David Hull: Benediction
In his sermon, Dr. David Hull says an authentic encounter with God challenges us to look at the needs of the world. “Here am I; send me!” was Isaiah’s cry in response to God’s invitation. So worship is always transformed into mission; Worship is not a wall to hide behind, but a door to walk through to a world in need.
Kimberly S. Jackson: Quack Like a Duck: Singing in the Rain
In her sermon on Psalm 98, the Rev. Kimberly S. Jackson says the psalmist encourages us all to remember the sunshiny days, the victories in life in the past, and to sing with gratitude to God about them. No matter what is going on around us in the world or in our lives we can praise God.
Jason Micheli: A Sheep Without Verbs
The Rev. Jason Micheli says that to profess that the Lord is your shepherd is to confess that you are a sheep--which really means you are lame, stubborn, stupid. Sheep don’t do any work by which they merit their worth; they’re only good for their wool and their meat. The only real work, if you can call it work, a sheep performs is listening to the shepherd’s voice.
Jason Micheli: Emmaus at the Bass Pro Shop
On the Emmaus Road Jesus encountered two followers, and only when he broke the bread in their home did they recognize him. But that was only possible because they refused to let this strange man on the road remain a stranger””they welcomed him, accepted him, and shared with him.
Kate Moorehead: Peace--I Got This
In her sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Dean Kate Moorehead says Jesus told his hiding disciples, "Peace be with you." But what does that mean... and can we claim it today?
Chris Girata: Get Up and Live
In his sermon for Easter Day, Dr. Chris Girata notes that at the tomb Mary Magdalene failed to see what was right in front of her--the risen Lord--and we can often be just like Mary. On this day we get a glimpse into a divine opportunity, the opportunity of Christ and the resurrection, which can enable us to actually live in this dark and scary world.
Chris Girata: Parade of Grace
In his sermon for Palm Sunday, the Rev. Chris Girata says that in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was challenging the political and religious leaders, mocking the powerful, openly criticizing the strong, and celebrating the simple grace of God. He was making fun of the Romans and their military parades as a way to point to the true power of God--a power that is found in humility, vulnerability, and grace.
B.J. Hutto: On Being Philip
The Rev. B. J. Hutto explains that, unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the writer of John’s gospel weaves the apostle Philip into several interesting stories--from his quip, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' to this account of when some Greeks come to see Jesus. When Philip and Andrew inform Jesus, their master seems to go off on a very troubling tangent...
Allen Pruitt: There Is Enough
In the wilderness a horde of serpents plagues the Israelites, who blame God and demand Moses fix it. But Allen Pruitt reminds us that God will not be used--God will just show up, often uninvited, ready or not. The truth is, this is a story about God, and so redemption is always around the bend. So if we’ll turn and face the thing that’s killing us, we just may be healed.
Kate Moorehead: Self Give-Away
In her sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Lent, Dean Kate Moorehead says Jesus offers another model for devotion: give your life away, hand it over to God, lose yourself and you will find yourself. Take up your cross and in following Christ you will find out who you really are, you said. This is hard to do...
Gordon Stewart: He Was With the Wild Beasts
In his sermon for the first Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Gordon Stuart says Mark’s account of Jesus’ wilderness retreat simply says Jesus 'was with the wild beasts, and angels ministered to him.' We can draw both comfort and challenge from that, because we all face times when the beasts of life are all too real, when faith falters, when despair gnaws at us, and hopelessness nearly destroys our sense of well being.
Cuttino Alexander: The Happiest Place on Earth
In his sermon for Transfiguration Sunday, the Rev. Cuttino Alexander explains that the word “transfiguration” means to elevate something and make it more beautiful, make it shine. And that’s what happened on the mountaintop with Jesus, and Peter, James, and John. But after those moments in life we’re back at the bottom of the mountain, smack dab in real life.
David Hodges: To Move, To Touch, To Heal
In Mark 1:20-39, Jesus tells his disciples that he is supposed to proclaim the message. But the Rev. David Hodges says that proclaiming the message means not just telling people what the kingdom of God is, but showing them--by reaching out and touching people who, because of their disease, their behavior, or their demons, were suffering.
Charles Qualls: What Is This?
Dr. Charles Qualls says that the scribes and Pharisees heard Jesus' bold teaching and decided he had to be stopped. But others heard Jesus and opened their hearts and minds, their souls and spirits to the hope they heard in Jesus. “What is this?” they asked.
Charles Qualls: Promise or Warning?
Mark 1:14-20 contains both a promise and a warning, says Dr. Charles Qualls: A promise that God does not extend to us a calling to participate, as this kingdom is ushered in, without also giving us what we’ll need. But Jesus warns that following him would not always be without its difficulties and its costs.
Henry Brinton: Come and See
The Rev. Henry Brinton says we live in a world that is as multicultural as the Galilee of the Gentiles, and our challenge is to create places in which people can come and see Jesus, just as Philip invites Nathanael to come and see. And the best way to do this is to practice Christian hospitality, to welcome people with love and grace, just as Jesus did
Patrick Keen: Taking Baptism Seriously
In his sermon for Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Pastor Patrick Keen says it seems some Christians today don’t take baptism seriously. But obedience in baptism helps us respond to God’s call to work for God’s kingdom in our world through social justice and serving those in need.
Ernest Brooks: It Takes a Village
Pointing to the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” the Rev. Ernest Brooks characterizes Simeon and Anna at the Temple as two elders of Jesus’ village--wise ones, prophets, sages--who spoke over and into Jesus’ life, affirming the life altering and world changing anointing that was his mission.
Susan Sparks: Sun Mo Manger
In her sermon for Christmas Eve, Susan Sparks recounts a personal story of being turned away from a motel, and reminds us that we will all be rejected in this life, turned away, left out in the cold, but that’s not the end of the story. Like Jesus, we are all called to become the innkeeper, the builders of the kingdom, the protector of our brothers and sisters.
Michael Brown: The Hard Work of Making Life Right
In his sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Dr. Michael Brown says Isaiah speaks to the Israelites who had returned home after 70 years in Babylonian captivity, and it was worse than they expected. It was a mess. It takes hard work to make things right again, in order to make home feel like home.