Sermons from St. Paul UMC

Stay in Love

John 15:1-8 (NRSVue)

Every relationship has a moment when the spark fades, and the real work begins, and our relationship with God is no different. In John 15, Jesus tells us he is the vine, and we are the branches, and that apart from him we can do nothing. But he never tells us how to stay attached, so in this sixth week of The People Called, we turn to a tradition Christians have practiced for two thousand years: the means of grace. We’ll look at what John Wesley actually taught about the ordinary practices, like prayer, scripture, fasting, the table, and Christian community, that keep us joined to Christ, not as a checklist for earning God’s favor, but as the ordinary places he has promised to meet us. Whatever season your faith is in right now, dormant or thriving, this week is an invitation to stay.

Preached by Rev. Dylan Ward | July 12, 2026