May was an especially busy month with the celebration of Mother’s Day, a baby blessing, our 1st certified Lay Minister (Susan Monroe), and Pentecost. As we transition from Spring to Summer and Holy Times to Ordinary Times, we endeavor into a new sermon series based off of JD Walt’s devotional on the Book of Ephesians, “Unpuzzled.” There are countless people in the world missing pieces in the big picture of God’s Story. As Christians and as the Church, we need to make sure we

Happy Mother’s Day to all the godly women out there with “sticky” faith. Today, we had a wonderful brunch, organized by the valiant men of our church for our ladies. We learned about the importance of having a “sticky” faith like Jochebed, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Lois, and Eunice from the Bible. Like glitter, we want a faith that sticks around, shows up when we least expect it, and is hard to get rid of. Who are the women of faith in your life? If you can, give them a call t

Today I was blessed to preach one of my favorite sermons. I’ve preached it at every church I’ve ever served. It’s a sermon called “The Chair- Salvation by Faith”. Using my great-grandfather’s priceless, beautiful, strong and antique Arts and Craft rocking chair, I like to demonstrate a practical way to teach about salvation by faith from Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is like a wonderful chair. You didn’t make it or purchase it (grace). You need it to hold you (salvation). You ha

I, Pastor Lauren, would like to state for the record that Austin Global Methodist Church was spared from a 12 hour sermon on the Book of Hebrews this Sunday, though I was very tempted. We concluded our Lenten/Resurrection Season sermon series in Hebrews with a summary sermon, “Jesus- the Better Man.” Every law, sacrifice, tabernacle article, priestly duty, and biblical holiday was a shadow or sign pointing to the coming Messiah. In Jesus, the Old Covenant finds it complete fu

The Better Man- Bound for the Promised Land For the Lenten Season and Eastertide, we have been in a sermon series called, “The Better Man”. We’ve been comparing Jesus to Moses through his life, death, and resurrection. Today, we ventured into new territory with Jesus and Joshua. Joshua was a mighty man of faith, chosen to lead the Hebrew People into the Promised Land of Israel. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave as the One chosen to lead all people into the Eternal Pr

The Better Man- The Glorious Risen Lord He is risen! He is risen indeed! May the Church be reminded that Resurrection Sunday is not just one day out of the year. It is a lifestyle for the people of God. When we believe in the Glorious Risen Lord, He takes us on from glory to glory (II Corinthians 3:18). What does this mean? Don’t stop with believing in the Empty Tomb. Yes, the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive. But we do not just wish for eternal life. There is so much more t

The Better Man- The Finisher He is risen! He is risen indeed! Today, we celebrated the Better Man and the Resurrected Lord. Moses was given the task in the desert to lead the people out of slavery and into the Promised Land but because of his sin, he could not go all the way. He could only look at the Promised Land from a distance. But Jesus, the Better Man, finished the task that he was given by the Father. Jesus, our Savior and Resurrected Lord, takes us all the way to the

Holy Week is upon us. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of the Lenten Season. It is a yearly reminder that we were meant to praise King Jesus and give him the worship due his name. Palm Sunday is a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. As we enter into Holy Week, may I encourage you to spend time daily in prayer and the Word of God contemplating the last week of Jesus’ life. Take the journey to the cross with Jesus. Sit with him at the Passover Table, go with him into Gethsemane,

Today, we continued our sermon series, “The Better Man”. It’s a parallel journey between the life of Moses and the life of Jesus. Today, we learned how differently Moses and Jesus handled anger. Anger HAD Moses but Jesus had anger. Moses was consumed by the feeling of anger. It led him to sin and it kept him out of the Promised Land when he hit the rock twice instead of speaking to it like God had said. Jesus had moments of anger but his anger was always righteous. Yes, he fl

Today was the 4 th Sunday of Lent. We’re continuing our parallel journey with Moses and Jesus in the sermon series, “The Better Man”. Today, we saw miracles in the desert. Moses provided the people with manna in the wilderness, literally “whatchamacallit” bread from heaven. The people ate it but had to collect it each day so it wouldn’t waste. It was temporary satisfaction. But Jesus provided the people with a miraculous multiplication of bread and fish. He explained that wh

