Sermon Notes February 22, 2026

Wisdom in the Wilderness - Rev. Sheryl Padgett DDiv

Key Scripture: Mark 1:9–13

• Theme: The wilderness is the inner place of uncertainty—between what we’ve released and what has not yet formed—where temptations and deep spiritual growth both arise.

• Sequence in Mark:

• Baptism by John = cleansing of consciousness.

• Spirit descending like a dove = illumination, awareness of divine identity.

• Voice: “You are my beloved…” = realization of our true nature.

• Then the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness = the same Spirit that blesses us also leads us into growth and testing.

• Wilderness symbolism:

• Not punishment, but revelation and preparation.

• The number 40 = “as long as it takes” for testing and transformation.

• Place where distractions fall away and we face our beliefs.

• Three temptations as metaphysical patterns:

1. Stones into bread – Using spiritual power only for material satisfaction.

• Illusion: “If I just get this one thing, I’ll finally be okay.”

• Truth: We must feed the soul with Truth; real nourishment is inner guidance, peace, and wisdom.

• Jesus’ response: “We do not live by bread alone…”

2. Throw yourself down from the temple – Spiritual ego and performance spirituality.

• Wanting dramatic proof, spectacle, or to use spiritual gifts for self‑importance.

• Unity caution: true healing awakens the God‑power in others; we don’t perform or claim special powers.

• In the wilderness there is no audience—only authenticity and awareness.

3. All the kingdoms of the world – Power, control, and recognition.

• Personal will trying to take the place of God.

• Illusion: Security and worth come from titles, possessions, approval.

• Jesus’ response: Worship and serve God alone; our true allegiance is to the Christ within.

• New Thought perspective:

• Temptation = old mental habits, not an outside devil.

• Life reflects our thinking; temptation invites us to keep thinking fear, lack, and separation.

• We always have the power to accept or reject suggested thoughts; the wilderness becomes a training ground.

• Buddhist parallels:

• Mara = fear, craving, delusion that tried to distract the Buddha.

• Response: “I see you, Mara” – recognition without identification.

• Mindful awareness (“Hello, my little fear…”) reduces temptation’s power; we meet thoughts with compassion, not shame.

• Our modern wildernesses:

• Health issues, grief, job or role changes, relationship shifts, or feeling the old life is too small.

• Common temptations there:

• Define ourselves by lack or fear.

• Demand dramatic rescues instead of consistent spiritual practice.

• Trade integrity for quick comfort or approval.

• Core message:

• The Christ within us meets temptation by standing in Truth, not arguing with it.

• Inner wisdom whispers: “You are more than your hunger; more than your fear; more than your success or failure.”

• Lent (and any spiritual season) is not about impressing God by giving things up, but about releasing illusions so we can remember who we are.

• The wilderness doesn’t diminish us; it strips away what’s false and reveals our true, beloved identity.

Sermon Notes February 15, 2025

Love as a Spiritual Practice - Rev. Sheryl Padgett, DDiv
We often search for the “perfect” partner, friend, or community — only to discover that perfection is a moving target. The real invitation of love is not perfection, but presence.

Love is not chemistry, fantasy, or destiny.

Love is a spiritual discipline.

Unity teaches that love is a divine power within us — the great harmonizer that unifies, heals, and restores wholeness. Modern neuroscience confirms what metaphysics has long taught: healthy, loving connection strengthens emotional resilience, calms the nervous system, and supports real healing in the brain.

If love is sacred, how do we practice it?

Five Spiritual Skills for Sacred Relationships

• Self-Resolution – Taking responsibility for your own triggers and healing your inner wounds before blaming others.

• Self-Regulation – Calming your nervous system so you respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.

• Curiosity – Choosing understanding over judgment; asking, “Help me understand.”

• Boundaries – Loving with clarity about what is healthy, respectful, and sustainable.

• Repair – Returning after conflict with humility and a willingness to restore connection.

Sacred love is not about finding perfect people.

It is about practicing love as we grow.

When we cultivate peace within ourselves, regulate our emotions, remain curious, honor boundaries, and choose repair over pride, we become safe and steady partners in all our relationships.

Love is not waiting for perfection.

It is waiting for practice.

Sermon Notes February 8, 2026

Sacred Friendships: Choosing a Spiritual Circle - Rev. Sheryl Padgett DDiv

Key Teaching

Life is relational; joy and meaning are multiplied when shared.

Sacred friendships are a spiritual and health practice.

