Author: pastorjosephhedden
I am a 40 something pastor with a love of the gospel, my community, and family. I like to hike, read, and travel.
Sermon of April 7, 2019 — “The Two Ways”
Matthew 25:31-46 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and…
Sermon of March 31, 2019 — “Turn On Your Lightswitch!”
A Reading from The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25:1-13: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of…
Sermon of March 24, 2019 — “Sitting at the Kid’s Table”
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 22:1-14: Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other…
Weekly Update — Wedding Banquets, Hilltopper Newsletter, and Lenten Observance
Banquet photo by Quentin Dr on Unsplash Photo of Emmanuel Church’s desert items by Pastor Joseph. Good morning friends and members of Emmanuel Church! The first full day of Spring has arrived here on God’s hill! We are just about 1/2 way through Lent and this Sunday, March 24th, we are adding a wine glass to our Lenten…
Sermon of March 17, 2019 — “It’s Never Too Late”
A Reading from The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 20:1-16: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others…
Sermon of March 10, 2019 — “Forgiveness on the Ground Floor”
Sermon Series for Lent What is Lent? Lent is Forgiveness The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18:15-35: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that…
In Memoriam: Catherine Cline
Dear friends and members of Emmanuel Church, Catherine Cline, 92, passed away on Saturday morning, March 2. Visitation will be held at Hart Funeral Home on Friday, March 8 from 3-7 p.m. and again Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. Funeral Service will be at Emmanuel Reformed (Hills) Church of the United Church of Christ on Saturday, March 9 at 11…
Sermon of March 3, 2019 — “The 11th Commandment”
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 16:24-17:8: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will…
March Hilltopper Online Newsletter and Weekly Update
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday with communion and a covered dish luncheon. The sermon is called “The 11th Commandment.” Below you will find the electronic Hilltopper E-Newsletter. If you would like a hard copy, you can stop by the church office or email us and we will mail you one. Coming up this week and…
Sermon of February 24, 2019 — “Exodus: The Sequel”
Matthew 14:13-33 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening,…
Sermon of February 17, 2019 — “It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad, mad world (and church).”
Matthew 13:24-43: 24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And…
