LCH Sermons—Time after Pentecost (August and September) 2014 (Year A)

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 26—September 28, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32 | Psalm 25:1–9 | Philippians 2:1–13 | Matthew 21:23–32
Summary: In today’s Gospel, the religious leaders ask Jesus the source of his authority, and he answers with questions about the authority of John and how two sons do and don’t obey their father. Jesus’ authority comes through conformity to the will of God. And we are called to have the mind of Christ in us. Then we are transformed by God’s grace and remember whose we are.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 25—September 21, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Jonah 3:10—4:11 | Psalm 145:1–8 | Philippians 1:21–30 | Matthew 20:1–16
Summary: When we consider the parable of the landowner and the workers in today’s Gospel, we often focus on the workers. But the key is the landowner who keeps going out and hiring workers, just like God keeps reaching out to us. The landowner pays everyone a fair wage, no matter how long they had worked. In the same way, God’s grace is irrational, irresponsible, and generous; and—just as the workers say—it’s not fair. We serve at the pleasure of a generous and abundant God. Let’s get to work!

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Holy Cross—September 14, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Numbers 21:4b–9 | Psalm 98:1–4 | 1 Corinthians 1:18–24 | John 3:13–17
Summary: The world is full of marvelous things we used to think were impossible. In the part of the Gospel just before what we read today, Nicodemus has trouble believing that a person can be born again. But as we learn in the familiar part for today, we have a God who loves the world so much and continues to do the impossible by bringing new life out of death. God has done amazing things through our ancestors in faith like George Fox, and God continues to do amazing things in our lives. The cross helps us see the God who loves the world and us and who sent Jesus to bring us life.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 23—September 7, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Ezekiel 33:7–11 | Psalm 119:33–40 | Romans 13:8–14 | Matthew 18:15–20
Summary: Today’s Gospel talks about how we live together as church. We sometimes have an idea that the church and all of us should be perfect, but we also know that there will be conflict and disagreement. Because we are joined together by the love of God, when there are issues, we are called to reach out to people and seek healing through the Spirit.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 22—August 31, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Jeremiah 15:15–21 | Psalm 26:1–8 | Romans 12:9–21 | Matthew 16:21–28
Summary: In today’s second reading, Paul paints a picture in tiny brush strokes of how to be a good Christian. We may feel overwhelmed by the detail, but if we step back and look at the big picture, we see that we are called to be people of principle, be persistent, and have compassion. Guided this way we gain new life as people of the resurrection.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 21—August 24, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 51:1–6 | Psalm 138 | Romans 12:1–8 | Matthew 16:13–20
Summary: In Romans, Paul uses the word “sacrifice” to mean “set apart for God’s service.“ He calls us to think clearly and use our different gifts so we can become living sacrifices. We are called to be God-centered and not self-centered. Then we can function in the way God has called. When we develop the gifts God has given us and use them fully, we become the living church. I challenge you to study Romans 12 and discover the gifts God is calling you to use.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 20—August 17, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 56:1, 6–8 | Psalm 67 | Romans 11:1–2a, 29–32 | Matthew 15:10–28
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals the daughter of the Canaanite womanbecause of her persistent faith. In our own lives, we need to be persistent, be honest in the face of our situation, and come together with brothers and sisters so we can support each other in the midst of this broken world.

This week’s sermon did not get recorded for technical reasons.

Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 19—August 10, 2014

Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: 1 Kings 19:9–18 | Psalm 85:8–13 | Romans 10:5–15 | Matthew 14:22–33
Summary: Our life in Christ calls us into the stormy world not to avoid difficult times but to respond to them. In the Gospel, Jesus compels the disciples into the sea, and they are in a life-threatening situation for many hours before Jesus comes walking on the water. There may be storms in your life now, and there certainly will be in the future. It is in the midst of the tumult that Jesus comes to us. This is the time when we must focus on God and answer Jesus’ call.

This week’s sermon did not get recorded for technical reasons.

Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 18—August 3, 2014

Preacher: Pastor J. P. Sabbithi
Lessons: Isaiah 55:1–5 | Psalm 145:8–9, 14–21 | Romans 9:1–5 | Matthew 14:13–21
Summary: Today’s readings are about how we get a “free purchase.” Isaiah calls those without money to come and buy wine and milk without price, but we know that eternal riches cannot be bought. Jesus takes care of the physical needs of the people in the Gospel. They are hungry, and he gives them food. He doesn’t say, “I am the bread of life.” In the hands of Jesus, a little is sufficient, and there is much left over. We are not called to provide but to be channels for what God provides.

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