Sermon (June 7) “Thinking Cap Sunday” by Rev. Robert McDowell

May 31, 2026 (Trinity Sunday)

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

      Several hundred years ago when I was in elementary school, teachers would tell us to put our thinking caps on. You knew you were going to have to think really hard when they used that phrase.

     Last week was Trinity Sunday. I’ve moved it to today because of our hymn sing last Sunday. I’ve always felt that Trinity Sunday is a thinking cap kind of Sunday because it invites us to think really hard about a very complex and difficult to understand doctrine known as the Trinity.

     This is vitally important because the doctrine of the Trinity is trying to help us comprehend how God who is one can also be three distinct beings. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God known in three persons. So, to make a long sermon short, here’s the short answer. The doctrine of the Trinity is and always will be a mystery to us.

     But since most of you know me pretty well, you probably are already aware that you’re going to get the long answer as well. Hey, I got to fill up my fifteen minutes somehow!

     How can God who is one God also be known in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Great theological minds have looked at this over the centuries and I’ll offer a very brief summary of how they have tried to explain it.

     First of all, I should say that the word, “Trinity” is never mentioned in the Bible. The word, “Trinity” was simply a name that theologians use in understanding who God is.

     Our appointed scripture readings from Romans chapter 5 and John chapter 16 mention all three members of the Trinity.

 

     In our Romans reading, the Apostle Paul refers to God, the general name for God, also known as Father, and then he refers to Jesus through whom we have access to God’s grace. And then he says how God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

     In our Gospel reading, Jesus is telling the disciples that the Spirit will come and guide them in all truth. Jesus also refers to God, the Father and that all that the Father has belongs to Jesus as well.

     Throughout the New Testament, we hear how all three persons of the Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are worthy of our worship. And since we are to only worship one God, then this means that all three persons of the Trinity are part of who God is. “God in three persons, blessed Trinity” as the hymn puts it.

      So how have theologians sought to explain the mystery of the Trinity? Here’s where we all need to put on our thinking caps! Let’s strap them on! By the way, these imaginary thinking caps never really made that much of a difference for me, but it is kind of fun.

     Here we go:

     The challenge in understanding the Trinity is holding on to the biblical belief that there is only one true God and at the same time holding on to the biblical belief that God, the Father, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also God.

     Even when we turn to analogies in nature to try to explain this, they eventually fall short. They only take us so far. So, for example, some people talk about how water can appear in three different modes as liquid, ice and steam but yet it’s still water.

 

     The problem with this analogy is that unlike dividing water into liquid, steam, and ice, you can’t divide God in three different ways because God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the same time, all the time. In the water analogy, water is sometimes liquid, sometimes ice, and sometimes steam, but never all three at the same time.

     For example, at Jesus’ baptism, we have all three persons of the Trinity present at the same time. At Jesus’ baptism, God, the Father is speaking words of assurance to Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is descending upon Jesus.

     The other problem with the water analogy is that liquid, steam, and ice do not love each other. I guess they don’t dislike each other but they do not interact with each other in a loving and caring way. They don’t have a personal relationship with each other.

     On the other hand, there is a love relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the scripture, God is not revealed as a thing or as a what but as a who. God is the Father eternally loving His Son in the Spirit which is something you don’t get in the water analogy.

     Other nature analogies are also used to explain the mystery of the Trinity. In addition to the liquid, ice, steam analogy; we also have the egg analogy; the 3-headed man analogy; the pie with 3 slices analogy; sun, heat, and light analogy; the shamrock analogy; the apple analogy of the apple skin, core, and fruit.

    All these analogies fall short because of the uniqueness of the biblical perspective in describing who God is.

 

    The doctrine of the Trinity was formed into a creed thanks to early Christian theologians who relied heavily on the Greco/Roman philosophies of their day. Of course, even philosophies cannot fully unravel the mystery of the Trinity either, but at least they include biblical references to get us closer to the heart of who God is as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

     We can thank the early Christian theologian, Tertullian who lived near the turn of the 3rd century as the first person who used the word, “Trinity” which is derived from a Latin word.

     Like other theologians who would follow after him, they were attempting to use the philosophical categories of their day to explain how God can be one God but at the same time be known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

     It would be another century or so later that other theologians would end up developing what has become known as the Nicene Creed in describing the Trinity in philosophical language. We said that creed together earlier in the service.

