Sermon Series: God Chooses First
We are so glad you’re here. Today’s scripture readings reorient our focus to the edges and margins of society. In the most surprising of places from the most astonishing people, God’s word rings forth. Our hope is to greet the messengers of God with welcome and to create a space for even the most outlandish choices of God to grow and thrive and flourish. Let us listen for a word even today.
Sermon Series: When all you can do is Laugh
Today’s scripture reading from Genesis takes us to the Oaks of Mamre. Abraham welcomes three visitors, and Sarah can’t help but laugh. They have been waiting for this moment for a long, long time, but when the time finally comes will they be found ready? Let’s consider our own times of waiting and how we are being prepared to answer one of the great questions of our faith.
Sermon Series: The Gospel According to the Compost Pile
We are so glad you’re here. Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that no matter how careful we are in planting and caring for our gardens surprises always spring up. Then what? Do we leave it, or do we pull it up and perhaps damage the other plants? Let’s consider this text together and listen for the soft voice of the Spirit. Indeed, the Spirit might just be saying “Wait and See”.
Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope: Part 3
Chrissy and Steve continue their conversation in Part 3 of the series, talking about Joan Chittister’s book Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.
Sermon Series: Go Therefore!
We are so glad you’re here. This morning you are in for a treat as many of the elements of the service are created and led by our graduates! That’s right; it’s Graduate Recognition Sunday! Today’s Gospel reading fits the theme of graduation quite nicely as it tells the story of Jesus commissioning the disciples. Like today, the commissioning in Matthew 28 didn’t happen exactly like the disciples might have imagined. Like us, they found themselves embracing their calling to go out into the world in a very uncertain time. Perhaps they felt unprepared? Perhaps they were afraid? Perhaps they wished things could be different? Still, Jesus commissioned them to Go! How will we respond to a similar calling?
Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope: Part 2
Chrissy and Steve continue their conversation talking about Joan Chittister’s book Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.
Sermon Series: Be Not Afraid… Easy For You To Say!
Guest Proclaimer: Randy Ashcraft
Today we celebrate Pentecost, which is known by many as the birthday of the church. It all started when the disciples had gathered in a room with closed doors. They were afraid because their world had been turned upside down following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Luckily, the Pentecost story does not end there. The birth of the church isn’t characterized by fear. Rather, the Holy Spirit burst into the room and called those fearful disciples to move beyond their fear and to create something new. This is certainly a season of fear for so many – perhaps even for us. So I wonder, could it also be a time for us to expect that same Holy Spirit might just be up to something new?
As we prepare for worship, our prayer might be that God open our hearts to the movement of the Holy Spirit in us, around us, and among us, casting out our fear and giving us a spirit of hope and courage.
Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope: Part 1
Chrissy and Steve open their podcast series talking about Joan Chittister’s book Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.
Sermon Series: At the Point of Exhaustion
This morning we gather once again from our homes to worship God who is with us wherever we are. Our theme for worship today is the struggle of exhaustion, and so we are considering all the ways that we are being sustained, even in the midst of struggle. Some of you submitted pictures representing the people and the things […]