In this week's sermon, Rev. Moya Harris shares a powerful message on becoming a good ancestor, emphasizing the importance of blessing the next generation, recognizing the Spirit in others, and the ongoing fight for justice and faithfulness in a challenging world.

This week's text: Luke 1:26-45
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Takeaways

• Good ancestors plant seeds of blessing for future generations even without seeing the harvest.
• Black women are under attack in many spheres, yet their spiritual and community leadership remains vital.
• Mary and Elizabeth exemplify how women can work together across generations to fulfill God's plan.
• Every act of love, mentorship, and faithfulness contributes to becoming a good ancestor.
• We are called to love boldly, bless others, and leave a legacy of faith and justice.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Opening Prayer
03:01 Scripture Reading and Context of Luke 1
04:50 The Call to Become a Good Ancestor
08:54 The Attacks on Black Women in Society and Church
11:03 The Significance of Generations and Biblical Examples
12:54 Mary and Elizabeth: Models of Courage and Blessing
15:59 The Power of Blessing Future Generations
17:24 Lessons for Elders and Young People
21:58 The Call to Love, Lead, and Leave a Legacy
23:54 Invitation to Community and Church Membership

In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the themes of hunger, compassion, and community through the biblical stories of Herod, John the Baptist, and Jesus, emphasizing how faith and action can transform scarcity into abundance.

This week's scripture - Matthew 14:13-21
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.


Takeaways

• Hunger is a unifying and scarlet thread in biblical narratives.
• Herod's hunger for power leads to violence and bloodshed.
• Jesus' compassion moves him to feed and heal the people.
• The miracle of feeding the 5000 challenges scarcity mindset.
• We are called to share our resources and combat systemic hunger.
• Jesus' solitude reminds us of the need for spiritual renewal.
• Faith requires action, not just prayer, to address real needs.
• The systemic hunger in society is rooted in exploitation and greed.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Theme of Hunger in Matthew 14
02:05 Herod's Hunger for Power and Its Consequences
08:54 The Feast and the Blood: Herod's Party and Violence
13:00 Jesus' Hunger for Solitude and Connection
18:58 Jesus' Compassion and the Miracle of Feeding
24:05 Resources, Scarcity, and the Call to Share
26:07 Living in a Wilderness: God Provides in Scarcity
27:42 The Little Bird and the Worm: God's Provision in Nature
30:07 The Feast in the Wilderness: Trusting God's Abundance

In this week's sermon Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the profound meaning of the parable of the mustard seed, emphasizing that God's kingdom often manifests in small, everyday acts and humble beginnings. This reflection challenges us to see God's work in the small things and partner with divine purpose in our lives.


This week's scripture Matthew 13:31-32
31 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Key Topics
The parable of the mustard seed and its spiritual significance
Misinterpretations of the parable influenced by American capitalism and imperialism
The kingdom of God is present now, in small and tangible ways
The importance of partnering with God to bring about justice and peace
The kingdom of God is small, but its impact is profound and far-reaching

In his week's sermon, Rev. Keila Mumphord explores the profound message of individual worth and collective unity through biblical insights and the story of Encanto, emphasizing that our true value lies in who we are, not just our gifts.


This week's scripture 1 Corinthians 12:14-21
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Key Topics

• The metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians 12
• The importance of diverse gifts for community health
• Lessons from Encanto about self-worth and gifts
• The danger of comparison and self-doubt
• The role of marginalized voices in the church
• Healing and reconciliation through inclusion
• The significance of intergenerational wisdom
• The value of individual uniqueness in collective success

This week celebrating our 188th anniversary, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton shares a powerful sermon on God's love, faithfulness, and the importance of building bridges of faith through prayer, reflection, and action. She explores how life's challenges and systemic injustices call us to trust in God's ability to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.

