*Gospel Reading:Luke 4: 14-2114 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news … Continue reading Sermon, “Jesus’ Mission and Ours”

Matthew 5: 38-48 (NRSV)38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have … Continue reading Celebrating Dr. King by Seeking Peace, Justice, and Love’

Gospel Reading: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-2215 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with … Continue reading Sermon for Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Jan 9th, 2022

Christmas Eve Sermon, “Christ IS Born!”It’s been hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. Was that true for you? I suppose I have a few hours to get there. It feels like Christmas kind of snuck up on us this year. Time has felt different as we have lived through this pandemic. It’s been two years since we worshipped on Christmas Eve in this sanctuary as last year was online only. It’s good to be here, whether we are worshipping in person or online, we hear the music of Christmas and the story again, and maybe, just maybe … Continue reading Christmas Eve Message 2021

Gospel Reading:Luke 21: 25-36 (NIV)25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”29 He told them this parable: … Continue reading Sermon, “God’s Time” Advent Week 1 2021

Gospel Reading:Mark 8: 27-3827 Jesus and his disciples went into the villages near Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”28 They told him, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets.”29 He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30 Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about him.31 Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the legal … Continue reading Sermon, “The Word Shapes Life” Sept 12, 2021

Luke 3: 1-6In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,“The voice … Continue reading Sermon, “Prepare the Way!” Advent Week 2

Gospel Reading:Luke 3: 7-187 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”10 “What should we do then?” … Continue reading Sermon, “What Should We Do?” Advent Week 3

Gospel Reading:Mark 12: 38-4438 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But … Continue reading Sermon, “A Spirit of Giving”

Gospel Reading:John 11: 32-4432 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept … Continue reading All Saints Sermon 2021: “Remembering Our Saints & Being a Saint”