First Community Church 07.28.24 David Long Higgins -Sermon, Love Forms A Room by First Community Church

This Sunday in worship, I will deliver the sermon "Vulnerability is Not a Weakness," based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. In the biblical texts, Jesus shows deep compassion for the crowd of folks who are spiritually and physically hungry. He also demonstrates kindness toward his disciples who are overwhelmed by fear. Even though he must have been bone-tired from previous work, he found a way to teach and demonstrated "compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd."

Vulnerability is a strength. The theologian Rachel Held Evans notes, "But without...vulnerability, real friendships cannot grow and real ideas cannot flourish in the good soil of a diverse, engaged community." I think I can hear some of you saying, "Amen!"

First Community Church 07.14.24 Rev. John Girard -Sermon Spices, Aquanet, and A Little More Time by First Community Church

This Sunday, Rev. Seth Stearns, Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning, will deliver the sermon, "Who Do Think You Are?" That's a fun title! His message is based on Mark 6: 1-13.

The sermon will be inspired by Elemental, which is a love story at its heart, but it is also a parable on learning to overcome bigotry to form community. The Bible talks about this idea a lot! In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds his people (and us) to 'love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." More than 1,000 years later, Paul wrote to a church in Galatia (modern-day Turkey) declaring, "There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one..." You can see where this sermon is going. In a world that seems to divide more deeply every day, we need a clear and simple reminder of the inclusive nature of God's ongoing love for all.

This Sunday, I continue my sermon series, Reel Theology: Going to the Movies with God, with Part 3 - "Respect: Twas Grace." Have you seen the movie Respect, which is the story of Aretha Franklin's life? It is an excellent film, and the music is powerful. Jennifer Hudson plays Aretha. Her renditions of Aretha's biggest hits both honor the Queen of Soul's style and show off Hudson's incredible range. We will also hear from John 1 and the gospel writer's reminder that "we have all received, grace upon grace."

This Sunday, I will continue my summer sermon series, Reel Theology: Going to the Movies with God, with part 2, "The Boys in the Boat: Harmony, Balance, and Rhythm." If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it! It is available on Amazon Prime Video. It is the stirring story of the University of Washington junior varsity rowing team that won the gold medal representing the USA at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The film gives us powerful insights into the physically and mentally demanding sport of rowing. We also discover how important it is for the team to find harmony, rhythm, and balance.

There is an illustration for all of us there as well. When my life feels out of rhythm, it is easy for frustration and anxiety to make their way into my psyche. I'm going to guess many of you know this feeling as well. Falling out of balance with one another creates friction. The Apostle Paul, writing to the early church in Rome, reminds us to "live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant." There is more, but you can see he gives us practical advice!

First Community Church 06-09-24 Glen Miles -Sermon Reel Theology Star Wars - A New Hope by First Community Church

First Community Church 05.26.24 Mary Kate Buchanan -Sermon, Somethings Missing, It Matters by First Community Church

I'll conclude my sermon series, Somehow, Love Will Find a Way, with Part 3, "Courage is Fear that Has Said Its Prayers," based on 2 Timothy 1: 3-7. The scripture reading comes from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a young pastor named Timothy. It is excellent advice on leading a church and living a Christ-like life. In Sunday's reading, Paul reminds Timothy and us that "God did not give us a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline." This is easily one of my top ten favorite verses in the Bible. Like on the day of Pentecost and the day of creation, God's Spirit comes to you and me amid our chaotic lives with a clear and amazing promise that we do not have to live in fear. Sometimes, I need a daily reminder of this great truth!