"Opened Minds" for Ascension Sunday Year C,  June 1, 2025

Based on Luke 24:44-53Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/43Fkjd0

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

"A Sabbath" for the Sixth Sunday of Easter in Year C,  May 25, 2025

Based on John 5:1-9.Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/4jXz0hy

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

On this episode of Fill the JAR, we talk with Peggy Matteson, Chair of Wellness Ministries!

Citations:

1. “Way Out of No Way” 

Written by Tracy Howe and Osagyefo Sekou

Performed by Stop Cop City Choir

Recorded in Tucson, Arizona

Used with permission

Listen/Download/Donate/Purchase: https://stopcopcitychoir.bandcamp.com

This Toolkit will assist you in understanding the basis for Wellness Ministries and their role as we strive to care for all God’s children. It is meant to assist the process as your congregation develops its programs based on the resources and needs of its congregation and the community it serves. We hope you find it useful as you develop creative, new ways to best meet the healing and health needs of your congregation and the community you serve.

"Looking for Love" for the FIfth Sunday of Easter in Year C,  May 18, 2025

Based on John 13:31-35.Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/43nz0kW

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

"The Works Testify" for the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C,  May 11, 2025

Based on John 10: 22-30.

Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/4m2pcEs

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

On this episode of Fill the JAR, we talk with Julie Taylor, Executive Director of National Farmworker Ministry.

National Farm Worker Ministry is a faith-based organization committed to social, economic, and racial justice for farm workers.

Grounded in faith, NFWM works side by side with farm workers and their organizing groups throughout the country, to organize vigils, picket, coordinate boycotts and educate constituents.

NFWM brings together national denominations, religious orders and congregations, regional groups and concerned individuals to act with the farm workers to achieve fundamental change in their living and working conditions.

Citations:

1. “Way Out of No Way” 

Written by Tracy Howe and Osagyefo Sekou

Performed by Stop Cop City Choir

Recorded in Tucson, Arizona

Used with permission

Listen/Download/Donate/Purchase: https://stopcopcitychoir.bandcamp.com

2. National Farmworker Ministry - https://nfwm.org

"Cast the Net" for the Third Sunday of Easter in Year C,  May 4, 2025

Based on John 21: 1-19.

Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/4lPPbik

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

"Locked Doors" for the Second Sunday of Easter in Year C,  April 27, 2025

Based on John 20:19-31.

Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/4iphxg5

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz

On this episode of Fill the JAR, we talk with Rev. Ryan Downing of Faith UCC in Iowa City, and Chuck Hauck, a member there and leader on the Faith UCC Faith Works committee. We discuss ways for churches to embody solidarity with workers that are both accessible AND powerful for community and congregation alike. Enjoy!

Citations:

1. “Way Out of No Way” 

Written by Tracy Howe and Osagyefo Sekou

Performed by Stop Cop City Choir

Recorded in Tucson, Arizona

Used with permission

Listen/Download/Donate/Purchase: https://stopcopcitychoir.bandcamp.com

2. Faith UCC - When in Iowa City, be sure to visit! - https://www.faithuccic.org/

3. Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa - https://cwjiowa.org/

4. Fill the JAR (where you can find the resolution that among other things encouraged congregations to establish an Economic Justice Covenant) Also, sign up for the 2025 Fill the JAR campaign! - https://www.ucc.org/fillthejar

"At Early Dawn" for the Resurrection Sunday in Easter Year C,  April 20, 2025

Based on Luke 24:1–12

Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/42a6nY2

"Seeds and Ways" is a podcast series based on the United Church of Christ's weekly resources: "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." "Sermon Seeds" is for worship planners and includes passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and a reflection for the week.

"Weekly Seeds" is for personal Bible study or small groups. This adaptation of "Sermon Seeds" includes a prayer, additional thoughts for reflection, and focus questions for discussion.

-Sermon Seeds and Weekly Seeds archive: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YYtccu⁠

-Sermon Seeds on Facebook: ⁠https://bit.ly/3k9AQSz