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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 17—July 27, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Phyllis Hormann
Lessons: 1 Kings 3:5–12 | Psalm 119:129–136 | Romans 8:26–39 | Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52
Summary: Our Gospel this week continues with five parables about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a mustard seed and leaven, which appear unexpectedly to shelter the smallest birds and transform wheat. It is compared to a treasure and valuable pearl that are searched for and for which people are willing to take great risks. It is compared to a net that gathers in all creatures. God is at work transforming the world and bringing in peace, justice, and freedom. May we be part of that transformation.
This week’s sermon did not get recorded for technical reasons.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 16—July 20, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 44:6–8 | Psalm 86:11–17 | Romans 8:12–25 | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
Summary: In the last week I have felt like I have been in the midst of a storm even though the weather has been sunny. World events make us feel helpless and like taking a strong stand is more important than showing mercy. We are called to be in this world and to read our Bible along side the newspaper. We are called to serve in the world, to bring peace and mercy, and to make creation whole. As Paul writes, creation waits for the revealing of the children of God. Will we as a congregation and as a nation act on the call we have been given?
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 15—July 13, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 55:10–13 | Psalm 65:1–13 | Romans 8:1–11 | Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
Summary: Today’s parable of the sower is vary familiar, but often it leads to feelings of self doubt as we wonder if we are bad soil. But the story is not so much about soil as it is about the seed and the sower. God, the sower, gives the word, the seed, to all kinds of soil without judgment, fully and abundantly, so that it might grow. The seed is full of promise, future, and love; and we are called to grow and bear fruit.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 14—July 6, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Zechariah 9:9–12 | Psalm 145:8–14 | Romans 7:15–25a | Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30
Summary: Today’s readings challenge us to examine who we are and be in relationship with God. We are called to love God and our neighbor, to take up the burden Christ has for us, and to find rest as we bear that burden.
Peter and Paul, Apostles—June 29, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Acts 12:1–11 | Psalm 87:1–3, 5–7 | 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 17–18 | John 21:15–19
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me?” and when Peter answers that he does, Jesus tells him “Feed my sheep.” Christians have been trying to do that in different ways ever since. In our present world, we are called the feed people spiritually by showing God’s unconditional, abundant, free, and complex love. We are called to feed them materially by responding to their needs. And we are called to feed them in community through advocacy and service.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 12—June 22, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 20:7–13 | Psalm 69:7–18 | Romans 6:1b–11 | Matthew 10:24–39
Summary: In today’s Gospel Jesus sends the disciples out into the unknown, and at the same time Jesus equips them with the spiritual tools to respond: hope that turns fear into excitement and the mission to proclaim that God is love. As followers of Jesus, let us be bold to proclaim that love from the rooftops.
Holy Trinity—June 15, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Genesis 1:1—2:4a | Psalm 8 | 2 Corinthians 13:11–13 | Matthew 28:16–20
Summary: Today is Holy Trinity, but instead of talking about doctrine, I want to continue with our look at the work of the Holy Spirit in helping us discern God’s will in our lives. As a congregation, we are trying to decide on our sabbatical project so we can deepen our relationships with each other, our neighbors, and with God as we work toward a goal. This process helps us to open ourselves to the leading of the Spirit. We recognize God’s call to us and help us see how God is empowering us to answer that call.