You know what I’ve noticed? The way the Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesian church is not how we pray. Either he’s wrong and needs to pray the way we pray, or else we need to learn from Paul and change our practices of prayer. (My money’s on the latter option.) See, it turns out that we don’t need what we think we need. What we really need is not prosperity or security or even clarity. What we really need is trust. P.S. Not totally sure it was actually 75 lbs…. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Munger Place Church - Dallas, Texas

The One With the 75 lb. Medicine Ball

We take a break from Ephesians as the Rev. David Forrest—our pastor’s father—preaches a sermon on a way to look at the entire Bible. Preacher: Rev. David Forrest  Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

A Sermon from Andrew's Dad: "The Bible in 3 Acts"

It is a good thing that these days we are acknowledging the ways that each of us has different privileges. But what happens next?  After we acknowledge our privilege, how should we live? Let’s talk about how to play diversity bingo in church. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-14.

How to Play Diversity Bingo in Church

Does difference always lead to division? Since Babel, the world’s answer has been: yes. And since difference is an inescapable part of life, this answer means the world always tries to erase difference, either through violence or a forced homogeneity. But difference is part of God’s plan, and difference is no threat to unity in Christ. Some thoughts on an important—and difficult—topic. Preacher: Rev Andrew Forrest Scripture: Genesis 3:6-7 Genesis 11:1-9 Ephesians 2:11-22 Revelation 21:22-26

Babel, Moana, and Jesus

We’re divided—tribe, tongue, people, nation—and we have been from the beginning.   Since Eden, we’ve been divided by our differences, and our divisions have led to more divisions, and to contempt, and to hate.   But those divisions are actually lies.  There is in fact one human race.  As the Apostle Paul reminds the Ephesians:   "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”   In Christ, God has broken down the walls between us and is remaking us into one people.   And we have work to do.   Preacher: Andrew Forrest   References: The Remembrance Day Bombing (YouTube)

What if something amazing happened and you just totally ignored it? This is exactly what happened with the people in Bethlehem: the Christ was born right in their midst, and everyone but the shepherds missed it. The same things still happen at the time: we ignore amazing stories right in our midst. This Christmas I want to share with you the first and second most amazing stories I’ve ever heard. My goal: that you and I don’t let this Christmas pass us by, but that we carry it with us all year long. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 References: 

Christmas 2021: Cave Divers, a Thai Soccer Team, and a Miracle in Bethlehem

Christmas lives right in the tension between God’s foreknowledge and our free will. Is history pre-determined or are we free to choose our actions? To the biblical authors, the answer is, “Yes.” Christmas is about God’s sovereign acts in human history AND about our freedom to take part in what God is doing. Here’s my question: how are you going to participate? Occasion: 4th Sunday of Advent Preacher: Andrew Forrest References: Search “Jimmy Lai” to read more, or check out the movie website"

Christmas, Free Will, Jimmy Lai, and Hope

All of it is a gift. What else can we do but say, “Thank you thank you thank you!”? Preacher: Andrew Forrest Occasion: Christmas Commitment Sunday 2021

The Entire Thing is Nothing But a Gift

Hope is necessary for life. It’s hope that makes it possible to get up tomorrow morning, put your feet on the floor, and take a step. Hope is the belief that in the end, everything is going to be okay, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end. We need hope, and Christmas provides it in surprising ways, as surprising as the gifts the magi brought to the holy family. Christmas is proof that God is still working, just as he promised through the prophet Isaiah. And hope is why NOW is the time for God’s people to build houses, start families, and plant trees. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 References: 

Why Now is the Time to Build Houses, Start Families, and Plant Trees

I learned this week that the key to understanding Romans is to read it backwards. When you start at the end, you see that Paul really wants for the Romans is unity. Unity wasn’t any easier 2,000 years ago than it is today. Which doesn’t make it any less important. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Romans 16

Reading Romans Backwards

I don’t like it when people tell me what to do, but nevertheless I’m going to do just that: I want you to pick just one of the pieces of advice Paul gives in Romans 12 and put it into practice this week. Everyone wants to know God’s will for his or her life, and Paul provides a way to find it. Paul also gives the church a way forward, too. It worked 2,000 years ago, and it will work today. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Romans 12

Just Pick One of These And Do It

1. The imperative to tell the Good News to the people in our lives is the same as it’s been for 2,000 years. 2. And yet in our current cultural climate—so called “Negative World”—it’s difficult to know how to actually share our faith without turning people away from Christ. Here are some ideas. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Romans 10:11-15

How to Share Your Faith in This Cultural Climate

 My wife asked me this week, “What have your learned?” Time is so precious, and life is so short: I want to be sure I reflect back on time that passes. So, as we celebrate our 11th birthday at Munger, I’m thinking back over these past 11 years. This is what I’ve learned.   Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: Psalm 1 

Reflections on 11 Munger Years

3 Things I've Learned From Romans That I Already Knew

This is my definition of suffering: Living through bad circumstances that you are unable to change. These days, we face two HUGE problems with regard to suffering: 1.  It is inevitable in every human life. 2.  Contemporary American culture has absolutely no idea what to do about it. Guess what? God’s word has a way forward for us.  Turns out the Apostle Paul knew a lot about suffering, namely that, in Christ, SUFFERING leads to PERSEVERANCE which leads to CHARACTER which leads to HOPE which does not disappoint.   Preacher: Andrew Forrest Series: Romans

Suffering +

Munger Place Church is the East Dallas campus of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Worship services include both the best of the old and the best of the new. The music is rock and roll-based, sermons are both live and on video, and dress is casual. But at the same time, the services draw from 2,000 years of Christianity by incorporating some of the beautiful old hymns, prayers, and responses.

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Munger Place Church - Dallas, Texas

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