Sermon Text: Acts 2

The apostles waited eagerly for the sending of the Holy Spirit, and on that Pentecost Sunday the Spirit was sent and the gospel began its spread across the world, until it reaches us. We are the people the apostles were praying for. In the same way, this congregation has prayed for an outpouring of God's Spirit, and today we confirmed 6 students into the faith and family of Jesus Christ. They are the people we've been praying for. May God bless them, and us, as we set out on this new journey together.

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Sermon Text: Acts 1, Ephesians 1

Good theology starts with a simple question: Where is Jesus' body? On Ascension, we celebrate that Jesus' body goes to the right hand of God. He is above all powers, and fills all things, and our citizenship is in heaven. Church, then, is the place to experience heaven right now, and our responsibility is to join Jesus in bringing heaven's life to earth, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done."

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Sermon Text: John 14:1-14

In his resurrection, Christ has created a new home for us. "But how do we get there?" Thomas asked. It can feel that way for us as well. How do we get to resurrected life? Jesus gives us three metaphors, "way, truth, and life." As we commit our lives to Jesus and follow in his way, his truth, and his life, the Kingdom is made real in us.

Bonus Content begins at 21:55.  In light of the many shootings and acts of violence all around us, we wonder:  can a contemplative life lived in the Jesus way, truth, and life actually bring about change in the world?  Spoiler warning - yes!

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Sermon Text: John 10:1-10

Mrs. Diane Flickinger was our special guest speaker to reflect on the ways that Christ is the Good Shepherd. Thank you, Diane, for your wonderful message!

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Sermon Text: Genesis 32

Today we did a Blessing of our Garden. In our gospel reading, Jesus withdrew to a secluded place to pray, a place a lot like this one. It was out of that that he could do the miracles he did. The life we live in relationship to agriculture and the earth is spiritually weighty, and we often find ourselves wrestling with God. That wrestling is holy, and brings us to a place where we can experience God. That's what can happen in a garden - contemplative space that can change us.

Bonus Content (begins at 21:40):  What We Need Is here. On the heels of our garden blessing, I thought we might continue the theme by diving into a little poetry - Wendell Berry's "Wild Geese." And through simple, powerful images, he makes a compelling case for resurrection life breaking out in you and in me precisely where we are.

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Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice, Associate Conference Minister for the Central Atlantic Conference, UCC, was with us this Sunday to bring greetings and a message! Alloys are created when multiple metals are joined together, bringing the best characteristics of each to bear on a new thing. The apostle Peter tells us that in light of Christ's resurrection, we will go through hard times. But it is our alloyed strength that will see us through.

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Sermon Text: Matthew 28:1-10

How do we get from a crucified Messiah to Easter? How do we get stories of the apostles being murdered and early Christians gathering in holes and caves to tell this story? How do we get martyrs and mystics? How do we get abolitionists and peace activists? How do we get teachers and leaders and pastors and volunteers who talk to you with that look in their eye, that tone in their voice, that communicates love and faith, and hope? Because this happened. And it has been told down through the ages, one person to another, until today. And you're invited to believe it.

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Sermon Text: Mark 11:1-11

On Palm Sunday, Jesus proclaims himself as King as he rides to Jerusalem on a donkey, and the peasant crowds cry out, "Hosanna!" come save us! But from the other side, Pilate rides in on a warhorse, accompanied by soliders. The stage is set: two ways of looking at the world, two ideas of salvation. And we are left with a choice. Some of us have never made a choice for Christ; we've received him as a hand-me-down. Palm Sunday invites all followers of Jesus to consider: is this the King we want?

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Sermon Text: John 11:1-45

As we've walked this Lenten journey, we've told stories and discovered lessons. But...we don't need Jesus for any of them. But Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus is making a bigger, more remarkable claim. Jesus is more than good stories and moral platitudes. He joins us to the very point of death. And he asks if we believe this. If we are to be people of faith, we must deal with Jesus.

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Sermon Text: John 4:1-41

Through your life, God is shedding light on who God is and what God is doing in the world, no turning back. And that story is a gift which makes claims about Christ and his Kingdom. In today's gospel, Jesus changes a man's story forever, but that story falls under scrutiny. Yet though it all, the man grows in his understanding of Christ and his boldness in sharing his story. For us who struggle to know our place, to understand our purpose, the invitation is clear: let Christ show you who you are and who you are being made to be, and the critics can get out.

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