St. John's United Methodist Church | Baton Rouge

Category: Worship Series

At St. John’s our pastors often preach in series, connecting our worship experiences across a number of Sundays.

  • Brave

    Brave

    August 2018

    For most of us, bravery is not about doing the impossible, but about finding courage to face the everyday pressures and anxieties life throws our way. During the Sundays in August, we will discover how to be brave and what it means to fully rely on God’s peace and promises in every situation.

    “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

    August 5, 2018

    Courage to Stay in the Boat
    Rev. Deirdre’ Halliburton, associate pastor
    View sermon

    August 12, 2018

    Choosing Courage Over Comfort
    Rev. Lane Cotton-Winn, lead pastor
    View sermon

    August 19, 2018

    Courage to Cross Borders
    Morgan Dynes, ministry intern
    View sermon

    August 26, 2018

    Courage to Face the Future
    Rev. Lane Cotton-Winn, lead pastor
    View sermon

  • Summer Playlist

    Summer Playlist

    Summer Psalms Reading List

    Located right in the middle of the Bible, Psalms is filled with amazing spiritual songs and prayers, and like every book in the Bible, the Psalms teach us and guide us in our faith. This summer, let the Psalms connect your soul to God in a deeper way through, “Summer Playlist: A series out of Psalms.” From June 24 to July 22, we will hear sermons preached on the top 5 most favorite Psalms of St. John’s, which were submitted for the “playlist.” The series will conclude on July 29 with an old-fashioned Hymn Sing during worship. 

    If you’re looking for a great reading list this summer, read the Psalms! 

    Join us from June 24 to August 24 as we read each Psalm that was nominated for our “Summer Playlist” worship series, which runs June 24-July 29. Our Summer Psalms Reading List takes you through the favorite Psalms of St. John’s UMC. Each Psalm on the list was nominated by someone from St. John’s, with Psalms named as “favorites” of the congregation. 

    Download the reading list here, or pick it up in bookmark form at the church.

    June 24

    The Lens of Celebration
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View sermon

    July 1

    God is with Us!
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View sermon

    July 8

    Sermon
    Rev. Deirdre’ Halliburton, associate pastor

    July 15

    Sermon
    Morgan Dynes, summer youth intern
    View sermon

    July 22

    Road Trip Music
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View sermon

    July 29

    Witness Testimonies
    Natalie Cooper, Gay Grimes, Theresa Sandifer and Troy Prevot
    View testimonies

  • Engage: Walking the Discipleship Pathway

    Engage: Walking the Discipleship Pathway

    April 8 – May 6, 2018

    What does it look like to fully Engage in our faith, church and community? Over the next several weeks, we will immerse ourselves in the five commitments that followers of Jesus make when they join the church. These are steps of faith our Confirmation Class is learning this spring and are meaningful practices for each of us as Christians. When we Engage our faith through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness, we are walking the pathway of discipleship.

    April 8

    Engage Through Your Prayers
    Colossians 1:3-14 
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    View Sermon

    April 15

    Engage Through Your Presence
    Acts 2:42-47
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    April 22

    Engage Through Your Gifts
    Matthew 25:14-30
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    April 29

    Engage Through Service
    2 Corinthians 5:16-21
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    View Sermon

    May 6

    Youth Sunday
    Psalm 139:1-18

  • Rehab

    Rehab

    Lent Worship and Study Series

    Do you ever feel stuck?Are you longing for a “do over”?
    Do you need a “new normal”?
    When we’re really honest, all of us do…
    Join us during the season of Lent in a journey of restoration from death to new life!

    Series Overview:

    Day 1: February 14

    Ash Wednesday: Mortality
    Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 

    Week 1: February 18

    Mark 1:9-15 – Wilderness
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon 

    Week 2: February 25

    Mark 8:31-38 – Intervention
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon 

    Week 3: March 4

    Exodus 20:1-17 – Program
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    Week 4: March 11

    John 3:14-18 – Recovery
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    View Sermon 

    Week 5: March 18

    Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Promise
    Deirdre’ Halliburton, director of discipleship & connection

    We will rehash our “Rehab” Lent theme during Heavenly Hash and Rehash on Wednesday evenings. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. During dinner, around 6 p.m. we will read scripture, have table discussion and share in Communion. All ages are welcome, and a nursery is available. 