Unity Foundation

“Man is not a separate being… He is part of a great unity.” — Charles Fillmore

Consciousness is contagious; we become like the company we keep.

Research

Harvard Study of Adult Development: relationships predict happiness, health, and longevity.

Loneliness linked to heart disease, dementia, depression (CDC).

Fillmore Quote

“It is the law of Spirit that we must be that which we would draw to us…”

What Makes a Friendship Sacred

Shared commitment to spiritual growth

Mutual uplift

Honest, safe communication

Presence in joy and pain

Prayerful support

Set intention prayerfully

Pay attention to inner response

Look for shared values

Set loving boundaries

Core Insight

Sacred friendships support awakening, healing, and resilience.

We awaken together.

Affirmation

I choose sacred friendships rooted in love, truth, and spiritual alignment, truth, and spiritual alignment. I attract relationships that support my growth and honor my becoming. I walk with others in compassion, courage, and grace. I am divinely connected, and I belong. And so it is. Amen.

Sermon Notes February 1, 2026

Love: The Power that Unifies - Rev. Sheryl Padgett

• Love is a spiritual power, not just an emotion.

  In Unity, love is a faculty of the Christ within us that draws, harmonizes, and unifies.

  “Love is the great harmonizer and healer… It is the pure essence of Being that binds together the whole human family.”— Charles Fillmore

• Love is how we experience God.

  Whenever love is genuinely expressed, we are participating in divine life.

  “In every moment of genuine love we are dwelling in God and God in us.”— Paul Tillich

• Love binds us into one body.

  Love is the spiritual “glue” that holds us together across differences.

  “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”— Colossians 3:14

• There is no “alpha” in the kingdom of God.

  Spiritual community is not built on dominance or hierarchy, but on cooperation, shared wisdom, and mutual care.

• Jesus embodied unifying love.

  He crossed boundaries of race, class, religion, and gender, showing us that love includes without condition.

• Unifying love is alive and active today.

  Communities in Minnesota are living this love through mutual aid, protection, hospitality, and courage—each person contributing their gifts for the good of all.

• When love governs our inner life, relationships heal.

  When love governs relationships, communities transform.

  When love governs communities, justice becomes possible.

How to Express Unifying Love

• See the Divine in ALL

  Practice the intention: “I behold the Christ in you.”

  Especially offer this practice toward those who are different from you culturally, politically, or socially.

• Move from a consciousness of Alpha to Ally

  Release the need to dominate, control, or be right.

  Ask instead: “How can I stand with you?”

• Listen to the stories

  Listening is an act of love.

  Hear the lived experiences of immigrants, marginalized communities, and those whose stories differ from your own.

• Pray

  Send loving, healing energy to those who feel afraid or targeted.

  Pray for those offering help—and even for those in power—to be guided by divine wisdom and compassion.

• Offer your unique gifts

  Ask: “What do I already know how to do that could help unify and heal?”

  Organizing, cooking, teaching, legal help, listening—every gift matters.

• Speak words of love—not contempt

  Before speaking, ask: “Is it true? Is it kind? Does it build up?”

  Choose words that heal rather than divide.

• Create Beloved Community

  Start small. Pray together. Share resources. Watch out for one another.

  Each small circle of love strengthens the larger web of unity.

Sermon Notes January 25, 2026

Small Daily Practices, Big Inner Shifts - Rev. Sheryl Padgett DDiv

Core Message

Spiritual growth is not instant or dramatic. Faith deepens through small, consistent daily practices that quietly transform our consciousness and our lives over time.

Faith in Unity

• Faith is not blind belief or wishful thinking.

• Charles Fillmore defined faith as the ability to perceive the reality of the invisible.

• Faith is cultivated through practice, not perfection.

Why Small Daily Practices Matter

• They may feel ordinary, repetitive, or subtle.

• They rarely come with emotional highs.

• Over time, they create deep inner shifts that shape how we live and respond.

Daily Practices That Build Faith

Morning Surrender

• Before getting out of bed, release the day to God.

• Let go of the illusion of control.

Affirmation: “Spirit of God, live through me today. Guide my thoughts, my words, and my actions. I trust You with this day.”

Spiritual Reading

• Reading The Daily Word centers the mind in Truth and possibility.

• Starting the day spiritually shapes what follows.

Affirmations During Daily Activities

• Pray while walking, driving, exercising, or doing chores.

• Integrates prayer into daily life.

• Builds focus, embodiment, and rewires thought patterns.

Listening to Affirmations

• Helpful for persistent challenges (fear, forgiveness, habits).

• Fills the mind with Truth instead of anxiety or worry.

