Grace in Community

Text: Matthew 5:1-12

Series: All Saints Sunday

What an appropriate day to return to our renewed Sanctuary after two weeks worshiping on the patio! All Saints celebrates all the baptized people of God, past, present, and future, who are one with us in the body of Christ. We know that our community of faith is built on those who have come before us, and we are every mindful of those who will come next – all while recognizing that the church has one foundation, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Today's text, Jesus' statements of blessing that are often called the Beatitudes, invite us to reflect: why is it so that these people he names - the poor, the grieving, the humble - are blessed? Is it only because one day, things will turn around for them? Or is there something more for them, even now? Listen to discover what that is for yourself, too. 

Text: Matthew 22:34-40, Romans 3:19-28

Series: Joy in the Harvest!

On Reformation Sunday, Pastor Matt addresses the meaning of a "church word" that is important to understand, because our concept of it goes a long way in shaping the rest of our faith. What we find when we dig into this often-misunderstood word is that its definition turns out to be the very heart of God itself. 

Here it is in a nutshell: “being good” is not about following a list of rules; it’s about treating each other well. And even though we will mess that up, God covers over our mistakes with Jesus. 

Text: Matthew 22:15-22

Series: Joy in the Harvest!

What are you bringing to the party? In today’s gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, and he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. One of the meanings of Jesus' statement is that we ourselves belong to God, and so we should offer our whole selves to God and to God's mission in the world But what does this mean, exactly? That's what today's sermon explores. Listen and be inspired to bring your whole self to the party! 

Texts: Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 25:4-9

Series: Joy in the Harvest!

In almost every ancient culture, a community festival marked harvest time. Everyone came together to share from the blessings they had been given in celebration and thanksgiving. This year we're inviting everyone to bring in your harvest, try to recover that sense of communal celebration in God's blessings. Whether grown in your yard, made, bought – bring some of your harvest to share! 

But even if you don't have anything to bring, still show up. Through the parable Jesus tells in today's gospel reading, we find out that the most important thing we can bring is ourselves. 

Texts: Matthew 13:31-32, Isaiah 11:6-9, Romans 8:18-23

Did you know that your care for your pet is actually an expression of our ultimate human vocation? Here on Animal Blessing Sunday, Pastor Matt expands on the role human beings are called to play in the Community of Creation. Think of this as part II of that sermon from September 6. 

October 4th is also the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a 12th/13th century monk who came from a wealthy family before taking a vow of poverty to serve the poor. Considered the patron saint of animals, Francis loved all of God’s creation, and legends developed about his close communion with animals of all kinds. Today is an appropriate day to pronounce God’s love for all creatures great and small, as we look forward to the day when creation is restored to the goodness God intended!                       

Texts: Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13

Series: Under Construction

As our Under Construction theme draws to a close, Pastor Matt asks, "Does changing your mind mean you lack conviction?" In today's gospel reading Jesus seems to advocate for changing your mind! He tells the religious leaders that even after they witnessed lives turned around and repaired, “you did not change your minds and believe.” Recognizing that we are always under construction means we should be open to learning and to the unexpected. If the cross shows us anything, it’s that you never know how God might show up! Perhaps changing your mind can be a sign that you are actually strongest in your convictions that matter the most. 

Texts: Matthew 20:1-16, Jonah 3:10-4:11, Luke 15:11-32

Series: Under Construction

What is the "Older Brother Syndrome," you ask? The Bible continually displays God’s character as “gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love.” So gracious, in fact, that humans get mad about it. Like the older brother in the Prodigal Son parable, we pout and grumble when God’s favor is revealed for those we don’t think deserve it. When have you fallen prey to the older brother syndrome? The good news: God’s mercy applies even to those of us who try to limit it.  

Text: Matthew 18:(15-)21-35

Series: Under Construction

We've been talking about how we are always "Under Construction", never having fully arrived. This Sunday we turn that focus to relationships, and we hear THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP ADVICE EVER GIVEN! - and it applies to every type of relationship. The relationships in our lives never get to a "perfect" state. But if we follow the way of Jesus in our relationships, they will continue to be built sturdily.  

Texts: Genesis 2:4b-9,15-25; John 1:1-5

What is the proper relationship between human beings and the earth? Today we take a break from our Under Construction series to celebrate a brand new festival day in the church calendar, years in the making. It’s called Creation in Christ. On this day we celebrate the ongoing creation of the world in and through Christ, and we explore what it means that we have a part in reigning over creation with him. On second thought, creation is always under construction too, so maybe it’s not a break from our theme after all!

Text: Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:9-21, Jeremiah 15:15-21

Series: Under Construction

For the past couple weeks, we've seen a progression: we wrestle with God's truth, we wander - only to be found by Jesus. What then? We have said the questions and doubt can be good. But do they ever end? Do we ever settle into faith? Jesus' tense interaction with Peter in this Sunday's gospel leads us to explore this question as he challenges us toward a trust that will cost us everything.