Grace and Peace

Mary of Nazareth didn't go through pregnancy alone; God gave her Elizabeth, her aged relative who had also conceived a child miraculously. In the same way, God gives us to one another: to comfort the distressed, to care for our neighbors, and to conspire with God for the goal of the kingdom.

Rev. Chelsea McCutchin preached "Advent: The Way Forward" on December 20, 2020, the Seventh Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Meet our guest preacher! Rev. Chelsea McCutchin is the Minister of Education & Community Engagement at University Christian Church of Austin, Texas. It was truly a delight to welcome a dear friend from Austin Seminary to our virtual pulpit in Hector!

Scripture readings: Psalm 89:1-18 and Luke 1:26-55

Human beings burn with questions, but John the Witness is only interested in one: Will the darkness extinguish the light? Improbable as it seems, the answer is no, and that answer makes all the difference.

You can view the Gaugin painting mentioned in the sermon on the Museum of Fine Arts' website.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: The Light Shines in the Darkness" on December 13, 2020, the Sixth Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and John 1:1-8, 19-23

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Isaiah's vision calls us to action: "Clear the Eternal One's way! Make a level highway for our God!" But who are we, whose highways are crumbling and whose hearts are cracked open, to answer that call? Truly, we are God's, and God has made a promise. Jesus has set before us an open door that no one can shut. Grace leads the way forward.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: The Way Forward" on December 6, 2020, the Fifth Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 and Revelation 3:7-13
Note: Revelation 3:9 refers to hypocrites and liars, those who profess to live as God’s covenant people but do not. Unfortunately, John’s language of “Satan’s synagogue” can distract readers and compound the sin and shame of Christian anti-Judaism, so we did not read verse 9 aloud in worship.

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Why? Where are you? Will you or won't you? Isaiah's ballad of heartache speaks to our common longing and lament. God's answer? A new heaven and a new earth, already arriving in this Advent season.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: The Root of Renewal" on November 29, 2020, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 64:1-9 and 2 Peter 3:8-15.

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At first glance, the last story Jesus told before his execution is a tale about The End. Look again: it's a story that uses The End to point to now. God is seeking out lost and wounded sheep now. Compassion and healing are possible now. Advent encourages us: Live the promise today.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: The End is Now" on November 22, 2020, the Third Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Ezekiel 34:1-4, 11-12, 15-22 and Matthew 25:31-46

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Sometimes, a text is just as terrifying as you think it is. Pay attention to the terror, Jesus says; otherwise, we risk the temptation of associating a hard-hearted boss man with God. The kingdom is God promises more than fear.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: Refusing Every False Master" on November 15, 2020, the Second Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 and Matthew 25:13-30.

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This year, we've seen how the future promised by that false god Scarcity has crumbled. As we begin a seven-week Advent journey, we place our trust in God's future: a wedding banquet spread for all. Today we choose to serve the Groom who longs to see us even when our lights go out.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Advent: A Future We Can Trust" on November 8, 2020, the First Sunday of Advent. Read more about seven-week Advent at http://theadventproject.org/.

Scripture readings: Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25 and Matthew 25:1-13

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For the past month, our worship has dwelled in God's abundance. Now, on All Saints' Day, when we give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith, we remember how Jesus recruits a community to share the message of the kingdom. We're a part of that community, given gifts enough to share!

Pastor Ben Masters preached "The Community of the God of" on November 1, 2020, All Saints' Day.

Scripture readings: Psalm 24 and Matthew 9:35-10:8

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In October our worship will dwell in God's abundance. When the prophet Jonah and Jesus' disciples have meltdowns, they get a holy reality check. There is enough grace—for them, for others, for the whole world.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "There Is Enough Grace" on October 25, 2020.

Scripture readings: Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Matthew 20:1-16

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In October our worship will dwell in God's abundance. In the parable that Jesus tells, it sounds like mercy is limited resource. However, that is not true; we glimpse the reality of God's abundant mercy on Esau's tear-stained face.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "There Is Enough Mercy" on October 18, 2020.

Scripture readings: Genesis 33:1-11 and Matthew 18:21-35

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