Open and Affirming Part 1: The Goodness of Creation

Scripture - Genesis 1; Mark 1:9-13

In this new series, we explore why our congregation is open and affirming of our LGBTQ siblings. In part 1, we explore the creation story in Genesis 1 and also Jesus' baptism and wilderness experience in Mark 1:9-13. This sermon gives a foundation for the goodness of being human, including the goodness of being queer. Future sermons in this series will discuss other topics, including the clobber texts.

Advent Joy as Resistance

December 16, 2024

Scripture - Isaiah 12:2-5; Luke 1:39-45 The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy. There is a lot of anxiety in the world, especially during the holidays. Do we really have space in our lives for joy? There are forces in our culture that try to take ... See more

You Have Already Found Favor with God. Now What?

December 9, 2024

Scripture - Isaiah 41:17-20; Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she has found favor with God. But what did Mary do to earn this favor? The Gospels tell us nothing about what Mary did. And that's the point. Mary already had favor with God. ... See more

You Can Find a Way When There Is No Way

December 2, 2024

Scripture: Zechariah 8:3-8; Luke 1:5-15 The prophet Zechariah and the Gospel of Luke speak into a time when hope seemed to vanquish and the way forward looked impossible to find. But both assure us that we can make a way forward when there seems to be no w... See more

Christ Is Not a Christian Nationalist

November 26, 2024

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-37; John 13:34-35 Christ is a different kind of king than Christian nationalists want. He is not the king who justifies dominion and control over others. He is not the kind of king who leads to violence and war. Rather, he is the k... See more

How to Survive the Valley of the Shadows

November 18, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 23; II King 24:8-14; Luke 7:11-23 Many of us feel like we are in the valley of the shadow of death in our culture. The ancient Jews went through their own valley of the shadow when they were conquered by the Babylonians. And Jesus met a wo... See more

Revelation Part 6: God’s Protest Continues – Q&A

November 12, 2024

Scripture: John 1:5; 1 John 4:7-8; Revelation 21:1-4 In the conclusion to our Revelation series, we review the theological and political critique that Revelation aims at the Roman Empire. We make connections today to the American Empire. Then we conclude w... See more

Revelation Pt 5 – Salvation Is Radically Inclusive

November 4, 2024

Scripture: Revelation 19:19-20; Revelation 21:22-26 In the conclusion of our sermon series on Revelation, we discover that God's plan for salvation includes those we thought would always be excluded. Could it be that Revelation actually reveals God&... See more

Revelation Pt 4: How To Defeat the Dragon

October 21, 2024

Revelation 12:7-12; Revelation 13:9-10 Revelation reveals the nonviolent God of love, but also reveals evil. The dragon in Revelation 12 is Satan and the symbol of evil. The dragon is the accuser, whose accusations are based on lies. These lies are meant t... See more

Disability Theology and Awareness

October 15, 2024

Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Mark 10:17-31 October is Disability Awareness Month. In this sermon, I talk about disability theology and the church. We have come a long way when it comes to making a more just and loving world with our disabled siblings, but we s... See more

Scripture - Genesis 1; Mark 1:9-13

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