Worship

Sermons Planned Through 2006

During 2006 Markham Woods Church will see a wide range of content in the sermons presented. Each sermon is planned to be of special interest to a specific group or groups within the church. In addition to the generic elements designed to benefit everyone, over the course of time there's something tailor-made for most listeners. First Service is at 9:00 am and Second Service begins at 11:30 am.

Be sure to invite your family, friends and neighbors to come to church with you. Our goal for worship services at Markham Woods is to open new spiritual insights to everyone, irrespective of their spiritual background. And we try to present these insights in a way that won't be offensive even to those who have always viewed things from a different perspective. Every service is for "visitors" and "regulars" alike.

Most of the sermons are presented by senior pastor Jim Coffin. All speakers, however, will seek to provide practical, encouraging, upbeat, Bible-based, Christ-centered, hope-filled, service-oriented messages.

The pulpit of Markham Woods Church is a "No Put-Down Zone." Our goal is to help attenders grow spiritually-not to condemn those who are struggling or to berate those who may not have arrived at the same conclusions we have. Everyone is welcome. So don't keep the Markham Woods worship experience to yourself. Share it.

January 7.  It Takes All Kinds. "Jack Spratt could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean; and so between the two of them, they licked the platter clean." Despite the fact that nursery-rhyme character Jack couldn’t understand his wife’s dietary preferences–and vice versa–they really were a rather efficient team. Diversity in the church can work the same way. Speaker: Rey Descalso.

January 14. David the Outlaw. How could he retain his religious sensibility in such unfavorable circumstances? Speaker: Jim Appel

January 21.. Mountains and Valleys--1.  In an uncanny number of instances, the greatest spiritual low comes immediately after the greatest spiritual high. Just ask Elijah. Speaker: Jim Coffin. 

January 28. Mountains and Valley--2.New Testament times were no different from the Old Testament times. The mountaintop of spiritual elation was a prime place from which to slide into the valley of spiritual depression. Just ask Jesus’ disciples. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

February 4. Thirty Years: A Retrospective. On the first Sabbath of February 1976 Jim Coffin preached his first sermon as a graduated-from-college, on-the-payroll, full-time pastor. The sermon was preached in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Now, 30 years later, Jim will reminisce about some of the colorful characters encountered, mistakes made and life lessons learned. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

February 11. Passing the Baton. Moses was a hard act to follow. Yet someone had to try to fill his shoes. God hand-picked Joshua for the task, then gave him the secret to success. What He told Joshua is still applicable today. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

February 18. Bad News, Good News. Before seeking to enter the Promised Land, new leader Joshua—a former spy himself—decided to send out spies one more time. Thanks to help received from a most unlikely source, they came back certain that Israel would prevail. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

February 25. Chosen Garment--The Whole Bible in One Act. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. Stories have have a similar impact. And when the story is acted out . . . Well, let’s just say, make sure you’re at church on February 25 to see Steve Mosley’s one-man, one-act portrayal of God’s interaction with humanity. Speaker: Steve Mosley.

March 4. Getting One's Feet Wet for God. If God told me to walk through the Jordan River while it was at flood stage, I think I might ask for a second opinion. The priests carrying the ark simply took him at His words–and gave credence to the beliefs that all God’s biddings are enablings. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

March 11. Lest We Forget. Several years ago Pastor Coffin preached a sermon about “The Doctrine of Retrospection.” He contended that God wants us to never forget the great things He has done for us in the past. Thus He provides us with symbols and celebrations that keep the good things of the past fresh in our minds. The Hebrew leader Joshua provided just such a symbol. Speaker: Jim Appel.

March 18.  Removing All Barriers. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they had one more thing to do before undertaking the daunting task of attacking Jericho: They had to be sure that they had done everything within their power to ensure that they were right with God. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

March 25. A Time to Shout. "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" Those were the Lord's strange instructions for a strange battle. But following them to a marvelous victory. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

April 1. Major Victory, Major Defeat. Fresh from the amazing victory at Jericho, the Israelites had no fear when they marched forth against the pip-squeak city of Ai--where they suffered a resounding defeat. The reason? Sin in the camp. The solution? Taking care of the problem. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

April 8. Major Defeat, Major Victory. When the Israelites attacked Ai the first time, they were fresh from the dramatic victory at Jericho. What was pip-squeak Ai by comparison? They could handle it. When they were routed, they did some major rethinking. Their second attack was on an altogether different basis. Speaker: Jim Appel.

April 14. Candlelight Communion. A long-standing tradition at Markham Woods has been our candlelight communion service on Good Friday. People love to take part in this special celebration of what our Lord and Savior did for us. It’s a time to both look back and look forward. Speaker Jim Appel.

