Sermons @ Shepherd

The element of every good story is change, from character development to inciting incident, climax, denouement, and resolution. The stories in the Bible often follow this pattern, but with one big exception - the presence of God. Hear the story of Joseph, his brothers, and his ever-changing life. How will you use this time of change, with God's help, to be a change for others? Genesis 37:12-14a, 17b-28

The past is the past, and our future is unseen. The ancient people of God saw this reality differently; by looking back on our lives and seeing the moments where God was working in or lives, we paddle towards a new future. Jeremiah 29:4-13

The image of the potter and the clay is troubling to us; we want to be in control. We want to be the "self-made man." Allowing God to shape us means giving up some of that control, but with the understanding that God works with loving hands and won't give up on us. Jeremiah 18:1-11.

Community happens when people come together in a common experience. In the Calling of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13), Jesus continues to build his community with the most unlikely of characters. In this we learn that I am not myself by myself.

It is one thing to say that "God Loves You", a sort of Hallmark card version of religion. It is another to say that "God Likes Me", that God would want to spend time with me, to listen and care. We look at how the Lord's Prayer is a lens through which we can better understand the love of God. 1 John 4:9-16

If you're going to play with the big boys (and girls), you're going to get hurt. This is God's message to Jeremiah as he struggles to share the word of God with the people. Jesus encounters the same issue, and receives the cross as his reward. Jeremiah 12:1-5.

The story of Jesus walking on the water (and Peter's feeble attempt to do the same) reminds us that the consequences of our fear can still lead to grace. When we focus on Jesus, we can feel the presence of God no matter what the circumstances. Matthew 14:22-33.

What we reject and the world says ISN’T great, God can do the greatest with. God uses these things to build his kingdom. The stone rejected is the strongest foundation. And God made it the cornerstone. Even in the face of human cruelty, God's mission continues. God wins. Mark 12:1-12

The story of the woman at the well (John 4) is the ultimate social distancing story. She is out-of-place, as is Jesus. Jesus' promise to the woman of Samaria is the same for us today; everyone who drinks from the water I give will never be thirsty.

In the midst of all that is unknown, in the middle of crisis, when we cannot see what lies ahead, the message of Easter rings truer this year than in many; God is here, waiting to bring new life to everyone. John 18.