On this sermon for Trinity Sunday, Jeff Carlson brings us a new look at how the Spirit of God invites us to belong to "a community of love that can hold the pain of all creation," and how the "interdependence that is creation is an expression of Trinitarian life." Oh... and you'll meet a most amazing octopus. Preached on Sunday, May 30 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship, Sundays at 10am: https://spucc.org/streaming.

A sermon for confirmation, preached on a Pentecost Sunday, with a necessary reminder to all who have been confirmed that we ought to cherish that teenage fire, in our kids and in ourselves. Preached by Rev. Matt Fitzgerald during virtual worship on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at St. Pauls United Church of Christ, a progressive church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10am. https://spucc.org/streaming

In this sermon on The Ascension, delivered as the COVID pandemic is well into its second year, with hope finally in sight, Rev. Sarah Garcia asks if it isn't time for us all to quit standing and staring and start to "fly" again, as Christians, as a church. Preached during virtual worship on May 16, 2021 at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive Christian church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship on Sundays, 10am Central Time: https://spucc.org/streaming.

In this sermon, Benny VanDerburgh, the Pastoral Intern at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago, reflects on Psalm 98:4-9 and Acts 10:44-48. Preached during virtual worship on May 9, 2019. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM: https://spucc.org/streaming

Jesus famously said,  "I am the vine, and you are the branches."  But what does he mean by that – and how can that enliven us not just as individuals, but as the church, inextricably intertwined with the one who loves and defines us?  In this reflection on John 15, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald offers a powerful look at a real life story from life inside the vine at St. Pauls. Preached during virtual worship on May 2, 2021. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM central: https://spucc.org/streaming

What does it mean today that Jesus is our Good Shepherd? And how are we to regard ourselves as his sheep in an era that coined "sheeple" as an insult, a denigration?  In this sermon, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald reflects on Jesus's self-description as the Good Shepherd, from John 10: 11-17. Preached during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive, open and affirming church in Chicago. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM: https://spucc.org/streaming

In this sermon for the second Sunday after Easter, Rev. Dr. Jeff Carlson explores Luke 24:36-48, and how Jesus appeared to the disciples and demonstrated the materiality of Gods love for us ("I am not a ghost!"). Jeff challenges us, after another week of tragic killings, to explore our own connection to the life and the creation that God loves and wants for us, and how we might find a new direction in the call of the risen Christ to repent. Preached on Sunday, April 18, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive Christian church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM Central Time: https://spucc.org/streaming

How do we reckon with Jesus's scars, and our own, in the light of the resurrection? In this sermon, preached the Sunday after Easter, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald reflects on John 20:19-31. From virtual worship on April 11, 2021 at St. Pauls UCC, a progressive, open and affirming church in Chicago where all are always welcome. Please join us for worship Sundays at 10AM Central: https://spucc.org/streaming

In this Easter sermon, Rev. Matt Fitzgerald asks, "Who are you after Easter?" Preached on Sunday, April 4, 2021 during virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, Chicago.

Do we as Christians really recognize what makes for peace? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Rev. Dr. Jeff Carlson reflects on Jesus' lament (from Luke 19:29-40) that we don't – and also he explores the demanding ways that Jesus says we still might. Preached on March 28, 2021 virtual worship at St. Pauls UCC, Chicago.  Please join us for worship Sunday mornings at 10AM Central: https://spucc.org/streaming​.