Sermons 2022

Sermons are collected in chronological order with the most-recent at the top. Long-press or right-click the bulletin cover to view it full size. You are welcome to download/share any bulletin cover, just please don’t alter them or remove the richfieldumc.org branding, thank you. To look up a sermon by title, preacher, scripture, or date, search with “Find in Page” in your mobile browser or use the browser search function from your PC or Mac.
Sermon Archives by Year: 20232022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

Sermons are listed as follows:
Sermon Title
Worship Series
Preacher
Scripture Text
Date (MM.DD.YEAR)

FAITHFUL WORSHIP SERIES 2022-2023

Full-Time Faith | 09.11.2022-10.09.2022
All Together Now | 10.16.2022-11.06.2022
I Serve God | 11.13.2022-11.20.2022
Tidings of Comfort and Joy | 11.27.2022-12.25.2022
Half Truths | 01.01.2023-01.29.2023
For God So Loved the World | 02.05.2023-02.19.2023
Unwavering Love | 02.26.2023-04.09.2023
Less Mess | 04.16.2023-0.07.2023
Music Splash / Pentecost | 05.14.2023-05.28.2023
So Many Questions | Summer 2023
Summer at the Movies | Summer 2023
Sermons are available as YouTube videos.

TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY | November/December 2022

One of the most important sentences in the Bible is “Do not be afraid.” It’s written in some form or another hundreds of times throughout the Hebrew Bible or Older Testament and the Christian Newer Testament, and Jesus himself says it. It has been a year mixed with challenges and celebrations. 

In Advent, and into the Christmas season and the new year, we take time to rejoice in this good news that we do not have to be afraid, for God has tidings of comfort and joy for all people.

GHLF, GG, and MC
Christmas Eve
12.24.2022, 4:00pm
The Nativity Story
Rev. Nate Melcher

GHLF, GG, and MC
Christmas Eve
12.24.2022, 9:00pm
The Nativity Story
Rev. Nate Melcher

The Role of a Lifetime
Christmas Day
12.25.2022
The Nativity Story
Rev. Nate Melcher

A New Year Ministry
New Year’s Day
01.01.2023
Matthew 2:13-23 NRSV
Bishop Lanette Plambeck

State of Love and Trust
Election Day Communion
11.08.2022
Luke 15:1-10 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

21st Cent. Hospitality
All Together Now 2/4
10.23.2022
Luke 6:46-49 MSG
Rev. Lauren Rheingans,
UMN Wesley Foundation

Speaking of Love
I Serve God 2/2
11.20.2022
1 John 3:18-24 MSG
Gail Johnson,
RUMC Lay Leader

Speaking of Love
I Serve God 2/2
11.20.2022
1 John 3:18-24 MSG
Gail Johnson,
RUMC Lay Leader

I SERVE GOD | November 2022

Celebrate the good God can do when we work together. God gathers in spiritual shepherds, systems/task organizers, and vision criers to be a church to build strong neighborhood outreach to change lives.

In a financial stewardship-focused series, we celebrate our accomplishments this year and look to what’s next in our life cycle. Pastor Nate tells vacation stories and everyone is encouraged to take the Primary Leadership Component inventory to see what kind of leader you are.

State of Love and Trust
Election Day Communion
11.08.2022
Luke 15:1-10 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

21st Cent. Hospitality
All Together Now 2/4
10.23.2022
Luke 6:46-49 MSG
Rev. Lauren Rheingans,
UMN Wesley Foundation

Speaking of Love
I Serve God 2/2
11.20.2022
1 John 3:18-24 MSG
Gail Johnson,
RUMC Lay Leader

ALL TOGETHER NOW | October/November 2022

Celebrate the good God can do when we work together. God gathers in spiritual shepherds, systems/task organizers, and vision criers to be a church to build strong neighborhood outreach to change lives.

In a financial stewardship-focused series, we celebrate our accomplishments this year and look to what’s next in our life cycle. Pastor Nate tells vacation stories and everyone is encouraged to take the Primary Leadership Component inventory to see what kind of leader you are.

God Bless the
Spiritual Shepherds

All Together Now 1/4
10.16.2022
Luke 15:1-10 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

God Bless the System Task Organizers
All Together Now 2/4
10.23.2022
Luke 6:46-49 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

God Bless the Vision Criers
All Together Now 3/4
10.30.2022
Luke 19:1-10 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

God Bless the
People

All Together Now 4/4
11.06.2022
Luke 14:1, 7-14 MSG
Rev. Nate Melcher

FULL-TIME FAITH | September/October 2022

Let your faith lead you every day and wherever you go. No one wants to live on autopilot. When we intentionally center our faith for our everyday decisions, we serve God and love our neighbor.

Pastor Nate tells his own fishing stories as we explore five “fishing stories” from the gospels. This series focuses on our growth areas as a church, helps us each discern where we can take initiative, and empowers us to embrace critical spiritual practices together and in our daily lives. 