     This creed is what helped the church to have a common language in formulating their understanding of who God is, especially during a time when there were other views being shared that were contradictory to the biblical witness.

     I appreciate this Sunday on the church calendar each year, because it gives us an opportunity to really think about our faith. Sometimes, we can easily go through the motions of our faith and never really stop to think about what we’re saying or hearing during worship.

 

    To be a growing disciple of Jesus means that we have a learning faith, that is humble, open minded, and curious. And actually, I hope there are many Sundays where we leave from church with more questions for us to think about during the week.

     A Learning faith means that we are always seeking to better understand who God is because the more we know who God is, the more we are drawn into a loving relationship with God through worship.

     One of my favorite parts of being a pastor is when people are eager to learn more about their faith. Like this story that happened at one of the churches I served.

    With only a few bible studies left before our summer break, someone in our study group approached me at the end of our weekly time together with a request.  "Sometime, I'd like you to explain the Trinity at one of our bible studies,” she said with a determined look on her face.

     This was not an unusual request.  She would often come up to me following a bible study to ask me a question, offer one more thought from our discussion, or share something that she found really insightful from our time together. 

     For the three years she attended our bible study, it was very obvious to me that she was a life-long learner, a true student of the bible and someone who wanted to know how it connects with our daily living.  In short, a pastor's dream. 

 

     In many ways, she reminded me of my mother who would have been about the same age as this woman and who also enjoyed reading and studying the bible.
     

     In response to her request, I replied, "Trinity Sunday is only a couple of weeks away, so for our last Bible study before we break for the summer, I'll offer as much as I know about the doctrine of the Trinity.  It's not easy to explain, but I'll give it my best shot." 

     A great big smile came to her face and she said, "Oh, that would be great. Thank you!"

     At our final bible study gathering, I came prepared.  I listed the many scripture passages in which all three persons of the Trinity have divine attributes that are only associated with God.  I also referred to Jesus' baptism and his transfiguration as examples in which all three persons of the Trinity were present at the same time.  I went on to share pretty much what we have been focusing on today.

     For example, when Jesus (the Son) was baptized, a dove (the Holy Spirit) descended upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the Father) stating that this is my son with whom I am well pleased. 

     I also shared that while the word, "Trinity" is not used in the bible, it's the best word to explain how God is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, especially when we read a verse like Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

     After offering my best effort to explain the Trinity, I then told the bible study group that it's still a mystery.  How can God be one and yet be known as three persons?  The scriptures point us to the doctrine of the Trinity, but they don't remove the mystery that is behind it. "We accept the doctrine of the Trinity by faith," I said to them as we concluded our final session with a prayer.

 

     As I was packing up my bible and notes, she was one of the last to leave and I knew that she wanted to speak with me.  "Thank you for helping me to understand the Trinity.  That really helped.  And I really like it that you admitted that it's still a mystery to you."

     I left from that bible study feeling like I accomplished something.  Her kind words following that bible study lifted my spirit.

     Just a couple of weeks after Trinity Sunday, this wonderful saint in our church passed away unexpectedly.  I met her son and daughter at the church that week to pray with them and plan their mother's funeral service. 

     I told them what a wonderful mother they had, and I also told them this more recent story of how their mother wanted to know more about the doctrine of the Trinity during my bible study. 

 

     As I told them this story about their mother and how she always wanted to know more about the mystery of the Trinity, that’s when it dawned on me.

     And now, she knows.

Sunday (June 7) Pastoral Prayer

June 7, 2026

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, even after strapping on our “thinking caps” these past several minutes, we haven’t been able to even come close to fully comprehending the mystery of what it means to say that you are one God, known in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But even so, we will keep on trying, we’ll keep on learning, we’ll keep on asking our questions, and we’ll keep on exploring the mystery of your divine being.

 

On Sundays like this, we are reminded of all that we DON’T know, but maybe it’s just as important to remember the things that we DO know. You are like a loving father and parent, and we are your beloved children. You became one with us in the person of Jesus and you are our redeemer and savior. You sent us the Holy Spirit, and you are our constant guide and companion.

 

And we also know that in any given moment, we can offer our prayers to you because you want to be in a personal relationship with us. Because you are who you are, we come now to praise you and to lift up to you our joys and concerns. Bless those who are in need of healing, guidance, comfort, and peace. Encourage those who are weary and feeling discouraged. Empower those who are feeling weak and tired.

