Author Archives: Steve LaMotte
Three Simple Rules to Be A Welcoming Church
As we consider what our church life might look like in a more “normal” state, the staff and leadership have discussed ways that Avenue can be more hospitable to guests and 1st-time attenders. If you’ve ever had to go to … Continue reading
In The Presence of My Enemies
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5 Have you ever thought to yourself, “I thought following Jesus would make my life easier?” I have to admit that I’ve probably thought that a few … Continue reading
We Need More Boring Pastors
Recently, Carl Lentz was fired from his church due to moral failures. He was the pastor at Hillsong NYC. He posted on Instagram that he was leading “out of an empty place” and was “unfaithful to in his marriage.” Lentz … Continue reading
Brave Enough to be The Light
I’ve been reflecting on the Inaugural Poem, The Hill We Climb, by Amadan Gorman. Gorman, the first person named National Youth Poet Laureate by The Library of Congress finished the poem in the wake of the violent protest at The … Continue reading
Seeking The Welfare of Our Nation
Today, Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of The United States of America. There are many in our community who will celebrate the incoming President. There are many others who would’ve liked a different outcome. As Americans, … Continue reading
Epiphany | The Revelation
Yesterday marked the beginning of the season of Epiphany. Epiphany is the time when we recognize the revelation that God Incarnate as Jesus. We often think about the star leading the Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship Jesus … Continue reading
Hope Gives Us Purpose
[This sermon was given at Avenue United Methodist Church on December 20, 2020. You can listen to the sermon here and watch on our Youtube Channel.] In 2004, I led a mission trip to Paraguay, where we had the opportunity … Continue reading
COVID, Advent, and Hope
As I sit down to type out this post, the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are said to be made available in Delaware (where I live) and throughout The United States. Over the last nine months, the COVID-19 pandemic … Continue reading
Hope for the Broken
[Sermon preached December 13, 2020 at Avenue United Methodist Church. You can listen to the sermon on our website or watch on Youtube.] One Christmas in the mid-1980’s, my parents got my sister and I a cardboard space shuttle. My … Continue reading
Hope in the Darkness
When I was the youth pastor here at Avenue in the early 2000’s I had the privilege of leading a mission trip to Jellico, Tennessee for a week of home repair. We worked hard during the week and ended the … Continue reading
Exiled Community 