Colville United Church of Christ Sermons

On this Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr weekend, we hear his sacred words again. Along with our scripture texts, worshippers read a variety of quotes from MLK talking about the Beloved Community. This is the dream that is rooted in the messages of Jesus. It is the message of non-violence that seeks to fight injustice while making friends of our opponents. It is the only way out of our spiraling cycle of violence and hatred. Besides the links to the reading below, find the link to an article published this week in the Colville paper, that I wrote, about Community.

Sacred Texts: Acts 11:1-18, MLK Quotes

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/b42g1zee7ozdr71/19-0120%20Acts%2011%201-18%20MLK%20Quotes%20Beloved%20Community.mp3?dl=0

(text of Acts)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A1-18&version=NRSV

(text MLK Quotes) https://www.dropbox.com/s/8w3m1vu5x9m1v3b/19-0120%20MLK%20Quotes%20on%20Beloved%20Community.docx?dl=0

My newspaper article on Community as Spiritual Practice

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5la99gqdab9ojok/19-0109%20Community%20as%20Spiritual%20Thing.docx?dl=0

This Sunday was the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus. Everyone was sitting around in a circle so this was a sermon and discussion. In the inclusive, non-doctrinal, little rules, and informal ritual UCC - we sometimes lose track of the value of Baptism. This sermon discussion explores how baptism points us to a deeper understanding of our identity, meaning, and ritual expressions.

Sacred Texts: Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/knmck9sbrbds5w7/19-0113%20Isaiah%2043%201-7%20Luke%203%2015-17%2021-22%20Cassandra.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43%3A1-7%3B+Luke+3%3A15-17%2C+21-22&version=NRSV

On this 12th day of Christmas, on this Epiphany day - we tracked the Wise Men as they traveled from way out East through Jerusalem and on to Bethlehem. What did they see and tell? A star and a dream contributed to what the Wise Men knew and how they knew it. As Progressive Christians who are not big on dogmas and doctrines or litmus tests, we still can't avoid the question. As we hear the call to "Go Tell it on the Mountain" - what shall we share about the birth of Jesus? Why is it important?

Sacred Text: Matthew 2:1-12

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/sretq4bdkhm7i29/19-0106%20Matthew%202%201-12%20Mike.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A1-12&version=NRSV

The story of Jesus at 12 years old in the Temple - Yes it is about how special Jesus is but also it is a story about family. Mother Mary, Father Joseph, and Child Jesus -- what can we learn from this family. This sermon explores some dimensions of family. Some Christians think that the "Traditional Family" is the only Godly family. This family is a myth and shows limited thinking. Jesus calls us into an evolving expanded view of family. Let's take a look.

Sacred Text: Luke 2:41-52

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/xh34chhcgpkc7jk/18-1230%20Luke%202%2041-52%20Annie.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A41-52&version=NRSV

This audio begins with a dialogue with Isaiah 9:2-7 written by Pastor Jim. After each verse is read Pastor Jim shares a response to what is heard. Then Pastor Jim offers his Christmas reflection - "Light." Merry Christmas and enjoy.

Sacred Texts used in the entire Christmas Eve celebration: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20; Titus 2:11-14; and Titus 3:4-7

The sacred texts today give us some hints of the meaning of Jesus birth. Affirmation of the body, the human body is important to this understanding. You might say that divine love finds visible embodiment in the birth of Jesus. But, this is really not new. It was the intention in the first moments of Creation. The hope - maybe in Jesus we will find get it. Sometimes we have but too often not.

Sacred Texts: Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/zhhysqasq5yphqe/18-1223%20Hebrews%2010%205-10%20Luke%201%2039-45.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A5-10%3B+Luke+1%3A39-45&version=NRSV

Sometimes it seems like a big deal, nearly impossible to get from our current situation to joy and rejoicing. It could be that in this season of joy, that process can be especially difficult. This message for the 3rd Sunday of Advent speaks to this and offers encouragement.

Sacred Text: Philippians 4:4-7 , Isaiah 12:2-6

(audio)https://www.dropbox.com/s/25cqvms5vjao27l/18-1216%20Philippians%204%204-7%20Isaiah%2012%202-6%20Mike.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A4-7+%2C+Isaiah+12%3A2-6&version=NRSV

The Sacred Texts from the 2nd Sunday of Advent - two passages from the Gospel of Luke are clear invitations to transformation. Unless you eliminate the Gospel of Luke - we must face that this Jesus about to be born will challenge the conventional power of this world. They are all about "power over" and Jesus invites us into "power with" relationships. If you are one of privilege or whose ambition has put you in a position of power -- this Jesus might threaten you.

Sacred Text Luke 1:68-79 3:1-6

(Audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/ndcdapjm7mht2dl/18-1209%20Luke%201%2068-79%203%201-6%20Mike.mp3?dl=0

(Text) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A68-79+%2C+Luke+3%3A1-6&version=NRSV

This Gospel passage in Mark is a classic. The disciples so often miss the point as they do here. The disciples don't get the bigger picture and meaning. There are so innocently childlike as they are awestruck by the impressive Temple building Jesus lets them have their moment before teaching them about the path to what is really impressive in the long run. In the process, something as impressive as this Temple building will need to crumble first. Over and over again Jesus teaches us that the path to long term life means we must let go of or die to something that has "Wowed Us."

Sacred Text Mark 13:1-8:

(audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/xgaw23kvdbvacub/18-1118%20Mark%2013%201-8%20Roger.mp3?dl=0

(text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A1-8&version=NRSV

Every culture in history has developed its own honoring systems. On this Veterans Day in the U.S. we explored the idea of "Honor." We honor God but have you thought about how God honors us. We honor our Veterans but who else/what else do we honor. As we explored our scriptures for today -- it is clear that God wants to stretch the boundaries of our honoring and being a follower of Jesus makes this clear.

Sacred Texts: Ruth 2:1-5, 4:13-17; Mark 12:38-44

(Audio) https://www.dropbox.com/s/f1orfvmvjas8l9h/18-1111%20Ruth%202%201-5%204%2013-27%20Mark%2012%2038-44%20Mike.mp3?dl=0

(Text)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth2%3A1-5%2C4%3A13-17%3B+Mark12%3A38-44&version=NRSV