April 15. He Is Risen. The depressed, discouraged, downhearted disciples of Jesus gained a new lease on life when they discovered that their Lord had conquered death. Depressed, discouraged, downhearted people today gain a new lease on life because Jesus’ resurrection provides assurance that those who die in Christ will rise just as He did. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

April 22. When a Man's Word Was His Bond. The Bible reports a lot of behavior that shocks us—sometimes because it’s so barbaric, and sometimes because it’s so ethical. When Joshua and the Israelites swore an oath to the Gibeonites, they stuck by their word—even though they’d been deceived into making the agreement.
Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

April 29. The God of Conquest and Mayhem. Viewed from today’s perspective, the directives from God to Old Testament leaders seem barbaric indeed. Kill everyone? No mercy? How does that approach harmonize with what Jesus said about turning the other cheek? The answers may be elusive, but the search is a worthwhile exercise. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

May 6. Not Making It Difficult.  In the early Christian church, the spiritual leaders wanted to ensure that it wasn’t difficult for Gentiles to come to Christ. In our postmodern world, we equally must ensure that we not make it difficult. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

May 13. Thanks, Mom. Sunday, May 14, has been designated Mother’s Day in the United States. Today we focus on mothers and motherhood. To celebrate, we invite everyone to participate in a breakfast provided by the church’s men. The meal will be served from 8:30 to 10:00 am. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

May 20. And the Word Became Flesh. John 1. Words make thoughts tangible. Jesus made God tangible. Not only did He make statements about God to which we could listen, He became God in the flesh so we could see what God is truly like. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

May 27. Signs and Wonders.   John 2. Although He said His time hadn’t yet come, Jesus showed His power by changing water to wine at a wedding feast in Cana. Then He showed His authority by driving the money changers from the temple in Jerusalem. (Campmeeting starts this weekend.) Speaker: Jim Coffin.

June 3. Midnight Meeting.  John 3. Being seen with Jesus wasn’t politically correct for a spiritual leader of that day. But Nicodemus had some questions for which he wanted answers. And darkness provided the only safe time for a meeting with the Teacher from Galilee. (Campmeeting concludes this weekend.) Speaker: Jim Coffin.

June 10. Midday Meeting. John 4. Interacting with anyone wasn’t politically correct for the woman with the worst reputation in town. To reduce the likelihood of meeting others, she went to the well to draw water in the heat of the day–and who should be there but Jesus. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

June 17. Miracle at Bethesda. John 5. For 38 years the man had hoped. For 38 years his hopes had been dashed. Then a man named Jesus asked him if he would like to be healed. Before the implications of the question had soaked in, he was on his feet–completely restored! Speaker: Jim Coffin.

June 24.Fed by the Living Bread.  John 6. After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men–not counting the women and children–many followers found it distasteful when He used the event as an object lesson to describe the reason for which God had sent Him to earth. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

July 1. Prophets Don’t Come from Galilee. John 7. Jesus’ brothers thought it would raise His profile if He went to the Feast of Tabernacles. When He finally took their advice, it raised more than His profile. Speaker: Jim Appel.

July 8. Neither Do I Condemn You. John 8. It was a set-up. The woman was guilty of adultery. No doubt about it. But those who dragged her before Jesus weren’t seeking justice. They wanted to catch Him out so they would have reason to stone Him as well as her. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

July 15. One Thing I Know. John 9. When a man who had been born blind was healed, the spiritual leaders told him his Healer was a sinner. The once-blind man wasn’t so sure. But he was sure of one thing: Although he once had been blind, he could now see. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

July 22. That They May Have Life. John 10. Too many people see the behavioral expectations of Christianity as burdensome. But Jesus had a different viewpoint: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Christ’s way is positive through and through. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

July 29. If Only You Had Been Here. John 11. Mary and Martha didn’t question the power of Jesus to save life. But by letting their brother die, Jesus taught them—and all who would come after them—an even more important lesson: He also has the power to restore life. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

August 5. An Unappreciated Gesture. John 12. When a female friend of Jesus spent the equivalent of a year’s wages on perfume to anoint His feet, His disciples declared it a waste. They were sure the money could have been more productively used. It was too good a gift. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

August 12. Another Unappreciated Gesture. John 13. When all that was required was for one of the disciples to humble himself and wash the feet of the Master and the feet of his fellow disciples, every disciple felt it was beneath his dignity. Jesus viewed it differently. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

August 19. Show Us the Father. John 14. The disciples wanted to know what God was like. The problem was, they had been living in the presence of God and didn’t recognize Him for Who He was. In Jesus we catch the clearest picture of God that we as humans have. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

August 26. The Greatest Proof of Love. John 15. Jesus said that the ultimate demonstration of love is when a person lays downs his or her life for a friend. However, Jesus went even further. In Romans we read that while we were still God’s enemies, Christ died for us. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

September 2. When the Spirit of Truth Has Come. John 16. Jesus said there were a lot of things He would have liked to tell His disciples, but they couldn’t handle it all. Although He was leaving, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, who He said would guide us into all truth. Speaker: Bill Crofton.