Today, we continued our sermon series, “The Better Man”. It’s a parallel journey between the life of Moses and the life of Jesus. Today, we talked about how Moses gave the Law of God to the people from Mt. Sinai but Jesus explained the Law perfectly on the Sermon on the Mount. The Law of God is still important for God’s people to study, know, and live inwardly and outwardly. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can. We are almost halfway through the Lenten season. It’s importa

I did not grow up celebrating Lent. In fact, I had never heard of this practice and tradition until I was about 26 years old. It wasn’t until I became a member of the Methodist Church that I begin to grasp the rich meaning within the Lenten season: the crosses of ash on Ash Wednesday, the choice to give up something sacrificial during the 40 days of Lent, the joyous waving of branches on Palm Sunday, the Lord’s Supper and washing of feet on Maundy Thursday, the somber Tenebra

His Name is Wonderful- Yeshua The Better Man- Out of the Water Last week was a busy week with the MidTexas Annual Awakening. We hosted Pastor Krasimir from Burgas Methodist Church, our sister church in Bulgaria. Then we celebrated Ash Wednesday. I was so busy I forgot to write a blog for the wonderful name of Yeshua (YAHWEH is Salvation)! We finished up the sermon series, “His Name is Wonderful” with the name that one day every knee will bow to and every tongue will confess i

Do you know God’s name? This was the question for today’s sermon. God revealed his special name to Moses as YAHWEH in Genesis 3. His name means “I AM”. God always has been, always is, and always will be. This is his special, personal name. It is the name he is to be known by from generation to generation. This name is special and set apart. It is holy and yet it is personal. God revealed his name to his people. He told the priests to put this name over the people. This wonder

It was great to worship together in person in better weather and celebrate the Lord’s Table. Today, we learned about the wonderful name El Roi. This name was only used once in scripture (Genesis 16:13). It’s the only name given to God by a human. It was even given to God by an “invisible” person. Hagar was pagan, female, enslaved, and the lowest of society. But God saw her so she gave him the name “El Roi”- the God who sees me. Many people in this world feel unseen. From the

For the first time in Austin GMC history, we had a “snow” day. My family and I had to get creative to offer a worship service that would try to offer some normalcy in this bizarre weather. Thank God for technology. We joined from home with thousands of other believers around the world worshipping our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. If you missed service this morning, you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/austinglobalmethodist Today, we learned about the wonderful na

We continue our sermon series on the Names of God with a strange one: Melchizedek. Not much is known about this mysterious figure that shows up in Genesis and Psalms and is explained in Hebrews. It is not a commonly called upon name of God which is exactly why we should take time to understand it. Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” in Hebrew. He shows up as both a King and a Priest. Melchizedek is a Christophany, a pre-incarnation appearance of the Messiah. He is witho

Names are so important. I go by a few. Lauren Green Yates is my legal name. Babydoll is the name that my husband has decided to call me. Mom is the name my boys call me. My dad calls me “Jo” (reasons unknown). In the past I have been called Officer Green and Detective Yates. Now, I answer to Pastor Lauren. The way someone calls my name tells me what they think about me and how they hope I will answer. I can’t help but think it is the same way with God. There are 72 names in t

I’ve always enjoyed celebrating the new year and setting goals. I would love to see Austin Global Methodist Church invite the lost to our church and see them come into saving faith of Jesus Christ. I would love to see baptisms, discipleship opportunities, and missions. Of course, I would love to see us in our own location where we can be most useful for the Kingdom of God. But I also have this lofty goal for our church for 2026: that we might know the Lord more deeply. For th

Advent season is coming to a close but don’t take your decorations down just yet. Next Sunday will be Epiphany! Soon the Wise Men will worship the Christ Child and give him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were gifts fit for the King of kings, our Great High Priests, and the Savior of the world. What will you give Jesus? Let’s start with worship. Worship has been the theme of this Advent Season. We’ve been meditating on and memorizing Matthew 2:2, “Where is