Tom Long: The Wrong Town at the Wrong Time
Dr. Tom Long helps us consider the magi seeking the newborn king in a new way””as those who came to the wrong town at the wrong time. These were likely learned men, and it’s surprising that they went to Jerusalem rather than Bethlehem, since they were supposedly following a guiding star. But, as an impoverished believer in Nicaragua put it “In Herod’s palace there was nothing but corruption and evil, and the Messiah couldn’t be born there. He had to be born among the people, poor, in a stable.”
Ernest Brooks III: Disruptions, Detours, and Discernment
The Rev. Ernest Brooks leads us through a fascinating story from Luke 2 about the young Jesus, suggesting that Mary and Joseph’s experience with the idealistically independent and creatively curious Jesus is a window into the disruptions and detours that are part of the process that we have come to know as ”˜discernment.’
Scott Black Johnston: Christmas at John's House
For the final program in our special Advent series visiting the homes of the gospel writers at Christmas, Dr. Scott Black Johnston introduces us to the professor who loves to talk about the light and power of God.
Thomas Are, Jr. - Christmas at Luke's House
The Rev. Thomas Are, Jr., invites us to spend Christmas at Luke’s house this week, and it’s a simple place off the beaten track far outside of town. There’s a real manger out back, but it’s not a sweet part of the story. This manger makes Luke angry. There is no reason the world should not have made room for this baby.
Scott Black Johnston: Christmas at Matthew's House
Dr. Scott Black Johnston takes us to Matthew's house for Christmas, where we learn that family trees can be messy, as can our families themselves. They are imperfect, and this time of year we often do our best to hide those imperfections at least while we’re around our families. But Matthew’s genealogy is filled with scoundrels as well, and poor Joseph isn’t even blood related to Jesus. What does this mean?
Thomas Are, Jr. - Celebrating Christmas with Mark
As he begins a special Day1 series for Advent, the Rev. Tom Are reminds us that Christmas can be hard--it’s supposed to be wonderful, joyful, filled with love, but sometimes it just magnifies our hunger, grief, and fear … and that’s when we need to spend Christmas with Mark, because he knows the son of God will meet us in the broken places.
Michael Curry: The King of Love
As he explores Christ as King, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says that this way of love that Jesus teaches is unselfish, sacrificial, seeking the good and the welfare of others before my own unenlightened self-interest.
Kelly Hough Rogers: Therefore, Do Not Worry
While we look forward to gathering with family or friends at Thanksgiving, many are anxious about this day--how will the turkey turn out, will we get into political arguments, etc. And all that worry can undermine the whole purpose of Thanksgiving. Dr. Kelly Hough Rogers helps us discover what God is saying to worriers.
Charley Reeb: Why Christianity?
Dr. Charley Reeb delves into the important questions: Why Christianity? What makes Christianity so special? John’s first chapter, he says, wonderfully explains WHY Jesus is so compelling and life-changing. John tells us that those who are open to understanding and experiencing God’s personality and light will be transformed by it.
Charley Reeb: Lose the Cape
Dr. Charley Reeb says one big reason why more people aren’t Christian is other Christians--those who are judgmental rather than joyful, negative rather than encouraging, and anything but loving. How can we avoid getting wrapped up in our capes that represent some opinion or judgment or political view?
Matt Gaventa: Home Repair 101
The Rev. Matt Gaventa says the last chapter of the book of Job is not the ending we want, but maybe it's the ending we need. Even in its abruptness, and even though it feels as though it's duct-taped on to the rest of the book, there's something refreshingly honest about these verses, something honest about what it is to have faith.
Joe Evans: Where Were You?
The Rev. Joe Evans says God’s response to Job’s questions about the multiple tragedies in his life is truly beautiful but a bit frustrating, and yet it does help us put our lives into proper perspective. In the chaos that we face, the victimization, the sadness, the despair, and the heartache, God says, "Just as I tamed the sea, so I will bring order to your life once more.”
Joe Evans: When Israel Was a Child
The Rev. Joe Evans says that Hosea the prophet showed in his life, in his marriage to the prostitute Gomer, how God is related to each of us--and committed to us. Even if we’ve forgotten who we ever were and have walked so far away from the light that we can’t see our way back home, God still remembers us and loves us. That is the hope each one of us can cling to.
Anne Robertson: The Real Question of Job
The Rev. Anne Robertson says the real question of Job is: Why are good people good in the first place? The whole test of the book is Satan trying to prove that integrity and faith will vanish, even from a totally blameless and faithful person, once the reward of a happy and healthy life is removed. Whether or not Satan is right is the fundamental question of Job. So what does that mean for us?
Talitha Arnold: "Longing for Cucumbers"
The Rev. Talitha Arnold says the Israelites weren't starving. Their cry for melons and leeks and cucumbers was really a longing for home, or at least the taste of home. Two years earlier their life had been turned upside down””for the better to be sure””but still it’s hard to cope with such a radical life change. They thought they wanted to go back, but really they were longing for a place to call home now.
Dock Hollingsworth: The War of the Cravings
The Rev. Dr. Dock Hollingsworth shows us that first century Christians were just as greedy, lustful, and ambitious as we can be. And the writer of James addresses the common everyday sins that might look harmless enough, but are the true thieves of human happiness and congregational unity.
Magrey deVega: Tame Your Tongue
In his unforgettably practical sermon, the Rev. Magrey deVega presents and explains "The Top Ten Tongue Twisters that Talk about Taming the Tongue," based on James 3:1-12.
Noel Schoonmaker: Faith That Works
Dr. Noel Schoonmaker tells us that when James says in effect, "What good is faith without works, what good is Christian belief without Christian behavior?" the answer is, none at all. James isn’t just questioning the usefulness of faith without works, he’s questioning the validity of it. And James is very clear about what he means by 'works.'
Noel Schoonmaker: Doers of the Word
The Rev. Dr. Noel Schoonmaker points out in his sermon on James 1 that we are not Christians because we hear the word of God, or mentally affirm it’s true, but because we believe in Jesus Christ, who was the Word of God himself. And that Word of God become flesh in Christ healed the sick, touched the outcast, cuddled children, and overturned temple furniture.
Maxwell Grant: Beyond the Panic Room
In his sermon, the Rev. Max Grant says we live in a 'panic room world,' and there’s no disputing that these are fearful times for many. But we resist the idea of the church as a shelter, because it diminishes our sense of church as a sanctuary, a place that’s set apart, a place that stands for something different than the vicissitudes of life, even when they get scary.