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Transfiguration of Our Lord—February 15, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 2 Kings 2:1–12 | Psalm 50:1–6 | 2 Corinthians 4:3–6 | Mark 9:2–9
Summary: Research tells us that many young people want nothing to do with church because it is a community experience rather than the personalized experience they desire. In today’s Gospel, we hear how Peter experiences the Transfiguration and wants to personalize and hold onto the experience. But our experience of God cannot be personalized and boxed in. We need to let go so that God’s love can come in and transform us inways we can never begin to imagine.
Epiphany V—February 8, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 40:21–31 | Psalm 147:1–11, 20c | 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 | Mark 1:29–39
Summary: In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. As soon as she is healed, she gets up to serve Jesus and the disciples. This may seem strange and sexist to our modern ears, and we could think of alternate versions, but this really is the best version. It shows us that as soon as she is healed, she returns to her calling to welcome strangers and feed the hungry. This is the same calling as all disciples. What is God calling and healing us to be as we live out our authentic selves?
Epiphany IV—February 1, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Deuteronomy 18:15–20 | Psalm 111 | 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 | Mark 1:21–28
Summary: In today’s Gospel, the people are amazed that Jesus brought them a new message with authority. About 40 years ago, people in Lutheran churches encountered the astonishing new idea that women could be ordained as pastors, and about 20 years ago came another new idea that LGBT people could be ordained. Both ideas caused lots of heated discussion, and now they are accepted practice. The healing in today’s Gospel is Jesus’ first act after calling the disciples, so we know that God is always up to something new and astonishing. What will be the next astonishing thing God has for the church?
Sermon not recorded.
Epiphany III—January 25, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Tim Philips
Lessons: Jonah 3:1–5, 10 | Psalm 62:5–12 | 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 | Mark 1:14–20
Summary: Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus calling disciples to service. We learn that God calls ordinary people, that Jesus began calling disciples at the very beginning of his ministry, and that God’s call is not neat and tidy. You at LCH are in a transition, so you need to discern God’s call for you as individuals and as a congregation. God is calling each of us and has equipped us to be part of God’s ministry of reconciliation. May God give you courage and boldness to say yes.
Epiphany II—January 18, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 1 Samuel 3:1–10, (11–20) | Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 | 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 | John 1:43–51
Summary: Both the first lesson and today’s Gospel tell us about God inviting individuals to service. There are many callings—some to trials, some to public ministry, and some to bloom in our daily lives. Be open to the ways God calls you.
Baptism of Our Lord—January 11, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 1:1–5 | Psalm 29 | Acts 19:1–7 | Mark 1:4–11
Summary: Mark tells us that when Jesus was baptized, the heavens were ripped open and the voice of the Holy Spirit proclaimed him as God’s beloved son. This dramatic scene shows that God is revealing something new and powerful. In our own baptisms, God demonstrates total acceptance of us as beloved children of God. The heavens have been cracked open and the world is washed in God’s love in Christ.
Epiphany Sunday—January 4, 2015
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 60:1–6 | Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14 | Ephesians 3:1–12 | Matthew 2:1–12
Summary: As we celebrate the Epiphany, we think of the Magi and their difficult journey as they came to worship Jesus. They gave their gifts, received blessings, and then they went home by another way. So their visit was the beginning of a new journey. This is the end of my journey with you, and we begin new journeys. Like the Magi and like Abraham and Sarah, we are called to leave our comfortable homes and deal with difficulties along the way as we journey towards God. But we journey knowing that God is with us all the way.
Christmas I—December 28, 2014
Lessons: Isaiah 61:10—62:3 | Psalm 148 | Galatians 4:4–7 | Luke 2:22–40
Lessons and Carols—No sermon.
Christmas Eve—December 24, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 9:2-7 | Psalm 96 | Titus 2:11-14 | Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
Summary: Christmas worship is a real feast for the senses, and amidst it all is the baby. On that night a miracle unfolds as the boundary between earth and heaven is torn and the good news comes to humanity. Christ comes as a gift, but we must confess our need to receive it. The feast we experience this evening is just a foretaste of God’s kingdom for which we wait.
Advent IV—December 21, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 | Luke 1:46b–55 | Romans 16:25–27 | Luke 1:26–38
Summary: In our first lesson, David wants to build God a house. We see the same thing happening with churches and denominations. In the Gospel, we hear Gabriel telling Mary she will bear God’s son, and her reply of “yes” is the first brick in the kingdom God is building. In the same way, God looks on us with favor and promises to be with us and to build God’s kingdom with us. Believe that you are beloved of God and that God is making of us a new creation.
Advent III—December 14, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angel Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 | Psalm 126 | 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 | John 1:6–8, 19–28
Summary: When I was a kid, I loved Alice in Wonderland. Her adventure took place in a topsy-turvy world where she had to adapt. We often think our world is topsy-turvy, but our readings invite us to repent and enter a world of perfect holiness. Are we willing to step forward and trust that promise?
Advent II—December 7, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 40:1–11 | Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13 | 2 Peter 3:8–15a | Mark 1:1–8
Summary: Advent is a time of waiting. We should wait with anticipation, we should wait actively, and should be engaged in holy waiting. Our time of waiting is a holy time was we prepare the way of the Lord.
Advent I—November 30, 2014
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 64:1–9 | Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 | 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 | Mark 13:24–37
Summary: Today’s readings come from times (like in the Hunger Games books and movies) when life was painful and frightening. The readings remind the people of times when God has been with them and assure them God will be with them in the future. God is with us—manifest in the compassionate actions of others. Advent is a season when we are called to be quite, be alert, be aware of how God is working in our lives, and prepare for the mystery of Christmas.