Sermons

Online Worship: Season of Creation—Planet Earth

Beautiful, fragile, awe-inspiring, and beloved, our planet is alive! With layers that talk to each other and tectonic plates that dance and glide over millions of years, Planet Earth is much more than meets the eye. It teaches us that God makes everything to be in relationship, including us. This worship service includes Communion as […]

Online Worship: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Be opened. It sounds simple, but we avoid being opened because it makes us uncomfortable. And yet, part of Jesus’ mission in this world is to open us up to God, to ourselves, and to each other, and all that entails. We sing our favorite “hymns from the hat” today and feel our bodies and […]

Online Worship: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

What goes up must come down. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Easy come, easy go. The theme of reversal runs throughout our readings today, as luck begins to change for Haman and Mordecai in the book of Esther. Alongside the Esther story, we hear Jesus’ words about God’s justice, […]

Online Worship: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Is it Jesus, or a ghost? Far from the shore and in the midst of a storm, the disciples see Jesus walking on water, but assume it can’t possibly be him. We often assume the mysterious workings of God are something far worse, because our perceptions have been skewed by the storms we are in. […]

Online Worship: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

In a lonely place, both the disciples and a crowd with many great needs gather to be with Jesus. They are more alike than they realize—all sheep in need of a shepherd. Jesus feeds both groups with a miraculous meal of bread and fish, with belonging, with compassion, with purpose. Daily bread begins with satisfying […]

Online Worship: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Worst party ever. Our gospel story tells the story of John the Baptist speaking truth to power and paying the ultimate price. We are called to courageously break toxic cycles of violence and destruction and choose to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure, but following the […]

Online Worship: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Jesus may not be Superman, but a visit to his hometown has the same effect on his miracles as kryptonite. His powers fall flat. But instead of getting back at them, he shifts gears entirely and pours his powers into his followers. He does the same for us today, calling us to follow him out […]

Online Worship: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Healing is a word we throw around a lot in the church, but what does it really mean? Jesus heals a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years and brings a girl back to life in today’s gospel reading. In both cases he restores them to the healing power of their community, and reminds […]

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