 

Thank you for those times when we gain a greater awareness of your divine mystery and those “aha” moments in our faith when it all begins to make a little more sense. And remind us to not put away our thinking caps, because we have some much more to learn and discover.

 

We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus who taught us to pray together…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sunday (May 31/Hymn Sing Sunday) Pastoral Prayer

May 31, 2026 (Hymn Sing Sunday)

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, thank you for reminding us on this hymn sing Sunday, that every hymn is also a prayer to you. Forgive us for taking our hymnals for granted because they express through song what we often find difficult to express on our own. From our favorite hymns to our least favorite hymns, thank you for this wide array of melodies and poems that inspire us, that challenge us, that encourage us, that lifts us, that renews us, and that reminds us of who we are and who you are calling us to be.

As our hymn writer says, “I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says sing and I’m gonna pray when the Spirit says pray.” And so, turn this song into a prayer as we lift up to you the many joys and concerns that are on our hearts today. We pray for your healing, comforting, guiding, and loving presence to be with each of these prayer needs. Just as the melodies from our hymns that we have been singing this morning have been a blessing to us, may they also be heard by all who are in particular need of you this day.

 

May the music of this place go beyond these walls and into our homes and to the places we travel. When the Spirit says sing, lead us to sing. And when the Spirit says pray, lead us to pray. Even now, lead us to pray this prayer that Jesus taught us to say together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (May 24/Pentecost) “And Suddenly” by Rev. Robert McDowell

May 24, 2026 (Pentecost)

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

     I have always found the church calendar placement of Pentecost problematic. I know there’s nothing we can do about it. Pentecost, by virtue of its name always lands on the 50th day after Easter Sunday.

     This means that Pentecost Sunday, the explosive moment when the Holy Spirit filled and empowered Jesus’ followers is the same time frame when our schedules begin to slow down a little bit. And not to mention this year with it falling on Memorial Day weekend when a lot of people aren’t even in church because of travel plans.

     There always seems to be this disconnect between Pentecost and the summer rhythm of the typical church.

     Ideally, Pentecost would work much better when school starts up again. Everybody is getting back into a routine around the middle of August, and people are in need of that extra boost of energy as our schedules get a little busier.

     But maybe this is the whole point of celebrating Pentecost this time of year. Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not dictated by our schedules. I love how our Acts reading says that the Holy Spirit came upon them “suddenly.” The Holy Spirit seems to like to come unannounced. Out of the blue.

     This reminds me of Jesus who told Nicodemus that the wind blows where it wills. You hear its sound, but you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going.

     And so, I guess the Holy Spirit isn’t all that concerned with our sense of timing. The Spirit will do what the Spirit wants to do and when the Spirit wants to do it.

     Births are kind of that way as well, aren’t they?

     Our daughter was born on the day that I was to officiate for a wedding which is why I will always remember that it was a Saturday when she was born. We cut it close, but she was born just in time for me to hold her in my arms and make it in time for the wedding processional.

     Two years later, our son was born in the early morning hours on the day of my ordination interview. We had been up all night at the hospital. And after he was born that morning, I drove an hour and a half to to the place where the interviews were being held, making it just in time.

     Birthdays seem to have their own timeline.

     Some friends of ours in Ohio tell the story of a time when she and her husband were driving alone to an away basketball game one winter.

     The roads were really bad and there was zero visibility so they had to turn onto a road where they would be able to wait out the storm. When they pulled off on this road, they spotted a car that was in a ditch and stuck in the snow. The husband decided to see if he could help and so he got out of his car, climbed over a large snow drift and knocked on the window of this stranded car.

     Three sets of terrified eyes met his. In broken English, the woman said, “I’m in labor.” They were on their way to the hospital when their car got stuck in that ditch. He then invited the man and the woman along with the woman’s mother to get in his car where they could get warm.

     The young man got hold of an emergency dispatch, but his broken English made it difficult to communicate and so the man who was helping them got on the phone as well and did his best to translate what the other man was trying to say. At this point, the woman was now shrieking in pain, but the man who was helping them stayed calm and did his best to explain their location. All he knew was to keep saying, “bien” which means “it will be alright.”

