Miracles May Bring Trauma of Change

Excerpts from sermons to be delivered around Orange County on Sunday:

CHALLENGE: “When God transforms the life of someone close to us, we turn on the TV, play a round of golf or weed the garden. Most of us are uncomfortable and suspicious around miracles and would not know what to do with one if it occurred to us. After all, while miracles may bring us a blessing, they may also bring the trauma of change and challenge.”

--Dr. Michael E. Winstead, speaking at 10 a.m. services at Fullerton First United Methodist Church, 114 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-4115.

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SOWING SEEDS: “In every relationship, every day, you are sowing seeds. Seeds of anger, seeds of trust, seeds of conflict or seeds of peace. It’s important to relate wisely to people. Lack of wisdom causes disharmony in relationships, but . . . wisdom brings peace.”

--Pastor John Rallison, speaking at 9:15 a.m. services at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2311 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-1711.

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ON A MISSION: “We [often] think if our environment changed, we’d be free. . . . The people in Jesus’ day heard about this man who . . . passed out free fish and bread! Hang around this Jesus and your circumstances are sure to change! But Jesus was hunting for bigger game. He was on a mission not to fix our circumstances but to heal our hearts.”

--Pastor Lyle Castellaw, speaking at 9:30 a.m. services at Rock Hills Church, 28062 Forbes Road, Laguna Niguel. (949) 526-3262.

The Message highlights excerpts from sermons to be delivered in Orange County houses of worship in the coming week. Submissions should be delivered by noon each Thursday to Orange County religion editor Jack Robinson.