  • Welcome Inn

    Welcome Inn

    Advent 2017

    November 26

    Welcome Inn Surprise
    Luke 1:26-38
    Mary welcomes in the Angel Gabriel who shares the news that she will bear God’s son
    Deirdre’ Halliburton, Director of Discipleship & Connection
    View Sermon

    December 3

    Welcome Inn Blessings
    Luke 1:39-56
    Elizabeth welcomes Mary into her home
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    December 10

    Welcome Inn Joy & Celebration
    Lessons & Carols

    December 17

    Welcome Inn Change
    Matthew 1:18-25
    Joseph welcomes Mary into his heart
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

  • Defying Gravity

    Defying Gravity

    Stewardship 2017

    We all want to be generous, but it can be challenging to break free from the demands of our time and resources. Instead of enjoying the freedom to bless others with the best of our lives, we feel held down and held back by forces that seem beyond our control. But there is good news! Jesus offers us a way to defy gravity and break free from this sense of scarcity.

    The key to all of it — and the key to Christian discipleship — is generosity. When we follow Jesus, we develop a spirit of generosity that enables us to soar to new heights through God’s vision.

    You are invited to read the text for the upcoming services of worship and prepare your hearts and minds for a transforming worship experience. 

    Download our Stewardship Calendar, and join us in prayer and reflection throughout the month. Follow along on Facebook, and see all of our image prompts here. You can also download a Defying Gravity Stewardship Brochure and Commitment Card to bring to worship on Commitment Sunday. Read a letter from our Stewardship Campaign Co-Chairs Debbie and Russ Nolan.

    October 8

    Defying Gravity: Breaking Free
    The Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Luke 15:11-32
    View Sermon

    October 15

    Defying Gravity: Tethered to God
    The Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    1 Timothy 6:17-19
    View Sermon

    October 22 – Commitment Sunday

    Defying Gravity: When We Get it Right
    Matthew 6:19-21
    Celebration Potluck follows 11 a.m. service
    View Sermon

  • The Gift of Re-

    The Gift of Re-

    October 29-November 19, 2017

    The prefix “re-” invites us “to go back to something again.” In this worship series, we look back to the Gift of the Reformation, which celebrates its 500th anniversary this year, the Gift of Remembering on All Saints Day, the Gift of Reviving our Mission and Vision, and the Gift of Joy that comes when we Give Thanks and Rejoice in the Lord!

    These two small letters: “RE” bring great meaning to our language – and more importantly, to our lives. Join us October 29 to November 19 for this worship series at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

    October 29

    “The Gift of Re-Form”
    Psalm 118:1-2, 5-9, 14-24 
    500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the doors of the church and said “Here I Stand.” Where is God calling you to take a stand in life?
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    November 5

    “The Gift of Remembering”
    1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    View Sermon

    November 12

    “Reviving Our Mission”
    Matthew 25:31-40
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

    November 19

    “Rejoice”
    Luke 17:11-19
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    View Sermon

  • Back to School 2017

    Back to School 2017

    All across our community, students, teachers, bus drivers, custodians, professors, and other school personnel are going Back-to-School, and we are too! Through our “Back to School” worship series we will brush up on the basics of faith and discipleship. Through this series, we will learn how the spiritual practices of prayer, outreach, worship, generosity, developing a “Rule of Life” and witnessing about our faith can help us soar in the “School of Life.”

    Download our Back to School Prayer Calendar. See the prayers as images in our Facebook album.

    Sunday August 6, 2017

    “Back to School through Prayer”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Luke 11:1-10
    View Sermon

    Sunday August 13, 2017

    “Back to School: Oh the Places St. John’s Will Go”
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    Mark 6: 35-42
    View Sermon

    Sunday August 20, 2017

    “Back to School: The Heart of Worship”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    John 4:16-26
    View Sermon

    Sunday August 27, 2017

    “Back to School Through Generosity”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Luke 19:1-10
    View Sermon

    Sunday September 3, 2017

    “Back to School through Rule of Life”
    Pastor Julia Puac-Romero, associate pastor
    Exodus 14: 9-15
    View Sermon

    Sunday September 10, 2017

    “Back to School through Witness”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Matthew 28:16-20
    View Sermon

  • Forward Into The Future

    God is beckoning us into the future and is calling us to take another faithful step together as a church family. “Forward into the Future,” our worship series will prepare us for the journey ahead. What will be St. John’s legacy and how will we accomplish it together?

    Sunday July 16, 2017

    “All We Have to Do is Jump!”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Philippians 3:7-14
    View Sermon

    Sunday July 23, 2017

    “How to Leave a Legacy”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Psalm 78:1-8
    View Sermon

    Sunday July 30, 2017

    “Blessing the Future”
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor
    Genesis 49:1-2, 28 and Deuteronomy 31:1-8
    View Sermon