As a Christian community, called to peacemaking and reconciliation, we affirm that people of any race, ethnic identity, gender, who are gay or straight, of any ability, age, or economic status, are welcome to full participation in our congregation.
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Today’s scripture talks about Peter rebuking Jesus, and Jesus in turn rebuking Peter right back. Melissa tells us that term could be interpreted today as, “Shut up!” The term is used elsewhere in the gospel four times, when Jesus silences violent and evil spirits. This passage illustrates two ways for the world […]
After Dennis and Kathy read the scripture passages from Genesis 9:3-17 and Mark 1:9-15, Rachel shared a story of the ark, reminding us that many of us have been isolating from others for well more than 40 days due to the pandemic. This year has felt like a year of living in the ark. But […]
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Mark 9:2-9 After the reading of the 2 Kings passage, we listened to Robert Robinson sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot. After the Mark passage Melissa shared a video performance of the theme from The Mission. Our world is chock full of beautiful things. Many things that are beautiful are unnecessary. The […]
It’s easier to have trust in the rulers currently in power, they have great influence over our daily lives. But Isaiah reminds us rulers come and go. In Isiah 3 conquering armies come and go over a few decades, only God is constant. Where will we put our trust, our faith? Will we live lives […]
Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 & Mark 1:21-28 Melissa provided us with an alternative way of looking at this passage of Jesus in the synagogue and his encounter with the man with an unclean spirit. The language Mark uses throughout his gospel is that Jesus comes to “invade enemy territory.” Melissa ties this story in with the […]
Scripture: John 4:1-42 In retelling the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, Melissa pointed out the history of bad blood between the Samaritans and the Jews. The woman is only able to see what Jesus offers once the conversation moves from competition to mutual flourishing. Jesus wants everyone to have access to this […]
God calls out repeatedly to Samuel. At first Samuel thinks it is his father Eli calling but the third time he tells the Lord he is listening. God then tells Samuel that because Eli knew of sons’ sins, and did nothing, he is just a responsible. He will be judged just as harshly. Like Eli […]
Scripture: Mark 1:4-11, Acts 19:1-7 To what baptism have you been baptized? The story in Acts talks about Jesus’ followers being baptized in the Holy Spirit. This baptism gave them, among other things, the power to stand up to powerful and dangerous interests. In baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit to enter into this life […]
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40 – On the Road to Rejoicing The prophet Anna–portrayed this morning by Ann–witnessed Jesus’ arrival at the temple and foretold about the hope that Jesus would bring. What a strange Advent season it has been. Mourning the loss of life through COVID-19 and the racial injustice we continue to see. What have […]
I Samuel 7:1-11, 16 & Luke 1:26-38 – On the Road to Revelation God selected Mary, a young woman to deliver the Lord Jesus in to the world. She was afraid and then heard a an angel’s voice “Greetings you who highly favored, the Lord is with you”. She heard the voice again “Don’t be […]
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 & John 1:6-8, 19-28 – On the Road to Restoration During Advent the sermon again began with a monologue. This Sunday Hans told the story of a person at the temple who witnessed the questioning of John the Baptist by the Sadducees and Pharisees. Melissa gave witness to activities taking place […]
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 – On the Road to Repentance On this second Sunday of Advent Steve Derthick opened the sermon time with a monologue as John the Baptist. Melissa continued the invitation for all of us to participate in the sermon by asking us to share a time there was a person who […]
After the scripture was read from Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37, Janet Fields provided a monologue for the first Sunday of Advent. Melissa followed that with a short homily and then invited congregants to participate in the sermon by sharing a story of a journey they prepared for. How do we get ready during this […]
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, 26:6-13 Jesus comes to bring a new rein, a new order of creation, and to invite us into it. It is a new world, an inversion. It’s built not on scarcity or fear, not bound to the way things are, but this rein that has already come into being in the life, […]
Scripture I Thessalonians 5:1-15 Christianity is a strange religion. It won’t make you rich and it won’t give you any power. It promises to separate you from your family, from your job and it might get you killed. But it promises a life of love that turns again and again towards Jesus.
Melissa speaks from Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the bridesmaids. While one would think the moral is about not letting your lamps run out of oil, rather it’s about staying awake. We are all facing the problem of coming unprepared and then falling asleep. It’s a warning to each of us about the lives we […]
Revelation 7:9-17 This Sunday is both All Saints Day, when we remember those who have gone on before us, and just days away from a presidential election that is a source of anxiety and fear for many. All of this and so much more centered in the midst of the storm of a virus that […]
Raleigh Mennonite and Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship held a joint service online with Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, who brought the message from John 15. As followers of Jesus, there are expectations for us. There are things we are called to do. There needs to be fruit, something tangible that comes from […]
A commitment to live without harming others, a commitment to shared life and eating around a common table regardless of class status. These are the ways the Thessalonians receive and live out God’s life in Jesus. With practices that sound harmless but change everything, threaten people in power and turn the world upside down. Despite […]
Melissa continued our look at the book of Philippians, this week focusing on Phil. 4:1-9. Karl Barth called the joy Paul writes about in this book a “continual defiant ‘Nevertheless!’” In spite of everything, Paul’s joy is a protest against defeat. Where there is joy, death has not yet won. Melissa closed her message with […]
Our scripture this week is Philippians 3:4-14. Paul writes from jail counseling the church he founded in Philippi. In the last verse Paul compares faith to a running race, working hard to reach the finish line to receive the prize, the prize God has for us in heaven. Shannon does exactly this with her running, […]
Philippians 2:1-13 Melissa began her sermon with a song dedicated to Breonna Taylor (https://youtu.be/M88jVX47BTc) from Porter’s Gate, a multi-racial song writing collective. Using songs and hymns through the ages helps us stay centered and find hope in the midst of all that is going on in our world. The passage in Philippians may well have […]
Rachel shares her joys, pains and insights of keeping Bees. Bees only survive by working together in community. In Philippians 1:21-30 Paul doesn’t offer Jesus as a path to prosperity nor does he advocate seeking suffering. Instead he is honest that following Jesus is filled with beauty, joy and community but comes at a cost.
Matthew 18:21-35 Melissa tackles this difficult passage that juxtaposes this new way of doing life–this kingdom of God way of forgiveness, grace and hope–and points out how it doesn’t mix with the old order of carrying out justice. But if that new way of doing things is one-sided, the whole thing falls apart. When the […]
