New Sermon Series at United Church

Everyone knows the giants of the Bible.

Moses parted the Red Sea. Noah built the ark. Abraham answered God’s call. Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke for God. Jesus changed the world. Peter, Paul, and the disciples carried the Gospel across the ancient world.

But what about Shiphrah and Puah? Bezalel? Ehud? Mephibosheth? Anna? Josiah? Tychicus? Or Eutychus?

They may not have made the Bible’s “A-list,” but their stories have something important to say.

United Church of Marco Island invites the community to a new eight-week sermon series, “Little Known Characters of the Bible,” exploring some of the fascinating men and women whose stories are embedded in Scripture but are often overlooked.

“These are people whose names we may skim over when we read the Bible,” said Pastor Ed Brandt, Senior Pastor of United Church of Marco Island. “But when we stop and look more closely, we discover people who demonstrated courage, creativity, faithfulness, perseverance, generosity, and trust in God. Their stories remind us that you don't have to be famous to be faithful — and you don't have to be well known to make a difference.”

The series will introduce eight memorable biblical personalities:

• Shiphrah and Puah: Courage Under Pressure — Exodus 1:15–21 Two courageous midwives who dared to defy Pharaoh when human lives were at stake.
• Bezalel: The Artist Filled with the Spirit — Exodus 31:1–11 A gifted craftsman whose story reminds us that creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic ability can be gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Ehud: The Left-Handed Deliverer — Judges 3:12–30 An unlikely hero whose perceived difference became precisely what God used to deliver Israel.
• Mephibosheth: The Forgotten Heir — 2 Samuel 9:1–13 A forgotten and vulnerable member of Saul’s family who unexpectedly found himself welcomed to King David’s table.
• Anna: The Prophet Who Kept Watching — Luke 2:36–38 An elderly prophet whose years of faithful prayer and waiting prepared her to recognize the Christ child when others did not.
• Josiah: The Young King Who Sparked Revival — 2 Kings 22:1–23:25 A young ruler who rediscovered God's Word and helped lead an entire nation toward spiritual renewal.
• Tychicus: The Faithful Messenger — Ephesians 6:21–22; Colossians 4:7–9; Titus 3:12 One of the largely unsung people behind Paul’s ministry — trusted, dependable, and willing to serve without receiving the spotlight.
• Eutychus: The Man Who Fell Asleep in Church — Acts 20:7–12 Perhaps one of the Bible’s most relatable characters: a young man who fell asleep during one of Paul’s sermons — and fell out a third-story window! His unforgettable story offers both humor and a surprising message about grace, community, and second chances.

The series asks a simple question: What if some of the people we barely notice in Scripture have something important to teach us about living today?

“Most of us will never be Moses, David, Peter, or Paul,” Brandt said. “But we can be courageous like Shiphrah and Puah. We can use our gifts like Bezalel. We can welcome the forgotten like David welcomed Mephibosheth. We can remain faithful like Anna and dependable like Tychicus. These may be little-known characters, but they have larger-than-life lessons.”

“Little Known Characters of the Bible” is designed for longtime Bible readers as well as those who have rarely opened a Bible. Each Sunday will stand on its own, making the series accessible to visitors and members alike.

The community is warmly invited to worship at United Church of Marco Island, where the Bible’s lesser-known characters will finally get their turn in the spotlight.

Little Known Characters. Big Stories. Timeless Lessons.

United Church of Marco Island, 320 North Barfield Drive, Marco Island, Florida

United Church of Marco Island worships every Sunday at 8:30 and 10:00 AM in person and via YouTube.