Meditation

• Even a few minutes of silence strengthens faith.

• Builds trust in Being rather than doing.

• Each return to stillness deepens awareness of God’s Presence.

Mindful Thought Selection

• Notice fear-based thoughts and gently choose again:

  • Lack → Abundance

  • Unworthiness → Divine worth

  • Resentment → Forgiveness

Respond Instead of React

• Pause before reacting.

• Ask if your response aligns with compassion and love.

• Conscious response builds spiritual maturity.

Gratitude

• A powerful daily faith practice.

• “Thank you” shifts perception and opens insight.

• End the day by recalling moments of gratitude.

Why Consistency Matters

Small daily practices:

• Build habit

• Change perspective

• Rewire the brain

• Increase focus

• Deepen connection with God

The Quiet Work of Faith

• Over time we become calmer, more resilient, and more trusting.

• Deep inner shifts show up in how we live, not in dramatic moments.

Closing Invitation

Focus on what you can practice daily:

• One prayer

• One moment of stillness

• One loving choice

Small daily practices build faith.

Faith, practiced daily, creates deep inner shifts.

Affirmation

Through small daily practices, my faith grows strong. I trust the Presence of God guiding me, sustaining me, and unfolding good in my life. And so it is. Amen.

Sermon Notes January 18, 2026

Faith That Moves Us Toward Justice - Rev. Sheryl Padgett DDiv

1. Faith Begins with Honest Examination

• Faith is not blind belief or inherited doctrine

• Faith requires courage to question beliefs that no longer reflect:

  • Love

  • Truth

  • God as Good

• Releasing fear-based beliefs is essential spiritual work

Remember: Faith grows when we let go of what no longer aligns with Truth.

2. Deconstruction Must Lead to Action

• Deconstructing beliefs is only the first step

• True faith does not end with “better ideas”

• Faith becomes complete when beliefs shape how we live

Key Insight: Private beliefs must become public practice.

3. Self-Awareness Is a Spiritual Responsibility

Ask Yourself:

• If God is present everywhere, how do I respond to injustice?

• If every person is a child of God, how do my words reflect that?

• If consciousness shapes experience, where is my thinking rooted?

• If prayer is my practice, does it lead me toward love and responsibility?

• If Truth must be lived, what is mine to do?

Remember: Awareness precedes right action.

4. Jesus as Way-Shower

• Jesus and other enlightened masters demonstrates how to live awake to God

• Faith is living as Jesus lived:

  • Love

  • Compassion

  • Courage

  • Nonviolence

  • Integrity

Key Teaching: Faith moves from belief to embodiment.

5. Love of God and Love of Neighbor Are One

• Loving God cannot be separated from loving people

• Love is not abstract - it has social consequences

• Our neighbor is anyone in need of compassion

Remember: Spirituality without love in action is incomplete.

6. Faith Responds to Human Suffering

• People of faith must consider the human impact of fear, injustice, and instability

• The spiritual question is not only “What do I think?”

• The deeper question is:

  • How do I love my neighbor at this moment?

7. Mindful Action Is Faith in Motion

Faith expresses itself through conscious, ethical action:

Right Speech

• Speak truthfully and compassionately

• Avoid dehumanizing language

• Ask:

  • Is it true?

  • Is it kind?

  • Is it necessary?

  • Is it helpful?

Non-Harming

• Oppose injustice without becoming violent or hateful

• Choose compassion over retaliation

• Let your presence de-escalate fear

Guarding the Mind

• Avoid addiction to outrage and fear

• Limit exposure to information that fuels despair

• Ask:

  • Does this help me act wisely and lovingly?

8. Nonviolence Is Spiritual Strength

• Justice rooted in faith does not dehumanize

• Nonviolence heals rather than wounds

• Love remains the guiding force, even in resistance

Remember: How we seek change matters as much as the change itself.

9. Faith Requires Alignment

• Faith is not about heroic acts

• Faith is about inner and outer alignment

• When consciousness aligns with divine love:

  • Right action naturally follows

Key Truth: Justice is part of the good God desires.

10. Living the Faith

• Faith invites us to notice where belief calls us into action

• Actions may be:

  • Small

  • Quiet

  • Unseen

• When rooted in love, they matter

CONGREGATIONAL AFFIRMATION

Let us affirm together:

We affirm that love and justice go hand in hand.

We see every person as a beloved child of Spirit.

We stand for dignity, compassion, and accountability for all.

We act with courage, wisdom, and mindful love in the world.

And so it is. Amen.