An iconic opening story for one of the most significant and dramatic weeks in human history. The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in a week that would lead to his death on the Cross and ending with the Easter story. The expectations were charged for all concerned as Jesus made his entrance. And so today we look at those expectations.

Sacred Texts: Luke 19;28-40 Philippians 2:5-11

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/qfzeqc2fqzf4srj/19-0414%20Luke%2019%2028-40%20Philippians%202%205-11%20Maury.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A28-40+%2C++Philippians+2%3A5-11&version=NRSV

God says in Isaiah that "I am about to do a new thing." Problem is that our attitude often blocks us from seeing this "new thing" and accepting it. Example: Judas has his own attitude and expectations which makes him critical of Mary's anointing of Jesus in John's Gospel. We may not go on to betray Jesus, like Judas but often we are critical and rejecting of ways that we are not used to. The Lenten journey means a new attitude ready for a new thing to happen in our midst.

Sacred Text: Isaiah 43:16-21 John 12:1-8

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/03eq7i75fqpfzn8/19-0407%20Isaiah%2043%2016-21%20Luke%2012%201-8%20Mike.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43%3A16-21%2C+John+12%3A1-8&version=NRSV

We continue on the 40 day Lenten Journey for follower of Jesus. In the nitty gritty of life, we wonder what we or someone else has done to deserve such suffering. In the wake of two Parkland survivor suicides, we know the grim truth of what serious games go on inside of us. As Jesus is confronted with this in Luke's Gospel today, we see him pivot to the image of the Fig Tree and the gardener to give us another perspective and help us on the journey.

Sacred Text: Luke 13:1-9

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/96ange7rlnkwkas/19-0324%20Luke%2013%201-9%20Liz.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A1-9&version=NRSV

Jesus reminds us of the of the great 40 year journey of the People of Israel to the Promised Land by beginning his public ministry with a 40 day retreat in the wilderness. This retreats, deep meditations, into ourselves are hard and take courage. As we begin Lent, we are invited into this type of retreat throughout the 40 days any way we can. It may take courage but it will also be a transforming experience.

Sacred Text: Luke 4:1-13

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/wudrn1c2k34mpve/19-0310%20Luke%204%201-13%20Ginny.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A1-13&version=NRSV

It makes sense that Transfiguration Sunday comes on the eve of the Lenten Season. That trip to the mountain with Jesus for Peter, James, and John is a reminder that God is calling us to continue on the journey. The Law (Moses) & Prophets (Elijah)have been relied on for a long time but now Jesus will lead us on a journey into something new. This Lenten season invites us to be open to the change that might happen on the spiritual journey.

Sacred Text: Luke 9:28-43

(Audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/wix4yv8jrihukqp/19-0303%20Luke%209%2028-43%20Karen.mp3?dl=0

(Text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A28-43&version=NRSV

"Love Your Enemies" - great ideal in a perfect world. Yet it is seemly not practical. For most real situations in our lives, this just will not work to solve any problems. Clearly it is foolishness on the international stage. Imagine how week the U.S. will look if we try to love our enemies. This is how we act even when we say we believe Jesus. This sermon tries to lead us to see this solution of Jesus as the only one with a chance of success.

Sacred Text: Luke 6:27-38

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/6irnwr0qo2hks29/19-0224%20Luke%206%2027-38.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A27-38&version=NRSV

A key goal of our lives is to build our spiritual strength. This can not be done alone. There are skills to learn and we must practice like anything else to achieve excellence. Our community of faith, our church is place to be nurtured in our spiritual skill development and the community holds us accountable. Join the conversation and let's build our spiritual strength.

Sacred Text: Jeremiah 17:5-10

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/bhtg35s4exica5x/19-0217%20Jeremiah%2017%205-10%20Cassandra.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A5-10&version=NRSV

Today is Science and Technology Sunday in the United Church of Christ. Too much religion pits science against faith. In this sermon you hear a discussion about the essential role of science in faith. In an age of social media, technology is often criticized for being central to our problems. Instead here you hear the connection between God and the tools of technology we create. A grounding in science and technology will even open up the scriptures in new ways. At first glance, today's sacred texts don't seem to connect to the subject at hand. Listen to how they do.

Sacred Texts: Isaiah 6:1-13 & Luke 5:1-11

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwjra1nwolvk2fr/19-0210%20Isaiah%206%20%60-%603%20Luke%205%201-11%20Ginny.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+6%3A1-13%3B+Luke+5%3A1-11&version=NRSV

The Lectionary readings for this Sunday all pointed me to the same thing -- Identity! How does any of us know who we are? We see how fragile our identity is when others doubt us or try to define us. Our faith calls us back to our core identity rooted in our Love Creation in God. These is what we discuss in this sermon.

Sacred Texts: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Luke 4:21-30

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjozpzs8i1znz6w/19-0203%20Jeremiah%201%204-10%20Luke%204%2021-30%20Lisa.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+1%3A4-10%2C+Luke+4%3A21-30&version=NRSV

St Paul lays it out with an analogy in I Corinthians 12 - what many call the vision of who we are as a Community in the Body of Christ. This connection extends to all Creation. Yet, we discover it is not so much a vision to be achieved but the reality of our Creation that we have forgotten. Let's commit to living the reality of community and our interdependent connection to humanity and all Creation.

Sacred Text: I Corinthians 12:12-31

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/p4ofgsnyxl18jr0/19-0127%20I%20Corinthians%2012%2012-31.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A12-31&version=NRSV