Jim Baldwin’s life has taken many turns. When he looks at the psalter, he sees God’s handiwork with him throughout his trials and changes. In this testimonial sermon, Jim opens our sermon series by offering examples of important Psalms to his faith journey while showcasing the relevance of this ancient hymn book for us today.

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Jim Baldwin, Minister to Senior Adults

Today is Pentecost. In Scripture, this is the moment following Jesus’ ascension to heaven when the Spirit poured out on “all flesh," and everyone present began speaking in differing tongues. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s vastness, diversity, and all-encompassing love for humanity. It’s the clearest, most expansive vision of who the Kingdom of God is for, and it just so happens to be the birthday of the church.

Rev. J. Barrett Owen

One of the greatest metaphors in all of Christendom is the “body.” We talk about it at communion. Jesus breaks bread and tells us it is his body. The church is known as the “body of Christ.” Our physical bodies are made in the image of the invisible God giving us the notion that we look like God. We’re told our bodies are temples. Jesus’ body is what he sacrifices for our earthly bodies. Paul tells us we’ll have a heavenly body. The concept of Body goes deep in scripture, and we’ll tease out how that is still meaningful for us today.

-Rev. Barrett Owen

Job asks a very intimate and profound question: “What are humans, that you [God] make so much of them, that you set your mind on them?” In the asking of this question, Job ponders what happens in the mind of God which begs the question, “Can we know the mind of God?” Scripture seems to say yes. We can learn from, hold, and reflect what God holds and reflects. Using Job as fodder, we’ll explore angles and layers of what it means to have access to the Mind of God.

Rev. Barrett Owen

In order to trick Jesus, a lawyer asks what the greatest commandments are. Jesus’ response is the clearest, most direct summary of how then we should strive to live. So much so, his response has become the chief cornerstone for fleshing out vision and future as a church.

Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospel of John is turning water into wine. He’s at a wedding reception in Cana when the party runs out of wine, so Jesus fixes the problem by making more wine than the party needs. Multiple themes emerge within this story, none more important than the ultimate reminder of home.

Rev. J. Barrett Owen

In the Upper Room, behind locked doors, Jesus appears and does something the world must never forget: Breathes the Holy Spirit into the room. In John’s Gospel, this is Pentecost. Jesus offers the gift of the Holy Spirit to his most faithful followers. This same gift is given today. When we follow Jesus, we are given a helper, a gift. That gift is the same Holy Spirit.

Rev. J. Barrett Owen

On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus meets Cleopas and a fellow traveler. His true identity is hidden from them, and the travelers express their sadness over the death of Jesus. Jesus asks them why they are so slow to believe the prophesies listed in scripture but so quick to lose hope.

-Rev. Jayne H. Davis

Easter is the ultimate story of life, death, and resurrection. What happens on Easter Sunday changes everything for everyone for all time and each element of this story shows us God’s ultimate design and hope for bringing Jesus into the world in order to help save humanity.

Rev. J. Barrett Owen

We invite you to hear the message from our Good Friday service, "The Seven Last Words". During this solemn and meaningful service, seven of our ministers shared reflections on Jesus' last words on the cross as recorded in scripture.