Jon Mark’s sermon based on 1 Samuel 3:1-21
God calls the adopted as well as biological children of Israel to serve.
Category Archives: Audio
Whining and Dining – October 8, 2017
Melissa shows how our being fed by God does not depend on our goodness or striving, but on God’s. Also that god nourishes us to our fill neither more nor less. Exodus 16:1-18
The Language of Crackle, Fire…and Silence – Oct. 1, 2017
Joy’s message reflected–or shed light on–Moses’ experience with the burning bush from Exodus 2:23-25, 3:1-15, 4:10-17.
Moses observes the burning bush curiously rather fearfully. Little does he know that fire and smoke will follow Moses for the rest of his life.
Most of us won’t encounter a burning bush, but we do encounter little flickers that remind us that God is with us. God’s light breaks into our lives, often in unexpected ways.
Blessings and Relationships – Sept. 24, 2017
Melissa preached from Genesis 27:1-29, 28:1-10, the story of Jacob stealing his father Isaac’s blessing from his twin brother Esau.
In this world there are the winners and losers. Those who have and those who are left behind. At the outset of the story, Jacob is out to be one of those who has, and his mother Rebekah is going to help make it happen.
Maybe the story of Jacob and Esau is a chance to see God’s sovereignty in a new way. God’s ability to move in the world can coexist with us being wrong. Maybe this story helps us to see that God’s sovereign work is not just to undo this wrong, but to undo us. Jacob then spends the rest of his life undoing what he’s done; returning the blessing he stole back to Esau. That’s how God works in world, setting things right.
Held by Something Larger than Ourselves – Sept. 17, 2017
Rachel brought the message on a very tough scripture, Genesis 21:1-2; 22:1-14, about God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. The point of the story of Abraham and Isaac is not to draw people in to worship a God who would do this, but rather to help people who are already in to stay in relationship with the one true God even when their world is turned upside down. This is the story of being in the habit of being in conversation with God even when things don’t make sense. To illustrate her message, Rachel showed several pictures by famous artists depicting this story.
Created for Need – Sept. 10, 2017
Using Genesis 1 – 2:4, Melissa shows that God has given us the earth to be its trustees, and we do not control God.
Take Up Your Cross – Sept. 3, 2017
Melissa spoke today from Matthew 16:21-28 and Romans 12:9-21. In the Roman empire, the cross was the public warning against dissent. A symbol of the human ability to crush revolution. Today, the cross of Jesus Christ is the black hood of Abu Ghraib, it’s the gun that killed Trayvon Martin, it’s every lethal cocktail used in capital punishment, it’s every lynching tree in the North Carolina woods, it is every cage for bail-held prisoners.
We don’t need icons of paint or wood; we don’t need depictions of Jesus on a cross. We have one another. We have living icons. Bodies shouldering crosses everyday, showing us that we are strong enough, that the world cannot crush us, and even if it does, that we will rise again.
Why do we Worship? – Aug. 27, 2017
Using Romans 12:1-8 as her text, Melissa talks about why we worship. Worship is for us. Worship is always about God, but it’s not something that God needs. We’re here to celebrate; to celebrate the life we have through Jesus.
Worship is not something you do and leave behind. You take it with you wherever you go. Worship is done in community. We come here–among other reasons–to discover how to like each other, even with our bizarre particularities!
There is only us – Aug. 20, 2017
Using the Joseph story, Melissa shows that joining the dominant culture is not always a good idea.
Tricked into Conversion – Aug. 13, 2017
Rachel spoke from Genesis 38, a passage not included in the lectionary readings and rarely included in sermons. It’s a difficult passage for us, particularly to understand in our current age.
While Tamar’s actions seem strange to us, you could say she was engaging in nonviolent direct action. Tamar took risks, exposed wrongs, invited repentance, changed hearts and bore new life.
This story shows us that even when it seems we have no options, even when it seems that injustice and inaction will win, we are invited to find a way to subvert the system itself.
How have you been tricked into being more righteous?
Joy’s Sermon – July 30, 2017
Joy’s texts were Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Jacob’s Ladder – July 23, 2017
Using Genesis 28:10-19a , Melissa talks about Jacob’s and our wrestling with God.
A Divine Comedy – July 9, 2017
Hans preached from the lectionary passages of Psalm 45:11-16, Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Zechariah 9:9-11, as well as many other passages, on the marriage of God and God’s people. It’s a covenant, not a contract!
Being Considered the Enemy – June 25, 2017
Before Joy spoke from Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Matthew 10:24-39, the poem “Say Yes” by Andrea Gibson was read by Luz, Alyssa and Red.
Jeremiah named his enemies as his friends even while still proclaiming the violence and destruction around him. Jesus understood he had enemies who would call him and his followers names and plot against him.
But that’s the opportunity for transformation. To reflect about why we’re seen as the enemy to others.
Can we one day name our enemies as friends?
While we were still sinners – June 18, 2017
Melissa spoke from Psalm 100 and Romans 5:1-8. God doesn’t change God’s mind about you; you change your mind about God. Sin is pernicious because it warps this most central part of the Christian life – it warps our image of God. Sin turns God into a judge, standing in judgment over us, waiting to pounce on our wrong decisions. If you have rejected that God then you are exactly where God wants you to be.
You don’t come to confession to have your sins forgiven; you come to celebrate that your sins are forgiven. The grace we receive is unexpected and unearned.