Children's Sermon: The Whole World
.... - - Scripture: Mark 2:1-12
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
March 2003
02 - - A Rocket Ride to Heaven For Only Twenty Million!
.... - - Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
09 - - Checking the Price Tag
.... - - Scripture: Luke 14:25-33
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
16 - - The Nit-Picken Truth
.... - - Opening Remarks
.... - - Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
23 - - Advancing in the Light of Christ - Missions
.... (Jeannene Riddle speaks today about her mission trip to Brazil last year)
.... - - Opening Remarks
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 4:14-16
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
30 - A Service of Wesley Hymns

April 2003
06 - - Bacon Bit Belief
.... - - Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
13 - - Palm Sunday: Easter Cantata, Majesty; Matthew 21:1-9
.... see the photo album for the recording
20 - - I Doubt It!
.... - - A Light Moment
.... - - Scripture: John 20:19-31
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
27 - Sermon: Who Have You Said That He Is?, Mark 8:27-34 (Phillip Brown spoke this day while Rev. Riddle was attending a pastor's conference.)

May 2003
04 - - Heritage Sunday: Sermon: Methodism's Fundamental Beliefs and Distictive Points of View; selections from Romans 1,3,5 (District Superintendant Charles Weaver was the invited speaker for this special day) - see the photo album for the recording
11 - - Mother's Day: Mama Always Told Us To Be Grateful
.... - - Scripture: Luke 17:11-19
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
18 - - The Armor of God; (Leonard Holton spoke this day while Rev. Riddle was at Cape San Blas for the women's retreat.)
.... - - Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
25 - - Is Baptism Mechanical?
.... - - Scripture: Acts 10:44-48
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer

June 2003
01 - - This service featured the Recognition of Bethel graduates and Gideon speaker Max West
.... - - Gideon Message
08 - - Pentecost Sunday - Friendly Fire
.... - - Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer


(This ends the First year of Steven's pastorate at Bethel)


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