April Herron - "Christmas Stories"

On Christmas Day we will gather for worship at 10 a.m. only, with Christmas stories specially chosen by April, and music led by our Chancel Choir. We look forward to being together to give thanks for the gift of God’s love as it is born anew in us an the world.

Jonathan Chute - "Missing It"

In the gospel for Christmas Eve, Luke reminds us that the birth of Jesus takes place in the midst of other world events. From his throne in Rome, Caesar rules the Empire. His officials carry out their orders. Lives are turned upside-down. The powerful issue decrees. Ordinary people deal with the consequences. But in Bethlehem an entirely different story is taking place. There in a manger, God enters the world in humility and weakness. A child is born to an unmarried couple, weary travelers on the road, with only a few shepherds and some animals to witness what takes place. It seems like an odd way to begin the salvation of the world. The text is Luke 2:1-20, and Jonathan’s sermon is “Missing It.”

Jonathan Chute - "Messy"

The gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Advent is the story of Jesus’ birth as Joseph experiences it. His world is turned upside-down by the news that his young bride to be, is pregnant. Since they had not yet been together he knew that she must be guilty of adultery. But Joseph chooses not to have her put her to death. Instead, he will simply end the relationship. Then an angel appears in a dream and announces that Mary’s child is a gift of God. Joseph is told to make her his wife and to give the baby the name Jesus. This was not Joseph’s plan. It will complicate his life immeasurably. But the rest of the story depends on his response. The gospel reading is Matthew 1:18-25, and the title of Jonathan’s sermon is “Messy.”

April Herron - "Wondering in the Dark"

John the Baptist looms large in the season of Advent. His is the voice crying, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” He is the guide cautioning us to be sincere in our repentance and alert to the one who is to come. But even John is not immune from confusion and doubt in the dark days of the year. His efforts on behalf of the coming Christ have landed him in jail. From that gloomy position he wonders if he has understood things rightly. He is haunted by one burning question: are you the one who is to come, or shall we wait for another? April’s sermon title is “Wondering in the Dark” (which is something most of us have experience with) and you can read the scripture ahead of time by consulting Matthew 11:2-11.

Jonathan Chute - "Blast from the Past"

On this second Sunday of Advent John the Baptist appears in the wilderness, proclaiming the kingdom of heaven and calling the people to repentance. Large crowds from the towns and the cities come out to be baptized by him. John reminds them of someone they know from history, the prophet Elijah. But he is not calling them to return to the past. Instead he points them to the future, and tells them to get ready for what God is about to do. There is one coming after him who will bring God’s kingdom to completion. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Matthew 3:1-12, and his title is “Blast from the Past.” We will be lighting the second Advent candle, the Candle of Peace. The sanctuary will be green and lovely, with thanks to the Worship Committee and friends!

Jonathan Chute - "Ready?"

The gospel of Matthew describes the coming of the Son of Man as sudden and unexpected. Since no one can know when God’s time – or our time – might be, Jesus encourages his followers to be ready at all times. But paying constant attention is exhausting. No one can stay awake all the time. How are we supposed to be ready for something which will happen “at an unexpected hour?” Perhaps Jesus imagines a different kind of readiness than we are thinking. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Matthew 24:36-44, and his title is “Ready?”

Jonathan Chute - "Where We Come From"

The scripture for Thanksgiving Sunday contains Moses’ instructions for the very first thanksgiving, which was celebrated when the people of Israel had come into the promised land and gathered the first harvest. It was a time of great celebration, joy and hope. Even then, he encouraged them not to forget where they had come from, and who had led them to freedom. He also knew that their feast would not be complete without room for others at the table. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Deuteronomy 26:1-11, and his title is “Where We Come From.”

Jonathan Chute - "Too Much to Ask"

This week’s scripture is a hopeful word from a difficult and troubled time. The prophet Isaiah shares a vision of the future God has in mind. It is a picture that reaches beyond human hopes alone, and offers a new beginning for the whole of creation. In a time when the people were struggling with each other, and struggling to understand their identity and purpose, Isaiah’s picture of the new creation gave them hope that a new day was coming. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Isaiah 65:17-25, and his title is “Too Much to Ask?”

April Herron - "Shaped for Sainthood"

This Sunday during worship we will give thanks for the saints who have gone ahead of us into God’s eternal realms. As we recite the names of those who have joined the saints in glory in the last twelve months, we will light candles and sound a bell for each one. Based on Matthew 6:27-31 and Ephesians 1:15-19, April will guide us in reflecting on how we are “Shaped for Sainthood.”

Jonathan Chute - "Out on a Limb"

In our gospel for this Sunday Jesus encounters a most unlikely candidate for God’s kingdom. Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector, a leader among a despised group. The story takes place as Jesus passes through Jericho, where a large crowd has gathered. Zacchaeus wants to get a look at Jesus, but he is too short to see over the crowd. So he climbs a tree to get a better view. Jesus notices Zacchaeus up in the tree and tells him to come down. Then he invites himself over for dinner! Overcome with joy at the occasion, Zacchaeus promises to give up his old ways and to become a new and better person. At the home of this well-known sinner Jesus makes an announcement that will startle most of his hearers. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Luke 19:1-10, and his title is “Out on a Limb”.