Faith United Church Springfield, MA

Do you have a “Know-It-All” in your life? Someone who always seems to have the answers — even if they’re the wrong answers? It seems that humans are often uncomfortable with the unknown, yet so much of this life and what lies beyond it is a Holy Mystery. On the Second Sunday of Lent, we’ll hear the story of “Know-it-All Nicodemus” as he gets schooled by Jesus (John 3:1-7).

Christians have a variety of beliefs about what happened in the Garden of Eden and how that led to “Original Sin” (Genesis 2 & 3). What is the nature of the “sin” from that story, and what does “sin” mean, anyways? On this First Sunday of Lent, we will begin our sermon series “A Way in the Wilderness,” considering how God brings us through the “wildernesses” of the human experience. The story of Adam and Eve and the origin of sin invites us to journey through the “Wilderness of Disconnection.”

(Image: An unfinished metal bridge spans part way across a river.)

Jesus ascended a mountain and was “transfigured” before his Disciples, joined by Elijah and Moses. Peter wanted to make dwelling places for the three, but such holiness cannot be contained. From God lodging in the hearts of believers, to the Israelites in exile, to the Son of Man “having nowhere to lay his head,” we come to understand that the Divine seems to prefer living in a “Mobile Home.” (Matthew 17:1-8 and I Corinthians 3:5-11).

Jesus admonished his listeners: “Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’…” It seems simple enough, but sometimes we are uncertain, or we can't speak our truth, and we can only respond with "maybe?" or "sure?" (Matthew 5:21-26, 33-37)

Experiencing uncertainty and leaving matters unresolved often leaves us feeling insecure and vulnerable. How might we find it within ourselves to endure uncertainty and be direct and honest when things are unresolved?

We might get uncomfortable talking about race and the racism of the past, but we cannot ignore it because its impact and legacy are still alive and harmful today. On this “Racial Justice Sunday,” we will consider the role of racism in our own church and how our theology, liturgy, and worship might even perpetuate racism. The past is not the past, and “We Need to Talk About This.” (I Corinthians 12:14-26).

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they have a choice to make: Continue to follow the so-called "Wisdom of the World," or follow the "Wisdom of God" revealed through Christ. (I Corinthians 1:18-31). The Wisdom of God seems like foolishness to those who follow the Wisdom of the World, but it is God who will expose the true foolishness. While the world praises power, exploitation, and violence, the Wisdom of God calls for justice and righteousness. 

So, what about us? Do we follow the Wisdom of the World, or the Wisdom of God?

We don't usually turn to the Bible for medical advice, but you sure can find plenty of it in there! Jesus's healing miracles (Luke 5:12-16) and the healing rituals of ancient Israel sought to heal not only the body, but the soul. On this "Health and Human Service Sunday," we consider what it meant for Jesus to heal those who were suffering and outcast.

The Psalmist praises God for hearing their cries, and, in turn empowering them to cry out God's glory and justice (Psalm 40:1-11).On this day when we remember the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, we listen for the voices that are heirs to King's dream. Who is carrying on and carrying out the work of transformative and restorative justice today?

On this Baptism of Christ Sunday, we hear about Jesus's baptism by John (Matthew 3:13-17).

Humans seem hardwired to seek belonging and community. Baptism is one ritual through which we are brought into a community and given a sense of belonging. How might our baptismal vows draw us deeper into community?

The wise ones who visited baby Jesus trekked for countless miles navigating twists and turns and going through risk and uncertainty -- but they were led by hope and faith. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Having taken time in Advent to reflect on and honor the past 125 years of Faith (United) Church, we now face forward and consider the journey ahead.