Deacon Veronica Galas explores crossroads in our life and from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 and Matthew 4:12-23.

What would it be like for us to love our neighbor; through collorborative. legistlative, political decisions and collective compromise, value based, not as lobbyists but as advocates for humanity.

Inspired by the unanswered question that begins (John 1:29-42) and ends the Gospel of John, Father Jeff takes a musical survey of what the congregation is looking for.

Father Jeff Paul talks about how the Karma Box, the ministry to people experiencing homelessness in Night Off the Streets, and stories from the books below show how we can follow Jesus to John and Keep Things Right.

Based on Matthew 3:13-17 click the reference to read or listen to Deacon Betty read it at the beginning of our recording.

More information about the books referenced in the sermon are at the end of this post.

It is always good to have a Presbyterian in the room.

The recording is live and has extra sounds in it. We are working on isolating our speaker’s voice better in the future.

Scout Preston Dorsey explains his gift of the Karma Box to the church and community.

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Father Jeff compares the Time of Herod and the Shepherd of Israel as the magi (hundreds of them?!) come to visit. We begin with Isaiah 60:1-6. We have a different reading of Matthew 2:1-12 that linked here in the recording as part of the Godly Play exhibition of the Gospel.

Below is a portion of the poem Kindness and a trailer for The Two Popes movie that Father Jeff shared in the message

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness

you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho

lies dead by the side of the road.

You must see how this could be you,

how he too was someone

who journeyed through the night with plans

and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Father Jeff recommended The Two Popes on Netflix.

Father Jeff Paul explores the Shema as expressed by the folks of St. Peter’s as a way of understanding John 1:1-18 (click to read)

 “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one”

Father Jeff reveals the secret of reading aloud the genealogy of Jesus, as we look at how Joeseph answers a big question and how we line up with his lineage. We begin with a reading from Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25 .

Deacon Veronica explores the incarnation in relationships looking at Jesus’ web of family and her own.

We stop listening to sermons after eight minutes. You can talk longer…but we won’t be listening. Just saying.

Our gospel Matthew 11:2-11 is available by clicking on the scripture or listening to the recording.

The outlook and message of Matthew are the foundation for a message about the presence of Jesus.

Father Jeff refers to Matthew 3:1-12 and Isaiah 11:1-10 (click the scripture for the text or listen to Matthew in the recording.)

Here is an article about Fire is Medicine.

Ms. Laverne said every day we should ask ourselves, ‘If the worst thing in the world happened, would I help protect someone else? Would I let myself be a harbor for someone who needs it?’ Then she said, ‘I want each of you to say to the other: I will harbor you.’

Rev. Eric Heidecker examines the coming of Jesus looking at Matthew 24:36-44 click the reference to read or listen in the recording.

This week’s audio is not as good as we would like it. We lost the last part of the message this week. Someone turned on a fan at a microphone and the end times came sooner than expected. Very Advent. Pray for the audio folks.

Father Jeff explores the upside-down world of Jesus with a dramatic reading, scriptural background, and a story about a rabbi who wants to know how to tell when the night ends.

Our readings from Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 23:33-43 are read aloud in the recording.

Father Jeff shares an excerpt from The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms in our sermon today…

Stop Shouting, Nina. Only the Voice of God gets to use ALL CAPS.