First Community Easter Sunday 03.21.24 Glen Miles -Sermon, And I Hope by First Community Church

Palm Sunday

Holy Week begins this weekend with Palm Sunday, the day we recall Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. My sermon, "Songs of Loudest Praise," is based on John 12:12-16. John's version of this story is briefer than the other three gospels. It is a bit quieter, too. The disciples are confused; the crowd is there for another miracle or two, but a shadow is clouding the day. The reader knows the cross looms in the future for Jesus, but the crowds and the followers have no idea.

Our worship service begins, like the parade back in Jesus' day 2000 years ago, with palms waving, people singing, and the congregation celebrating. But that same cloud from 2000 years ago is present as well. In the sermon, I'll look ahead and wonder with you, where are we in this story? Are we ready to follow Jesus in the name of love? Are we prepared to give ourselves to each other and the world in the name of grace? These are not easy questions to answer, nor is this journey to the empty tomb on Easter Sunday an easy one to embark upon. Like most things that matter, though, the journey begins when we take the first step.

Scripture lessons and discussion topics on our journey through Holy Week

by Mary Kate Buchanan.

This Sunday's sermon, "Teach Me," is part 5 in our Lent sermon series, Wandering Heart, and is based on Jesus' well-known response to how often we should forgive. As you may recall, he said, "Seventy times seven." Or, the Greek is a bit unclear in the text, he may have said, "Seventy-seven times." Either way, it is a huge number, much greater than what any of us would typically do. Jesus' point is not about math. It is about the nature of forgiveness, and the role grace plays when forgiveness is needed. And we all need forgiveness at some time in our lives.

Stanley Hauerwas, a brilliant theologian who seems to irritate evangelical and progressive Christians equally (and who is also one of my all-time favorite thinkers), says, "The forgiveness that marks the church is a politics that offers an alternative to the politics based on envy, hatred, and revenge." He wrote those words back in 2006, but it feels like his idea applies to us today, doesn't it?

This sermon has been a challenge to write. I've enjoyed the opportunity to wrestle with it, though, and I am hopeful it will be a good word for our day. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you on Sunday at 9 am in Grace Hall at FC North, 10 am in the sanctuary at FC South, or 11 am in the sanctuary at FC North. The music, as always, will be wonderful this weekend at all three services. Bring a friend, sit near the front, and come prepared to experience a fresh wind of the Spirit, no matter which service you attend!

First Community Church 03.13.24 Glen Miles, Sacred Doorways, The Study of Celtic Christianity by First Community Church

This Sunday, we continue the sermon series Wandering Heart with Part Four: "I'm Fixed Upon It," based on Matthew 16: 21-23. This is the famous story of when Peter tried to tell Jesus what to do and what not to do. Peter is confused. He is creating a stumbling block for Jesus. Jesus replies, rather harshly, "Get Thee Behind Me, Satan!" It sounds harsher in the old King James Version, doesn't it? It's got to be a difficult moment for Peter. Just before this story, Peter proclaimed his love and loyalty to Jesus. It must feel like his world is unraveling.

Have you ever had an earthshaking, life-changing event come at you out of nowhere? Have you ever faced inconvenient truths or difficult facts about yourself that challenged your faith or view of life?

Jesus' rebuke is harsh but clear. It is never easy to face hard truths, but when we do, we may find ourselves stronger in the long run. The best news is the simple fact that Jesus' last word is always one of grace and generosity.

First Community Church 03.06.24 Glen Miles Sacred Doorways, The Study of Celtic Christianity Part 3 by First Community Church

First Community Church 03.03.24 Mary Kate Buchanan -Pastoral Prayer by First Community Church

Glen presents the third installment of his Wandering Heart Lenten Sermon Series, Thy Redeeming Love

First Community Church 02.28.24 Glen Miles -Sacred Doorways The Study Of Celtic Christianity P2 by First Community Church