     The ambulance was having trouble getting there and it looked like he was going to need to deliver the baby, but the emergency crew arrived just in time. They got them to the local hospital and when the weather cleared up, our friends were able to continue their trip. They said that they did not hear how the delivery went or if it was a girl or a boy.

     Births can happen at the most inconvenient times. The Holy Spirit can come at the most unexpected time, like it did for those first disciples on the Day of Pentecost.

     So much of the story of the early church is in how the Holy Spirit was showing up in very unexpected and surprising ways.

     Later in the book of Acts, those early disciples will be shocked when someone who had been persecuting the church will have a life changing encounter with the Risen Christ while on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. This man will be welcomed by the same people who he was seeking to kill. He will end up establishing new churches and writing most of the books in our New Testament. The Apostle Paul.

     The Holy Spirit shows up in very unexpected and surprising ways.

     Those early Christians will be shocked when they hear that Gentiles were being baptized into the Christian faith without first becoming Jewish. The Holy Spirit was moving in very unexpected and surprising ways.

     And so really, there is never a dull moment in the life of faith. You just never know what new opportunities and experiences are ahead of us.

     The wind blows where it wills especially when we are facing times of transition in our lives.

     At a church that I had served, one of the persons in our new member class told me why she started attending our church. She said that it was definitely a God moment that was beyond her control.

     She said that she wanted to start attending a church somewhere. And since she didn’t have a Methodist background, she tried to get the address for a different denomination in town. For some reason, when she put in the name of this other church, it gave her our church address instead.

     When she saw that it wasn’t the church address she needed, she tried again and this time her auto correct changed her search from the words, “Go to” to the word, “God.”

     So, she thought that maybe because her search kept giving her our church address and then it said, “God,” she figured that she was meant to attend this church instead which is what she has been doing ever since.

     She said that she knew that this truly was a God moment when she visited our church that Sunday and received a warm welcome by a couple of our greeters who actually saw her approaching the front entrance and they went outside to greet her.

     She then said how she loves attending here and appreciates the hospitality of the people she feels in this place. It’s confirmation for her that the Spirit kind of.… well, blew her toward our front doors that morning.

     The Holy Spirit often shows up in unexpected and surprising ways sending us in mysterious directions sometimes. It’s really never a dull moment with the Spirit guiding and directing us, even during times we least expect it.

     Today is the anniversary of when John Wesley had his heart-warming experience in London, England. On May 24, 1738, he went unwillingly to a prayer meeting and during that meeting, out of the blue, his heart was strangely warmed because he was given an assurance of God’s love for him and that his sins were forgiven.

     The Spirit often comes to us when we least expect it.

 

     In one of the churches I served, an elderly saint taught me something very important about being led by the Holy Spirit especially during times of transition in our lives.

     She told me that after her husband had died, her life totally changed for her. They had a long and wonderful marriage, and they had done everything together. 

     Whenever they drove somewhere, he was always the one behind the steering wheel driving them places. Now, she was the one behind that steering wheel. She said, "Every time that I got behind the steering wheel, I said a little prayer to God. "Well, Lord, it’s just you and me now. I know you are with me. I need you to guide and direct me in the way I should go.”

     This elderly saint has given me a wonderful image for what it means to live a spirit-filled life! Sometimes, we think that we are the only ones behind that steering wheel, but God is right there with us!

     Someone once said that being filled with the Spirit is simply "practicing the presence of God" in our day to day living. I like that! Yes, we are behind the steering wheel, deciding where to go, what to do, how to go about our day, but God is present with us as well.

     For those of us who drive, this might be the best way for us to remember to live a spirit led life. Whenever you get behind that steering wheel, remember the words of this elderly saint: "Well, Lord, it's just you and me now. I know you are with me. Guide and direct me in all that I do." 

     No wonder that on that first Pentecost, the Spirit came upon the disciples suddenly. The wind of the Spirit blows where it will, but it will always lead us in the direction that we are to go. 

     In the words of the famous 1980s theologian, Ferris Buelller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Oh, you know him?😂

     You just never know where the Spirit will lead us next. 

     Someone is going to show up on a Sunday morning because they had the wrong address. Someone’s going to be at the right place at the right time to help a stranded mother deliver her child. In the middle of a prayer meeting, a weary laden clergyman will feel his heart strangely warmed. During a time of transition, a grieving widow will be reminded that she’s not the only one behind that steering wheel.

     Come, Holy Spirit, come, and fill us anew today.