September 9Three Prayers in One. John 17. We often label the model prayer that Christ gave His disciples as "The Lord’s Prayer." However, John 17 records a prayer of Jesus for Himself, for His disciples and for all believers. In it He addresses important issues. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

September 16. The Macho Wimp. John 18. Peter assured Jesus that he would never deny Him. And when the mob came to Gethsemane, he chopped off an ear to show how serious he was. But when a servant girl fingered him as a follower of Christ, his resolve turned to jelly. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

September 23. Crucify Him! John 19. No other earthly story has the pathos of the story of Christ’s last hours and His crucifixion. The beauty is that when Jesus declared, "It is finished," He wasn’t just talking about His own life. He was also talking about the reign of Satan. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

September 30. Believers and Skeptics. John 20. Mary Magdalene was certain that Jesus had risen. Peter and John were baffled. Thomas was openly skeptical. But before Christ returned to heaven, all had seen enough to be absolutely certain that their Redeemer lived. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

October 7. Do You Truly Love Me? John 21. As one of His last acts before returning to His Father, Jesus made sure that Peter understood the significance of his denial of Christ, the degree to which Jesus forgave and the magnitude of the task to which Peter was being called. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

October 14. The Current of Events.  In the early days of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, every headline was seen as a harbinger of the second coming. But after decades of hearing sermons from the headlines, people have become indifferent to what the headlines say. But the fact is, significant things are happening around us. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

October 21. Guest Speaker-Andrew Perrin. Andrew, a religion graduate from Walla Walla College, has the task of developing a Young Adult program for Markham Woods Church, in addition to serving as a general assistant on our church staff. Andrew interrupted his college studies to spend a year as a student missionary in Micronesia, where he taught at the same school as Markham Woods member April West. Andrew and his wife, Jaci, a theology graduate of Walla Walla, are in Orlando so Jaci can take a year of pastoral clinical education at Florida Hospital. We greatly appreciate having them as part of our church family.

October 28. Church Retreat at Wekiva Springs State Park. Rey Descalso will be our guest speaker at Markham Woods Church. Services will be conducted at 9:00 and 11:30 am. Sabbath School will run at the regular time. Because of reduced attendance due to the annual Church Retreat, there will be only one adult class in the Sanctuary and two children's classes. At the Church Retreat (at Wekiwa Springs State Park), Sabbath breakfast will be served at 8:00 am. From 9:00 to 11:00 am there will be birdwatching, biking, canoeing, hiking and socializing. The church service will be at 11:00 (The speaker is Clive Holland, a plant geneticist, who comes to us from New Zealand via Iowa). Lunch will be at 12:30 pm. From 1:30 to 5:00 pm there will be birdwatching, canoeing, biking, hiking and socializing. At 5:30 there will be a closing-Sabbath vespers, with supper at 6:30 pm. At 8:00 pm there will be activities for all ages around the campfire, followed by a family movie night and table games. For further details phone the church (407-862-7578).

November 4. Thoughts From Micah--What Does God Want? Micah 6:6-8. The Philippian jailer, the rich young ruler, and a long list of others have asked what God wants of us–what His bottom-line expectation is. The Old Testament prophet Micah gives one of the most succinct–yet most comprehensive–outlines of what God really wants. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

November 11. Thoughts From Micah--What Is God Like? Micah 7:18-20. Many people view the God of the Old Testament as a harsh and demanding figure who has little sympathy for human frailty. The Old Testament prophet Micah presents a description of God that rivals any portrayal of grace found in the New Testament. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

November 18. So Much for Which to Be Thankful. As we look forward to the national holiday we call Thanksgiving, it’s a great time to remember just how much we have to be grateful for—in so many different areas of life. Let’s truly give thanks. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.

November 25. “As Often as You Eat This Bread . . .”On Thanksgiving, American society celebrates its many temporal blessings through a feast. It seems equally fitting that as a congregation we should conclude Thanksgiving weekend with a “feast” symbolizing God’s saving grace. Communion will be celebrated during both worship services. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

December 2. Christ in Common Places. Markham Woods member Rey Descalso, who for more than five years was associate/youth pastor of our congregation, will speak today. We welcome Rey to our pulpit once again and look forward to the message he’ll share with us. Speaker: Rey Descalso.

December 9. Christmas Drama. Today’s service will use a dramatic presentation to help us focus on the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago. Coordinator/Moderator: Owen Vazquez.

December 16. And the Angels Sang. Angelic choirs announced the Messiah’s arrival long ago in Bethlehem. Today, as we reflect on the salvation that has come because of Christ’s first advent, we’ll celebrate with a variety of performed music in addition to a brief sermon on the true meaning of Christmas. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

December 23. Declaring the Glory of the Lord. It’s an old, old story, but it’s one that we’ll be discussing throughout eternity. What Jesus achieved during His 33 years in time and space has limitless implications. Today we reflect on that wonderful story through the use of scripture readings, carols and a brief sermon. Speaker: Jim Coffin.

December 30. A Time to Look Back, a Time to Look Forward. The end of the 2006 is a great time for review of one’s life. The arrival of the year 2007 is a great time to look forward. Remember, we have nothing to fear for the future as long as we don’t lose sight of what God has done for us in the past. Speaker: Owen Vazquez.