Grace and Peace

Continuing our Lenten journey towards Easter, we are reclaiming and recalling God's covenant promises. As for the covenant made to Abraham and Sarah, we recognize how our forebears in faith tried to claim that exclusively. Thankfully, God's faithfulness is greater than our own and can set us free.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Better News for the Children of Abraham" on February 28, 2021, the second Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and John 8:31-36, 51-58

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In our Lenten journey towards Easter, we are reclaiming and recalling God's covenant promises. In the rainbow covenant God makes with all living things, we glimpse the shocking scope of God's love—such love that awakens our courage to live in grace.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "A Rainbow of Grace" on February 21, 2021, the first Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: Genesis 8:21-22, 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:18-22.

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We've hit another pandemic wall, with no clear end in sight. Concluding our series on the promises God makes to us in baptism, we place our hope in the Holy One, who strengthens the tired  and resurrected the hopeless.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Raised up to Reach out" on February 14, 2021.

A thousand thanks to Megan Beckhorn for helping proclaim Scripture!

Scripture readings: Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39

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Confronting evil, Jesus does not allow demonic forces to determine his priorities. God's priorities of healing, guiding, and nourishing creation become apparent to us as we reflect on the life that sparkles in the waters of baptism.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "The Holy Priority of Wholeness" on February 7, 2021.

Scripture readings: Psalm 147:1-11, 19-20 and Mark 1:21-28

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When we're on the run like Jacob, when we guard our hearts like Nathanael, God sees us and joins us where we are. Continuing our series on the promises God makes to us in baptism, we claim the gift of a future greater than what is, greater than what has been.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Greater Things than These" on January 31, 2021.
Audio edited for clarity on February 3, 2021.

Scripture readings: Genesis 28:10-19 and John 1:43-51.

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When Jesus asks us, "What are you looking for?" will we have the boldness of the lover who searches for the beloved in the Song of Songs? Continuing our series on the promises God makes to us in baptism, we dare to seek out our hearts' desire, trusting that Jesus will encourage us along.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Searching for our Hearts' Desire" on January 24, 2021.

Scripture readings: Song of Songs 3:1-5 and John 1:35-42.

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Continuing our series on the promises God makes to us in baptism, we follow John the Baptist's gaze. Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who breaks down every dividing wall, who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Washed in the Spirit" on January 17, 2021.

A few notes up-top: 

1. This sermon references instances of potential violence, so have that in mind when choosing where and how to listen.
   
   
2. Sadly, Christians who rallied against the results of the 2020 election joined ranks with people who promoted white supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. Mallory Simon’s and Sara Sidner’s article, “Decoding the extremist symbols and groups at the Capitol Hill insurrection” (CNN, January 11, 2021), offers an accessible overview of those factions.
   
   
3. One symbol that I mentioned in my sermon is “6MWE” (6 Million Weren’t Enough). Afterwards, while double-checking sources, I learned that the photo of a man whose shirt reads “6MWE” was taken at a rally against the election results in mid-December. For more information, I recommend Ben Sales’ article “The ‘6MWE’ shirt: How a photo that went viral after the Capitol siege is misleading, and why it matters” (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, January 11, 2021). 
   
   
4. For a taste of Leah Sotille’s reporting, listen to her collaboration with the BBC about the Oklahoma City bombing, Two Minutes Past Nine.

Finally, a reminder. There are no “good Christians” or “bad Christians”; there are only Christians, standing in need of grace. I pray that our congregation’s preaching, worship, and service to the community points to the grace, mercy, and peace of God revealed in Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 and John 1:24-34.

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In the wake of violence and turmoil, we claim the promises God makes to us in baptism: God alone creates, and in Christ we are a new creation. Loved into freedom, called to walk in Jesus' way, we begin six weeks of reflection on God's baptismal promises.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "In Christ a New Creation" on January 10, 2021, the Baptism of Jesus.

Scripture readings: Genesis 1:1-5, 24-27 & Mark 1:4-11.

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Guest preacher Susan Frost wonders, "Why did the Wise Men bother to follow a star in search of a newborn king? Why was this child so special?" As we mark the feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the gift of God's very presence in Jesus, a gift given to all the world.

Susan Frost is a 2020 graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, has served two congregations as a Commissioned Ruling Elder (lay pastor), and is a candidate for ministry under care of the presbytery of Geneva. She preached "Why Did the Wise Men Bother?" on January 3, 2021.

Scripture readings: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 and Matthew 2:1-12.

On Christmas, the angel's announcement to Mary is good news for us: "Nothing is impossible for God." Indeed, to those who welcome the Christ child, everything is possible again.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Everything Is Possible Again" on December 24, Christmas Eve. On our Facebook page, watch or share "A Very Hector Christmas Eve."

Scripture readings: Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-20.

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