The story of Joseph and his brothers includes generational trauma, dysfunction, and the grace of God. How do we tell our own family stories? Can we claim the good, bad, and ugly of what happens and see a path through it toward God?

This sermon was delivered by Rev. Marci A. Glass on September 22, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21.

A sermon by guest preacher Rev. Bruce A. Barkhauer delivered on September 15, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Luke 21:5-28.

In the second creation story in Genesis 2, God creates one human. And then God creates birds, mammals, reptiles, and all other kinds of animal life because 'it is not good for the human to be alone'. The final (should we say pinnacle?) of creation is woman, meant so humans will be helpers for each other. What does it mean to be created as helpers? Join us as we kick off our program year!

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Marci A. Glass on September 8, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Genesis 2:4-25

Augustine of Hippo declared, “The one who sings prays twice.” This end-of-the-summer worship service celebrates the Spirit’s movement onstage—God alive and still speaking to us through plays and musicals.

The scripture readings were from Ecclesiastes 4:7–12, 1 John 3:11-18, and 1 Corinthians 4:9-13.

In the final of our series of three sermons on Jesus disturbing parables, Matthew’s gospel challenges us on what we are investing in our lives of faith, and what motivates us in our lives together. Given the generosity of God to us, are we investing that generous love in others, and in our communities?

The sermon was delivered by Guest Preacher Rev. Scott Rennie.

The reading was from the Book of Matthew 25:14-30

In the second of three sermons on famous parables of Jesus, we look at the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. Parables are meant to disturb us and upend the usual way we think about the world. I guess like me, you wish the world were a more just place. We could settle for that, as far from reality as that seems! But what if God calls us to live beyond justice, and to live an unmerited generosity in the world instead? What if being just is the very least we should expect of ourselves, and if really, we should be more concerned about being generous more than being just? 

The sermon was delivered by guest preacher Rev. Scott Rennie on August 18, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Matthew 20: 1-16.

In the first of three sermons on famous parables of Jesus we look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Parables are meant to disturb us, and upend the usual way we look at things and think about the world. If Jesus’ story was about a shameless son, then there is another character who is also shameless—the parent. What would it mean for us to think about God as being utterly shameless?

The sermon was delivered by Guest Preacher Rev. Scott Rennie.

The scripture reading was from the Book of Luke 15:1-10.

The Book of Daniel offers us resurrection hope for this current time of division, lawlessness and disinformation. If something is false, it is not of God. If something is not of God, it must not stand. Daniel tells us that we will rise—from the dust of the earth—we shall rise!

There sermon was delivered by Rev. Victor Floyd on August 4, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Daniel 12:1-13.

Spoiler Alert: The four world empires of Daniel's time are depicted as ferocious beasts. In what ways are empires beastly and predatory still today? And what is God's relationship to the powers that be? The apocalyptic writings of Daniel are simply a revelation of God's sovereign rule and love of all God's people. So let the apocalypse be revealed, and may we continue to resist and denounce the beasts that destroy and harm God's beloved creation. 

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Joann H. Lee on July 28, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Daniel 7:1-18.

There are stories in scripture and in our lives where people act as if doing the right thing is impossible because of certain rules. It happens in our passage in Daniel, sending Daniel to the lion's den. It will happen when Jesus is on trial at the end of his life. 

We each have different levels of authority, power, and influence. Are we using our privileges to do the right things? 

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Marci A. Glass on July 21, 2024.

The scripture reading was from Daniel 6:6-27.