Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor Sunday Sermons

Dr. Harold Trulear from Howard University speaks on Psalm 23, the paralyzing effect of fear, and God’s presence with us in the midst of turmoil—all in the context of the the devastation of Covid and the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th. 

The incarnation is a mystery that pulls us in to awe and wonder. Christ entered in to experience humanity in all its vulnerability. Mary, the archetype of the feminine incarnation, has much to teach us about this as well.

Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/

Today, we continue our discussion of bedtime prayer rituals, and explore a Jewish prayer that begins in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord Our God is One.” A deeper look at this unifying prayer shows that our diversity can be affirmed and celebrated while we prepare the coming of peace on earth for all creation.

We are preparing for a “long, difficult winter ahead”—a time when Advent takes on more significance. Advent is a season of spiritual practices that offer a portal into hope. Today we focus on the spirituality of nighttime as found in the psalms, an option for incorporating into our bedtime ritual.

One of our more complicated national holidays is coming up this week. It can be hard for us as followers of Jesus to figure out how to handle a holiday that is both widely celebrated and also deeply painful for our indigenous friends. Pastor Emily offers one way of re-imagining how we can talk about Thanksgiving and re-orient our celebrations to help us honor First Nations people instead of perpetuating the myth that pilgrims and Native people had some sort of blissful relationship.