Colville United Church of Christ Sermons

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr - pastor, theologian, activist, and worker for God's Justice deserves more attention in our Churches. As a follower of Jesus called to attack the structural injustices of our world, he has much to teach us about living the faith. This sermon relies on the Good Samaritan story -- an important story to MLK and also on the speech he gave 8/31/67 on the "Three Evils of Society."

Isaiah's proclamation, "Arise, Shine, Your Light Has Come" is like a birth announcement that applies to Jesus but also to us on the Epiphany Day. In the Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel -- the Light of the World. Also, we are inspired again to live the truth that My Light Has Come -- yes I can Arise from whatever has knocked me down in life and I can live in the Light of God's love and hope. Sacred Texts: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Post Christmas and on New Year's Eve - perfect time to allow the birth of Jesus, the baby in the manager to shape our lives profoundly. The divine reshaping -- can we allow it to really change us more in the divine image. Sacred Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Luke 2:22-40

Most of our Christmas Eve celebration was great music. Here are a few words I shared about the meaning of Christmas. I encouraged people to focus on the "Baby". There are lessons in staying with the idea that Emmanuel - God With Us -- came as a baby. Maybe we need to recover the Baby inside of us.

Christmas comes every year. As we consider the meaning of Christmas and look to those we will be with for Christmas - these two short Reflections may give you some ideas on how to approach these Holy Days differently. The first reflection is "Voices" as we hear the voice of John the Baptist. The second reflection is "Responding" as we hear about Mary's response to the Angels voice. Sacred Texts: John 1:6-8, 19-28 and Luke 1:26-38

It happens to all preachers. You don't feel like you gave a good sermon then someone walks up to you and tells you how much this sermon meant to them. That happened to me on this. Hope your see some value in it. It is my hope that we see in the birth of Jesus -- our God who shows up and makes a difference. This is our time to prepare that we might show up for Christmas this year -- really be present to the possibilities. Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Advent is the beginning of a new year in the church life cycle. The beginning includes Christmas. As we look to the meaning of the birth of Jesus, remember this - Living life fully means continually waking up, growing up, cleaning up, and showing up. Jesus modeled this for us, especially the showing up. God, in Jesus, showed up at Christmas and kept showing up through death and into new life. Listen now for more details.

While Pastor Jim was away for Thanksgiving, member Maury Barr led congregation in a sermon discuss on Matthew 25:31-46 and what it means to be a follower of Jesus in our town. People were sitting in a big circle so the audio was not perfect but good enough. It is worth hearing this insightful and dynamic conversation. Encourage you to have such conversations and share them - where you are.

Guest preacher, member of the Church, and local Chaplain - Judith gave us lots to smile about today. She focused us being Spiritually prepared even if when we go into the hospital. As we listened to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30, Judith noted our spiritual practices as among out talents. Then she broaden us to consider our other talents including the talent of smiling and helping others to smile. Go forth and share your talents. Other sacred text read: I Thessalonians 5:1-11

We can talk about the End Times and whether and how Jesus is coming again. Or, we can cut to the chase and talk about Death and how we embrace death or avoid its reality. This is a tender and difficult subject but central to being a follower of Jesus and learning the wisdom of living a full life. It is through the embrace of our own death that sparks our living. But it seems so hard. Sacred Texts: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13