This week's scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit  and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Takeaways

• Building spiritual bridges requires intentional prayer and reflection.
• Trust in God's ability to do more than we can ask or imagine.
• Moments of crisis are opportunities for divine intervention and growth.
• Community support and intercession are vital for resilience.
• Remembering past victories strengthens faith for future challenges.

In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV reflects on the power of words, tools, and collective action in shaping justice and community on the day after America's 250th celebration.

This week's scripture: John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

Key Topics

• The significance of words as divine tools
• The historical misuse of words and power
• The importance of building, fixing, tearing down in community
• The role of faith and collective action in justice
• The critique of American history and ideals

Chapters
00:00 Scriptural Reflections and Teachings
03:03 The Power of Words in Preaching
25:54 Building, Fixing, and Tearing Down Systems

In this week's sermon, Rev. Dr. Elliott Robinson explores the power of persistent faith and activism through the parable of the persistent widow, emphasizing the importance of bothering systems for justice and trusting God's power.

This week's scripture - Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Takeaways

• Persistent prayer and faith can shift even the most unjust systems.
• Trust in God's power is essential in the fight for justice.
• Bothering systems is a divine act that can lead to change.
• The widow's persistence demonstrates unwavering faith.
• God's justice is swift for those who cry out day and night.

In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the profound message of Jesus in Matthew 10, emphasizing the internal work of spiritual surgery. He discusses how the 'sword' Jesus wields is a metaphor for internal transformation, cutting away self-deception, fear, and inadequacy to foster true peace and authenticity.


This week's text: Matthew 10:34-36
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.35 For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

Takeaways

• Jesus' use of the sword symbolizes internal spiritual surgery.
• External peace does not address internal turmoil.
• Self-deception, fear, and inadequacy hinder true peace.
• Relationship with the Holy Spirit is essential for healing.
• Internal peace requires confronting and cutting away inner falsehoods.
• Fear can be a helpful response but should not control us.
• The Spirit of Christ provides anesthesia during spiritual surgery.
• Healing is a process that involves internal work, not just external circumstances.
• Our internal battles are the first front in our spiritual journey.
• Embracing internal transformation leads to genuine peace and wholeness.

Chapters
00:00 The Value of Acknowledgment and Fearlessness
00:59 Understanding the Sword of Christ
10:55 Internal Surgery: The Need for Healing
20:46 Cutting Away Self-Deception, Fear, and Inadequacy

In this week's sermon, Rev. Nicole Stratchan explores the power of rejoicing, inclusion, and faith through the lens of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts, emphasizing how faith and community can be more inclusive and joyful. She reflects on her personal journey, biblical insights, and the importance of metacognition in faith.


This week's text: Acts 8:26-39
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
    and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
        so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
        For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

Takeaways

• Rejoicing requires authenticity and being real with oneself.
• Sports culture creates environments of inclusion and joy that churches can learn from.
• The biblical story of the eunuch challenges us to rethink notions of race, gender, and access.
• Metacognition is essential for spiritual growth and understanding.
• Church environments should foster space for joy, inclusion, and authenticity.

In this week's sermon Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the biblical story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, emphasizing themes of divine initiation, boundary-breaking conversations, and God's inclusive love. It challenges us to recognize divine encounters in everyday life and to extend love beyond religious and cultural boundaries. 


This weeks text: John 4:6-10
6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

Takeaways

• Conversations at wells are as old as human thirst and symbolize divine encounters.
• Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman breaks social, racial, and religious boundaries.
• God initiates divine conversations, and humans are often unaware of divine presence.
• Recognizing who is asking us for a drink can transform our understanding of divine interaction.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:04 Conversations at the Well: Historical Context
00:57 The Samaritan Woman: Breaking Boundaries
06:30 God's Desire for Connection: Betrothal Themes
12:53 Rule-Breaking Conversations: Expanding Our Horizons
16:43 Divine Initiation: The Thirst for Connection
19:14 Human Ignorance: Recognizing the Divine in Our Lives
24:48 Call to Action: Embracing Deeper Relationships