Rev. Emelia Attridge begins a worship series for Lent 2025 reflecting on the different windows in our church, highlighting the biblical stories they depict and the stories of the lives of former church members who are memorialized in the windows' dedications. Click here to view the bulletin for this week (and see the image of the window Rev. Emelia is speaking about in the sermon). 

Matthew 19:13-14  (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition)

Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Luke 21:1-14 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition)

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

First Congregational Church of Reading, United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. Find us on Facebook @churchofreading

Rev. Emelia Attridge preaches on the story of the Transfiguration of Christ according to the Gospel of Luke as a part of the church's Mardi Gras jazz service. She reflects on the theme of "giving something up" for Lent, and how joy and shame play a role in our culture and faith. 

Luke 9:28-36  (Common English Bible)

About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.

First Congregational Church of Reading, United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. Find us on Facebook @churchofreading

Rev. Emelia Attridge reflects on the Gospel of Luke and the story of Jesus calling the disciples after the miracle of catching the fish. In this sermon, she focuses on Jesus' message: "do not be afraid."

Luke 5:1-11  (Common English Bible)

One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, “Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch.”

Simon replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.”

So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught. James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too.

Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.” As soon as they brought the boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.

First Congregational Church of Reading, United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. Find us on Facebook @churchofreading

Rev. Emelia Attridge preaches on the Book of Acts. 

Acts 2:43-47  (Common English Bible)

A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

First Congregational Church of Reading, United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. Find us on Facebook @churchofreading