"A Chorus of Wisdom" – Psalm 150, Luke 18:9-14

Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from March 23, 2025.

"If we want to reach Psalm 150’s unshackled praise, we must not only humble ourselves before God—we must also release the false belief that others are beyond God’s mercy, set free our notion that some people are just too far gone from God’s love, and swing open the prison doors of our hearts that so often commodify God’s grace. The praise of Psalm 150 is not exclusive; it’s not reserved for only those we deem worthy. It does not say, 'Let all who have lived rightly,' or 'Let all who have been faithful in every season' praise the Lord. No! It is an all-encompassing, all-inclusive invitation to 'everything that has breath.'"

Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/

"Forgotten Wisdom" – Hosea 4:1-6, Luke 16:19-31

Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, March 16, 2025.

"Jesus uses his stark parable about eternity to make a point about life right now… his now, and our now. He reminds us that in any life-giving, community-enhancing moral tradition, there is a conservative streak. We need to conserve the moral tradition that has brought us this far, the tradition that demands justice and compassion. No matter how fast things change, no matter what popular influencers are telling us should be acceptable, it is dangerous to ignore old wisdom about how to live in a way that is responsible and compassionate.

"Later in the sermon series, you’re going to hear about the progressive streak that has to be in any healthy wisdom tradition. Wisdom adapts as the world changes… and, I guess, as time speeds up.  . . . but today, I want to remind us that most of the best wisdom for how to live good and faithful lives has already been figured out, if we will only remember it."

Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/ 

"Honor Your Grandparents" – Proverbs 1:1-7

Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, March 9, 2025.

"Wisdom isn’t about having all the answers. Wisdom is about having the courage to question the status quo. It is the willingness to question, reflect, and remain open to God’s Spirit. It is about listening and remembering where we come from—not this kingdom, but God’s."

Read the manuscript: https://www.spres.org/wisdom-honor-your-grandparents/ 

"Daily Duties – Romans 7:14-25

Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, March 2, 2025.

"Here is how I would, today, boil down Paul’s perspective on how to live the best life in following Jesus, with falling short being part of the equation:

Read the manuscript: https://www.spres.org/daily-duties/

"Love as an Action Verb" – Luke 6:27-38 

Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, February 23, 2025.

"Friends, love of enemies, forgiveness as we have been forgiven, these actions, these decisions do not always come swiftly. They often do not come easily.

"This is where and why I think it’s important to note – I think it’s important for you to remember – that Jesus preached this sermon to a great number. This command wasn’t to one or even to a few. It was to the community. There is no way we’d be able to live the commands of 

"When you can’t find the strength to do it on your own, look around you, look within you, seek God’s help to find it for you."

Read the manuscript: https://www.spres.org/love-as-an-action-verb/ 

"One" – John 8:12

Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, February 16, 2025. "Not that I know what I’m talking about, but it seems to me that checking out a church online is like using a dating app. It is a way to check out a church from a safe distance before taking the risk of an in-person meeting. The rest of my sermon is for everyone, but I have those online visitors especially in mind. As an introduction for them and as a reminder for the rest of us, I want to describe the kind of church community we are..."

"Deep Dive: Part 2" – Luke 5:1-11

Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, February 9, 2025. "Yet if we go even deeper, we find that casting our nets for our own sake is not enough. There is more. It is in the deep waters of transformation that our purpose is redefined: 'From now on you will be catching people.' 

"So, I wonder if the invitation and call to deeper waters and to cast our nets is not about us at all. I wonder if it is more about lifting others up from the deep waters they are experiencing. And if so, looking at this passage, we see the need for two things: proximity and praxis."

Read the manuscript: https://www.spres.org/deep-dive-part-2/ 

"Deep Dive" Youth Sunday Sermons 2025 – Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermons by graduating seniors McLure Bailey (2:12), Sebastien Croteau (6:08), Kylie Young (13:58), Kit Polly (18:53), and Cara Wardell (23:19). Our Youth Group theme for the year is "Deep Dive." May God's spirit touch the deepest parts of you are, that you might experience the breadth, length, height, and depth of God's love made known in Jesus Christ.

"A Prophet in His Hometown" – Luke 4:16-30

Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, January 26, 2025.

"When Jesus preached his inaugural sermon to his home congregation, he made people he loved uncomfortable. Perhaps we need to accept the possibility, the nudge of holy discomfort. . . . It’s one thing to look out on the horizon for the someday of God’s kingdom, but it’s another to live boldly in that kingdom now.

"This is where we are called to be countercultural. This is where it gets tricky to be a Christian in the midst of a crowd that values privilege for some and not love and grace for all. Living, extending, testifying to that kingdom now—Jesus never said it would be easy; he never promised we would be comfortable. But he did say we’d never have to go alone. Jesus walks that road before us. Jesus calls us to follow."

Read the manuscript: https://www.spres.org/a-prophet-in-his-hometown/ 

"Preacher Paul" – Acts 20:7-12

Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, January 19, 2025. "And what is Paul’s message? All those idols are promising something they cannot deliver. Because here’s the deal: There is no deal! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved by the unmerited grace of God. There are no political leaders, not even Caesar himself, who should be given the status of gods. There is no Law of rules that can be followed that will secure your place in God’s good graces. There is nothing you can buy that will buy out your guilt or buy you a better seat in heaven. Be Roman or not be Roman, be Jewish or not be Jewish. Whatever you are, be loving, be kind, be compassionate because while we were yet sinners and deserving no place in God’s good company, God showed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that there is room for us."

Read the manuscript on our website: https://www.spres.org/preacher-paul/