The Table Church DC

Sunday, December 10, 2023

This sermon describes the encounters between Mary and Elizabeth, who are both experiencing unusual pregnancies. Elizabeth initially hides herself in seclusion, possibly out of guilt or feelings of unworthiness. Mary, on the other hand, is confused and unsure about the angel's announcement. However, despite their different reactions, both women find joy and connection in each other's presence. The sermon emphasizes the importance of finding joy and connection in the midst of pain and weariness. It also highlights the significance of relationships and community in bringing people out of isolation and into joy. Ultimately, joy is seen as an act of resistance against despair and a way to overcome the challenges and suffering of the world.

During Babylonian exile Ezekiel has a vision of a river flowing from God's temple.  While most of us will never experience physical exile we can relate to Ezekiel on levels of sexual orientation, group oppression, or sense of exile from the church.  Pastor Tonetta examines Ezekiel 47:1-12 and looks at how God can be present in the midst of trauma. 

I. Introduction

II. The Church as Wounded Healers

III. Humility in Spiritual and Practical Lives

IV. The Road to Ruin and Destruction

V. Jesus' Teachings on Money and Worry

VI. Conclusion

November 19, 2023 - Pastor Tonetta takes a fresh look at Luke 16: 1-13, the story of a rich man who has a manager that is squandering his property.

In the final sermon of the series, Our Holy Habits, Pastor Anthony shows the importance of restorative play. Throughout The Bible rest is set into the rhythms of life. "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."

Pastors Anthony and Tonetta welcome Natalie in an interview-style sermon about what it means to be rooted in improvisation. They look at examples of improvisation in The Bible and Jesus' life and how we can embody some basic rules of improv to create a more beloved community. 

In the third part of the series Pastor Anthony looks at Jesus welcoming little children to come to him and welcomes their curiosity. Explore how relentless curiosity is integral to radical friendship and revolutionary justice.

In the second sermon of this series Pastor Tonetta discusses practical ideas of what it means to be a church today and how to become an alternative community genuinely grounded in revolutionary justice.

What did reconciliation look like to Jesus? How do we intentionally practice liberation within our own communities? Shae Washington, an elder at the Table Church, continues to look at the book of Jonah and how we can work towards freedom for all.

I. Introduction

A. Reference to a confrontational moment in the book "The Color Purple"

B. Celie's curse to her abuser Albert

C. Importance of addressing the perspective of people of color in discussions of intercultural church and beloved community

II. Temptation to focus only on the impact on white people in conversations about intercultural church

A. Lack of space to discuss the experiences of people of color

B. Personal experience of attending a panel discussion on conversion therapy and the need for separate conversations

C. Feeling excluded from conversations on race and justice

III. Concern for the discipleship needs of people of color in an intercultural church

A. Danger of allowing their formation to require more work than others

B. Preaching team's commitment to reflect the congregation's diverse needs in preaching series and scripture choices

IV. Exploring challenges of beloved community from the perspective of cultural margins

A. Introduction to the book of Jonah as an extended metaphor

B. Summary of Jonah's disobedience and attempt to escape God's call

C. Jonah's deeper loyalty to his own people and the tension between loyalty and the vision of God

V. Personal reflection on the tension between loyalty to cultural identity and loyalty to the vision of God

A. Experience at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

B. Conflicted feelings about the primary identity, Christian or cultural

C. Comparison to Jonah's dilemma and the fear of being labeled a sellout

VI. Conclusion