Faith in Where We Are
Full-Time Faith 1/5
09.11.2022
Luke 5:1-10 CEB
Rev. Nate Melcher

 

Faith in What We Do
Full-Time Faith 2/5
09.18.2022
John 6:1-15 CEB
Rev. Nate Melcher

Faith in When We Trust
Full-Time Faith 3/5
09.25.2022
Matthew 8:23-27 CEB
Rev. Nate Melcher

Faith in Who We Meet
Full-Time Faith 4/5
10.02.2022
Mark 1:14-20 CEB
Rev. Nate Melcher

Faith in Why We Love
Full-Time Faith 5/5
10.09.2022
John 21:1-14 CEB
Rev. Nate Melcher

CONFLUX WORSHIP SERIES 2021-2022

Church is a People | 09.12.2021-10.10.2021
Overture | 10.17.2021-11.21.2021
Nativity Now | 11.28.2021-12.26.2021
First Thing First | 01.02.2022-01.30.2022
Legacy | 02.06.2022-02.27.2022
Unafraid | 03.06.2022-04.17.2022
X Marks the Spot | 04.24.2022-05.29.2022
So Many Questions | Summer 2022
Summer at the Movies | Summer 2022
Sermons are available as YouTube videos.

So Many Questions III | June/August 2022

What’s next for churches?
So Many Questions 6/6
Rev. Nate Melcher
James 2:14-18
09.04.2022

What is atonement?
So Many Questions 5/6
Rev. Nate Melcher
Philippians 2:1-11
08.28.2022

Which version of the Bible is the best?
So Many Questions 4/6
Rev. Hope Hutchison & Rev. Nate Melcher
Psalm 119:105-108, John 21:24-25
08.21.2022

How do I listen to God?
So Many Questions 3/6
Rev. Nate Melcher (Call Story)
Ephesians 3:13-21
06.26.2022

What is the Trinity?
So Many Questions 2/6
Rev. Hope Hutchison
Romans 5:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-10
06.19.2022

Why is the church so weird?
So Many Questions 1/6
Rev. Nate Melcher
Acts 2:1-16, 37-47
06.05.2022

Summer at the Movies III | July 2022

Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey: How Do I Make Friends?
Summer at the Movies 1/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 10:38-42
07.17.2022

Enchanted: What Is the Power of Love?
Summer at the Movies 2/5
Rev. Hope Hutchison
Luke 4:16-24
07.10.2022

Minions: What Is My Purpose in Life
Summer at the Movies 1/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 10:1-11, 16
07.03.2022

X Marks the Spot | May 2022

X Marks the Spot for Sabbath
X Marks the Spot 5/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Mark 6:30-32
05.29.2022

X Marks the Spot for Joy
X Marks the Spot 4/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Psalm 150
05.22.2022

X Marks the Spot for Teams
X Marks the Spot 3/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
05.15.2022

X Marks the Spot for Trust
X Marks the Spot 2/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
John 21:1-19
05.08.2022

X Marks the Spot for Growth
X Marks the Spot 1/5
Rev. Hope Hutchison (Call Story)
Acts 9:1-19
05.01.2022

Holy Week | April 2022

Wholly Won
Easter Sunday
Rev. Nate Melcher
John 20:1-8
04.17.2022

We Must Tell the Story
Holy Week
Rev. Cynthia Williams
Ephesians 2:1-10
04.17.2022

Wholly Our
Good Friday
Rev. Nate Melcher
John 12:1-8
04.03.2022

Wholly Weak
Maundy Thursday
Rev. Hope Hutchison
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
04.14.2022

Palms Up
Palm Sunday
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 19:28-40
04.10.2022

Unafraid (Lent) | March/April 2022

Aging, Illness, and Death
Unafraid 5/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
John 12:1-8
04.03.2022

Endings, Changes, and Missing Out
Unafraid 4
/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 15:1-13, 11b-32
03.27.2022

Failure and Disappointing Others
Unafraid 3/5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 13:1-9
03.20.2022

Facing Today’s Challenges
Unafraid 2/5
Rev. Hope Hutchison
Luke 13:31-35
03.13.2022

Understanding & Countering Fear
Unafraid 1
/ 5
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 4:1-14
03.06.2022

Ash Wednesday Reflections
Ash Wednesday
Rev. Nate Melcher
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
03.02.2022

LEGACY | February 2022

Experiencing Beloved Community with Our Full Senses
Legacy 4
/4
Kelly Sherman-Conroy
Mark 10:17-31
02.27.2022

Mercy in a Mean World
Legacy 3
/4
Rev. Dana Neuhauser
Luke 6:27-38
02.20.2022

In God We Trust
Legacy 2
/4
Rev. Franklyn Rodriguez
Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
02.13.2022

Me, a Disciple? Yes, You!
Legacy 1
/4
Rev. Brad Herman
Luke 5:1-11
02.06.2022

FIRST THING FIRST (Epiphany) | January 2022

Three Simple Rules and You
First Thing First 4
/4
Rev. Nate Melcher
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
01.30.2022

Stay in Love with God
First Thing First 3
/4
Rev. Nate Melcher
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
01.23.2022

Do Good
First Thing First 2
/4
Rev. Nate Melcher
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
01.16.2022

Do No Harm
First Thing First 1
/4
Rev. Nate Melcher
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
01.09.2022

Can We Have a New New Year?
Enter 2022 with Hope!
Bishop David Bard
Jeremiah 37:1-14, John 1:1-18
01.02.2022

Experience sermons live on Sundays and by podcast.

Senior Pastor Nate Melcher is known for crafting sermons with humor and depth. His preaching weaves closely to a scripture text and features illustrations that appeal across generations. He combines his M.Div theology degree with his MFA in Creative Writing and BA in Film Studies, as well as his training in improv comedy, to deliver sermons intended to be relatable, meaningful, and actionable. 

Pastor Nate preaches thematically-linked worship series at typically 4-7 weeks each (catch up on the latest series with sermon podcasts). In every worship service, the sermon offers a mix of pastoral care in the midst of challenge, prophetic vision for a justice-filled world, and a call to action.