Sermons

Joy in the context of Advent is not escapism, pleasantry or emotional detachment. It is prophetic defiance. This week we hear the story of Elizabeth and Mary proclaim joy not as avoidance of pain but as the response of a people who know God dwells with the lowly. This Sunday, we celebrate the important joy of this […]

On this second Sunday of advent we met another dreamer, John the Baptist. In John’s vision, peace is when everything is set right—where people are treated fairly, everyone has enough, creation is cared for, and no one needs to be afraid. This week we are invited to boldly imagine peace and remember that preparing for […]

This week we begin Advent, the first season in the church year. We remember in Advent that God’s love came close to us in Jesus and we look forward with hope to the ways God is still at work in our world. Hope is not just wishing for something but believing and acting as if […]

In our anxiety we want Jesus to be our magical savior. Instead of one who fixes everything in an instant, Jesus is the King who walks beside us through the ups and downs. The reign of Christ invites us to lives of service—and again and again as we care for the needs of others we […]

The world is ending and yet our texts remind us today not to lose hope. God promises to be right here in the midst of the mess-the messes we make, the messes that find us and the messes beyond our control. Accompanying Scripture:Malachi 4:1-2, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 21:5-19  

When life throws a curveball and one ends up in the hospital, religion often becomes an important aspect of the hospital stay. Comfort your hearts with God and with Jesus. Spiritual care is important at all times, but it is often incredibly needed for patients receiving medical treatment, as well as for their families and loved ones. […]

In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and lean into the wholeness of the […]

The theme in our texts for this week is don’t give up. Jacob wrestles with his broken relationship with his brother and ends up wrestling God. Jesus describes a parable where a widow wrestles with injustice and faces a grumpy judge. In faith we too are invited to be persistent, be honest, ask questions and […]

Today is a day of unexpected blessings, surprising signs of how God is active and alive and present in our world and in our lives in the most unlikely of places. Naaman, a commander and mighty warrior and enemy of Israel, suffers from leprosy and is offered healing through disappointing ordinary means. Also afflicted with […]

Life in a metropolitan area often lacks green space.  We do not have to travel far to see God’s creation.  We have parks, rivers, forests, zoos and animal rescues in the DC area and some just a short drive away.  An invitation this week is to take time out of our busy schedules to rest […]