Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Samuel 16:1-13) presents us with God’s prophet Samuel, who, following King Saul’s disobedience, seeks out a new king among the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite. As the youngest is brought forth, God proclaims that he is worthy to lead. God surprises and accommodates us in our misplaced expectations so we must be ready for and rejoice in God’s provision.

Pastor Cana’s sermon texts (Amos 9:7 and Isiah 19:25) teach that God’s people are not limited to Israel but include Israel’s enemies because they have also been created by Him. We can rejoice and believe that God sees all people as His beloved people, His handiwork, and His inheritance.

Pastor Cana’s sermon text, 2 John 1:5-9, expresses the significance of love and warns about those who would claim Jesus did not come in the flesh. Jesus’ physical presence is a demonstration of what it means to walk in love, so it is our task to follow His example.

Celebrating the ultimate defeat of death, Pastor Cana declares that Christ’s resurrection is a good physical reality. Matthew 28:1-10 sees the two Marys visit Jesus’s tomb, but they are met by an angel who declares that He has risen. Afterward, Jesus meets them and instructs them to deliver the Good News to the disciples in Galilee. By returning in with his scars, Jesus promises that resurrection power is for all of us, perfectly restored in imperfect bodies.

This Palm Sunday, Pastor Cana reflects on Jesus’ preparations for His death. Matthew 26 shows Jesus accepting a woman’s anointing and praying His full-bodied submission to God’s will. As we prepare for Jesus’ burial, we should reflect on His passion to learn how to wholly submit ourselves to God.

Joanne Tramel’s first sermon of the year highlights great Christians of history. For 2023, that figure is Clarence Jordan (1912-1969). Jordan made it his life’s purpose to fight against economic and racial inequality using his Koinonia Farm in Georgia, though terrorized by local white supremacists. His Cotton Patch Gospels provided modern retelling of the Bible and the later use of the farm for affordable housing paved the way for the founding of Habitat for Humanity.

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the journey of a Christian life. Psalm 121 describes an ascent to Jerusalem but implies spiritual similarities. God promises direction and support as we go through life’s journey so we can be goers and trust God.

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers our words and how they are connected to our hearts. Psalm 51:15-17 describes David’s anguish over his sin and speaks to repent. Our mouth is not only what we do and don’t say, but also a demonstration of our heart, so we should submit both heart and mouth to God’s desires.

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the distinction between hearing (receiving information) and hearing (understanding). Psalm 40:1-6 explains what the Psalmist is going through and how God taught them to listen. God hears us and gives us ears to hear the Truth of who He is.

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s focus is in Psalms to consider what it means to belong entirely to Jesus. Psalms 139:1-18 rejoices in God’s presence and tells us how we can trust that He always knows us. Whether God is everywhere you look or nowhere to be found, our bodies are proof that God is intimately aware of us, so we can trust that our whole selves are known to Him.